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

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a finding that when the autopilot is engaged, the architecture of the autopilot system does not automatically disconnect the autopilot in response to pilot application of a pitch input or when the electric pitch trim switch on either pilot control wheel is operated. This AD requires modifying the autopilot engagement circuit. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-06- 03, which applied to all The Boeing Company Model 777F series airplanes. AD 2021-06-03 required deactivating the potable water system. This AD was prompted by a report of a water supply line that detached at a certain joint located above an electronic equipment (EE) cooling filter, leading to water intrusion into the forward EE bay. This AD retains the actions required by AD 2021-06-03 and requires installing a shroud to the water supply line in the forward cargo compartment, and performing a leak test of the potable water system. For certain airplanes, this AD also requires replacing tubes and hoses from the water supply line and installing a shroud to the water return line. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice announces a meeting of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC).

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 99-23-18, AD 2005-03-07, AD 2013-12-07, and AD 2014-04-07, which applied to certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (now Bell Textron Canada Limited) Model 407 helicopters. AD 99-23-18 required revising the life limits for certain parts, replacing each part that had exceeded its life limit, and revising the Airworthiness Limitation Section (ALS) of the existing maintenance manual. AD 2005-03-07 required establishing a maximum accumulated Retirement Index Number (RIN) count for certain crosstube assemblies and revising the ALS of the existing maintenance manual. AD 2013-12-07 required inspecting the tailboom assembly for a crack, loose rivet, or other damage and depending on the inspection results, replacing certain parts. AD 2014-04-07 required preflight checking, repetitively inspecting for a crack in certain tailbooms, modifying and re-identifying certain tailbooms, installing an improved horizontal stabilizer assembly, and revising the ALS of the existing maintenance manual. Since the FAA issued those ADs, a report was received of a crack on the tailboom lower skin due to fatigue damage and new and more restrictive airworthiness limitations have been issued. This AD was prompted by a report of a crack on the tailboom lower skin due to fatigue damage and the issuance of new and more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD requires incorporating into existing maintenance records requirements (airworthiness limitations) as specified in the ALS service information. 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 The Boeing Company Model 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that a new airworthiness limitation is necessary to require periodic replacement of the oxygen sensor of the nitrogen generation system (NGS). This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the new airworthiness limitation. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action corrects a final rule published by the FAA in the Federal Register on October 24, 2022, that amends United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-269 in the vicinity of Yakutat, AK, in support of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska. The final rule identified the MALAS, AK, route point as a waypoint (WP), in error. This action makes an editorial correction to the reference of the MALAS, AK, WP to change it to be reflected as a Fix and match the FAA's National Airspace System Resource (NASR) database information.

This action amends the Class E airspace at Liberal, KS. This action is the result of an airspace review conducted as part of the decommissioning of the Liberal very high frequency (VHF) omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimal Operational Network (MON) Program. The name and geographic coordinates of the airport and the name of the navigational aid are also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action amends the Class E airspace at Independence and Pittsburg, KS. This action is the result of an airspace review conducted as part of the decommissioning of the Oswego very high frequency (VHF) omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimal Operational Network (MON) Program. The geographic coordinates of the airports are also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 206A, 206A-1 (OH-58A), 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a loss of tail rotor (TR) drive due to a failure of an adhesively bonded joint between an adapter and a tube on one of the segmented TR drive shaft (TRDS) assemblies. This proposed AD would require determining if an affected TRDS is installed; repetitively inspecting the bond line for damage; repetitively performing a proof load test of the TRDS assembly; and depending on the results of the inspections or the proof load tests, removing an affected TRDS from service and replacing it with a serviceable TRDS. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing a TRDS unless it meets certain requirements, as specified in a Transport Canada 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 certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the flightcrew and passenger oxygen system's refill and capillary lines may have been contaminated by sealant and cotton fibers. This AD requires an inspection to determine the serial numbers of the oxygen cylinders installed and replacement of each affected oxygen cylinder and regulator assembly (OCRA). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-14- 08, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A319-151N, A319-153N, A319- 171N, A320-251N, A320-252N, A320-273N, A321-251N, A321-251NX, A321- 252N, A321-252NX, A321-253N, A321-253NX, A321-271N, A321-271NX, A321- 272N, and A321-272NX airplanes. AD 2021-14-08 required revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to include a procedure to reinforce the airspeed check during the take-off phase and provide instructions to abort take-off in certain cases. This AD was prompted by the development of a software update to the elevator aileron computer (ELAC) to address the unsafe condition. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2021-14-08 and requires replacing each affected ELAC and removing the AFM revision required by AD 2021-14-08, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD also prohibits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-03- 12, which applied 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, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. AD 2018-03-12 required repetitive rototest inspections for cracking of the fastener holes in certain door stop fittings, and repair if necessary. This AD was prompted by new analysis by the manufacturer that resulted in optimized compliance times for the inspections. This AD continues to require repetitive rototest inspections for cracking of the fastener holes in certain door stop fittings at revised compliance times, and corrective actions if necessary, 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.

