Federal Aviation Administration March 16, 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice announces a limited waiver of the minimum usage requirement that applies to Operating Authorizations or ``slots'' at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), in light of the current impacts on air travel demand related to the outbreak of novel 2019 coronavirus (also known as ``SARS-CoV-2,'' causing the disease COVID-19) (``Coronavirus''). Through May 31, 2020, the FAA will waive the minimum usage requirement as to any slot associated with a scheduled nonstop flight between JFK, LGA, or DCA, respectively, and other points that is canceled as a direct result of Coronavirus-related impacts. This action is effective for Coronavirus-related flight cancelations through May 31, 2020. The duration of the Coronavirus outbreak and its effect on demand for commercial air travel remains to be seen. The FAA will continue to monitor the situation and may augment this waiver as circumstances warrant. The FAA will inform carriers of any decision to extend the waiver period as soon as possible. In addition, this notice announces the policy that the FAA will prioritize flights canceled at designated International Air Transport Association (IATA) Level 2 airports in the U.S. due to Coronavirus through May 31, 2020, including at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), for purposes of establishing a carrier's operational baseline in the next corresponding season. The FAA is acting in good faith in granting relief to carriers worldwide impacted by the Coronavirus. In doing so, the FAA expects that U.S. carriers will be accommodated with reciprocal relief by foreign slot coordinators.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A320-214, -232, and -271N airplanes, and Model A321-231 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a production line inspection finding of damage on a main landing gear (MLG) side stay attachment outboard lug. This AD requires an inspection for discrepancies of the MLG side stay attachment outboard lugs, left-hand and right-hand sides, and applicable corrective action, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. 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 Leonardo S.p.A. Model AW169 helicopters. This proposed AD would require modifying the weight on wheels (WoW) support installation on the main landing gear (MLG). This proposed AD is prompted by a report that an inappropriately tightened WoW support could result in a rotation of the support and improper WoW switch performance. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to correct an unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend Class D airspace by updating the geographic coordinates, and remove Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Bogue Field Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field, (MCALF), Bogue, NC, at the request of the US Marine Corps. Class E airspace is no longer required, as there are no instrument approaches into Bogue Field MCALF. This action would also replace the outdated term Airport/Facility Directory with term Chart Supplement in the legal description of associated Class D airspace. This action would enhance the safety and management of controlled airspace within the National Airspace System.