Federal Aviation Administration June 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces that it is reviewing a proposed noise compatibility program that was submitted for Hawthorne Municipal Airport under the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, (hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 150 by the City of Hawthorne, Los Angeles County, California. This program was submitted subsequent to a determination by FAA that associated noise exposure maps submitted under 14 CFR part 150 for Hawthorne Municipal Airport were in compliance with applicable requirements, effective April 11, 2014, 79 FR 24488-24489. The proposed noise compatibility program will be approved or disapproved on or before December 20, 2017.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter, -200, and -300 series airplanes; and Airbus Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that the trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA) might not function as intended after failure of the primary load path. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed visual inspections for discrepancies of the THSA upper attachments and no-back housing. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are revising an earlier proposal for an airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 328 Support Services GmbH Model 328-100 and Model 328-300 airplanes. This action revises the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) by expanding the applicability and making certain inspections repetitive. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions impose an additional burden over those proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Federal Aviation Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of the FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

This notice concerns three petitions for waiver submitted to the FAA by Rocket Lab USA Inc. (RL) for the Flight Termination Receiver (FTR) Qualification by Similarity (QBS): A petition to waive the requirement that a component may be qualified based on similarity to a component that has already been qualified for use only if the environments encountered by the previously qualified component during its qualification or flight history were equal or more severe than the Rocket Lab qualification environments; a petition to waive the Electromagnetic Interference and Compatibility (EMI/EMC) on the same units; and a petition to waive the requirement that the same manufacturer must produce the qualified and the unqualified component in the same location using identical tools and manufacturing processes. The FAA grants these three petitions.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Federal Aviation Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of the FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

This action establishes temporary restricted areas (Temp RAs) R-2509E, R-2509W, and R-2509N, Twentynine Palms, CA, to support a Marine Expeditionary Brigade level Large Scale Exercise (LSE) planned for existing and newly acquired training lands at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC), Twentynine Palms from August 7 to August 26, 2017.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-16-02, which applied to certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) airplanes. AD 2014-16-02 required revising the airplane flight manual to prohibit thrust reverser operation, doing repetitive detailed inspections of both engine thrust reversers for cracks, and modifying the thrust reversers if necessary. The modification is also an interim (optional) terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This new AD adds a new terminating modification of the thrust reversers, which includes new inspections and repair, if necessary. This AD was prompted by a determination that it is necessary to add a requirement to repair or modify the thrust reversers, which would terminate the requirements of AD 2014-16-02. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-23-13, for all Airbus Model A318 and A319 series airplanes, Model A320-211, - 212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes, and Model A321-111, -112, - 131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. AD 2015-23-13 required modification of the pin programming of the flight warning computer (FWC) to activate the stop rudder input warning (SRIW) logic; and an inspection to determine the part numbers of the FWC and the flight augmentation computer (FAC), and replacement of the FWC and FAC if necessary. This new AD, for certain airplanes, also requires accomplishment of additional modification instructions to install the minimum FWC and FAC configuration compatible with SRIW activation. This AD was prompted by a determination that, in specific flight conditions, the allowable load limits on the vertical tail plane could be reached and possibly exceeded. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Model G-IV airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the G-IV gust lock system allows more throttle travel than was intended and could allow the throttle to be advanced to reach take-off thrust. This AD requires modification of the gust lock system, and a revision of the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate functional tests. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its decision to adopt the Department of the Navy's (DoN) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for Land Acquisition and Airspace Establishment to Support Large-Scale Marine Air Ground Task Force Live-Fire and Maneuver Training at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California. In accordance with Section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (``NEPA''), the Council on Environmental Quality's (``CEQ'') regulations implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and other applicable authorities, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, paragraph 8-2, and FAA Order JO 7400.2K, ``Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters,'' paragraph 32-2- 3, the FAA has conducted an independent review and evaluation of the DoN's EIS and SEIS for Land Acquisition and Airspace Establishment to Support Large-Scale Marine Air Ground Task Force Live-Fire and Maneuver Training at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California dated July 2012 and January 2017 respectively. As a cooperating agency with responsibility for approving special use airspace under 49 U.S.C. 40103(b)(3)(A), the FAA provided subject matter expertise to the DoN during the environmental review process. Based on its independent review and evaluation, the FAA has determined the EIS and SEIS, including all supporting documentation, as incorporated by reference, adequately assesses and discloses the environmental impacts for the temporary special use air space, and that adoption of the 2012 and 2017 EISs by the FAA is authorized under 40 CFR 1506.3, Adoption. Accordingly, the FAA adopts the 2012 and 2017 EISs, and takes full responsibility for the scope and content that addresses the proposed temporary changes to Special Use Airspace in the vicinity of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms.

