Federal Aviation Administration 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-15-02, which applies to certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters. AD 2018-15-02 requires repetitively inspecting the tail rotor (TR) pitch rod for a damaged elastomeric ball joint, and corrective action if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-15-02, the FAA determined that the manufacturer had developed improved inspection procedures and identified conditions that would allow the repetitive inspection intervals specified in AD 2018-15-02 to be extended to correspond with the intervals for the inspection of the TR pitch rod specified in the airworthiness limitation section of the applicable helicopter maintenance manual. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2018-15-02 and allow the repetitive inspection interval to be extended under certain conditions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-9, V-63, V-100, V-158, and V-171; amend Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-325; and remove VOR Federal airway V-127 in the vicinity of Rockford, IL. The air traffic service (ATS) route modifications are necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Rockford, IL, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/ DME) navigation aid (NAVAID). Except for RNAV route T-325, the Rockford VOR/DME NAVAID provides navigation guidance for portions of the affected routes listed above. The Rockford VOR is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B64/P2, GEnx-1B67/P2, GEnx-1B70/75/ P2, GEnx-1B70/P2, GEnx-1B70C/P2, GEnx-1B74/75/P2, GEnx-1B76/P2, GEnx- 1B76A/P2, and GEnx-2B67/P model turbofan engines with a certain high- pressure turbine (HPT) rotor stage 2 disk installed. This AD was prompted by a report of the potential for undetected subsurface anomalies formed during the manufacturing process that could result in uncontained failure of the HPT rotor stage 2 disk. This AD requires an immersion ultrasonic inspection (USI) of the HPT rotor stage 2 disk and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacement of the HPT rotor stage 2 disk with a part eligible for installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Embraer S.A. Model EMB-550 and EMB-545 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks, delamination, and failure of the flight deck side windows during certification fatigue tests. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the flight deck side windows for any cracking or delamination, corrective action if necessary, and eventual replacement of the windows, as specified in an Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-04-15, which applies to all Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT9D-3A, JT9D-7, JT9D-7A, JT9D-7AH, JT9D-7F, JT9D-7H, JT9D-7J, JT9D-20, JT9D-20J, JT9D- 59A, JT9D-70A, JT9D-7Q, JT9D-7Q3, JT9D-7R4D, JT9D-7R4D1, JT9D-7R4E, JT9D-7R4E1, JT9D-7R4E4, JT9D-7R4G2, and JT9D-7R4H1 (JT9D) model turbofan engines. AD 2012-04-15 requires revisions to the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the manufacturer's Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to include required enhanced inspection of selected critical life-limited parts at each piece-part opportunity. AD 2012-04-15 also requires additional revisions to the JT9D model engines ALS of the manufacturer's ICA. Since the FAA issued AD 2012-04- 15, PW notified the FAA that revisions to the mandatory inspections contained within the ALS of the manufacturer's ICA were necessary. This proposed AD would revise the required inspections of selected critical life-limited parts specified in the ALS of the manufacturer's ICA and, for air carriers, to the existing continuous airworthiness air carrier maintenance program (CAMP). 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 all Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, and AS350D helicopters; Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters; and Model EC130B4 and EC130T2 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of failed main rotor hub-to-mast attachment screws. This proposed AD would require determining whether the helicopter has been operated in a severe environment since the last inspection of the main rotor hub-to-mast attachment screws, an inspection of the main rotor hub-to-mast attachment screws if the helicopter has been operated in a severe environment, and replacement of the main rotor hub-to-mast attachment screws if necessary, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now 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 establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for New Garden Airport, Toughkenamon, PA, to accommodate new instrument procedures designed for the airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-23-05, which applies to certain Airbus Helicopters Model SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, SA-366G1, EC 155B, and EC155B1 helicopters. AD 2016-23-05 requires repetitive checks of the oil level of the tail rotor gearbox and, if necessary, filling the oil to the maximum level; and replacement of a certain control rod double bearing (bearing) with a new bearing. Since issuing AD 2016-23-05, the FAA has determined additional inspections, replacements, and modifications are necessary to address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2016-23-05 and would add helicopters to the applicability. This proposed AD would also require modifying the helicopter by replacing the tail gearbox (TGB) control shaft guide bushes; repetitive inspections of the TGB magnetic plug and corrective actions if necessary; repetitive replacements of the bearing; and modifying the helicopter by replacing the TGB; 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 notice announces a meeting of the Women in Aviation Advisory Board (WIAAB).

