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

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of latent failures of the lightning protection features for the engine fuel feed system. This AD requires an inspection for damage and a measurement of the electrical bonding resistance of the out-tank fuel feed tube bonding jumper in the strut for each of the four engines, a measurement of the electrical bonding resistance of the forward side of the front spar bulkhead fitting adapter for each of the four engines, and applicable related investigative and corrective actions. 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-100-1A10 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a design review of the avionic architecture of the pitch trim indication and alerting system that revealed software errors could generate misleading pitch trim indication to the crew, leading to incorrect horizontal stabilizer positioning at takeoff. This AD requires revising the Emergency Procedures and Normal Procedures of the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to ensure the horizontal stabilizer is correctly configured prior to takeoff. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would have applied to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model BR700-715A1-30, BR700-715B1-30, and BR700-715C1-30 engines. The NPRM would have required repetitive fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPIs) of the front flange scallops of the LPC booster rotor for any cracks, replacement or repair of the LPC booster rotor if necessary and, as an optional terminating action to the repetitive FPIs, a visual inspection for malformed scallop edge geometry and malformed surface conditions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD. Since the NPRM was issued, the FAA issued AD 2023-17-11, which addresses the unsafe condition identified in the NPRM. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

This action is an administrative change to rename restricted areas R-5311A, R-5311B, and R-5311C, Fort Bragg, NC, and to update the using agency description to reflect the change. Additionally, geographic coordinate technical amendments for two boundary points listed in the restricted areas are made to accurately align the existing boundary with the Little River referenced in the descriptions. This action partially implements recommendations of the Commission on the Naming of Items (Naming Commission) of the Department of Defense (DoD) as established by section 370 of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

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 modify the Class D airspace and establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Bradshaw Army Airfield, Camp Pohakuloa, HI. Additionally, this action proposes administrative amendments to update the airport's Class D airspace legal description. These actions would support the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) and visual flight rules (VFR) operations at the airport.

This action amends high altitude Canadian Area Navigation routes Q-907 and Q-951; and establishes United States (U.S.) Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-739, in support of the FAA's Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. The purpose is to enhance the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) by transitioning from ground-based navigation aids to a satellite-based navigation system.

This action amends Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-16. This action is necessary to reinstate six route points that were inadvertently omitted in a previous route amendment of VOR Federal Airway V-16 that took effect August 10, 2023.

This action is an administrative change to rename restricted areas R-3002A, R-3002B, R-3002C, R-3002D, R-3002E, R-3002F, and R- 3002G; Fort Benning, GA, and to update the using agency description to reflect the change. This action partially implements recommendations of the Commission on the Naming of Items (Naming Commission) of the Department of Defense (DoD) as established by section 370 of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-04- 15, which applied to certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. AD 2023-04-15 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2023-04- 15 and requires 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 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 all Embraer S.A. Model ERJ 190-100 STD, -100 LR, -100 IGW, -200 STD, -200 LR, and -200 IGW airplanes. This 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 AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, and for certain airplanes requires 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 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 Airbus Helicopters Model SA-365C1, SA-365C2, and SA-365N helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of damaged control rod dual bearings (dual bearings) that are installed on the tail rotor gearbox (TGB). This AD requires repetitively inspecting the TGB magnetic plug for particles, analyzing any particles collected, taking corrective actions if necessary, and reporting certain information. Finally, this AD allows an affected dual bearing to be installed on a helicopter if certain actions are accomplished, 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 all Deutsche Aircraft GmbH Model 328-100 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of finding cracks in fuselage frames (FR) 24 and FR26. This AD requires a one-time detailed and eddy current inspection of fuselage FR24 and FR26 (left and right sides), performing corrective actions if necessary, and reporting the inspection results, 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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-23- 10, which applied to certain Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON and FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes. AD 2020-23-10 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2020-23-10 and requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate additional new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, 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 all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent 1000-A2, Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D2, Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2 engines. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking and separation of certain low-pressure turbine (LPT) stage 1 blade assemblies. This AD requires initial and repetitive inspections of affected LPT stage 1 blade assemblies for cracking or separation and, depending on the results of the inspections, reduction of the inspection interval or replacement of the LPT stage 1 blade set and disk, 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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-08-02 for all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Safran) (type certificate previously held by Turbomeca, S.A.) Model Arriel 2D and Arriel 2E engines. AD 2021-08-02 required replacing certain critical parts before reaching their published in-service life limits, performing scheduled maintenance tasks before reaching their published periodicity, and performing unscheduled maintenance tasks when the engine meets certain conditions. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-08-02, Safran has revised the airworthiness limitation section (ALS) of the existing maintenance and overhaul manuals, introducing new and more restrictive instructions and maintenance tasks, which prompted this AD action. This AD requires updating the ALS of the existing engine maintenance manual (EMM) or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating the actions and associated thresholds and intervals, including life limits, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA has determined that the minimum random drug and alcohol testing percentage rates for the period January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, will remain at 25 percent of safety- sensitive employees for random drug testing and 10 percent of safety- sensitive employees for random alcohol testing.

