Federal Aviation Administration November 24, 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Norway Heliport, Norway, ME, to accommodate new area navigation (RNAV) global positioning system (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures (SIAPs) serving this heliport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures 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 for the 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 supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-17-01, which applies to certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters. AD 2017-17-01 requires repetitive inspections of the main rotor blade (MRB) attachment pins. Since issuing AD 2017- 17-01, the FAA has determined that it is necessary to measure the attachment pin chamfer after corrosion removal, that replacement of an attachment pin after four corrosion removals is no longer necessary, and that all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters are affected by the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require the repetitive inspections of the MRB attachment pins, and would include a new requirement to repetitively measure the attachment pin chamfer at certain intervals after corrosion removal, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which will be incorporated by reference. This proposed AD would also continue to require replacing the attachment pin if there is corrosion pitting. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action modifies the Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area at Truckee-Tahoe Airport. This action also modifies the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface. Lastly, this action proposes an administrative correction to all of the airspaces' legal descriptions.

The FAA announces the availability of and requests comments on proposed airworthiness criteria for the Flirtey Inc. Model Flirtey F4.5 unmanned aircraft system (UAS). This document proposes airworthiness criteria the FAA finds to be appropriate and applicable for the UAS design.