Federal Aviation Administration March 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action amends the Class E airspace by adding a designated surface area at Bend Municipal Airport, Bend, OR. This airspace area is designed to enhance safety at the airport by providing controlled airspace to the surface. This action also establishes an airspace area designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area. This area is designed to contain aircraft on instrument approaches when they descend below 1,000 feet above the surface. Additionally, this action amends the airspace area extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface. Amendments to this airspace area are designed to properly contain arriving and departing IFR aircraft.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The reporting and recordkeeping requirements of this collection are related to FAA rules governing the operation of aircraft (other than moored balloons, kites, rockets, unmanned free balloons, and small unmanned aircraft) within the United States. These reporting and recordkeeping requirements are necessary for the FAA to assure compliance with these provisions.

This action proposes to amend VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-52 due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Bowling Green, KY, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigation aid (NAVAID). The Bowling Green VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (VOR MON) program.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.A. (Leonardo) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This proposed AD would require various inspections of the main rotor (M/R) damper, and depending on the inspection results, removing from service or replacing certain parts. This proposed AD would also require reducing the torque of the M/R damper hub attachment bolts, marking parts, installing a special washer, and installing a certain part-numbered M/R damper and prohibit installing other part- numbered M/R dampers. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of failed M/R dampers. The proposed actions are intended to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The FAA requires that small unmanned aircraft accidents be reported to the FAA if they result in injury or damage exceeding certain thresholds.

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. This collection involves the certification and operation of aircraft with seating capacity of 20 or more passengers, or maximum payload of 6,000 pounds or more, and includes the operator application requirements, maintenance requirements, and various operational requirements.

This action proposes special conditions for the Boeing Model 737-800 airplane. This airplane, as modified by Qantas Airways Limited (Qantas), 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 personal electronic-device (PED) retention straps installed on the backs of passenger seats. 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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of wear on fuel couplings, bonding springs, and sleeves as well as fuel tube end ferrules and fuel component end ferrules. This AD requires repetitive inspections of certain parts for discrepancies that meet specified criteria, and replacement as necessary; repetitive inspections of certain parts for damage and wear, and rework of parts; and electrical bonding checks of certain couplings. This AD also requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. For certain airplanes, this AD allows a modification that would terminate the repetitive inspections. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would have applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes. The NPRM was prompted by a report that a passenger entry door assist handle became detached during use. The NPRM would have required a detailed inspection of all passenger and service entry door assist handles for correct installation and applicable on-condition actions. Since issuance of the NPRM, we determined that the service information is ineffective in addressing the unsafe condition and must be revised. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-13-06, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747-400F series airplanes. AD 2015-13-06 requires repetitive inspections of the longeron extension fittings for cracking, repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of any modified, repaired, or replaced longeron extension fitting for cracking, and applicable on-condition actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2015-13-06, the FAA has determined that additional airplanes are affected by the identified unsafe condition. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2015-13-06 and include additional airplanes in the applicability. For those additional airplanes, this proposed AD would require only repetitive inspections of the longeron extension fittings for cracking and repair if necessary. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-19-27 and AD 2014-16-12, which applied to certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes. AD 2018-19-27 and AD 2014-16-12 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. This AD retains those actions and requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate additional new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by the FAA's determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG Trent XWB-75, Trent XWB- 79, Trent XWB-79B, and Trent XWB-84 model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of a lack of weld fusion on the resistance welding during manufacturing, which could result in air leakage through the low-pressure turbine (LPT) rear support seal panel assembly (``LPT seal panel''). This proposed AD would require replacement of the LPT seal panel. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Federal Aviation Administration is requesting public comment on a request by the Taylor County, Florida to release federally obligated land from conditions of the Surplus Property Quitclaim Deed dated April 11, 1947 at the Perry Foley Airport, Perry, Florida. This property was transferred to Taylor County under the authority of the April 11th, 1947, the United States, War Assets Administration and Section 13 of the Surplus Property Act of 1944 (58 Stat. 765). The request includes five (5) parcels adjacent to the airport totaling approximately 17.28 acres. Fair market value of the commercial properties at time of sale was $94,470. Documents reflecting the Sponsor's request are available, by appointment only, for inspection at the Perry Foley Airport and the FAA Airports District Office. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 125 of The Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21) requires the FAA to provide an opportunity for public notice and comment prior to the ``waiver'' or ``modification'' of a sponsor's Federal obligation to use certain airport land for non-aeronautical purposes.