This action modifies two high altitude United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes (Q-13 and Q-15), establishes one high altitude RNAV ATS route (Q-174), and establishes five low altitude RNAV ATS routes (T-338, T-357, T-359, T-361, and T- 363) in the western United States. These Q and T routes facilitate the movement of aircraft to, from, and through the Las Vegas terminal area. Additionally, the routes promote operational efficiencies for users and provide connectivity to RNAV enroute procedures while enhancing capacity for adjacent airports.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Garmin International (Garmin) GMN-00962 GTS processor units (GTS 825, GTS 855, GTS 8000). This proposed AD was prompted by reports of GTS processor units issuing resolution advisories (RAs) when no risk of collision or loss of separation exists between the airplanes involved. This proposed AD would require updating the software version of the affected GTS Processor units. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action modifies the Class D airspace at Glacier Park International Airport. This action also modifies the Class E airspace, designated as a surface area. Additionally, this action modifies 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. This action also removes the Smith Lake NDB from the Class E airspace legal descriptions. Lastly, this action implements several administrative corrections to the airspaces' legal descriptions.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD 2019-12-09, which applies to certain Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rockwell Collins) FDSA-6500 flight display system applications installed on airplanes. AD 2019-12-09 imposes operating limitations on the traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS). AD 2019-12-09 was prompted by conflict between the TCAS display indications and aural alerts that may occur during a resolution advisory (RA) scenario. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2019-12-09 until a software upgrade is completed. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends Class E surface airspace and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface in Dubois, PA, due to the decommissioning of the Clarion Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range Tactical Air Navigational System (VORTAC) and cancellation of the associated instrument approach procedure at Dubois Regional Airport. This action also updates the name of the airport, as well as the name and geographic coordinates of Penn Highlands Healthcare-Dubois Heliport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace, extending upward from 700 feet above the surface. This action also proposes several administrative corrections to the airspace's legal description. This action would ensure the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for various model helicopters with certain part-numbered Goodrich externally-mounted hoist assemblies (hoists) installed. This proposed AD would require replacing unmodified hoists, installing placards, revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter, deactivating or removing a hoist if a partial peel out occurs, reviewing the helicopter's hoist slip load test records, repetitively inspecting the hoist cable and overload clutch (clutch), and reporting information to the FAA. This proposed AD would also require establishing operating limitations on the hoist and prohibit installing an unmodified hoist. This proposed AD was prompted by hoists failing lower load limit inspections. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

These special conditions are issued for the Bell Textron Canada Limited (BTCL) Model 505 helicopter. This helicopter as modified by Garmin International, Inc. (Garmin), will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for helicopters. This design feature is associated with the installation of an autopilot and stability augmentation system (AP/SAS). The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These 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.

This action proposes to amend VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-72, V-132, V-190, and V-289; and remove VOR Federal airway V-238 in the vicinity of Maples, MO. The VOR Federal airway modifications are necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Maples, MO, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigation aid (NAVAID) which provides navigation guidance for portions of the affected airways listed above. The Maples VOR is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. Arriel 2C, 2C1, 2S1, and 2S2 model turboshaft engines. This proposed AD was prompted by investigations by the manufacturer following level 1 failures in flight (minor anomalies) and level 2 failures on the ground (minor failures), where cracks were found on the soldered joints of torque conformation boxes. This proposed AD would require performing initial and repetitive inspections of the resistance values of the torque conformation box and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement of the torque conformation box. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that the upper wing skin at engine nacelle points may be subject to undetected cracking. This AD requires repetitive ultrasonic inspections of the upper wing skin at certain engine strut positions for cracking; repetitive detailed and ultrasonic inspections of the strut lower spar fitting, diagonal brace strut end clevis, and diagonal brace wing attach end clevis for cracking; repetitive detailed inspections of lower link fitting at certain engine strut positions for cracking; and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-01- 17, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2020-01-17 required repetitive checks of the pressure gauges on the inflation reservoir of each emergency escape slide/raft to determine the amount of pressure and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective actions. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2020-01-17, expands the list of affected parts to be checked, and provides optional terminating action for the repetitive checks; as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by the determination that certain parts that were not identified in AD 2020-01-17 are also subject to the unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to establish Area Navigation (RNAV) route Q-437 in the northeastern United States in support of the Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Route Project (NEC ACR) for improve efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) while reducing the dependency on ground based navigational systems.

This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-53, V-115, and V-140, and Area Navigation (RNAV) T-routes T- 215 and T-323; and removes VOR Federal airway V-339 in the vicinity of Hazard, KY. The Air Traffic Service (ATS) route modifications are necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Hazard, KY, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigation aid (NAVAID) which provides navigation guidance for portions of the affected ATS routes. The Hazard VOR is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4164, PW4164-1D, PW4168, PW4168-1D, PW4168A, PW4168A-1D, and PW4170 model turbofan engines with a certain outer combustion chamber assembly and 3rd stage low-pressure turbine (LPT) duct segments installed. This AD was prompted by reports of damaged or failed 3rd stage LPT duct segments on PW engines with the Talon IIB outer combustion chamber assembly configuration installed. This AD requires removing and replacing certain 3rd stage LPT duct segments. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 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 used to support the analysis of safety data as part of Safety Management Systems required for part 121 certificate holders. The information to be collected will be used to identify hazards and show ongoing compliance with part 5, Safety Management Systems. All collected data and records are maintained by the certificate holders and not submitted to the FAA.