Federal Aviation Administration May 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action modifies the Class E airspace designated as surface area, modifies the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, and removes the Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface at Mammoth Yosemite Airport, Mammoth Lakes, CA. Additionally, this action updates the administrative portion of the airport's Class E airspace legal descriptions. These actions support the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

The FAA announces multiple meetings of the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC). This notice announces the date, time, and location of these meetings. The meetings will be "open to the public" meeting notice requirements. The purpose of ARAC is to provide information, advice, and recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation, through the FAA Administrator, concerning rulemaking activities, such as aircraft operations, airman and air agency certification, airworthiness standards and certification, airports, maintenance, noise, and training.

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 collection involves creation of accounts, storage of training and awards history, and management of FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) volunteers. The information to be collected will be used to and/or is necessary because it allows for individual users to complete and track their individual training and awards accomplishments and allows for contact information to be available to users for FAASTeam volunteers.

This document announces the availability of ASTM International (ASTM) consensus standards for use as an FAA-accepted means of compliance (MOC) to the applicable airworthiness standards for normal category airplanes. The FAA accepts ASTM F3264-23, "Standard Specification for Normal Category Aeroplanes Certification," with changes identified in this document.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that the electrical harnesses in the overhead bin above the class divider may have insufficient or no separation with the class divider mounting plate. This proposed AD would require inspecting the overhead bin electrical harnesses at the class dividers, and modifying the class divider mounting plate assembly or accomplishing a temporary repair if necessary; and, eventually modifying the class divider mounting plate assembly if a modification was not done after accomplishing the inspection, as specified in a Transport Canada 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 amend United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes Q-1 and Q-902, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-495, and Jet Route J-502; revoke Jet Route J- 589; and establish of United States RNAV Route T-487 and Canadian RNAV Route T-895 in Northwestern United States. The FAA is proposing these airspace actions due to the pending decommissioning of the Victoria, British Columbia (BC), Canada, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/ DME).

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Akiachak Airport, Akiachak, AK. This action will support the airport's transition from visual flight rules (VFR) to instrument flight rules (IFR).

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 modifies the Class D and Class E airspace designated as a surface area at McClellan-Palomar Airport, Carlsbad, CA. Additionally, this action makes administrative modifications to update the airport's existing Class D and Class E airspace legal descriptions. These actions will support the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) and visual flight rules (VFR) operations at the airport.

The FAA announces the special class airworthiness criteria for the Archer Aviation, Inc. (Archer) Model M001 powered-lift. This document sets forth the airworthiness criteria the FAA finds to be appropriate and applicable for the powered-lift design.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. This AD was prompted by the determination that reliance on design assurance level (DAL) D software for flight-critical fly-by-wire (FBW) rigging functions may result in undetected inaccurate positioning of the primary flight control surfaces. This AD requires the use of specific issues of the aircraft maintenance publication (AMP) for electrical rigging procedures, and an electrical rigging confirmation check of primary flight control surfaces for certain airplanes, as specified in a Transport Canada 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 certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD- 500-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that the pylon-to-wing area motive flow flexible fuel line assemblies may have been installed incorrectly. This proposed AD would require inspecting the motive flow flexible fuel line assemblies and corrective actions, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice announces the FAA's intent to designate Dennis Air Service Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SA4-1306 as abandoned and make the related engineering data available upon request. The FAA has received a request to provide engineering data concerning this STC. The FAA has been unsuccessful in contacting Dennis Air Service concerning the STC. This action is intended to enhance aviation safety.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at White Sulphur Springs Airport, White Sulphur Springs, MT. This action would support the airport's transition from visual flight rules (VFR) operations to instrument flight rules (IFR) operations.

