Federal Aviation Administration 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 published a document in the Federal Register on November 28, 2023, announcing the primary category airworthiness design criteria for type certification of the ICON Aircraft Inc., (ICON) Model A5-B airplane. The document contained incorrect references to the aircraft and engine model numbers.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2B16 (604 Variant) airplanes. This AD was prompted by sleeve loops on some passenger oxygen mask lanyards that had improper crimping and unsealed ends. This AD requires an inspection of the passenger oxygen mask lanyards and replacement of defective oxygen mask lanyards. This AD also prohibits 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 Embraer S.A. Model EMB-135BJ airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of missing sealant on the rivets installed in the interface between rib 3 and the wing skin. This AD requires 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 incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to modify the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface and remove the Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface at Klawock Airport, Klawock, AK. Additionally, this action proposes administrative amendments to update the airport's existing Class E airspace legal description. These actions would support the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action corrects a typographic error in the final rule published in the Federal Register on November 28, 2023, making an administrative change to rename restricted areas R-5311A, R-5311B, and R-5311C, Fort Bragg, NC, and updating the using agency description to reflect the change. Additionally, geographic coordinate technical amendments for two boundary points listed in the restricted areas were made to accurately align the existing boundary with the Little River referenced in the descriptions.

This action proposes to establish three and amend three United States Area Navigation (RNAV) T-routes in the eastern United States. This action supports Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) which provides a modern RNAV route structure to improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Viking Air Limited (type certificate previously held by Bombardier Inc. and de Havilland, Inc.) (Viking) Model DHC-3 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of cracking in the left-hand side (LHS) and right- hand side (RHS) lower engine mount pickup fittings. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the affected parts for cracking, deformation, corrosion, fretting or wear, paint or surface coating damage, and loose, missing, or broken fasteners, and applicable corrective actions. This AD also requires reporting the inspection results. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

On November 17, 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published the Random Drug and Alcohol Testing Percentage Rates of Covered Aviation Employees for the Period January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. In that document, the FAA inadvertently provided incorrect years in the supplementary information section. This document corrects that error.

In accordance with section 125 of The Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century(AIR-21) the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides notice that the FAA is approving a surplus property land release of Federal obligations for a 5.25 acre parcel at the Kearney Muncipal Airport, Kearney, Nebraska.

