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

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that corrosion was found on the horizontal flange on the front spar lower boom, between the rebate strap and the lower boom, and resulted in bulging. This AD requires doing a detailed visual inspection to detect any bulging, loose, and missing countersunk fastener heads at the left-(LH) and right-hand (RH) outer wing lower skin of the front spar between certain wing stations, and applicable on-condition actions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes special conditions for the Bombardier Model CL-600-2B16 (Bombardier) airplane. This airplane, as modified by Pro Star Aviation LLC (Pro Star Aviation), will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. This design feature is a system that emits infrared laser energy outside the aircraft as a countermeasure against heat-seeking missiles. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed 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.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-25-11, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-111, -211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and - 233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. AD 2013-25-11 requires repetitive inspections of the 80VU rack lower lateral fittings, upper fittings, and shelves for damage, repetitive inspections of the 80VU rack lower central support for cracking, and corrective action if necessary. AD 2013-25-11 also specifies optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. Since the FAA issued AD 2013-25-11, new damage was reported on airplanes that had complied with certain actions in that AD. This proposed AD would expand the applicability, remove the optional terminating action, and require new repetitive inspections, 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.

On June 10, 2021, the FAA published a final rule regarding the use of an electronic Pilot Records Database (PRD) and implementing statutory requirements to facilitate the sharing of pilot records among air carriers and other operators in an electronic data system managed by the FAA. An error in one of the amendatory instructions resulted in an incorrect effective date. This document corrects that effective date.

The Department of the Navy (DON) has prepared and filed the Draft Environmental AssessmentEstablishment of Restricted Area R-2511 at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Draft Environmental Assessment (Draft EA) evaluates the potential environmental consequences associated with the establishment of a special use airspace (SUA) consisting of one restricted area (RA). The new SUA would connect the existing R-2505 and R-2524 RAs. The new RA would be titled R-2511 and have the same dimensions as the existing Trona Controlled Firing Area (TCFA).

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-20-10, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. AD 2019-20-10 requires repetitive rototest inspections of the holes at the door stop fittings for any cracking, and corrective actions if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2019-20-10, a clarification of a certain compliance time for the rototest inspection was added. This proposed AD would clarify a certain compliance time and continue to require repetitive rototest inspections of the holes at the door stop fittings for any cracking, and repair if necessary, 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.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC120B, EC130B4, EC130T2, EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N, and SA-365N1 helicopters; and Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, MBB-BK117 C-2, and MBB-BK117 D-2 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by failure of an Emergency Flotation System (EFS) float compartment to inflate during maintenance of the EFS. This proposed AD would require inspecting certain EFSs and depending on the results, marking certain parts or removing certain parts from service, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). 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 Leonardo S.p.a. (Leonardo) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters with certain main rotor blades MRB installed. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an in-flight loss of a main rotor blade (MRB) tip cap. This proposed AD would require inspecting the MRB tip cap for disbonding. 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 Airbus Helicopters Model EC155B1 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of difficulties when jettisoning the co-pilot door during non-scheduled maintenance. This AD requires a functional check of the pilot and co-pilot door jettisoning system and corrective actions if necessary, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. 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 The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by significant changes made to the airworthiness limitations (AWLs) related to fuel tank ignition prevention and the nitrogen generation system (NGS). This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the April 2019 or November 2020 revision of the airworthiness limitations document. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the noise exposure maps for Sikorsky Memorial Airport, as submitted by the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a short circuit caused by chafing of the electrical wiring in the overhead panel. This proposed AD would require an initial detailed inspection inside the overhead panel for certain helicopters, repetitive detailed inspections inside the overhead panel for all helicopters, and corrective actions if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream G280 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that during full-scale fatigue testing, a crack was found in the area of the attachment of the wing rib 0 to the front spar. This proposed AD would require non-destructive testing on the forward (front) spar vertical stiffener and rib 0 for any cracking, installation of a doubler to the forward (front) spar and rib 0 attachment, and repair if necessary, as specified in a Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. 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 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-24 airplanes. This 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 the need to revise certain airworthiness limitations and certification maintenance instructions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 79-01-03, which applied to certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Model PA-36-285 airplanes, and AD 83-20-03, which applied to Piper Models PA-36-285, PA-36-300, and PA-36-375 airplanes. AD 79-01-03 required repetitive inspections of the spar carry through assembly until replaced with a different part numbered spar carry through assembly. AD 83-20-03 established life limits for the wing spar structural components. This AD retains the requirements in AD 79-01-03 and AD 83-20-03 and requires the spar carry through assembly inspection from AD 79-01-03 for additional airplanes and adds life limits for certain wing structural components previously omitted from AD 83-20-03 for certain serial numbered airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.