Federal Aviation Administration October 7, 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA has determined to extend through March 27, 2021, the coronavirus disease 2019 (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 already has made available through October 24, 2020, with additional conditions as described herein. In addition, the FAA also has determined to extend, through March 27, 2021, its COVID-19-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, also with additional conditions as described in this notice. 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 remain subject to the stated policy on reciprocity that applied to the COVID-19-related relief that the FAA earlier granted through October 24, 2020.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. This proposed AD would require various inspections of the left-hand side (LH) engine fuel supply (fuel supply) hose and depending on the inspection results, removing from service or reinstalling the hose. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing any LH fuel supply hose unless it is installed by following the service information. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an incorrect installation of the LH fuel supply hose causing restricted fuel flow to the LH engine. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-26-01, which applies to certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C1, AS332L1, AS332L2, EC225LP, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, and EC155B1 helicopters with an energy-absorbing seat. AD 2015-26-01 requires inspecting for the presence of labels (placards) that prohibit stowing anything under the seat, and if a label (placard) is missing or not clearly visible to each occupant, installing a label (placard). Since the FAA issued AD 2015-26-01, the FAA has determined that additional helicopters are affected by the unsafe condition, and that new labels (placards) are required for all affected helicopters. This proposed AD would retain all of the requirements of AD 2015-26-01. This proposed AD would also add helicopters to the applicability and require a modification (installing new labels (placards)). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Textron Aviation Inc. (Textron) Model 172N, 172P, 172Q, 172RG, F172N, F172P, FR172K, R172K, 182E, 182F, 182G, 182H, 182J, 182K, 182L, 182M, 182N, 182P, 182Q, 182R, T182, F182P, F182Q, FR182, R182, TR182, 206, P206, P206A, P206B, P206C, P206D, P206E, TP206A, TP206B, TP206C, TP206D, TP206E, U206, U206A, U206B, U206C, U206D, U206E, U206F, U206G, TU206A, TU206B, TU206C, TU206D, TU206E, TU206F, TU206G, 207, 207A, T207, T207A, 210-5 (205), 210-5A (205A), 210B, 210C, 210D, 210E, 210F, and T210F airplanes. This AD was prompted by cracks found in the lower area of the forward cabin doorpost bulkhead. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the lower area of the forward cabin doorposts at the strut attach fitting for cracks and repairing any cracks. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.