Federal Aviation Administration November 23, 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), Council on Environmental Quality NEPA implementing regulations, and FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, the FAA is announcing the availability of and requesting comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment for the Huntsville International Airport Reentry Site Operator License and Sierra Space Corporation Vehicle Operator License (Draft EA).

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-07-02 for all Pratt & Whitney (P&W) JT8D-209, JT8D-217, JT8D-217A, JT8D-217C, and JT8D-219 model turbofan engines. AD 2011-07-02 required initial and repetitive torque inspections of the 3rd-stage and 4th-stage low- pressure turbine (LPT) blades. AD 2011-07-02 also required replacement of the LPT blade if wear limits are exceeded, replacement of the LPT- to-exhaust case bolts and nuts, and installation of crushable sleeve spacers on the bolts. This AD was prompted by a report of an MD-82 airplane, equipped with a JT8D-217C model turbofan engine, experiencing an engine surge that resulted in the fracture of the LPT blade and uncontained release of the LPT blade. This AD retains certain requirements of AD 2011-07-02, while revising the inspection thresholds and replacement intervals for the 3rd-stage and 4th-stage LPT blades. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-36 and V-316; and revokes VOR Federal airway V-180, in the northeastern United States. This action is necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada, NDB and the Dryden, Ontario, Canada, NDB. Both NDBs are being decommissioned as part of NAV CANADA's navigational aid (NAVAID) Modernization Program.

This action amends RNAV route T-348 and establishes RNAV route T-409 in the northcentral United States. This action expands the availability of RNAV routing in support of transitioning the National Airspace System (NAS) from ground-based to satellite-based navigation.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of restricted collective lever movement caused by entanglement of the emergency flashlight strap with the cargo hook emergency release lever, causing the emergency flashlight to leave its seat. This proposed AD would require replacing each affected emergency flashlight with a serviceable part, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). This proposed AD would also prohibit installation of affected parts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.