Federal Aviation Administration February 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is amending the certification standards of normal and transport category rotorcraft. These changes are necessary to address modern designs currently used in the rotorcraft industry and will reduce the burden on applicants for certification of new rotorcraft designs. The changes will reduce or eliminate the need for certain special conditions currently required to obtain certification of modern rotorcraft. These changes also incorporate the provisions of equivalent level of safety findings and means of compliance issue papers that the FAA has made when approving certain design features.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace at Altoona, PA. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Revloc very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) navigation aids as part of the VOR Minimum Operating Network (MON) Program. The name of the airport would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Model Duo Discus and Duo Discus T gliders. 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 cracks in the connecting tube of the elevator U-bracket of the horizontal tail, which could compromise the stiffness of the elevator control system and of the attachment of the horizontal tail. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the elevator U-bracket for cracks and broken weld seams, the rear connection between the horizontal tail and the rear attachment on the fuselage for play and softness, and the foam support for compression between the vertical and horizontal tail, and replacing or repairing damaged parts as applicable. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notification provides information on flight training, checking, and testing for compensation in aircraft that hold experimental airworthiness certificates in compliance with the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (the Act), which was signed by President Joseph R. Biden on December 23, 2022. This notification provides sample scenarios to illustrate when a letter of deviation authority (LODA) is required and scenarios when a LODA is not required.

This notice announces a meeting of the NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC).

This action proposes to remove Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-314 in Maine because the route segments in Canada were cancelled by NavCanada. As a result, the remaining segments in Maine are no longer required for air traffic control (ATC) purposes.

This action amends the Class D airspace at Mesquite, TX, and the Class E airspace at Dallas-Fort Worth, TX. This action is due to an airspace review conducted as part of the decommissioning of the Mesquite localizer (LOC). The geographic coordinates of Granbury Regional Airport, Granbury, TX, are also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

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 a determination that internal system pollution can occur, most likely due to corroded unions in the pressurization lines, with an associated risk of contamination of the check valves. This AD requires repetitive inspections (functional checks) of the pressurization of the hydraulic system reservoirs, 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.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Federal Aviation Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company (GE) CF34-8C1, CF34-8C5, CF34-8C5A1, CF34- 8C5B1, CF34-8C5A2, CF34-8C5A3, CF34-8E2, CF34-8E2A1, CF34-8E5, CF34- 8E5A1, CF34-8E5A2, CF34-8E6, and CF34-8E6A1 model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by a predicted reduction in the cyclic life of the combustion chamber assembly aft flange. This AD requires revisions to the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing engine manual (EM) and the operator's existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate initial and repetitive fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPIs) of the combustion chamber assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is requesting public comment on the Delaware River and Bay Authority's proposed land release and sale of 2.94 acres of airport property at the New Castle County Airport in Wilmington, Delaware. The subject property was conveyed by the United States of America through a Surplus Property Act instrument of transfer in 1949. In accordance with Federal regulations, this notice is required to be published in the Federal Register 30 days before the FAA can approve the sale of this property.

This action proposes to amend Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-51, V-115, V-243, V-267, V-311, V-333, and V-415; and to revoke V-463 in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-1A10 airplanes. This AD was prompted by an investigation that indicated that one of the springs in the pitch trim switch of the horizontal stabilizer had failed. The failure of the spring could result in the airplane pitching nose down when actually commanded nose up. This AD requires a verification of the serial numbers of certain pitch trim switches, and replacement of the affected pitch trim switches with new ones in the pilot and co-pilot control wheels. This AD would also prohibit the installation of affected parts. 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 GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (GEAC) M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E- 11AS, M601E-11S, and M601F model turboprop engines. This AD was prompted by the exclusion of life limits for certain compressor cases and compressor drums from the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the engine maintenance manual (EMM). This AD was also prompted by certain compressor cases that, following rework, were improperly re- identified and the engine logbook entries were not completed. This AD requires recalculation of the consumed life for the affected compressor cases and compressor drums and, depending on the results of the recalculation, removal and replacement of the affected compressor case or compressor drum with a part eligible for installation. 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 DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC- 9-83 (MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) airplanes; and Model MD-88 airplanes. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that certain center wing lower stringers are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). WFD analysis found that fatigue cracks could grow to a critical length after the structural modification point (SMP) for these center wing lower stringers. This AD requires replacing certain left and right side center wing lower stringers. 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 A350-941 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of main landing gear (MLG) bogie pivot pins with damaged high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) coating, which resulted from heating caused by friction between the MLG bogie pivot pin and the bushes. This AD requires repetitively greasing the MLG bogie pivot pins, 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.

