Federal Aviation Administration January 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on November 3, 2017. Aircraft registration is necessary to ensure personal accountability among all users of the national airspace system. Aircraft registration also allows the FAA and law enforcement agencies to address non-compliance by providing the means by which to identify an aircraft's owner and operator. This collection also permits individuals to amend their record in the registration database.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-20- 06, which applies to certain Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell) AS907-1-1A turbofan engines. AD 2017-20-06 requires a one-time inspection of the second stage low-pressure turbine (LPT2) blades and, if the blades fail the inspection, the replacement of the blades with a part eligible for installation. Since we issued AD 2017-20-06, we determined the need to clarify the Applicability and Compliance sections of AD 2017-20-06. This proposed AD would continue to require a one-time inspection of the LPT2 blades and, if the blades fail the inspection, the replacement of the blades with a part eligible for installation. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the main rotor blade (MRB) tip cap for disbonding. This AD is prompted by a report of the in-flight loss of an MRB tip cap. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these helicopters.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of One Hundredth RTCA SC-159 Navigation Equipment Using the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Plenary.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of Thirty Second RTCA SC-217 Aeronautical Databases Joint Plenary with EUROCAE Working Group #44.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-08-06 for British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Models HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200, Jetstream Series 3101, and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and address an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as the need for airworthiness limitations for critical components in the main and nose landing gear assemblies. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-02-01, which applied to certain Airbus Model A320-211, -212, and -231 airplanes. AD 2016-02-01 required repetitive inspections to detect cracks of the pressurized floor fittings at a certain frame, and renewal of the zone protective finish or replacement of fittings with new fittings if necessary. AD 2016-02-01 also provided an optional modification that was terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2016-02-01, and requires accomplishment of the modification that was optional in AD 2016-02-01. This AD was prompted by the results of an additional fatigue analysis of cracking of the pressurized floor fittings and a determination that the optional modification should become a required action. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. (Bell) Model 212, Model 412, and Model 412EP helicopters. This proposed AD would require replacing the emergency flotation system (EFS) tube assembly. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of an EFS tube assembly failure. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these helicopters.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

The FAA is considering a proposal to change 2.128 acres of airport land from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the lease of airport property located at Bolton Field Airport, Columbus, OH. The aforementioned land is not needed for aeronautical use. The property is located in the northeast corner of the airport adjacent to the existing Columbus State Community College Building. The property is currently designated as aeronautical use for future hangar development. The proposed non-aeronautical use of the property is for the expansion of the Columbus State Community College Campus for the construction of a Fire Science Training Facility.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. M601D-11, M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, M601E- 11S, M601F, H80, H80-100, H80-200, H75-100, H75-200, H85-100, and H85- 200 turboprop engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a review by the manufacturer that identified the possibility of a power turbine (PT) rotor overspeed and the uncontained release of PT blades. This proposed AD would require installing a modified engine outlet system. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends the legal description of the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Kane Community Hospital Heliport, Kane, PA, by correcting the geographic coordinates of the heliport and point in space coordinates. This action does not affect the boundaries or operating requirements of the airspace.

These special conditions are issued for Boeing Model DC3C airplanes as modified by Preferred Improvements, LLC. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. This design feature is rechargeable lithium ion backup battery packs installed on the airplanes. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These 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.

This action proposes to amend Class D airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Castle Airport, Atwater, CA, to accommodate airspace redesign due to the decommissioning of the El Nido VHF Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) as the FAA transitions from ground-based to satellite-based navigation. Also, this action would update the airport's geographic coordinates to match the FAA's aeronautical database. This action also would make an editorial change to the Class D airspace legal description replacing ``Airport/Facility Directory'' with the term ``Chart Supplement''. These actions are necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