This action amends Class D airspace, Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D surface area, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, Latrobe, Pennsylvania, by making editorial changes to the airspace legal descriptions. This action does not change the airspace boundaries or operating requirements.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Model PA-46-350P, PA-46-500TP, and PA-46-600TP airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that a bearing fell out of a control column mount during routine handling prior to installation in an affected airplane and the discovery that a quality escape condition could exist on other airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the left and right control column mounts to determine if a retaining ring is installed. If a retaining ring is not installed, this AD requires inspecting the bearing in the mount block for the presence of retaining compound, and depending on the inspection results, installing a retaining ring and applying retaining compound to the bearing, as applicable. 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 MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440), CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of power control unit (PCU) rod end fractures due to pitting corrosion, and a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires, for certain airplanes, revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD also requires accomplishing certain aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) tasks and corrective actions following short-term or long-term storage. 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 April 17, 2023. The FAA collects information from applicants for experimental permits in order to determine whether they satisfy the requirements for obtaining an experimental permit.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Safran) (type certificate previously held by Turbomeca S.A.) Model Arrius 2R engines. This AD is prompted by reports of inconsistencies between the torque (TQ) and measured gas temperature (MGT) conformation values recorded in the avionics and the TQ and MGT conformation values recorded on the engine log cards following replacement of the M01 and M02 modules installed on the engine. This AD requires a one-time check of the consistency between the TQ and MGT conformation values recorded in the avionics and the values recorded on the engine log cards, and, if necessary, recalibrating the values and updating the engine logs, 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 action proposes special conditions for the Airbus Model A330-300 series airplane. This airplane as modified by Aerocon Engineering Company (Aerocon) 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 installation of a lower deck crew rest compartment (LDCRC) under the passenger cabin floor in the cargo compartment. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed 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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-04- 13, which applied to certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes. AD 2023-04-13 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- 13 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 Airbus SAS Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a widespread fatigue damage (WFD) evaluation on Airbus SAS Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes, which found that the circumferential joint at Frame 58 (near the rear fuselage) is susceptible to WFD. This AD requires a modification to reinforce the circumferential joints at Frame 58 and, if necessary, corrective action, 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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by two engine fan blade-out (FBO) events that resulted in the separation of engine inlet cowl and fan cowl parts from the airplane. In one event, fan cowl parts damaged the fuselage, which caused loss of pressurization and subsequent emergency descent. This proposed AD would require replacing the fasteners on the fan cowl support beam hinge fittings for certain airplanes and, for all airplanes, would require modifying the radial restraint assembly and installing an external doubler at the starter vent, or as an option, installing a serviceable fan cowl. This proposed AD would also require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new airworthiness limitations. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-19-15, which applies to certain International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE LLC) Model PW1100G series engines; and AD 2023-16-07, which applies to certain IAE LLC Model PW1100G series engines and PW1400G series engines. AD 2022-19-15 requires an angled ultrasonic inspection (AUSI) of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage disk and HPT 2nd- stage disk, and replacement if necessary. AD 2023-16-07 requires an AUSI of the HPT 1st-stage hub (also known as the HPT 1st-stage disk) and HPT 2nd-stage hub (also known as the HPT 2nd-stage disk) for cracks, and replacement if necessary, which is terminating action for AD 2022-19-15. Since the FAA issued these two ADs, an investigation determined an increased risk of powder metal anomalies for all powder metal parts in certain powder metal production campaigns, which are susceptible to failure significantly earlier than previously determined. This proposed AD would retain the AUSI requirement for certain HPT 1st-stage and HPT 2nd-stage hubs from AD 2023-16-07. This proposed AD would also require performing an AUSI of the HPT 1st-stage hub, HPT 2nd-stage hub, high-pressure compressor (HPC) 7th-stage integrally bladed rotor (IBR-7), and HPC 8th-stage integrally bladed rotor (IBR-8) for cracks and replacement if necessary. This proposed AD would also require accelerated replacement of the HPC IBR-7, HPC IBR-8, HPC rear hub, HPT 1st-stage hub, HPT 1st-stage air seal, HPT 1st-stage blade retaining plate, HPT 2nd-stage hub, HPT 2nd-stage blade retaining plate, and HPT 2nd-stage rear seal. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action makes editorial changes, updating the airport names of two Army Airfields and replacing the term Notice to Airmen with Notice to Air Missions in Class D and Class E descriptions. This action does not change the airspace boundaries or operating requirements.

The FAA announces the release of the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for proposed departure procedure amendments at Bob Hope ``Hollywood Burbank'' Airport (BUR Airport). The FAA has prepared the Draft EA to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the FAA adopting new procedures for Runway 15 departures at BUR Airport. If implemented, the Proposed Action (Alternative A) is intended to maintain the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) while meeting the terms of a settlement agreement that the FAA entered with local homeowners' associations, which requires consideration of alternative procedures. The FAA also evaluated proposed amendments put forth by the Southern San Fernando Valley Airplane Noise Task Force for BUR Airport (Alternative B).

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all CFM International, S.A. (CFM) Model LEAP-1B21, LEAP-1B23, LEAP-1B25, LEAP-1B27, LEAP-1B28, LEAP-1B28B1, LEAP-1B28B2, LEAP-1B28B2C, LEAP- 1B28B3, LEAP-1B28BBJ1, and LEAP-1B28BBJ2 (LEAP-1B) engines. This AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that revealed that certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) rotor stage 1 disks (HPT stage 1 disks) and a certain compressor rotor stages 6-10 spool were manufactured from material suspected to have reduced material properties due to iron inclusion. This AD requires replacing certain HPT stage 1 disks and a certain compressor rotor stages 6-10 spool. 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 October 02, 2022. The collection involves a survey of uncrewed-aircraft-systems (UAS) operators within the United States. The information gathered through the survey's questionnaire on flight behavior and fleet characteristics is used to inform UAS rule making and guide investment in UAS research and infrastructure.

On November 15, 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a Request for comments seeking input on its proposed policy 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. The comment period for the request for comments was scheduled to end on December 15, 2023. FAA received several requests to extend the comment period. The FAA is extending the comment period for the request for comments by 30 days.