Federal Aviation Administration November 1, 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Austro Engine GmbH E4 and E4P model diesel piston engines. This AD was prompted by reports of failure of the high-pressure pump (HPP) driving gear and a subsequent determination that a batch of HPP driving gears may have been damaged during assembly. This AD requires, for engines with an affected cylinder head, inspection of the HPP driving gear and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacement of the HPP driving gear with a part eligible for installation. This AD also requires, for engines with an affected HPP driving gear, replacement of the HPP driving gear either before further flight or within a certain number of flight hours after the effective date of this AD. 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 De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of cracking found on a main landing gear (MLG) drag strut assembly. This AD requires a records review to determine if an affected MLG drag strut assembly is installed, repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of affected strut assemblies, a one-time magnetic particle inspection for cracking, and on-condition actions if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-354, and establish RNAV route T-421 in the eastern United States. The proposed changes to the routes would expand the availability of RNAV routing in support of transitioning the National Airspace System (NAS) from ground-based to satellite-based navigation. Additionally, a portion of the RNAV routes would provide en route structure where VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway segments would be removed due to VORs scheduled for decommissioning under the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

This action proposes to amend United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-251 in the central United States due to the decommissioning of the Malden, MO, (MAW) VHF Omnidirectional Range Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC), in support of the VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Minimum Operational Network (MON) program for improved efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) while reducing the dependency on ground based navigational systems.