Federal Aviation Administration 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Lady Lake Hospital, Lady Lake, FL. This action increases the existing radius to accommodate a new instrument approach procedure for UF Health The Villages Hospital Heliport, The Villages, FL. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport.

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 final rule adopts permanent amendments and a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) for a period of ten years to: facilitate the certification of powered-lift pilots, clarify operating rules applicable to operations involving a powered-lift, and finalize other amendments which are necessary to integrate powered-lift into the National Airspace System (NAS). In this final action, the FAA finalizes its alternate framework to stand-up initial groups of powered-lift pilots and flight instructors. Most notably, the FAA adopts alternate frameworks to facilitate the certification of pilots seeking qualifications in a powered-lift with single functioning flight controls and a single pilot station. In response to commenters, the FAA provides clarification for certain operating rules and adopts a performance-based approach to certain operating rules to enable powered-lift operations. In addition to finalizing provisions for powered-lift, this action also makes changes to practical tests in aircraft that require type ratings, including airplanes and helicopters, training center rotorcraft instructor eligibility, training and testing requirements, and training center use of rotorcraft in flight training.

Notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the City of Melbourne to release 99.575 (+/-) acres at the Melbourne Orlando International Airport, Melbourne, FL from the conditions, reservations, and restrictions as contained in a Quitclaim Deed agreement between the FAA and the City of Melbourne, dated April 20, 1948. The release of property will allow the City of Melbourne to dispose of the property for non-aeronautical purposes.

These special conditions are issued for the Pratt and Whitney Canada (P&WC) Model PW220A engine. This engine will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for aircraft engines. This design feature is a 30-minute all engine operating (AEO) power rating. This rating will be used for hovering at increased power for search and rescue missions. 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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain MD Helicopters, LLC (MDHI), Model 369, 369A, 369D, 369E, 369F, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 500N, and 600N helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a seized and damaged roller bearing in the pilot interconnecting cyclic torque tube (torque tube) assembly. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the torque tube assembly and roller bearings, and depending on the results, replacing parts, or accomplishing additional inspections. 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 information collection. The collection enables the FAA to monitor the general aviation fleet to anticipate and meet demand for National Airspace System (NAS) facilities and services, assess the impact of regulatory changes on the fleet, and implement measures to assure the safe operation of all aircraft in the NAS. The data are also used by other government agencies, the general aviation industry, trade associations, and private businesses to identify safety problems and to form the basis for research and analysis of general aviation issues.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model A109C, A109E, A109S, and AW109SP helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a quality escape on a batch of main rotor blades (MRBs). This proposed AD would require repetitively tap inspecting certain MRBs, replacing those MRBs, and prohibit installing those MRBs, 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.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Rose Hill, KS to support new public instrument procedures.

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 February 12, 2024. The collection involves requirements primarily applicable to air carriers conducting domestic, flag, and supplemental operations to enhance the professional development of pilots in those operations. The action requires air carriers conducting domestic, flag, and supplemental operations to provide new-hire pilots with an opportunity to observe flight operations and become familiar with procedures before serving as a flightcrew member in operations. Additionally, it requires air carriers who have not previously revised the upgrade training to include professional development and to provide leadership and command and mentoring training for all pilots in command. The information to be collected is necessary to mitigate incidents of unprofessional pilot behavior and reduce pilot errors that can lead to a catastrophic event.

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 June 5, 2024. The collection involves on-line, electronic applicant (customer) answers to standard survey questions. The questions are presented as multiple-choice selections and free-form text areas where applicants can choose their desired answer and, if they wish, add additional comments. The information to be collected will be used to and is necessary to gage the level of user satisfaction with the AVIATOR (Automated Vacancy Information Access Tool for Online Referral) system. Additionally, the surveys are used to obtain benchmarking and feedback to ensure quality.

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

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 July 5, 2024. The collection involves information used to identify foreign airmen in order to allow the agency to verify their foreign license when used to qualify for a U.S. certificate. Respondents are holders of foreign licenses wishing to obtain U.S. certificates.

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 amends the Class E airspace at Zanesville, OH. This action is the result of an airspace review conducted due to the decommissioning of the Zanesville very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. The geographic coordinates of the Zanesville Municipal Airport, Zanesville, OH, and the name of Genesis Health Care Heliport, Zanesville, OH, are also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. This action brings the airspace into compliance with FAA orders and supports instrument flight rule (IFR) procedures and operations.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-01-02, which applies to certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 airplanes. AD 2022-01-02 requires inspecting for corrosion of the nacelle to wing rear spar attachment pins, and the nacelle to landing gear attachment pins, and doing all applicable corrective actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2022- 01-02, it was discovered that some operators were unable to identify the airplanes subject to each requirement. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions specified in AD 2022-01-02, clarify the affected airplanes for each required action, and revise the applicability by removing Model DHC-8-400 airplanes, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). This proposed AD would also revise a certain compliance time. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-21- 02, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200 series, A330-200 Freighter series, A330-300 series, A330-800 series, and A330-900 series airplanes. AD 2023-21-02 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 certain actions in AD 2023- 21-02 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 certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that the baggage bay discharge push-button annunciator (PBA) switch was making contact but was not fully engaged, and the tabs were not fully locked. This AD requires a verification of the baggage bay discharge PBA functionality and tab installation. 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 Roanoke Rapids, NC, by adding airspace for Halifax Regional Medical Center Heliport, Roanoke Rapids, NC. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain CFM International, S.A. (CFM) Model LEAP-1A, LEAP-1B, and LEAP-1C engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that revealed a quality escape for low-pressure turbine (LPT) disks made from forgings with nonconforming grain size. This proposed AD would require removal and replacement of the LPT stage 4 and stage 5 disks. The FAA is proposing 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 by adding airspace for ECU Health Chowan Hospital Heliport, Edenton, NC. Additionally, this would correct the Northeastern Regional Airport name along with correcting coordinates for Northeastern Regional Airport.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes; and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes). This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require 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 proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface within a designated landmass and within 12 miles from a designated coastline associated with the state of Alaska. Additionally, this action proposes administrative amendments to update the airspace's existing Class E airspace legal description. These actions will support lower altitude instrument flight rules (IFR) operations and enhance safety for aircraft utilizing IFR and visual flight rules (VFR) operations.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for ECU Health Bertie Hospital Heliport, Windsor, NC. This action would accommodate a new instrument approach procedure for ECU Health Bertie Hospital Heliport, Windsor, NC.