Federal Aviation Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-23- 09, which applied to all Embraer S.A. Model ERJ 190-400 airplanes. AD 2023-23-09 required repetitive inspections of the press-fitted bushings of the wing ailerons for migration and broken sealant, measurements of the distance between the aileron surfaces and hinge fittings, functional checks of the backlash of the wing aileron control system, and all applicable related investigative and corrective actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-23-09, it was determined that certain requirements needed to be clarified. This AD continues to require all actions of ANAC AD 2023-05-02 with revised compliance requirements, as specified in an Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) 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 The Boeing Company Model 757 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of several occurrences of a power transfer unit (PTU) control valve that failed to open when commanded. This AD requires installing new relays and changing certain wire bundles leading to the PTU control valve. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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 is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -300, and -300F airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a main landing gear (MLG) collapse event following maintenance where a grinder was operating outside of its input parameters, resulting in possible heat damage to the outer cylinder of the MLG. This AD requires replacing affected outer cylinders. 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 GEnx-1B64, GEnx-1B64/P1, GEnx-1B64/P2, GEnx-1B67, GEnx-1B67/P1, GEnx-1B67/P2, GEnx-1B70, GEnx- 1B70/75/P1, GEnx-1B70/75/P2, GEnx-1B70/P1, GEnx-1B70/P2, GEnx-1B70C/P1, GEnx-1B70C/P2, GEnx-1B74/75/P1, GEnx-1B74/75/P2, GEnx-1B76/P2, GEnx- 1B76A/P2, GEnx-2B67, GEnx-2B67B, and GEnx-2B67/P engines. This AD was prompted by a manufacturer evaluation that determined a lower life limit may be necessary for certain stages 6-10 compressor rotor spools than allowed by the engine shop manual (ESM). This AD requires a one- time inspection of the stages 6-10 spools for previously accomplished blend repairs, a one-time inspection of the blend repairs on the stages 6-10 spools for compliance with the updated allowable limits, and replacement if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to modify the Class E airspace area designated as surface area, establish a Class E airspace area designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area, modify Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface of the earth, and remove Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface at Battle Mountain Airport, Battle Mountain, NV. Additionally, this action proposes administrative amendments to update the airport's existing Class E airspace legal descriptions. These actions would support the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action amends the Class E airspace at Giddings, TX. This action is the result of airspace reviews conducted due to the decommissioning of the Industry very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. The 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 and supports instrument flight rule (IFR) operations and procedures.

This action amends the Class E airspace at El Dorado, AR. This action is the result of an airspace review conducted due to the development of new instrument procedures. The geographic coordinates and name of the airport and the name of the El Dorado VOR/DME are also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. This action brings the airspace into compliance with FAA orders and support instrument flight rule (IFR) procedures and operations.

This action amends the Class E airspace at Pontiac, IL. This action is the result of an airspace review conducted due to the decommissioning of the Pontiac very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. The 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 and supports instrument flight rule (IFR) procedures and operations.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Ashley, ND. This action is due to the development of new public instrument procedures at Ashley Municipal Airport, Ashley, ND, and to support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of engine-driven pump hydraulic pressure hoses for hydraulic systems number 1 and 2 chafing against the pylon in the aft equipment bay. This proposed AD would require an inspection of the engine-driven pump pressure hoses for any damage and minimum clearance between the engine-driven pump hydraulic pressure hose and case drain, suction pressure hose, and surrounding pylon structure; and corrective actions if necessary. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

