Federal Aviation Administration October 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 99- 25-11, which applies to certain BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. AD 99-25-11 requires repetitive inspections for cracks along the face of the retraction attachment boss in the nose landing gear (NLG) sidewall; and corrective action, if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 99-25-11, additional cracking was found that indicated additional airplanes are subject to the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 99-25-11, and expand the applicability. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) and supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) that proposed to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 92-13-04 for certain Piper Aircraft Corporation (now Piper Aircraft, Inc.) (Piper) Model PA-23-150 (type certificated as PA-23) and PA-23-160 airplanes. AD 92-13-04 requires preflight water draining procedures for the fuel tanks on the affected airplanes. In June 2022, the FAA calculated the quantitative risk using current methods, which were not available at the time the NPRM and SNPRM were issued. The short- and long-term risk assessment calculations establish that an AD for the additional actions and the additional airplane models that were proposed to be added in the NPRM and SNPRM is not warranted. Accordingly, the NPRM and SNPRM are withdrawn.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

This action proposes to establish Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-465 in the northcentral United States. The new RNAV routes would expand the availability of RNAV routing within the National Airspace System (NAS) in support of transitioning it from ground-based to satellite-based navigation.

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Stephens Memorial Hospital Heliport (new name), Norway, ME, by updating the heliport's name. Also, this action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Oxford County Regional Airport, Oxford, ME, by updating the airport's geographic coordinates and removing unnecessary verbiage from the airport description. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-26 and V-63; establishes Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-464; and revokes the Wausau, WI, Low Altitude Reporting Point in the vicinity of Wausau, WI. This action is necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Wausau, WI, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Wausau VOR is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (VOR MON) program.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings for the noise compatibility program submitted by DLH, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for details. On April 11, 2022 the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by DLH were in compliance with applicable requirements. On October 6, 2022, the FAA approved the DLH noise compatibility program. All of the recommendations of the program were approved. No program elements relating to new or revised flight procedures for noise abatement were proposed by the DLH.

The FAA's current COVID-19 related relief policy for U.S. slot-controlled and Level 2 airports will expire on October 29, 2022. This notice confirms resumption of the minimum slot usage requirements for Operating Authorizations (slots) at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) for the Winter 2022/2023 scheduling season beginning October 30, 2022. This notice announces a similar resumption of standard FAA processes at designated International Air Transport Association (IATA) Level 2 airports in the United States (U.S.) to provide priority consideration for runway timings that are scheduled and operated as approved for purposes of establishing a carrier's operational baseline in the next corresponding season. These IATA Level 2 airports include Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The FAA recognizes the importance of reciprocity in connection with usage alleviation policies with regard to COVID-19-related capacity and frequency restrictions at foreign airports and will consider justified requests by U.S. and foreign air carriers for usage waivers based on reciprocity and other related circumstances.

This action extends the Order Limiting Operations at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) published on January 18, 2008, and most recently extended on September 18, 2020. The Order remains effective until October 26, 2024.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 96- 12-11, which applies to all Canadair Model CL-215-1A10 airplanes. AD 96-12-11 requires repetitive inspections to detect discrepancies of the microswitches fitted at the water door actuator; replacement of any discrepant microswitch; and modification of the water door actuator switches, which terminates the repetitive inspections. Since the FAA issued AD 96-12-11, it has determined that the corrective actions of that AD have not been effective at mitigating the risk of uncommanded opening of the water doors. This proposed AD would continue to require the modification of the water door actuator switches. This proposed AD would also require modification of the water door solenoid valve common grounds, add airplanes to the applicability, and prohibit installing certain water door solenoid valve selector assemblies. 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 The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that a spoiler sensor failure may go undetected by the autothrottle (A/T) computer. This AD requires repetitive built-in test equipment (BITE) tests of the A/T computer to detect a spoiler sensor failure, and corrective action if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action establishes RNAV T-route, T-377, in the vicinity of Sitka, AK in support of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska.

