Department of Transportation – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces its decision to provisionally renew an exemption requested by the Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference (AFTC) of American Trucking Associations (ATA), which will allow certain alternative methods for the securement of agricultural commodities transported in wood and plastic boxes and bins and large fiberglass tubs, as well as hay, straw, and cotton bales that are grouped together into large singular units. The exemption is renewed for 6 months, unless revoked earlier.

This amendment adopts miscellaneous amendments to the required IFR (instrument flight rules) altitudes and changeover points for certain Federal airways, jet routes, or direct routes for which a minimum or maximum en route authorized IFR altitude is prescribed. This regulatory action is needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace under instrument conditions in the affected areas.

The FAA published a document in the Federal Register on May 15, 2024, issuing special conditions for non-rechargeable lithium batteries and battery systems on Boeing Model 757-200 airplanes, as modified by H4 Aerospace (UK) Ltd (H4). The document contained an incorrect reference to the Model 757-200's type certificate number in the Applicability section of the special conditions.

This action modifies the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth at Yerington Municipal Airport, Yerington, NV. This action supports the airport's transition from visual flight rules (VFR) to instrument flight rules (IFR) operations.

This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth at Lincoln Airport, Lincoln, MT. This action supports the airport's transition from visual flight rules (VFR) to instrument flight rules (IFR) operations.

This action finalizes the substantive relief proposed in the notice of proposed rulemaking entitled Removal of Check Pilot Medical Certificate Requirement. It removes inconsistencies applicable to the qualification requirements for check pilots and flight instructors in domestic, flag, and supplemental operations and flight instructors in commuter and on-demand operations so that check pilots, check flight engineers, and flight instructors can continue to perform their functions in aircraft without a medical certificate unless they are serving as required flightcrew members. It also removes the medical certificate requirement for flight instructors in commuter and on- demand operations who perform their functions in aircraft and are not serving as required flightcrew members. Removing the conflicting medical certificate requirement enables the utilization of pilots who are otherwise qualified to function as check pilots, check flight engineers, and flight instructors in aircraft. Finally, this final rule updates related terminology.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the request for reinstatement of an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number for the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below is being forwarded to the OMB for review and comments. A Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following information collection was published on February 12, 2024.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of an uncommanded deployment of the emergency life-raft system (ELS). This AD requires a one-time inspection of the life-raft installations and, depending on the results, accomplishing additional 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.

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 is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 757 airplanes. This AD was prompted by potential cracks starting in hidden areas underneath the scuff plates in the fuselage skin and bear strap of certain doors. This AD requires a general visual inspection or a maintenance records check for repairs in the areas around the fuselage skin door cutout lower corners of certain doors, applicable on-condition actions, and inspections for airplanes modified to a cargo configuration. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-15- 09, AD 2020-15-09, and AD 2022-16-07. AD 2014-15-09 applied to all Airbus SAS Model A330-200 Freighter, A330-200 and -300, and A340-200, - 300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. AD 2020-15-09 applied to all Airbus SAS Model A330-941 airplanes. AD 2014-15-09 and AD 2020-15-09 required repetitive operational tests of the hydraulic locking function on certain spoiler servo-controls (SSCs) and replacement if necessary. AD 2022-16-07 applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, and A330-300 series airplanes. AD 2022-16-07 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by the determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD continues to require certain actions in AD 2014-15-09, AD 2020-15-09, and AD 2022-16-07 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), which is incorporated by reference. This AD also removes Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes from the applicability. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Matinicus Island Airport, Matinicus Island, ME, to accommodate new area navigation (RNAV) global positioning system (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures serving this airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500- 1A11 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the rigging pin in the bulkhead internal crank assembly of the overwing emergency exit door (OWEED) escape slide mechanism was not removed during production. This AD requires inspecting the OWEED escape slide mechanism to determine if a rigging pin is installed and, if installed, removing the rigging pin, as specified in Transport Canada AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the information collection request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval and invites public comment. FMCSA requests approval to renew an ICR titled, "Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program." This ICR was previously approved under emergency procedures on April 4, 2024, and expires on September 30, 2024. The ICR is necessary for FMCSA to continue data collection under a pilot program which seeks to determine the safety impacts of allowing 18- to 20-year- old commercial driver's license (CDL) holders to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The ICR covers data collected on drivers and carriers participating in the pilot program.

FMCSA amends the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to incorporate by reference the most recent edition of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, Inc.'s (AAMVA's) Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS) State Procedures Manual (SPM), version c.0. This rule will require all State driver's licensing agencies (SDLAs) to use this edition of the manual to follow standard administrative practices required by the States, and other jurisdictions using the SPM when participating in CDLIS. Version c.0 of the CDLIS SPM provides users with instructions on the processes and procedures for using the information system.

This action revokes Colored Federal airway B-28 in the vicinity of Sitka, AK due to the pending decommissioning of the Sitka and Nichols Nondirectional Radio Beacons (NDB) in Alaska.

This action amends Alaskan Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-508 in the vicinity of Aniak, AK. The FAA is taking this action due to the pending decommissioning of the Aniak, AK, Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB).

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-02-08, which applies to certain ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-500 airplanes. AD 2023-02-08 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-02-08, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would continue to require certain actions in AD 2023-02-08 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.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that PHMSA is publishing a 60-day notice and providing an opportunity for public comment on its development of general investigative questions that may be used by PHMSA's Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (OHMS) field operations personnel when investigating potential general safety issues. These questions are intended to facilitate fact-gathering efforts during general investigations related to PHMSA's safety oversight responsibilities. The use of these questions would not impose any new reporting or recordkeeping requirements on regulated entities. Rather, the goal is to develop a pool of commonly used questions that can be tailored as appropriate based on the specific circumstances of a given investigation.

The FAA invites public comment on the agency's draft advisory circular for the type, production, and airworthiness certification of powered-lift.

FMCSA announces that it has received an application from 3 North LLC for a 5-year exemption to enable 3 of its commercial driver's license (CDL) holders under the age of 21, with the requisite "K" restriction for intrastate-only operations, to drive commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in intrastate operations in a State other than their State of domicile. The applicant indicates these individuals will drive less than 20 miles per day in intrastate commerce. FMCSA requests public comment on the applicant's request for exemption.