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

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a manufacturing issue with an electrical connector that may prevent the connector from self- locking. This proposed AD would require removing the affected connector, installing a new connector, and testing the emergency power supply units (EPSUs), as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This document announces the existence of and requests comments on the proposed airworthiness design criteria for acceptance for the type certification of the ICON Aircraft, Inc., Model A5-B airplane under the regulations for primary category aircraft.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Embraer S.A. Model EMB-135BJ airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of missing sealant on the rivets installed in the interface between rib 3 and the wing skin. This proposed AD would require applying sealant on the rivets installed in the interface between rib 3 and wing skin, as specified in an Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice announces a meeting of the Research, Engineering, and Development Advisory Committee (REDAC).

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-04-15, which applies to certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. AD 2023-04-15 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-04- 15, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2023-04-15 and would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-10- 08, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A320-214, -251N, and - 271N airplanes. AD 2022-10-08 required a one-time detailed inspection of the affected passenger seats and corrective actions if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-10-08, it was determined that additional passenger seats are affected. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2022-10-08, and also requires inspecting additional affected passenger seats; 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 document alerts the public that the FAA intends to initiate a rulemaking to address the exception from FAA's domestic, flag, and supplemental operations regulations for public charter operators. To inform this effort, the FAA seeks public comment, data, and other information regarding current and planned public charter flights operated under on-demand rules that appear indistinguishable from flights conducted by air carriers as supplemental or domestic operations. The FAA will review comments received in response to this document to evaluate the need for and, if necessary, scope of any rulemaking.

This Notice announces the FAA's intent to designate Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SA1201GL as abandoned and make the related engineering data available upon request. The FAA has received a request to provide engineering data concerning this STC. The FAA has been unsuccessful in contacting the STC holder concerning the STC. This action is intended to enhance aviation safety.

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.