These special conditions are issued for Airbus SAS (Airbus) Model A380-800 series airplanes. These airplanes 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 digital systems architecture with several connected networks that will allow access from external sources (e.g., operator networks, wireless devices, internet connectivity, service provider satellite communications, electronic flight bags, etc.) to the airplane's internal electronic components. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These 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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that certain fasteners attaching the fuselage skin to a certain stringer may be missing. This proposed AD would require inspecting for missing fasteners and damage, including cracking, of the affected area, and repair or installation of fasteners if necessary. 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 certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-401 and -402 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by an investigation of incorrectly manufactured sleeves that were potentially installed in the main landing gear (MLG) forward door linkage assembly. This proposed AD would require review of technical records and inspections to determine if a discrepant sleeve is installed, replacement of any discrepant sleeve and re-identification of the MLG forward door linkage assembly. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of affected parts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPS) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure procedures (ODPs) 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 safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces the issuance and availability of a Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Assessment and Final General Conformity Determination for the Proposed Terminal Area Plan and Air Traffic Procedures for Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Illinois. The Final Environmental Assessment analyzes and discloses the potential environmental impacts associated with the Proposed Terminal Area Plan and Air Traffic Procedures at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.

This notice announces a meeting of the ARAC.

The FAA is extending the duration of aircraft registration certificates from three years to seven years. Initial Certificates of Aircraft Registration will expire seven years from the month issued. In addition, the FAA is applying this amendment to all aircraft currently registered under existing FAA regulations governing aircraft registration, which will extend valid Certificates of Aircraft Registration to a seven-year duration. This rulemaking also makes other minor revisions to rules related to internal FAA registration processes.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The collection involves the recordkeeping requirement for owners/operators of aircraft issued a special airworthiness certificate in the light-sport aircraft category (SLSA) to keep the current status of applicable safety directives, and transfer these records with the aircraft at the time the aircraft is sold. The information to be collected is necessary to determine and ensure the SLSA aircraft is in a condition for safe flight prior to aircraft operation. The title of this collection is being revised from Certification of Aircraft and Airmen for the Operation of Light-Sport Aircraft to Special Light-Sport Aircraft (SLSA) Safety Directive Recordkeeping, to better reflect the purpose of the information collected.

This action proposes to amend Jet Routes J-10, J-84, J-100, J- 128, J-144, and J-197, VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-172 and V-380, and Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-288; and revoke VOR Federal airway V-219. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Wolbach, NE (OBH), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Wolbach VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The FAA will expunge records of civil penalty actions against individuals settled with no finding of violation, referrals of apparent violations by U.S. service members to the U.S. Armed Forces, and referrals of apparent violations by individual foreign certificate users to foreign aviation authorities.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The collection of information is necessary to document participation in, completion of, and compliance with the pilot training program for the MU-2B series airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piaggio Aviation S.p.A. (type certificate previously held by Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A.) (Piaggio) Model P-180 airplanes. This AD was prompted by 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 corrosion in the bottom fuselage area of the cabin compartment due to inner and outer sides of fuselage skin panels of certain airplanes treated with the less effective primer. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the fuselage skin panels, visually inspecting the entire fuselage inner side skin if necessary, and taking any necessary corrective actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-01-09, which applies to certain Stemme AG Model Stemme S 10-VT and Model Stemme S 12 gliders. AD 2022-01-09 requires removing the affected freewheel clutch from service and prohibits the installation of affected parts. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-01-09, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) superseded its mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) to amend the definition of an affected part. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2022-01-09 for removing the affected freewheel clutch from service and continue to prohibit the installation of an affected part, and would amend the definition of an affected part and clarify the part installation prohibition. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.