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

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Safran) Arriel 2D and Arriel 2E model turboshaft engines. This proposed AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the maintenance and overhaul manuals to introduce new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations and maintenance tasks. This proposed AD would require the replacement of certain critical parts before reaching their published in-service life limits, performing scheduled maintenance tasks before reaching their published periodicity, and performing unscheduled maintenance tasks when the engine meets certain conditions. As a terminating action, this proposed AD would require operators to revise the airworthiness limitation section (ALS) of their existing approved aircraft maintenance program (AMP) by incorporating the revised airworthiness limitations and maintenance tasks. 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 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters. This proposed AD would require removing certain Titanium (Ti) bolts from service and prohibit installing these Ti-bolts in a critical area. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a broken Ti-bolt. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at multiple Minnesota Towns and to revoke the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Silver Bay Municipal Airport, Silver Bay, MN. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of airspace reviews caused by the decommissioning of multiple non-federal non-directional beacons (NDBs) within Minnesota. The names and geographic coordinates of various airports would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Yabor[atilde] Ind[uacute]stria Aeron[aacute]utica S.A. Model EMB-135, EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and - 145EP airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that calculations provided by the automatic takeoff thrust control system (ATTCS) are incorrect under certain conditions. This proposed AD would require updating the software of the installed full authority digital engine control (FADEC) systems, as specified in an Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) AD, which will be incorporated by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action extends the prohibition against certain flight operations in the Damascus Flight Information Region (FIR) (OSTT) by all: U.S. air carriers; U.S. commercial operators; persons exercising the privileges of an airman certificate issued by the FAA, except when such persons are operating U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except when the operator of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier. The FAA finds this action necessary to address significant, continuing hazards to U.S. civil aviation associated with the ongoing and complex conflict in Syria. The FAA also republishes the approval process and exemption information for this Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR), consistent with other recently published flight prohibition SFARs, and makes minor administrative revisions.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-09-05 for Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters. AD 2017-09-05 required repetitively checking screws in the emergency flotation gear. This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2017-09-05 but also requires installing a modification (MOD), which is a terminating action for the repetitive checks. This AD was prompted by the development of the MOD by Airbus Helicopters that addresses the unsafe condition. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

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 4/15/2020. The collection involves information used to identify foreign airmen in order to allow the agency to verify their foreign license when used to qualify for a U.S. certificate. Respondents are holders of foreign licenses wishing to obtain U.S. Certificates.

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface in Toccoa, GA, due to the decommissioning of the Foothills Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) and cancellation of the associated approaches at Toccoa RG Letourneau Field Airport. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of the airport, as well as Habersham County Airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

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 modifies Class E airspace at Fallon NAS (Van Voorhis Field) Airport by revoking the Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area. This action also modified the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface. Further, this action modifies the Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface. Lastly, the action implements numerous administrative amendments to the airspaces' legal descriptions.

The FAA announces the availability of and requests comments on proposed airworthiness criteria for the 3DRobotics Government Services Model 3DR-GS H520-G unmanned aircraft system (UAS). This document proposes airworthiness criteria the FAA finds to be appropriate and applicable for the UAS design.

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 FAA will use the information it collects and reviews to monitor compliance with the regulations regarding air tours in the Grand Canyon National Park.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA-28-140, PA-28-150, PA- 28-160, PA-28-180, PA-28-235, PA-32-260, and PA-32-300 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion found in an area of the main wing spar not easily accessible for inspection. This AD requires inspecting the left and right main wing spars for corrosion, and, if corrosion is found, taking all necessary corrective actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA announces the availability of and requests comments on proposed airworthiness criteria for the Percepto Robotics, Ltd. Model Percepto System 2.4 unmanned aircraft system (UAS). This document proposes airworthiness criteria the FAA finds to be appropriate and applicable for the UAS design.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-24 airplanes. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as improperly manufactured cockpit and cabin evaporator filters installed during production on some PC-24 airplanes. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-23- 51, which applied to all The Boeing Company Model 737-8 and 737-9 (737 MAX) airplanes. AD 2018-23-51 required revising certificate limitations and operating procedures of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to provide the flightcrew with runaway horizontal stabilizer trim procedures to follow under certain conditions. This AD requires installing new flight control computer (FCC) software, revising the existing AFM to incorporate new and revised flightcrew procedures, installing new MAX display system (MDS) software, changing the horizontal stabilizer trim wire routing installations, completing an angle of attack (AOA) sensor system test, and performing an operational readiness flight. This AD also applies to a narrower set of airplanes than the superseded AD, and only allows operation (dispatch) of an airplane with certain inoperative systems if specific, more restrictive, provisions are incorporated into the operator's existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL). This AD was prompted by the potential for a single erroneously high AOA sensor input received by the flight control system to result in repeated airplane nose-down trim of the horizontal stabilizer. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA announces the availability of and requests comments on proposed airworthiness criteria for the Wingcopter GmbH Model 198 US unmanned aircraft system (UAS). This document proposes airworthiness criteria the FAA finds to be appropriate and applicable for the UAS design.

The FAA announces the availability of and requests comments on proposed airworthiness criteria for the Zipline International Inc. Model Zip UAS Sparrow unmanned aircraft system (UAS). This document proposes airworthiness criteria the FAA finds to be appropriate and applicable for the UAS design.

The FAA announces the availability of and requests comments on proposed airworthiness criteria for the Amazon Logistics, Inc. Model MK27 unmanned aircraft system (UAS). This document proposes airworthiness criteria the FAA finds to be appropriate and applicable for the UAS design.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-21-10, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. AD 2019-21-10 requires a one-time eddy current conductivity measurement of certain structural parts of the outer flaps to determine if the incorrect alloy was used, and replacement if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2019-21-10, the design approval holder (DAH) has issued an updated list of suspected parts, including those that may have been improperly heat treated, and the FAA has determined that more airplanes are affected by the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require a one-time eddy current conductivity measurement of certain structural parts of the outer flaps to determine if the incorrect alloy was used, and replacement if necessary, and would also require a new one-time eddy current conductivity measurement of certain other structural parts of the outer flaps to determine if the parts were properly heat treated, and replacement if necessary, and would include additional affected airplanes, 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.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace at Bradford Regional Airport, Bradford, PA. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Bradford VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) navigation aid as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-08-01 for Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. AD 2018-08-01 required inspecting the control rod attachment yokes (yoke) of certain main rotor rotating swashplates (swashplate). This new AD retains the inspection requirements of AD 2018-08-01, expands the applicability, establishes a life limit, and adds a one-time inspection of stripped yokes. This AD was prompted by the identification of additional swashplate serial numbers affected by the unsafe condition and the establishment of a life limit for the swashplates. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD requires removing certain emergency life raft (raft) reservoirs (reservoirs) from service, inspecting the reservoirs and raft actuator cables (actuator cables), and depending on the inspection results, replacing the reservoir or adjusting the actuator cable. This AD was prompted by the inadvertent activation and deployment of a raft while the helicopter was in flight. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing and control issue regarding the ceramic balls in the bearing installed in the swashplate assembly of the main rotor mast assembly. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the bearing in the swashplate assembly of the main rotor mast assembly for discrepancies (ceramic balls that have a hard point or sensitive axial play or both) and, depending on the findings, replacement of an affected main rotor mast assembly with a serviceable main rotor mast assembly, 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.

This action proposes to amend Class D airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Smyrna Airport, Smyrna, TN. An evaluation of airspace in the area determined this airport to require an adjustment of Class D and E airspace. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.