On October 8, 2024, the FAA published a final rule that will require individuals with foreign addresses and no U.S. physical address on file with the FAA who apply for certain certificates, ratings, or authorizations to designate a U.S. agent for service. This final rule extends the deadline for those individuals to designate a U.S. agent for service from January 6, 2025, to April 2, 2025. This final rule does not apply to individuals with foreign addresses who currently hold certain certificates, ratings, or authorizations, as the compliance date for those individuals continues to be July 7, 2025.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of broken main landing gear (MLG) shock absorber piston rod eye ends. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the MLG shock absorber piston rod eye ends, reporting the results of the inspection, and, depending on the results, replacing the MLG shock absorber assembly. It also prohibits installing certain MLG shock absorber assemblies unless specific requirements are met, 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 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. The FAA previously sent this AD as an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of vibrations of the yaw axis during a hover taxi. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the bolted joint between the cardan- pivot joint assembly and the tail rotor actuator piston rod and, depending on the results, taking corrective action. This AD also prohibits installing certain tail rotor actuators unless its requirements are met. 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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; Model A321-211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, - 253NY, -271N, -271NX, -272N, and -272NX airplanes; Airbus SAS Model A330-200 series airplanes; Model A330-300 series airplanes; Model A330- 800 series airplanes; Model A330-900 series airplanes; Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes; and Model A380-800 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of corrosion and cracks on the broadband antenna adapter plate during an inspection. This proposed AD would require repetitive general visual inspections (GVI) of the broadband antenna adapter plate, skirt, vents, and attachment fittings and limit the installation of affected parts under certain conditions, 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 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 extends the prohibition against certain flight operations in specified areas of the Sanaa Flight Information Region (FIR) (OYSC) by all: U.S. air carriers; U.S. commercial operators; persons exercising the privileges of an airman certificate issued by the FAA, except when such persons are operating U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except when the operator of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier, for an additional three years, from January 7, 2025, until January 7, 2028. The FAA finds this action necessary to address significant, unacceptable safety-of-flight risks to U.S. civil aviation operations in the specified areas of the Sanaa FIR (OYSC) stemming from heightened regional tensions associated with Houthi weapons employment and operational activities. Most recently, Houthi forces have engaged in increased weapons employment and operational activities related to the Israel-Gaza Conflict, leading in some cases to air defense responses. The FAA also takes into account the Houthis' recent history of having conducted long-range attacks emanating from the Sanaa FIR (OYSC) in other directions, notably against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2022. The FAA also republishes the approval process and exemption information for this Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR), consistent with other recently published flight prohibition SFARs.

This document announces the acceptance of a means of compliance with FAA regulations for small unmanned aircraft (sUA) Category 3 operations over human beings. The Administrator finds that Wingtra AG's "Proposed Means of Compliance for Operations Over People (OOP)," dated April 30, 2024, provides an acceptable means, but not the only means, of showing compliance with FAA regulations.

This final rule provides the statutorily prescribed 2025 adjustment to civil penalty amounts that may be imposed for violations of certain DOT regulations.

This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Dubois Airport, Dubois, WY, in support of the airport's transition from visual flight rules (VFR) to instrument flight rules (IFR) operations.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by the identification of missing electrical bonding on a certain part-numbered additional and optional search light (search light). This proposed AD would require installing an electrical bonding braid modification and prohibit installing that part-numbered search light unless the modification is done. These actions are 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 FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-09-06, which applies to all CFM International, S.A. Model (CFM) LEAP-1A23, LEAP-1A24, LEAP-1A24E1, LEAP-1A26, LEAP-1A26CJ, LEAP-1A26E1, LEAP-1A29, LEAP-1A29CJ, LEAP-1A30, LEAP-1A32, LEAP-1A33, LEAP-1A33B2, and LEAP-1A35A (LEAP-1A) engines. AD 2023-09-06 requires replacement of certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) rotor stage 1 disks (HPT stage 1 disks), forward outer seals, and compressor rotor stages 6-10 spools. AD 2023-09-06 also prohibits installation of an HPT stage 1 disk, forward outer seal, or compressor rotor stages 6-10 spool that has a part number and serial number identified in the service information onto any engine. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-09-06, the manufacturer identified additional affected parts that were manufactured from material suspected to have reduced material properties due to iron inclusion, which prompted this AD. This proposed AD would retain the requirements to replace certain HPT stage 1 disks, forward outer seals, and compressor rotor stages 6-10 spools and expand the applicability to include additional affected parts manufactured from the same material suspected to have reduced material properties due to iron inclusion. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action modifies the Class D airspace and Class E airspace designated as a surface area and revokes the Class E airspace designated as an extension to the Class D or Class E surface area at Buckley Space Force Base, Aurora, CO. Additionally, this action modifies the administrative portions of the airport's legal descriptions to match the FAA's database. These actions will support the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) and visual flight rules (VFR) operations at the airport.

This action modifies the Class D airspace, Class E airspace area designated as a surface area (Class E2 surface area), and Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth (Class E5 airspace area) at Camp Guernsey Airport, Guernsey, WY. This modification supports the containment of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport. Additionally, this action updates the administrative caption of the airport's legal descriptions.