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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that all six Integrated Display Units (IDUs) became blank when new flight plan data was entered in the Flight Management System (FMS), and by a determination that indication of decaying airspeed in certain scenarios is required. This proposed AD would require installing updated software. 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 the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for a renewed information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on January 25, 2023. FAA received two comments to this notice. The collection involves a request that airplane operators subject to the applicability of Annex 16, Volume IV of the Convention on Civil Aviation (hereinafter the ``Chicago Convention'') submit electronically an Emissions Monitoring Plan (EMP), an annual Emissions Report (ER), and an optional annual ER CORSIA Eligible Fuels Annex (CEFA) to the FAA. The information to be collected is necessary because FAA will use the information to fulfill the United States' responsibilities under the Chicago Convention.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2B16 (604 Variant) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that some airplanes were delivered without a portable protective breathing equipment (PBE) device located in the forward left side cabin area of the airplane. This proposed AD would require visually inspecting the forward left side cabin area of the airplane to determine if the portable PBE device is installed and, if not installed, would require installing the portable PBE device along with the associated placard. 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 Thales AVS France SAS (Thales) flight management computer navigation modules (FMC2 NAVM) installed on, but not limited to, airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that, due to software issues, certain FMC2 NAVM navigation modules provide erroneous data to the flight management computer, compromising safe flight of the airplane. This proposed AD would require revising the existing aircraft flight manual (AFM) for your airplane and updating the navigation database. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing a database unless certain procedures were removed. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-24 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of an electrical burning smell in the cabin without the presence of smoke. This AD requires revising the Limitations Section of the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) for your airplane, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). 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 renew information collection. Advisory Circular 70-2B provides guidance to civilian air crews on the reporting of laser illumination incidents and recommended mitigation actions to be taken in order to ensure continued safe and orderly flight operations.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces additional findings for the noise compatibility program submitted by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for EWR, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for details. On January 15, 2019, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted for EWR were in compliance with applicable requirements. On August 19, 2022, the FAA determined that the noise compatibility program submitted for EWR would be initiating final review for approval or disapproval. On February 15, 2023, the FAA approved the EWR noise compatibility program with the issuance of a Record of Approval. The noise compatibility program contained 28 recommended measures, including 13 noise abatement measures, three land use measures, and 12 program management measures. Of the measures proposed, 15 were approved, two were approved as voluntary, two were partially approved as voluntary and partially disapproved, five were disapproved, and one was determined to have no FAA action as continuations of existing mandatory practices at EWR. Three measures contained in the noise compatibility program were noise abatement procedures that required additional consultation with the FAA Air Traffic Organization. Additionally, following issuance of the Record of Approval on February 15, 2023, the Port Authority requested that the FAA revisit the decision for Noise Abatement Measure 6, indicating that the rationale for disapproval originally provided contained an error. On August 14, 2023, the FAA issued a Supplemental Record of Approval for the EWR noise compatibility program regarding these four noise abatement measures. The Supplemental Record of Approval disapproves the three measures upon which No Action was taken with the February 15, 2023 Record of Approval and revises the decision on Noise Abatement Measure 6 from disapproved to approved.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-401 and - 402 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of the main landing gear (MLG) aft door not opening when using the alternate extension system. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the spring box assembly, repetitive inspections of the cam assembly and alternate release cable assembly, corrective actions if necessary, and a replacement of certain alternate release cable assemblies. In addition, this AD requires certain aircraft maintenance manuals tasks when installing the cam assembly or alternate release cable assembly. This AD also prohibits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of mechanical wear damage found on the engine fuel feed system tubes and fuel tube connections. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the fuel feed system for damage, and replacement if necessary, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This proposed rule would incorporate various changes required by the United States Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act of November 2015. This proposed rule would provide regulatory clarity to applicants seeking licenses for space flight operations involving government astronauts by adding two new subparts to the human space flight regulations containing requirements for operators with government astronauts with and without safety-critical roles on board vehicles. The proposed rule would also require an operator to demonstrate any government astronauts on board can perform their role in safety-critical tasks. This proposed requirement would maintain public safety by ensuring operators provide mission specific training on safety-critical tasks to government astronauts, as has been done in the NASA Commercial Crew Program. The proposed rule would also update definitions relating to commercial space launch and reentry vehicles and occupants to reflect current legislative definitions, expand applicability of permitted operations for reusable suborbital rockets to include reusable launch vehicles that will be launched into a suborbital trajectory or reentered from a suborbital trajectory, as well as implement clarifications to financial responsibility requirements in accordance with the United States Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act. Finally, this proposed rule would move the templates for waiver of claims to an advisory circular.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Embraer S.A. Model ERJ 190-100 STD, -100 LR, -100 IGW, -200 STD, -200 LR, and -200 IGW airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary and a determination by the design approval holder (DAH) that some structural elements are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, and for certain airplanes would require a structural modification of the wing lower skin panels, as specified in an Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action extends the comment period for the notice of proposed rulemaking, (NPRM), Public Aircraft Logging of Flight Time, Training in Certain Aircraft Holding Special Airworthiness Certificates, and Flight Instructor Privileges. On June 23, 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published this proposed rule. The NPRM proposed to allow pilots conducting public aircraft operations (PAO) to credit their flight time towards FAA civil regulatory requirements. Additionally, the FAA proposed to amend the operating rules for experimental aircraft to permit certain flight training, testing, and checking in these aircraft without a letter of deviation authority (LODA). The FAA proposed to extend the same relief to certain flight training, testing, and checking in limited category, primary category, and experimental light sport aircraft. The FAA also proposed miscellaneous amendments related to recent flight experience, flight instructor privileges, flight training in certain aircraft holding special airworthiness certificates, and the related prohibitions on conducting these activities for compensation or hire. The FAA is extending the comment period for this NPRM to allow commenters additional time to analyze the proposed rule and prepare a response.

This action modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface to adequately contain all instrument flight rule (IFR) procedures at Alliance Municipal Airport, NE. This action supports the safety and management of IFR operations at the airport.

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.