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

The FAA is revising a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-26-08. AD 2020-26-08 applies to The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. This action revises the NPRM by proposing replacement of an additional upper splitter fairing assembly. The FAA is proposing this 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 is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that was published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to certain International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE LLC) Model PW1124G1-JM, PW1127G- JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1129G-JM, PW1130G-JM, PW1133G-JM, and PW1133GA-JM engines. As published, a part number was inadvertently excluded in the regulatory text of the AD. This document corrects that error. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of multiple occurrences of low clearance or fouling between certain wiring harnesses and a hydraulic bracket and structure in the wing trailing edge area that were detected on the production line. This proposed AD would require inspecting certain wiring harnesses for any damage and clearance to adjacent structure and corrective actions, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). This proposed AD would also require an inspection report. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2021-13-07, which applies to all GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (GEAC) (type certificate previously held by WALTER Engine a.s., Walter a.s., and MOTORLET a.s.) Model M601D-11, M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, M601E- 11S, and M601F engines. AD 2021-13-07 requires recalculating the life of critical parts and, depending on the results of the recalculation, replacing these critical parts. AD 2021-13-07 also requires replacing a certain compressor case. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-13-07, the manufacturer published the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing engine maintenance manual (EMM), which includes the calculations for the life of critical parts addressed by AD 2021-13-07 and prompted this proposed AD. This proposed AD would continue to require the replacement of a certain centrifugal compressor case. This proposed AD would also include an additional part number as an option for the replacement and would limit the applicability of the proposed AD, 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 proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 757 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of operators finding frequent and severe damage to the blowout vent grills of the aft soft bulkhead lining in the aft lower lobe cargo compartment. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections of certain decompression panels and pressure equalization valves, as applicable, in the forward and aft lower lobe cargo compartments for damage, and applicable on-condition actions. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would also require replacement of a certain soft bulkhead with a rigid bulkhead. For certain other airplanes, this proposed AD would require installation of doublers to a certain bulkhead assembly panel. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action removes the current flight prohibition Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) for specified areas of the Dnipro Flight Information Region (FIR) (UKDV). This SFAR, which is scheduled to expire on October 27, 2023, reflects risks to the safety of U.S. civil aviation as they existed prior to the Russian Federation's full- scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and is therefore obsolete. This action is necessary to alleviate confusion that might otherwise result from leaving an obsolete rule in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) after its scheduled expiration date of October 27, 2023. FAA Notice-to-Air-Missions (NOTAM) KICZ A0004/22 remains in effect and continues to prohibit U.S. civil flight operations in the Lviv (UKLV), Kyiv (UKBV), Dnipro (UKDV), Simferopol (UKFV), and Odesa (UKOV) FIRs, as well as the Kyiv Upper Information Region (UIR) (UKBU). NOTAM KICZ A0004/22, together with NOTAMs KICZ A0003/22 and A0005/22, reflects the FAA's current assessment of the safety-of-flight risks the Russia- Ukraine conflict presents to U.S. civil aviation operations.

These special conditions are issued for The Boeing Company (Boeing) Model 777 series airplanes. These airplanes 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 pretensioner restraint systems installed on passenger seats. 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 is considering a proposal to change approximately 0.135 acres of airport land from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize an easement be placed on airport property located at Evansville Regional Airport, Evansville, Indiana. The aforementioned land is not needed for aeronautical use. The land is located at the intersection of Oak Hill Road and William L. Brooks Drive and is currently vacant. The proposed use of the land is to accommodate right- of-way needed for Oak Hill Road improvements.

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 action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Antone Ranch Airport, Mitchell, OR, in support of the airport's forthcoming transition from visual flight rules (VFR) to instrument flight rules (IFR) operations.

This action changes the effective date of a final rule published in the Federal Register on September 22, 2023, amending Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-36 and establishing Canadian Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-675 in the northcentral United States (U.S.). The FAA is delaying the effective date to coincide with the expected completion of the associated aeronautical data requirements for establishing all segments of Canadian RNAV route T-675 within U.S. airspace and to adopt the rule amendments concurrently.

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

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Epic Aircraft, LLC Model E1000 airplanes. This AD was prompted by improperly rigged flap position switches. This AD requires installing a secondary full position limit switch to the flap system, installing a switch ramp on the flap actuator, and modifying the take- off position switch rigging. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Thomasville Regional Airport, Thomasville, GA. This action would increase the exiting radius and add an extension to the northeast, as well as update the airport's name.

The Federal Aviation Administration announces the availability of a Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-funded Airport Traffic Control Tower Replacement Program.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Uvalde, TX. The FAA is taking this action to support new public instrument procedures.

This rulemaking would revise the Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR), Robinson R-22/44 Special Training and Experience Requirements, to provide consistency with other FAA regulatory requirements, training, and testing publications. The rulemaking would remove the low gravity (low G) dual flight instruction requirement to align the SFAR with current aircraft placard requirements and the limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual/Pilot Operating Handbook (RFM/POH) set forth by Airworthiness Directives (ADs). This proposed revision would also update the SFAR so it mirrors the terminology currently used in the Helicopter Flying Handbook and Practical Test Standards (PTS). This rulemaking proposes to clarify the awareness training endorsement and flight review requirements for less experienced pilots, remove legacy dates, and update the applicability section to include ground and flight training, including flight reviews provided by authorized flight instructors. Additionally, the FAA proposes to add an expiration date to the SFAR to allow the FAA time to review and refine the R-22 and R-44 requirements for ground training, aeronautical experience, including flight training, and flight reviews, before moving them to a permanent location in a separate subchapter.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-18- 09, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A319-111, -112, -113, - 114, -115, -131, -132, and -133; A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, - 232, -233, -251N, and -271N; and A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, - 213, -231, -232, -251N, and -253N airplanes. AD 2022-18-09 continued to require the actions in AD 2019-26-01 and AD 2021-23-15, and added airplanes to the applicability. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-18-09, it was determined that additional airplanes and galleys are subject to the unsafe condition, and a compliance time for certain airplanes should be extended. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2022-18-09 and requires expanding the applicability, obtaining and following additional instructions for certain modified airplanes, and extending the compliance time for certain airplanes, 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.

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 some of the multi-function spoiler (MFS) anti-rotation plates failed in-service due to a thin wall design. This AD requires replacing the MFS anti-rotation plates, inspecting the MFS anti-rotation plates for cracking and hinge bolts for evidence of rotation, accomplishing applicable corrective actions, and performing a functional test of the MFS control surfaces. 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 nor omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

The FAA is withdrawing a previously published NPRM, ``Compliance with applicable regulations,'' that proposed excluding its applicability to import products that have been type certificated outside of the United States by a foreign civil aviation authority bilateral partner. These products are validated by FAA consistent with the requirements in the rulemaking, ``Issue of type certificate: import products.'' The NPRM proposed to eliminate the requirement for redundant compliance statements by both the foreign civil aviation authority and the foreign applicant.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that a new airworthiness limitation is necessary. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to establish a new life limit for a certain main landing gear (MLG) retract actuator piston rod. 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.

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 announces the policy for the type certification of Very Light Airplanes (VLA) as a special class of aircraft under the Federal Aviation Regulations.