Federal Aviation Administration 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action amends the Class E airspace at Roseau, MN. This action is the result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Roseau very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimum Operating Network (MON) Program. The name and geographic coordinates of the airport are also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. This action brings the airspace into compliance with FAA orders to support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations.

This action proposes to amend Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-13, V-133, and V-300, and United States (U.S.) Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-331; establish Canadian RNAV routes Q-924, T-765, T-776, and T-810 in U.S. airspace; and revoke Jet Route J-533 and VOR Federal airway V-348. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the Thunder Bay, Ontario (ON), Canada, VOR navigational aid (NAVAID). This action is in support of NAV CANADA's NAVAID Modernization Program within Canada.

This action amends Class D airspace and Class E surface airspace for New Castle Airport, Wilmington, DE, by making editorial changes to the airspace legal descriptions. This action does not change the airspace boundaries or operating requirements.

This action proposes to amend six jet routes and six domestic Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways in the eastern United States. In addition, this action proposes to revoke one existing jet route. These actions support the Little Rock, AR (LIT), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) relocation project.

This notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) would require certificated repair stations located outside the territory of the United States whose employees perform safety-sensitive maintenance functions on certain air carrier aircraft to obtain and implement a drug and alcohol testing program in accordance with the requirements of the Drug and Alcohol Testing Program published by the FAA and the Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug Testing Programs published by the Department of Transportation.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Robinson Helicopter Company Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, R22 Mariner, R44, R44 II, and R66 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of helicopters losing a tail rotor blade (TRB) tip cap. This proposed AD would require visually checking and inspecting certain part-numbered and serial-numbered TRB tip caps for evidence of corrosion and, depending on the results, removing the corrosion. This proposed AD would also require removing all affected TRBs from service and prohibit installing them on any helicopter. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the release and sale of eleven parcels of land at the Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport (LBL), Liberal, Kansas.

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 proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Deutsche Aircraft GmbH Model 328-100 and -300 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by operator reports of worn and ruptured bonding straps inside the feeder wing tanks and in both outer and inner wing tanks. This proposed AD would require a one-time detailed inspection of each affected part, and applicable corrective actions, 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 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent 1000-AE3, Trent 1000-CE3, Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000-G3, Trent 1000-H3, Trent 1000-J3, Trent 1000-K3, Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000-M3, Trent 1000-N3, Trent 1000-P3, Trent 1000-Q3, and Trent 1000-R3 engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of wear in the combining spill-valve (CSV) assembly of certain hydro-mechanical units (HMUs). This proposed AD would require removing certain HMUs from service and replacing with a serviceable part or modifying the HMU by replacing the CSV assembly, which is an optional terminating action; and would prohibit installing certain HMUs unless the HMU is a serviceable part, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Federal Aviation Administration, in cooperation with the National Park Service, published a document in the Federal Register on November 2, 2023, announcing the opportunity for the public to comment on the results of the FAA's efforts to identify historic properties, evaluate the properties' significance, and assess the undertaking's effects on them as part of the development of Air Tour Management Plan for Canyon de Chelly National Monument pursuant to the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000 and its implementing regulations. The document contained an incorrect date regarding the comment deadline for the Consultation Documents for Public Comment Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

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.

This action amends Class D and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Smith Reynolds Airport, Winston Salem, NC. This action also establishes Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D surface area and amends verbiage in the description.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-07- 05, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. AD 2019-07-05 required repetitive inspections for cracking of the 10VU rack fitting lugs and repair of any cracking. This AD continues to require the requirements of AD 2019-07-05, with reduced compliance times and removes airplanes having a certain modification from the applicability. This AD was prompted by a determination that certain repetitive inspection intervals need to be revised. 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 CL-600-2B16 (604 Variant) airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports from the supplier that sensing elements of the bleed air leak detection system were manufactured with insufficient salt fill, which can result in an inability to detect hot bleed air leaks. This AD requires testing of all affected overheat detection sensing elements of the bleed air leak detection system, and replacement if necessary. This AD also prohibits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace at Park River, ND. The FAA is proposing this action due to the development of new public instrument procedures and to support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations. The name of the airport would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Mott, ND. The FAA is proposing this action due to the development of new public instrument procedures and to support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model RB211-Trent 800 engines. This AD is prompted by reports of cracks on certain intermediate-pressure compressor (IPC) rotor shaft balance lands. This AD requires initial and repetitive on-wing or in-shop borescope inspections (BSIs) of certain IPC rotor shaft balance lands for cracks, dents, and nicks, and replacement of the IPC rotor shaft if necessary, and would prohibit the installation of a certain IPC rotor shaft on any engine, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action confirms the December 18, 2023, effective date of the ``Inclusion of Additional Automatic Dependent Surveillance- Broadcast (ADS-B) Out Technical Standard Orders; Incorporation by Reference'' direct final rule published on October 17, 2023. The direct final rule amends the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS- B) Out requirements to allow aircraft meeting the performance requirements in Technical Standard Order (TSO)-C166c (Extended Squitter Automatic Dependent SurveillanceBroadcast (ADS-B) and Traffic Information ServiceBroadcast (TIS-B) Equipment Operating on the Radio Frequency of 1090 Megahertz (MHz)), or TSO-C154d, (Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) ADS-B Equipment Operating on the Radio Frequency of 978 Megahertz (MHz)) to meet the regulations. Aircraft equipped with ADS-B Out that meets the performance requirements of either TSO-C166c or TSO-C154d will provide additional information to pilots and air traffic control, including weather information, spectrum monitoring, and airspeed. They will also enable new wake turbulence applications, enhance weather forecasting, and enable or enhance ADS-B In applications such as Flight Interval Management.

The FAA announces the primary category airworthiness design criteria for type certification of the ICON Aircraft Inc., (ICON) Model A5-8 airplane.

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 announces its decision to adopt the USAF FEIS Airspace Optimization for Readiness at Mountain Home Air Force Base (MHAFB), Mountain Home, Idaho. Based on its independent review and evaluation of the FEIS and supporting documents, the FAA is adopting the FEIS and issuing a ROD for the modification of special use airspace (SUA) at the Mountain Home Range Complex (MHRC).

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by incidents related to throttle malfunctions during a balked landing with the auto-throttle (A/T) engaged, potential erroneous readings from the low range radio altimeter (LRRA), and possible deficiencies in low airspeed protections and crew alerting systems. This proposed AD would require updating the thrust management (TM) and displays and crew alerting (DCA) operational program software (OPS). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe conditions on these products.

This action establishes United States Area Navigation (RNAV) routes T-440, T-455, T-457, T-459, and T-476, and amends RNAV routes T- 358, T-416, and T-445 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 is an administrative change to rename restricted areas R-2103A and R-2103B, Fort Rucker, AL, 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).