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

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/ 47, and PC-12/47E airplanes. This AD is 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 insufficient grounding of the vapor cycle cooling system (VCCS) compressor/condenser. This AD requires inspecting the power return and chassis grounding cable attachment points at frame 37, including the attachment parts, and depending on the inspection results, corrective action. This AD also requires modifying the installation of the VCCS compressor/condenser power return cables and installing an additional isolated VCCS chassis ground cable. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the Port of Bremerton, Washington to waive the Airport Improvement Program property requirements for approximately 20.65 acres of airport property located at Bremerton National Airport, Bremerton, Washington.

This final rule updates the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) manual requirements to reflect industry use of electronic and paper manuals. The amendments apply to fractional ownership operations; domestic, flag, and supplemental operations; rules governing the operations of U.S.-registered civil airplanes which have a seating configuration of 20 or more passengers or a maximum payload capacity of 6,000 pounds or more when common carriage is not involved; and commuter and on-demand operations. This action requires manuals accessed in paper format to display the date of last revision on each page, and it requires manuals accessed in electronic format to display the date of last revision in a manner in which a person can immediately ascertain it. This action also revises the requirement for program managers or certificate holders to carry appropriate parts of the manual aboard airplanes during operations. The FAA instead requires program managers or certificate holders to ensure the appropriate parts of the manual are accessible to flight, ground, and maintenance personnel when such personnel are performing their assigned duties. Lastly, this rule updates outdated language that refers to accessing information in manuals kept in microfiche. The FAA removes this outdated language and simply requires that all manual information and instructions be displayed clearly and be retrievable in the English language.

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 submittal of limits of validity of engineering data that supports the structural maintenance program (hereafter referred to as LOV) for certain airplane models. The information to be collected will be used to demonstrate compliance with FAA regulations requiring establishment and incorporation of LOV into the airplane's structural maintenance program.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A320-200 series airplanes, Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes, Model A330-300 series airplanes, Model A340-200 series airplanes, and Model A340-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that certain overheat detection system (OHDS) sensing elements, produced before January 31, 2021, may not properly detect thermal bleed leak events due to a quality escape during the manufacturing process. This proposed AD would require a one- time special detailed inspection (SDI) for discrepancies of each affected part installed at an affected position, and replacement of discrepant parts, 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 the installation of affected parts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of a loss of water pressure during flight and water leaks that affected multiple pieces of electronic equipment. This AD requires a detailed visual inspection of all door 1 and door 3 lavatory and galley potable water systems for any missing or incorrectly installed clamshell couplings, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-26-08 which applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. AD 2020-26- 08 requires repetitive inspections of the inner fixed structure (IFS) forward upper fire seal and thermal insulation blankets in the forward upper area of the thrust reverser (TR) for damage and applicable on- condition actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-26-08, it was determined a new upper splitter fairing assembly is needed to prevent the damage to the fire seal and thermal insulation blanket. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions specified in AD 2020- 26-08 and would require determining if an affected part number of the upper splitter fairing assembly is installed on the engine, replacing an affected upper splitter fairing assembly part number with a new upper splitter fairing assembly part number, inspecting the IFS forward upper fire seal and thermal insulation blanket for any damage, and applicable on-condition actions. 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 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 nor omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

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 nor omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

This action corrects an error in the final rule published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2023, amending Class D airspace, Class E surface airspace, and Class E airspace in the Greenville, Spartanburg, and Greer, SC areas.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, 737-700, and 737-800 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating the fuselage skin at the double row of fasteners centered on certain stringers is subject to skin cracking. This proposed AD is intended to complete certain programs to support the airplane reaching its limit of validity (LOV). This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracks of skin repairs at Stringer S-17, and corrective actions if necessary. The FAA is proposing 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 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for a new information collection. The collection involves soliciting project proposals for the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Fueling Aviation's Sustainable Transition (FAST) Grant Program. The information to be collected will be used to determine projects to be awarded FAST competitive discretionary grants.

