Federal Aviation Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The collection involves the filing of a complaint with the FAA alleging a violation of any requirement, rule, regulation, or order issued under certain statutes within the jurisdiction of the FAA. The FAA will use the information collected to determine if the alleged violation warrants investigation or action.

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 March 8, 2024. The collection is a request form, and collection frequency is on occasion, depending on how often requests for National Airspace System (NAS) data are submitted to the FAA. The information to be collected will be used to evaluate the validity of a user's request for NAS data from FAA systems and equipment.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Bell Textron Inc. (Bell) Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, and 210 helicopters. This AD was prompted by an accident and incidents involving failure of the tail boom attachment structure. This AD requires inspecting the tail boom assembly hardware, replacing tail boom attachment hardware, greasing the bolt shanks, and inspecting torque. This AD also prohibits installing steel alloy nuts on any helicopter. 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 Bell Textron Inc. Model 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked tail boom attachment barrel nuts (barrel nuts). This AD requires replacing all steel alloy barrel nuts with nickel alloy barrel nuts, replacing or inspecting other tail boom attachment point hardware, repetitively inspecting torque, and repetitively replacing tail boom attachment bolts (bolts). This AD also prohibits installing steel alloy barrel nuts. 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.

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Claremont Municipal Airport, Claremont, NH, as the Claremont Non-directional Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned and associated instrument approaches canceled. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport.

This action proposes to amend the Class D and Class E airspace and revoke Class E airspace at Youngstown/Warren, OH. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of an airspace review conducted due to the decommissioning of the Youngstown very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. The name and geographic coordinates of the airport would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. This action will bring the airspace into compliance with FAA orders and support instrument flight rule (IFR) procedures and operations.

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

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-19-09, which applies to all Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. AD 2022-19-09 requires repetitive inspections of the left and right main landing gear (MLG) lower spindle pins to detect corrosion, and applicable repair or replacement. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-19-09, the tracking of flight cycles for inspections was changed from the usage of the MLG to the usage of MLG lower spindle assemblies and a replacement was developed, which would terminate the inspections. This proposed AD continues to require certain actions in AD 2022-19-09, would change the tracking of flight cycles for inspections from the usage of the MLG to the usage of MLG lower spindle assemblies, and would require replacement of affected MLG lower spindle assemblies, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). This proposed AD also would remove airplanes from the applicability. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of affected parts under certain conditions. 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 CFM International, S.A. (CFM) Model LEAP-1A and LEAP-1C engines. This proposed AD was prompted by an investigation of an in- flight shut down event that determined the aft arm of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) rotor interstage seal had failed. This proposed AD would require removal from service and replacement of the HPT rotor interstage seal for LEAP-1A engines. Since the HPT rotor interstage seal part number is interchangeable between LEAP-1A and LEAP-1C, this proposed AD will also prohibit installation of these affected parts onto any LEAP-1A or LEAP-1C engine. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

As directed by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, the FAA will allow pilots conducting public aircraft operations to credit their flight time towards FAA civil regulatory requirements. Additionally, consistent with the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, this final rule will amend the operating rules for experimental aircraft to permit certain flight training, testing, and checking in these aircraft without a letter of deviation authority. As directed in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, the same relief will be extended to certain flight training, testing, and checking in limited category, primary category, and experimental light sport aircraft. This final rule also revises miscellaneous amendments related to recent flight experience, flight instructor privileges, flight training in certain aircraft holding special airworthiness certificates, and the related prohibitions on conducting these activities for compensation or hire. These changes will clarify existing regulatory requirements, align the regulations with current industry practice, and ensure compliance with the FAA Reauthorization Acts of 2018 and 2024 and the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023.

This action removes the expiration date on flight instructor certificates to align with other airman certificates. Additional amendments include updating renewal requirements to recent experience requirements, introducing a new method for establishing recent flight instructor experience, and allowing instructors with a lapse of no more than three months to reinstate privileges via an approved flight instructor refresher course instead of a practical test. This final rule also adds two new methods for flight instructors to qualify to train initial applicants. Finally, this final rule relocates and codifies the requirements for relief for U.S. military and civilian personnel who seek to renew their expired flight instructor certificate.

