Federal Aviation Administration March 29, 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Currently, FAA regulations require all pilots operating aircraft to or from College Park Airport, Potomac Airfield or Washington Executive/Hyde Field Airport to file instrument flight rules (IFR), DC Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ), or DC Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) flight plans with the Washington Hub Flight Service Station (FSS). The FAA is transferring the responsibility for processing flight plans within the DC FRZ from the Washington Hub FSS to the Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). This document revises the regulations by updating the organization responsible for processing the flight plans and by updating the flight plans required for flight operations in the DC FRZ.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. 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 amends and removes multiple VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways in northcentral United States as part of the FAA's Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) efforts to safely improve the overall efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) and due to the decommissioning of the Tiverton, OH, VOR/ Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigation aid. This action also incorporates NAV CANADA's amendment to one of the airways that crosses into Canada's airspace.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-16-14 for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (now Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH) Model EC 135 P1, P2, P2+, T1, T2, and T2+ helicopters. AD 2013-16-14 required installing a washer in and modifying the main transmission filter housing upper part. Since we issued AD 2013-16-14, Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH has extended the overhaul interval for the main transmission and determined that other models may have the same unsafe condition. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2013-16-14, adds models to the applicability, and revises the required compliance time for the modification. The actions of this AD are intended to correct an unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Textron Aviation Inc. Models A36TC, B36TC, S35, V35, V35A, and V35B airplanes. This AD was prompted by a fatal accident where the exhaust tailpipe fell off during takeoff. This AD adds a life limit to the exhaust tailpipe v-band coupling (clamp) that attaches the exhaust tailpipe to the turbocharger and requires an annual visual inspection of the exhaust tailpipe v-band coupling (clamp). We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2004-03-07, which applied to certain Airbus Model A320-111, -211, -212, and -231 series airplanes. AD 2004-03-07 required repetitive inspections for fatigue cracking around the fasteners attaching the pressure panel to the flexible bracket at a certain frame (FR), adjacent to the longitudinal beams on the left and right sides of the airplane; and repair as necessary. This new AD retains certain requirements of AD 2004-03-07, expands the applicability, and requires an inspection of the fastener holes on the pressure panel and modification or repair as applicable. This AD was prompted by fatigue tests which revealed cracking around the fasteners attaching the pressure panel to the flexible bracket, and by the discovery of additional cracks under the longitudinal beams at locations that are not included in the inspection area required by AD 2004-03-07. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.