The FAA is superseding Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-07-51, which applied to all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters and which was previously sent to all known U.S. owners and operators of those helicopters. Emergency AD 2023-07-51 required inspecting for a gap between the main rotor (M/R) pitch link upper rod end assembly bearing and the pitch control lever assembly and, depending on the results, replacing or re-identifying the M/R pitch link upper rod end assembly. Emergency AD 2023-07-51 also prohibited installing an affected M/R pitch link upper rod end assembly. Since the FAA issued Emergency AD 2023-07-51, it has been determined that a gap between the M/R pitch link upper rod end assembly bearing and the pitch control lever assembly that is within a certain dimension tolerance is acceptable. This AD continues to require the actions in Emergency AD 2023-07-51, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference in this AD, but allows a gap of less than 0.5 mm. The FAA is issuing 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 FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Honeywell International Inc. Model AS907-1-1A and AS907-2-1G engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of compressor surge, including a dual engine compressor surge, during takeoff climb out through a steep temperature inversion, causing a loss of engine thrust control. This proposed AD would require either the replacement of a certain electronic control unit (ECU) software version installed on AS907-1-1A engines with updated software or the replacement of certain ECUs installed on AS907-1-1A engines with ECUs eligible for installation. This proposed AD would also require the replacement of certain ECUs installed on AS907-2-1G engines with ECUs eligible for installation. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

These special conditions are issued for the Dassault Aviation (Dassault) Model Falcon 6X airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features associated with flight-envelope protections, in icing and non-icing conditions, that use high-incidence protection to automatically advance throttles when the airplane angle of attack (AoA) reaches a predetermined value. 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.

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 nor omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-21-11, which applies to all Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) Model PW4074D, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 engines with a low- pressure compressor (LPC) fan hub, part number (P/N) 51B821 or P/N 52B521, installed. AD 2018-21-11 requires performing repetitive eddy current inspections (ECIs) and fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPIs) for cracks in certain LPC fan hubs and removing LPC fan hubs from service that fail any inspection. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-21-11, the FAA determined that affected LPC fan hub assemblies can meet the published certificated life limit without the need for the required repetitive FPI inspections in AD 2018-21-11, and the repetitive ECI inspections require shortened intervals. Based on a report of another incident, the FAA determined that the unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on additional LPC fan hub assemblies and PW model engines. This proposed AD would expand the applicability to include Model PW4074, PW4074D, PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 engines with any part number LPC fan hub assembly installed and would require performing repetitive ECIs of the LPC fan hub assembly and, depending on the results of the inspections, removal of the LPC fan hub assembly from service. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-260 in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Marion, IA. This action supports new public instrument procedures.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319 series airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -252N, - 253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; and Model A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that certain overheat detection system (OHDS) sensing elements installed at certain positions might not properly detect thermal bleed leak events due to a quality escape during the manufacturing process. This AD requires a one-time detailed inspection of each affected part installed at an affected position and replacement if necessary, and prohibits the installation of affected parts at affected positions, 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 amendment adopts miscellaneous amendments to the required IFR (instrument flight rules) altitudes and changeover points for certain Federal airways, jet routes, or direct routes for which a minimum or maximum en route authorized IFR altitude is prescribed. This regulatory action is needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace under instrument conditions in the affected areas.

These special conditions are issued for the Dassault Aviation (Dassault) Model Falcon 6X airplane. This airplane 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 an electronic flight-control system requiring flight-control surface position awareness. 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.

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 February 1, 2023. The collection involves voluntary reporting of bird/other wildlife strike information following a wildlife strike incident with aircraft. This data becomes part of the publicly available National Wildlife Strike Database. Strike reports provide critical information that allows the FAA to determine high-risk species, track national trends, evaluate the FAA's wildlife hazard management program, and provide scientific foundation for regulatory guidance. Additionally, this essential information allows engine and airframe manufacturers to evaluate the effectiveness of aircraft components. It also helps airports identify and mitigate hazardous species and the location of wildlife attractants, affords a better understanding of strike dynamics, and provides key metrics for an airport to evaluate the effectiveness of its wildlife management program.