Federal Aviation Administration 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Lajitas, TX. The FAA is proposing this action to support new instrument procedures at this airport.

Notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) to change 79.23 acres of airport property from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use for commercial development at Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport in Jacksonville, Florida. The surplus property land is no longer required for aviation use. The land has been designated for non-aeronatucal use on the Airport Layout Plan. JAA will enter into a land lease agreement with a commercial developer, which will generate non-aeronautical revenue to be used for the operation and maintenance of the airport.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE) Model PW1124G1-JM, PW1127G-JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1129G-JM, PW1130G-JM, PW1133G-JM, and PW1133GA-JM engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that certain high-pressure compressor (HPC) 2nd stage rotors and HPC 4th stage rotors have potentially degraded knife-edge seals and abrasive coating of the rear wing 4th stage rotor due to having been cleaned in alkaline solution without masking the knife-edge seal coating. Operating in this condition could result in material degradation and fracture of the HPC 2nd stage rotor and HPC 4th stage rotor. This proposed AD would require replacement of certain HPC 2nd stage rotors and HPC 4th stage rotors. 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 767 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of cracks on the forward entry door and forward service door cutout aft lower corner fuselage skin and bear strap. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking at the affected area, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and A350-1041 airplanes. This AD is prompted by reports that excessively deep spot faces on the front engine mounting bolt holes on the wing pylon were detected on the production line. This AD requires a one-time inspection for clash (interference) of the three front engine mounting bolt holes on both the left and right wing pylons, and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective actions, 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 MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model 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 a manufacturing quality escape concerning the installation of the Halon metering device on certain cargo fire extinguisher containers. This AD requires the inspection of cargo fire extinguisher container serial numbers and the replacement of the affected containers. This AD would also limit the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-18- 12, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A330-841 and -941 airplanes. AD 2022-18-12 required installing serviceable engine electronic control (EEC) software or EEC units having the serviceable software, limiting certain parts installation configurations, and prior or concurrent modification of EEC software. This AD was prompted by a determination that engine crystal icing protection could be (temporarily) lost if an erroneous total pressure value is provided by the airplane system, which is addressed through EEC software. This AD continues to require certain actions in AD 2022-18-12 and requires adding new limitations for intermixing of certain EEC software standards and a new operational limitation for engines with certain EEC software installed, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD also prohibits the installation of certain engines under certain conditions. 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 certain Airbus SAS Model A320-214, A320-216, A320-251N, A320-271N, and A321-253NX airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a quality review of the forward cargo door frame-to-fuselage skin panel assembly identified several fastener holes that deviated from the manufacturing requirements. This proposed AD would require repetitive special detailed inspections of the affected area for discrepancies and, depending on findings, accomplishment of 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 is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-202, A330-203, A330-223, A330-243, and A330-841 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that the cold working process was partially completed on a certain circumferential joint. This AD requires modification of the circumferential joint, 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 General Electric Company (GE) Model CF6-80C2B1F, CF6-80C2B2F, CF6-80C2B4F, CF6-80C2B5F, CF6-80C2B6F, CF6-80C2B7F, and CF6-80C2K1F engines. This AD was prompted by an uncontained engine fire and consequent manufacturer investigation, which revealed that certain bearings were installed improperly. This AD requires inspection of the magnetic chip detector (MCD) probe tip for metallic particles and, if necessary, removal of the engine from service. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action extends the comment period for the NPRM titled ``Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification,'' that was published on July 24, 2023. In that document, the FAA proposed to amend rules for the manufacture, certification, operation, maintenance, and alteration of light-sport aircraft. The proposed amendments would enable enhancements in safety and performance and would increase privileges under a number of sport pilot and light-sport aircraft rules. These enhancements include increasing suitability for flight training, limited aerial work, and personal travel. This proposed rule would expand what aircraft sport pilots may operate. The NPRM also proposed to amend the special purpose operations for restricted category aircraft; amend the duration, eligible purposes, and operating limitations for experimental aircraft; and add operating limitations applicable to experimental aircraft engaged in space support vehicle flights to codify statutory language. 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 proposes to amend Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-9 in Arkansas. V-9 currently exists as three separate route segments, and this proposed amendment would connect two of the route segments to create a longer contiguous airway.

This action proposes to amend Jet Route J-133 by revoking a portion of the airway and establishing Canadian Area Navigation Route (RNAV) Q-801 in the vicinity of Anchorage, AK. The proposed amendment of J-133 is due to the pending decommissioning of several Navigational Aids (NAVAID) that provide course guidance along the airway. The proposed establishment of RNAV route Q-801 serves as a mitigation to J- 133 and provides additional routing to the southeast for aircraft traveling to Canada or to the Pacific Northwest United States.