Federal Aviation Administration June 11, 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-25- 13, which applied to all Engine Alliance (EA) GP7270 and GP7277 model turbofan engines with a certain low-pressure compressor (LPC) 1st-stage fan blade installed. AD 2019-25-13 required an ultrasonic inspection of the affected LPC 1st-stage fan blades and replacement of any affected LPC 1st-stage fan blade that fails the inspection. This AD lowers the initial inspection threshold and requires repetitive ultrasonic inspections on affected LPC 1st-stage fan blades. This AD was prompted by a report of an in-flight shutdown (IFSD) of an engine due to the fracture of multiple LPC 1st-stage fan blades. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at MSP GHQ Heliport, Framingham, MA, 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 action amends Class D airspace, Class E surface airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Worcester Regional Airport, Worcester, MA, as an airspace evaluation of the area determined additional airspace is necessary. Also, this action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for UMass Memorial Medical Center University Campus Heliport, 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.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the noise exposure map submitted by City of San Antonio Aviation Department for San Antonio International Airport is in compliance with applicable statuary and regulatory requirements.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Textron Canada Limited (type certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) (Bell) Model 505 helicopters. This AD was prompted by the discovery of a gap between the transmission restraint assembly aft attachment hardware lower washer and mating airframe truss assembly (truss assembly) clevis lower lug. This AD requires inspecting the transmission restraint aft attachment hardware installation for a gap and corrective action depending on the inspection results. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of increased control force in the collective axis. This AD requires a one-time visual inspection of the main rotor actuator (MRA), as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now 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 amends the Class D and Class E airspace at Sioux Gateway Airport/Brigadier General Bud Day Field, Sioux City, IA. This action is the result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Sioux City VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) navigation aid as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. The name and geographic coordinates of the airport are also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action amends the Class E airspace at Neosho Hugh Robinson Airport, Neosho, MO. This action is the result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Neosho VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) navigation aid as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program.

This action amends the Class E airspace area extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface over the State of Michigan and removes overlapping and redundant enroute domestic airspace areas within these boundaries. This action corrects, simplifies, and closes gaps in the Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface over the State of Michigan; provides transitional airspace to support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations to and from the terminal and enroute environments within the state; and improves air traffic control services over the state.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-03- 10, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes; and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes). AD 2019-03-10 required repetitive detailed visual inspections of the main landing gear (MLG) leg components and replacement of the MLG leg if cracked components are found. This AD continues to require the actions required by AD 2019-03-10. For certain airplanes, this AD also requires modification of the MLG hinge arm by installing improved MLG hinge arm/barrel pins; an out-of-roundness check of removed pins; repetitive inspections of any affected pins and the associated connecting rod bushes, and replacement of the MLG leg if cracked components are found; and installation of an improved spacer; as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in MLG leg components and a determination that additional actions (including inspections, modifications, and checks) are needed to address the unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.