Federal Aviation Administration December 17, 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Projects funded under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) must meet the requirements of Title 49 Buy American Preferences. The FAA is considering issuing waivers to foreign manufacturers of Lithium- ion Secondary Cell Battery Packs, or any comparable secondary cell battery packs, that meet the requirements of eligible airport-dedicated vehicles identified in Title 49 Zero-Emission Airport Vehicles and Infrastructure Program. This section allows the FAA to award Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant funds for the acquisition and operation of zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) at an airport, including the construction or modification of infrastructure to facilitate the delivery of fuel and services necessary for the use of such vehicles. The FAA is requesting any information from battery makers on the availability of lithium-ion secondary cell battery packs or comparable products manufactured in the U.S. and capable of meeting heavy-duty transit applications of the ZEV and ``FAA Buy American'' requirements of the AIP.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42 and ATR72 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in main landing gear (MLG) universal joints (U-joints). This AD requires repetitive detailed inspections of the affected U-joints for cracks, and replacement if necessary. This AD also provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface at Hooper Bay Airport, AK; Kaltag Airport, AK; King Salmon Airport, AK; Kodiak Airport, AK, Manokotak Airport, AK, and Middleton Island Airport, AK. This proposal would add exclusionary language to the legal descriptions of these airports to exclude Class E airspace extending beyond 12 miles from the shoreline and would ensure the safety and management of aircraft within the National Airspace System. Also, an editorial change would be made in the airspace designation for King Salmon Airport.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Model CN-235, CN-235-200 and CN-235-300 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.