This action proposes to amend the Chicago Midway International Airport, IL (MDW) Class C airspace area by extending the existing MDW Class C airspace shelf within 10 nautical miles (NM) of MDW from the southeast counterclockwise to the northeast. The FAA is proposing this action to reduce the risk of midair collisions and enhance the efficient management of air traffic operations in the MDW terminal area.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for NZSkydive Limited (type certificate previously held by Pacific Aerospace Ltd.) Model FBA-2C1, FBA-2C2, FBA-2C3, and FBA-2C4 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 a batch of aileron control chain sprockets being manufactured with a non-metallic sleeve insert in the sprocket bore, which can cause cracks to develop and affect the integrity of the aileron control chain sprockets. This AD requires inspecting the sprockets to determine if they have a non-metallic sleeve in the sprocket bore and replacing any sprocket found with a non-metallic sleeve in the sprocket bore with one with a metallic sleeve, and prohibits installation of aileron control chain sprockets with non-metallic sleeves in the sprocket bore. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-16- 03, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2021-16-03 required an inspection for missing or incorrect application of the lightning strike edge glow sealant protection at certain locations in the wing tanks, and corrective action. This AD was prompted by in-production findings of missing or incorrect application of the lightning strike edge glow sealant protection at specific locations in the wing tanks and by the development of a modification to restore two independent layers of lightning strike protection on the wing upper cover. This AD continues to require the actions of AD 2021-16-03 and requires a modification to restore two independent layers of lightning strike protection, 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.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of failed rivets between the tailboom skin and the tail rotor (TR) gearbox support assembly. This AD requires visually inspecting the external surface of the TR gearbox support assembly, borescope inspecting or visually inspecting the inside of the tailboom for certain conditions, and performing a tactile inspection. Depending on the results of the inspections, this AD requires removing certain rivets from service or repairing gaps in accordance with an approved method. This AD also requires repeating these inspections within certain intervals. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action establishes RNAV route T-371 in the vicinity of Kodiak, AK, in support of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska.

This action amends United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-266 in the vicinity of Juneau, AK, in support of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska.

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to certain International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE LLC) PW1122G-JM, PW1124G1-JM, PW1124G-JM, PW1127G1-JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1127G-JM, PW1129G-JM, PW1130G- JM, PW1133GA-JM, and PW1133G-JM model turbofan engines. The table numbers of the service information referenced in paragraphs (g)(2) and (3) are incorrect. This document corrects those errors. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-1A11 (600), CL-600-2A12 (601), and CL-600-2B16 (601-3A, 601-3R, and 604 Variants) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that some rudder power control unit (PCU) load limiters were found in service with the crimping missing from the end cap; therefore, the pilot command from the load limiter might not transmit correctly. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the rudder PCU load limiters for correct crimping of the end cap, and replacing any defective rudder PCU load limiter. For certain airplanes, this AD would also require repetitive testing of the rudder PCU load limiter for correct functioning, and applicable corrective actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A300 B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C, and B4-203 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking of the flight compartment aft window frame and adjacent fuselage skin. This AD requires require a one-time check for previously accomplished repairs of the window pane and adjacent fuselage panel, and applicable corrective actions, as specified in a 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 establishes Class E airspace at Ellsworth, KS. This action is the result of new public instrument procedures being established at Ellsworth Municipal Airport, Ellsworth, KS.

The FAA is revising a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would have applied to all MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. This action revises the NPRM by proposing to require an inspection for correct installation of the flexible lamp assembly; trimming and reidentifying a bracket; and for certain airplanes, an inspection for damage of the wire harness assembly; and applicable corrective actions. The FAA is proposing this airworthiness directive (AD) to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions would impose an additional burden over those in the NPRM, the FAA is requesting comments on this SNPRM.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directives (ADs) 2005-15-11, 2016-07-09, and 2018-19-24, which apply to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 4101 airplanes. AD 2005-15-11 requires repetitive detailed and specialized inspections to detect fatigue damage in the fuselage, replacement of certain bolt assemblies, and corrective actions if necessary. AD 2016-07-09 requires a revision of the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable. AD 2018-19-24 requires a one-time detailed inspection of a certain fuselage frame and repair, if necessary, and a revision of the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or revised maintenance instructions and airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued those ADs, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2016-07-09 and 2018-19-24 and require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice announces the availability of the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee's (ARAC) recommended Gulfstream GV-series aircraft standardized curricula for certain air carriers and operators. The FAA invites public comment on the recommended curricula.