This notice announces a proposed update of the FAA's Office of Airports policy regarding the definition of ``aeronautical activity'' to include unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), advanced air mobility (AAM), and commercial space launch or re-entry vehicle operations. Under Federal law, an airport operator that has accepted Federal grants or certain Federal land conveyances is obligated to maintain the airport for public aviation use. This proposed update will add UAS, AAM, and commercial space operations to the existing definition of aeronautical activity that is included in FAA Order 5190.6B, FAA Airport Compliance Manual, Appendix Z, and subsequent revisions. This revised definition does not affect any international agreements or policies regarding commercial space operations. The FAA is seeking comments on the proposed statement of policy.

This action proposes to revoke Colored Federal airway Blue 9 (B-9) in the Eastern United States. The FAA is taking this action due to the pending decommissioning of the Marathon, FL (MTH), Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB).

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-01- 05, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC130T2 helicopters. AD 2022-01-05 required repetitive visual inspections of the rivets on the rear transmission shaft bearing support, inspections of the local structure, and rivet heads on the left-hand and right-hand sides of the rear transmission shaft bearing support for cracking, missing, loose, or sheared rivets. AD 2022-01-05 also required reporting the results of those inspections and depending on the results, applicable corrective action. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-01- 05, Airbus Helicopters revised its service information to add procedures to improve visual inspections of the rivets on the rear transmission shaft bearing support. This AD was prompted by the determination that certain modified helicopters may have finishing paint applied to the gutter, which could prevent detection of cracks during inspections. This AD also extends the repetitive compliance time interval for certain inspections. This AD continues to require certain actions in AD 2022-01-05 and requires a one-time visual inspection for paint in the gutter area, and removal of paint 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.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-13-16, which applies to all GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (GEAC) (type certificate previously held by WALTER Engines a.s., Walter a.s., and MOTORLET a.s.) Model M601D-11 engines; and AD 2022-14-12, which applies to certain GEAC Model M601D-11, M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, M601E- 11S, and M601F engines. AD 2022-13-16 requires revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing engine maintenance manual (EMM) to incorporate a visual inspection of the centrifugal compressor case for cracks. AD 2022-14-12 requires replacing the propeller shaft for Model M601F engines. AD 2022-14-12 also requires calculating the accumulated life of the propeller shaft and replacing the propeller shaft, if necessary, for model M601D-11, M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, and M601E-11S engines. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-13-16 and AD 2022-14-12, the manufacturer revised the ALS of the existing EMM to introduce new and more restrictive tasks and limitations, expand the applicability to all Model M601 engines, and incorporate certain requirements addressed by AD 2021-13-07 and AD 2023-01-10, which prompted this proposed AD. This proposed AD would require revising the ALS of the existing EMM and the operator's existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new and more restrictive tasks and 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 proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Bombardier Inc. Model BD-100-1A10 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a steering control unit (SCU) filter plate connector that does not meet the certification requirements for exposure of electronic components to high intensity radiated field environments, which could result in malfunction of the nose wheel steering (NWS) system. This proposed AD would require determining if the SCU is an affected SCU, replacing all affected SCUs, and rigging and testing the NWS control. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing an affected SCU on any airplane. 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 The Boeing Company Model 777-200, 777-200LR, 777-300, 777-300ER, and 777F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a ``FLAPS DRIVE'' caution message in flight due to the torque trip indicator of the No. 2 trailing edge (TE) flap transmission assembly being in the set position, which resulted in an air turn-back. This AD requires an inspection or records review to determine the serial numbers of the TE flap transmission and gearbox assemblies, and applicable on-condition corrective actions. This AD also limits the installation of affected parts. 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 for a new information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on December 16, 2021. The collection involves in-person sessions between researchers and certified pilots. Computerized neurocognitive tests are a non-invasive way to measure cognitive function (e.g., attention, working memory, information processing speed, reaction time) and are used as part of the FAA's overall aeromedical physical exam process to determine if a pilot is safe to operate an aircraft within the National Airspace System (NAS). Neurocognitive tests are required only for pilots with certain medical conditions associated with aeromedically significant cognitive impairments (i.e., not all pilots are tested). The FAA needs to ensure that the tests and data used to maintain the safety of the NAS are based on the most current scientific knowledge. The purpose of this IC effort is to obtain updated pilot normative data for the neurocognitive tests under consideration. The information collection (IC) effort will be used to potentially revise the FAA's Aviation Medical Examiners (AME) Guide, update clinical practices, and assure aeromedical safety. Information will be collected from representative pilots across the United States, who will complete two different 1-hour neurocognitive tests. Total IC effort/time per person will be approximately four hours (i.e., to include check-in processing, informed consent, neurocognitive test-taking, rest breaks, and participant debrief).

This action proposes to amend Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-5, V-47, V-97, V-128, V- 275, and V-517, and United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-315, and revoke VOR Federal airway V-19. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Cincinnati, KY (CVG), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Cincinnati VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.