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 are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-06-20 R1, which applied to all Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes, and certain Model F28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 airplanes. AD 2008-06-20 R1 required revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness for certain airplanes, and the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, for certain other airplanes, to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems. AD 2008-06-20 R1 also clarified the intended effect on spare and on-airplane fuel tank system components, regarding the use of maintenance manuals and instructions for continued airworthiness. This new AD was prompted by revised fuel airworthiness limitation items (ALI) tasks, and critical design configuration control limitations (CDCCL) items, and associated thresholds, intervals, and instructions. This AD requires contacting the FAA to obtain instructions for addressing the unsafe condition on these products, and doing the actions specified in those instructions. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to modify the San Francisco, CA, Class B airspace area to contain aircraft conducting instrument flight rules (IFR) instrument approach procedures to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), San Francisco, CA. The FAA is taking this action to improve the flow of air traffic, enhance safety, and reduce the potential for midair collision in the SFO Class B airspace area while accommodating the concerns of airspace users. Further, this effort supports the FAA's national airspace redesign goal of optimizing terminal and enroute airspace to reduce aircraft delays and improve system capacity. This notice does not constitute either a final decision of the FAA or a re-opening of the FAA's August 6, 2014, final decision for the Northern California (NorCal) Optimization of Airspace and Procedures in the Metroplex (OAPM) project.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on November 3, 2017 (82 FR 51331). The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 mandates that all helicopter air ambulance operators must begin reporting the number of flights and hours flown, along with other specified information, during which helicopters operated by the certificate holder are providing helicopter air ambulance services. The helicopter air ambulance operational data provided to the FAA is used by the agency as background information useful in the development of risk mitigation strategies to reduce the helicopter air ambulance accident rate, and to meet the mandates set by Congress. In response to the November 3, 2017 notice and request for comments, the FAA received two comments. One comment from an individual and one comment from the Air Medical Operators Association (AMOA). The individual commented that the hourly burden per average response estimate has increased since the last notice was published on July 29, 2014 (79 FR 44083) and asked for the reason for the change in estimated burden. In response, the FAA clarifies that none of the requirements have changed, but operator data have changed. The overall number of operators has decreased. Additionally, the number of large operators (to which we attribute a higher hourly burden) has increased and the number of small operators (to which we attribute a lower hourly burden) has decreased. Therefore, in the aggregate, the average hourly burden increased from six (6) hours to eleven (11) hours per operator. The AMOA commented that they strongly supported the intent of the data collection requirement, but also noted that the original collection requirement should have been the subject of notice and comment rulemaking. The FAA notes, as indicated in the August 12, 2013 Requests for Comments; Clearance of a New Approval of Information Collection: Helicopter Air Ambulance Operator Reports (78 FR 48925), that prior to issuance of the first information collection notice, representatives from the Flight Standards Service, Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention, and the Office of the Chief Counsel met with representatives from AMOA to discuss the FAA's approach to this data collection. Meetings were held on October 15, 2012 and May 17, 2013. On June 28, 2013 AMOA submitted a response to the FAA discussing its view of the method to collect the data being pursued by the FAA. A copy of that letter was placed in the docket (FAA-2013-0684) and was considered by the agency. AMOA also commented that the FAA has underestimated the hourly burden for both large and small operators. Although AMOA did not provide any specific data to support its comment, in response the FAA has increased the estimates of hourly burden for both large and small operators in this notice and request for comments. AMOA also requested information from the FAA's Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention and commented on the FAA's implementation of certain provisions of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, which are both beyond the scope of this clearance of a renewed approval of information collection.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X, FALCON 2000EX, and FALCON 900EX airplanes. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) and minimum equipment list (MEL) to incorporate new limitations. This AD also provides an optional terminating action that removes the AFM and MEL limitations. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that, during approach, an airplane had an unexpected change of barometric settings on both the pilot and co-pilot sides, which also impacted certain display and navigational systems. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA has assigned the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) a new task to provide recommendations regarding the agency's guidance on the certification and oversight of all part 145 repair stations. This notice informs the public of the new ARAC activity and solicits membership for the new Part 145 Working Group.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of Twenty Sixth RTCA SC-223 IPS and AeroMACS Plenary.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of Fourth RTCA SC-236 Wireless Airborne Intra Communications (WAIC) Joint Plenary with EUROCAE WG-96.

These special conditions are issued for non-rechargeable lithium battery installations on the Dassault Aviation (Dassault) Model Falcon 900EX airplane. Non-rechargeable lithium batteries are a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These 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.

This action modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Northeast Iowa Regional Airport, Charles City, IA. This action is required due to the decommissioning of the Charles City non-directional radio beacon (NDB), and the cancellation of the associated instrument approach procedures. Additionally, the name of the airport is being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. This action enhances the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.