The FAA hereby provides notice of intent to release certain airport properties 7.911 acres at the Williston Municipal Airport, Florida from the conditions, reservations, and restrictions as contained in a Quitclaim Deed agreement between the FAA and the Williston Municipal Airport, dated March 31, 1947. The City of Williston dedicated a 7.911 acre tract along 170th Avenue NE., 20th Street NE., 175th Avenue and NE., 25th Street to become a Public Right- of-Way. The Fair Market Value (FMV) of this parcel has been determined to be $44,600.00. Documents reflecting the Sponsor's request are available, by appointment only, for inspection at the Williston Municipal and the FAA Airports District Office.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Federal Aviation Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of the FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

We propose to adopt a new Airworthiness Directive (AD), for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604 Variant) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of in-flight uncommanded rudder movements. This proposed AD would require modification of the wiring for the yaw damper control system. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is withdrawing previously published special conditions for the Silvercrest-2 SC-2D engine model. We are requesting the withdrawal because the ``Rated 10-Minute One Engine Inoperative Takeoff Thrust at High Ambient Temperature (Rated 10-Minute OEI TOTHAT) is not needed.

This action proposes special conditions for the Safran Aircraft Engines (SAE), Silvercrest-2 SC-2D engine model. This engine will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with an additional takeoff rating that increases the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) limit to maintain takeoff thrust in certain high ambient temperature conditions for a maximum accumulated usage of 20 minutes in any one flight. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of Thirtieth RTCA SC-225 Rechargeable Lithium Batteries and Battery Systems Plenary.

This action proposes special conditions for the General Electric turbofan engine models GE9X-105B1A, -105B1A1, -105B1A2, - 105B1A3, -102B1A, -102B1A1, -102B1A2, -102B1A3, and -93B1A. These engine models will be referred to as ``GE9X'' in these special conditions. The engines will have a novel or unusual design features associated with the engine design. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-400, DG-500M, DG-500MB, DG-800A, and DG-800B gliders. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as a manufacturing defect in certain textile fabric covered fuel hoses, which could cause the fuel hose to fail. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Models DA 42, DA 42 M-NG, and DA 42 NG airplanes. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as crack formation on the flap bell crank, which could cause the flap bell crank to fail. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A318 and A319 series airplanes; Model A320-211, - 212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, - 131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of a vertical strut penetrating through the cabin floor during an emergency water landing and on airframe ground contact at certain speeds/accelerations. This proposed AD would require modification of the fuselage structure at frame (FR) 65. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-23- 10, which applies to all Airbus Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319 series airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. AD 2012-23-10 requires modifying the affected slide rafts. Since we issued AD 2012-23-10, we received a report that Air Cruisers developed a modification of the slide and slide/raft, which is part of the escape slide pack assembly, to improve its deployment. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2012-23-10. This proposed AD would also require replacing each escape slide pack assembly having a certain part number with a new escape slide pack assembly. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA announces its determination that the noise exposure maps submitted by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for Teterboro Airport are in compliance with applicable requirements.

This action proposes to modify Class D airspace at Spirit of St. Louis Airport, St. Louis, MO; Class E airspace designated as a surface area at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, Cape Girardeau, MO, and Spirit of St. Louis Airport; Class E airspace designated as an extension at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport; and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, Spirit of St. Louis Airport, and Macon-Fower Memorial Airport, Macon, MO. Cancellation of standard instrument approach procedures at these airports prompted the FAA to conduct a review of the airspace. Additionally, the name of Cape Girardeau Regional Airport (formerly Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport) and the geographic coordinates of St. Louis Regional Airport, Alton/St. Louis, MO; the OBLIO Locator Outer Marker (LOM), and the Macon-Fower Memorial Airport would be adjusted to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. The airspace designation for Macon-Fower, MO, in Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface would be removed as it is a duplicate entry of the Macon, MO, airspace designation.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 (including configuration C-2e) and MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This AD requires replacing the main rotor (M/R) blade vibration absorbers. This AD was prompted by a report of strong M/R blade vibrations on a Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopter. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.