The FAA has tentatively determined to extend through October 24, 2020, the coronavirus (COVID-19)-related limited waiver of the minimum slot usage requirement at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) that the FAA has already made available through May 31, 2020. Similarly, the FAA has tentatively determined to extend through October 24, 2020, its coronavirus-related policy for prioritizing flights canceled at designated International Air Transport Association (IATA) Level 2 airports in the United States, for purposes of establishing a carrier's operational baseline in the next corresponding season. These IATA Level 2 airports include Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). These extensions through October 24, 2020, would be on the same terms as the relief that the FAA already has announced through May 31, 2020. This notice affords interested persons an opportunity to show cause why the FAA should or should not finalize this tentative decision to extend relief through October 24, 2020, and to submit any information relevant to making this decision. The FAA anticipates subsequently providing notice of its final decision.

These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 777- 300ER series airplane. This airplane, as modified by GDC Technics, 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 a lower lobe crew rest (LLCR) compartment located under the passenger cabin floor of the Boeing Model 777-300ER series airplane. 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.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell) Model 205B helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by flight testing and fatigue analysis results. This proposed AD would require reducing the life limit of certain tail rotor (T/R) blades and re-identifying them with a new part number (P/N). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI) Model 600N helicopters. This AD requires establishing a life limit for the main rotor (M/R) blade upper control collective/longitudinal link assembly (link assembly). This AD was prompted by the discovery that the life limit was omitted from the maintenance manual. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends 11 high altitude area navigation (RNAV) routes (Q-routes) in support of the Florida Metroplex Project. The amendments provide more efficient, streamlined route options for users, and improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).

This action proposes to amend low altitude RNAV route T-300, and establish low altitude RNAV routes T-391, T-393, and T-395 in the northeastern United States. The proposed changes would reduce the dependency of the National Airspace System (NAS) on ground-based navigational systems, and assist with the transition to a more efficient Performance Based Navigation (PBN) route structure. This proposal would also provide RNAV routing in support the FAA's VOR Minimum Operating Network (VOR MON) program.

This action proposes to establish 19 new high altitude area navigation (RNAV) routes (Q-routes), and modify 13 existing Q-routes, in support of the Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Route (NEC ACR) Project. This proposal would improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) by expanding the availability of RNAV routing and reducing the dependency on ground-based navigational systems.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This AD requires repetitive cycling of the airplane electrical power. This AD was prompted by a report that the stale-data monitoring function of the common core system (CCS) may be lost when continuously powered on for 51 days. This could lead to undetected or unannunciated loss of common data network (CDN) message age validation, combined with a CDN switch failure. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs) 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 safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

This action proposes to amend two VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways, V-55 and V-271; amend two low altitude Area Navigation (RNAV) routes, T-215 and T-265; and remove two VOR Federal airways, V-215 and V-450, in the vicinity of Muskegon, MI. The air traffic service (ATS) route modifications are necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Muskegon, MI, VOR/ Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigation aid (NAVAID). The NAVAID provides navigation guidance for portions of the affected ATS routes. This VOR is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-07-08, which applies to certain Leonardo S.p.A (type certificate previously held by Agusta S.p.A) Model A109E, A109K2, A109S, AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters. AD 2018-07-08 requires reducing the life limit of the tail rotor blade retention bolt and an inspection of that bolt for cracking, and replacement of any cracked bolt. Since issuing AD 2018-07-08, the FAA has determined that repetitive inspections of the tail rotor blade retention bolt are needed to address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require reducing the life limit of the tail rotor blade retention bolt, inspecting that bolt for cracking, and replacing any cracked bolt. In addition, this proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the tail rotor blade retention bolt for cracking. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-1A11 (600), CL-600-2A12 (601), and CL-600-2B16 (601-3A, 601-3R, and 604 Variants) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that fast and easy access to the portable oxygen bottle may be prevented by the portable oxygen bottle installation's upper bracket latch assembly catching on the pressure gauge tube or on the pressure gauge bezel of the portable oxygen bottle. This proposed AD would require a check to identify the manufacturer and part number of the portable oxygen bottle installation, and, if necessary, modification of the portable oxygen bottle installation. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.