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

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directives (ADs) 2012-22- 05 and 2018-19-03, which applied to certain Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. AD 2012-22-05 required inspecting for cracks of the pistons on the main landing gear (MLG), and replacing the affected pistons if necessary. AD 2012-22-05 also required modifying the MLG, and revising the airplane maintenance program. AD 2018-19-03 required an inspection of the MLG, and replacement if necessary. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2012-22-05, expands the applicability, and requires a new modification or replacement of the MLG; as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by a determination that the required heat treatment may not have been applied to certain MLG pistons. 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 Airbus SAS Model A330-200 series airplanes, Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes, and Model A330-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that certain inspection procedures specified an incorrect inspection area. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections of a certain stringer location, and applicable corrective actions if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which will be incorporated by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-03-06, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. AD 2019-03-06 requires installing lanyard assemblies to the passenger service units (PSUs) and, for certain airplanes, on the life vest panels. Since AD 2019-03-06 was issued, the FAA has determined that additional actions are necessary for five airplanes. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2019-03-06 and require installation of lanyard assemblies to the life vest panels on those five airplanes. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action removes VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-61 in its entirety and extends area navigation (RNAV) route T- 286 in its place. The FAA is taking this action due to the planned decommissioning of the Robinson, KS (RBA), VOR portion of the Robinson VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigation aid (NAVAID). The Robinson VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

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 collection involves the collection of data for the Commercial Aviation Safety Team (CAST) to demonstrate voluntary participation with safety enhancements (SE). The CAST SEs are recommended best practices and implementation of the SEs is voluntary. It is vital for CAST to know the level of implantation of the SEs in order to determine the level of risk reduction in commercial aviation. To support this assessment CAST decided to gather information regarding the extent to which these SEs have been implemented by air carriers so it can determine if further action is required. To facilitate this data collection for CAST, the FAA has developed an information collection (questionnaire) for key SEs that air carriers and operators are asked to complete using the FAA's existing web-based system, Web-based Operations Safety System (WebOPSS). Completion of the questionnaires is voluntary, and is requested of all current, now 61, part 121 certificate holders that the FAA oversees.

This action modifies high altitude area navigation (RNAV) routes Q-75, and Q-475 in the northeastern United States. This action supports the Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Route (NEC ACR) Project. The modified routes were developed to improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS), expand the availability of area navigation (RNAV) routing, and reduce dependency of the NAS on ground- based navigational systems.

This action modifies VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-159 due to the planned decommissioning of the Hamilton, AL, VORTAC navigation aid which provides navigation guidance segments of the route. The Hamilton VORTAC is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

This amendment adopts miscellaneous amendments to the required IFR (instrument flight rules) altitudes and changeover points for certain Federal airways, jet routes, or direct routes for which a minimum or maximum enroute authorized IFR altitude is prescribed. This regulatory action is needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace under instrument conditions in the affected areas.

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.

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on Queen Anne's County's request for a land release and sale of 8.111 acres of federally obligated airport property at Bay Bridge Airport, Stevensville, MD, to accommodate a commercial development. This acreage was originally purchased with federal financial assistance through the Airport Improvement Program. The proposed use of land after the sale will be compatible with the airport and will not interfere with the airport or its operation.

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 collection involves receiving and maintaining correspondence required to be sent to the FAA from pilots who have been involved in a drug or alcohol related motor vehicle action. The information to be collected will be used to and/or is necessary because the FAA is concerned about those airmen abusing or dependent on drugs or alcohol in regard to the safety of the National Airspace System. Correction is being submitted to correct the docket number, Respondents, and Frequency information.

This action amends Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area at the Missoula International Airport, Missoula, MT. This action also amends the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 above the surface at the airport. Additionally, the action amends the Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 above the surface at the airport. Further, this action removes the Missoula VORTAC from the legal description. Lastly, the action makes administrative updates to the Class D and Class E2 legal descriptions.

This action amends Class E airspace at Astoria Regional Airport, Astoria, OR. The Class E Surface area will be reduced to contain published IFR departure and arrival procedures. This action also adds two Class E airspace areas, designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area. Additionally, this action amends the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 or more above the surface by reducing dimensions of the airspace. The airspace reduction will properly size the airspace to contain IFR arrivals descending below 1,500 feet above the surface and IFR departures until reaching 1,200 feet above the surface. Further, this action makes several administrative corrections to the airport's legal description.

This action proposes special conditions for The Boeing Company (Boeing) Model 787-10 series airplanes. 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 single-occupant oblique seats equipped with pretensioner restraint systems. 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.

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 December 26, 2019. This collection involves the pilot/ applicant's name, home address which is provided by the applicant, and his/her FAA certificate number. In most cases, the certificate number is one that has been assigned by Airmen Certification. The information collected is imperative to be able to identify the airman in order to process the required background check for the potential hiring air carrier employer.