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 Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on June 23, 2022. There were no comments. The FAA assesses the information collected and issues operations specifications to foreign air carriers. These operations specifications assure the foreign air carrier's ability to navigate and communicate safely within the U.S. National Airspace System.

This action amends the Class D and Class E airspace and revokes Class E airspace at Alton/St. Louis, IL. This is action due to an airspace review conducted as part of the decommissioning of the Civic Memorial non-directional beacon (NDB).

This action amends the Class E airspace at Minocqua-Woodruff, WI. This action is due to an airspace review conducted as part of the decommissioning of the Woodruff localizer (LOC). The name of the airport is also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO- 105S, BO-105LS A-1, BO-105LS A-3, MBB-BK 117 A-1, MBB-BK 117 A-3, MBB- BK 117 A-4, MBB-BK 117 B-1, MBB-BK 117 B-2, MBB-BK 117 C-1, MBB-BK 117 C-2, and MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a missing main rotor swashplate (swashplate) inner ring (inner ring). This AD requires inspecting for the presence of the inner ring and, depending on the results, accomplishing additional actions. This AD also prohibits installing an affected swashplate unless it is determined that the inner ring is installed, 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.

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 Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on July 11, 2022. The collection involves Certificated Training Centers. Operators pay Certificated Training Centers to provide training to their employees, typically pilots, on different types of equipment if training is not done in house. The information to be collected is necessary because it allows aviation safety inspectors (operations) to review and to provide surveillance to training centers to ensure compliance with airman training, testing, and certification requirements specified in other parts of the regulations. If the information were not collected, inspectors would not be able to determine if airmen who are clients are being trained, checked or tested to meet the safety standards established in other parts of the regulations. To date, FAA inspectors have used the information collected to determine and assess regulatory compliance during routine program surveillance.

This notice announces a proposed update of FAA policy regarding incentives offered by airport sponsors to air carriers for improved air service. It is longstanding practice for airport operators to offer incentives to air carriers to promote new air service at an airport, including both new air carriers serving the airport and new destinations served.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (GEAC) H75-100, H75-200, H80, H80-100, H80- 200, H85-100, and H85-200 model turboprop engines. This AD is prompted by the manufacturer revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing engine maintenance manual (EMM) to introduce updated coefficients for the calculation of the cyclic life and safe life for the main shaft. This AD requires revising the ALS of the existing EMM and the operator's existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the updated coefficients and recalculate the cycles accumulated on critical parts. 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 Continental Aerospace Technologies GmbH TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 model reciprocating engines. This AD was prompted by manufacturer reports of fractured main bearing studs. This AD requires the removal and replacement of certain main bearing studs. 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 Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. (Continental) GTSIO- 520, IO-470, IO-520, IO-550, IOF-550, LIO-470, LIO-520, LTSIO-520, O- 470, TSIO-470, TSIO-520, TSIO-550, TSIOF-550, and TSIOL-550 model reciprocating engines with a certain Superior Air Parts, Inc. (SAP) cylinder assembly or intake valve installed. The affected cylinder assemblies and intake valves are installed as a replacement part under parts manufacturer approval (PMA) on certain affected Continental engines. This AD was prompted by three intake valve failures on reciprocating engines that resulted in engine damage and emergency landing or aborted takeoff. This AD requires replacement of the affected engine intake valve. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.