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.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-22-10, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2022-22-10 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-22-10, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would continue to require certain actions in AD 2022-22-10 and 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.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain DG Aviation GmbH (type certificate previously held by DG Flugzeugbau GmbH) Model DG-400 gliders and all Model DG-500 Elan Orion, DG-500 Elan Trainer, DG-500/20 Elan, DG-500/22 Elan, DG-500M, DG-500MB, DG-800A, DG-800B, DG-808C, DG-1000M, DG-1000S, and DG-1000T gliders. This AD was prompted by a report of a broken rod end at the upper end of the elevator pushrod in the fin (vertical tail) of a DG Aviation GmbH Model DG-300 glider. Depending on the glider model, this AD requires revising your existing glider maintenance manual to incorporate new procedures for elevator control circuit free play adjustment, performing an operational check of the free play adjustment of the automatic elevator hook-up, accomplishing corrective actions as required, and replacing the elevator pushrod end with a new part. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-24- 16, which applied to certain Embraer S.A. Model ERJ 190-100 STD, -100 LR, -100 IGW, and -100 ECJ airplanes; and Model ERJ 190-200 STD, -200 LR, and -200 IGW airplanes. AD 2019-24-16 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2019-24-16, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in an Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action incorporates certain airspace designation amendments into FAA Order JO 7400.11J, dated July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 2024, for incorporation by reference.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-11-17 and AD 2021-11-22, which applied to all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3 and EC635T2 helicopters. AD 2021-11-17 required a one-time visual inspection of certain part-numbered main rotor actuators (MRAs). AD 2021-11-22 required revising the life limits of certain parts and removing each part that had reached its life limit. Since the FAA issued those ADs, it was determined that repetitive inspections of the MRAs are necessary, new and more restrictive tasks and limitations have been issued, and that it is necessary to expand the applicability. This AD continues to require the actions required by AD 2021-11-17 and AD 2021-11-22, except this AD requires changing the one-time MRA inspection to a repetitive inspection and incorporating other new and more restrictive tasks and limitations by revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing helicopter maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable. This AD also expands the applicability by adding Model EC635T2+ helicopters. These actions are 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 supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-20-03, which applies to certain Austro Engine GmbH Model E4 and E4P engines. AD 2023-20-03 requires repetitive engine oil analysis for aluminum content outside the acceptable limits and, if necessary, replacement of the pistons, piston rings, con-rods assembly, and crankcase or, as an alternative, replacement of the engine core. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-20-03, the manufacturer identified errors in the lists of affected engines and provided updated information, which prompted this proposed AD. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2023-20-03, add compliance times for additional affected engine serial numbers, and remove certain engine serial numbers from the applicability of the existing AD. 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 DAHER AEROSPACE (DAHER) (type certificate previously held by SOCATA) Model TBM 700 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of wear of the inner flap actuator drive nut. This proposed AD would require cleaning and lubricating the internal actuator rods, measuring the play between the drive nuts and the internal actuator rods, and if any play is found, replacing the drive nuts. This proposed AD would also allow replacing the drive nuts with certain other design drive nut as terminating action for the proposed requirements. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-15-06, which applies to all The Boeing Company Model 777-200, - 200LR, -300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes. AD 2022-15-06 requires disconnecting certain connectors and capping and stowing the wires that had been attached to the affected transorb modules. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-15-06, the agency has determined additional connectors are affected. Also, a replacement has been developed to address the unsafe condition, which would terminate the existing actions. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions specified in AD 2022- 15-06 and would require those actions for additional connectors. This proposed AD would also require determining if affected transorb modules are installed, replacing or testing affected transorb modules, and applicable on-condition actions. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of affected parts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 and R44 II helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of a fractured clutch shaft forward yoke (yoke) on the main rotor (M/R) drive due to fatigue cracking. This AD requires visually inspecting a certain part-numbered flex plate assembly (flex plate) and certain part-numbered yokes, including each flex plate bolt, and depending on the inspection results, removing an affected part from service and replacing an affected part with an airworthy part. This AD also requires removing a certain part-numbered yoke from service after accumulating a certain number of hours time-in-service (TIS) or a certain number of years, or as an alternative to removing the part from service, performing a 10x or higher power magnification visual inspection and, if needed, a magnetic particle inspection. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Textron Inc. Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 210, and 212 helicopters and various restricted category helicopters with certain part-numbered tension torsion (TT) straps installed by supplemental type certificate (STC) No. SR03408CH. This AD was prompted by an accident involving failure of a TT strap. This AD requires removing the specified part-numbered TT straps from service and prohibits installing those TT straps. 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 The Boeing Company Model 737-800 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that the compliance time for the initial ultrasonic inspection required by AD 2019-11-06 is insufficient for certain airplanes. This proposed AD would require reducing the compliance time for the ultrasonic inspection of the skin under the drag link assembly. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.