This action modifies the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface of the Hollister Municipal Airport, Hollister, CA due to the newly developed Area Navigation (RNAV) (Global Positioning System [GPS]) Runway (RWY) 13 approach. This action supports the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

Current FAA regulations require that foreign applicants for operating specifications must hold a valid air operator certificate issued by the State of the Operator. Some International Civil Aviation Organization Contracting States have joined together to form Regional Safety Oversight Organizations. These organizations may provide a uniform regulatory structure for safety oversight and provide technical assistance and the execution of safety oversight functions on behalf of their member States. Regional Safety Oversight Organizations have been established in many parts of the world. These organizations may be formed based on a variety of differing arrangements among member States. The institutional structures of these organizations range from highly formalized intergovernmental organizations established on the basis of formal legal agreements, to less formalized organizations established under the International Civil Aviation Organization Cooperative Development of Operational Safety and Continuing Airworthiness Program. States participating in Regional Safety Oversight Organizations may delegate various functions or tasks to these organizations based on the extent of delegated legal authority stipulated in the Regional Safety Oversight Organization's formation documentation. One of the functions member States may delegate to some of the highly formalized and more fully resourced Regional Safety Oversight Organizations is the issuance of air operator certificates on behalf of the State of the Operator. This regulation change would allow the FAA to review and, if acceptable to the Administrator, recognize as valid air operator certificates issued by the Regional Safety Oversight Organization to foreign air carriers on behalf of the State of the Operator for purposes of evaluating foreign applicants for operating specifications.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Model PA-28-181, PA-28R-201, PA- 34-220T, and PA-44-180 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a double-drilled bolt hole of the rear wing spar attachment fitting found during an unscheduled inspection of an airplane due to a ground collision with an automobile. This AD requires inspecting the rear wing spar attachment fitting and, if discrepancies are found, inspecting the forward wing spar attachment fitting, accomplishing corrective actions as required, and reporting to the FAA when corrective actions are required. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-25-13, which applies to certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100- 1A10 (Challenger 300) airplanes. AD 2009-25-13 requires the deactivation of the left-hand (LH) baggage bay heater mat. Since the FAA issued AD 2009-25-13, Bombardier developed a new design solution for the potential uncontrolled heating of the baggage bay sidewall heater mat. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2009- 25-13, and would also require modifying the baggage bay sidewall interior panel, heater mat, and water tank heater installation, and doing functional testing. Upon the completion of the new actions, the retained requirements of AD 2009-25-13 would terminate. This proposed AD would also revise the applicability and prohibit the installation of affected parts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

These special conditions are issued for the Textron Aviation, Inc. (Textron) 550 (Bravo), 560 (Ultra Encore), and 560XL (Excel) series airplanes as modified by Aerospace Design & Compliance, LLC (ADC). This airplane 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 the installation of an electronic networks system architecture that will allow increased connectivity to and access from external network sources to the airplane's previously isolated electronic assets (networks, systems, and databases). 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.

This action proposes special conditions for the Bell Model 525 helicopter. This helicopter will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category helicopters. This design feature is a four-axis full authority digital fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control system (FCS) that provides for aircraft control through pilot input or coupled auto pilot modes. 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 revising a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-17-02, which applies to all ATRGIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 airplanes. This action revises the NPRM by proposing additional modification of the affected wiring for certain airplanes. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions would impose an additional burden over those in the NPRM, the FAA is requesting comments on this SNPRM.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of operators receiving No. 1 flight compartment windows that may not meet type design requirements for withstanding a bird impact. This proposed AD would require replacing affected No. 1 flight compartment windows and would prohibit the installation of affected windows. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to remove Class E surface airspace for Manchester Boston Regional Airport, Manchester, NH, as the overlying Class C airspace deems the Class E surface airspace unnecessary.

This action establishes Class C airspace and removes Class D airspace at the Harrisburg International Airport (MDT), PA. The Class C airspace created is larger than the existing Class D airspace at MDT and is described as areas A through F. In addition, the non-regulatory Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA) is removed. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the efficient management of air traffic operations and reduce the potential for midair collision in the MDT terminal area.

This notification announces a limited, conditional policy for prioritizing returned operations at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) due to a construction-related runway closure at SFO for purposes of establishing a carrier's operational baseline in the next corresponding scheduling seasons. In addition, the FAA will provide similar limited, conditional relief at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) under the FAA's Level 2 schedule facilitation process as well as a limited, conditional waiver of minimum usage requirements at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) for impacted flights between SFO and the listed airports.