Department of Transportation – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace at El Dorado, AR. The FAA is proposing this action as 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 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.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-13- 11, which applied to certain AVOX Systems Inc. (formerly Scott Aviation) oxygen cylinder and valve assemblies, and oxygen valve assemblies, installed on but not limited to various transport airplanes. AD 2023-13-11 required inspecting the oxygen valve assemblies, and oxygen cylinder and valve assemblies, to determine the serial number of the valve, cylinder, and entire assembly; inspecting certain assemblies and parts for correct spacing of the gap between the bottom of the packing retainer and top of the valve body on the assemblies, and replacing assemblies having unacceptable gaps. AD 2023- 13-11 also limited the installation of affected parts and required reporting inspection results and returning certain assemblies to the manufacturer. This AD was prompted by the determination that additional assemblies and parts are subject to the unsafe condition. This AD requires the actions specified in AD 2023-13-11 and expands the list of affected assemblies and parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-08-08 for all SOCATA (type certificate now held by DAHER) Model MS 880B, MS 885, MS 892A-150, MS 892E-150, MS 893A, MS 893E, MS 894A, MS 894E, Rallye 100S, Rallye 150ST, Rallye 150T, Rallye 235C, and Rallye 235E airplanes. AD 2016-08-08 required doing repetitive detailed visual inspections of the intersection between the axle radius and the nose landing gear (NLG) fork area for chafing; doing repetitive dye penetrant inspections on the NLG wheel axle for cracks, distortion, and nicks or wear; doing corrective actions if necessary; and replacing the NLG wheel axle attachment screws with new screws. This AD is prompted by the introduction of a new inspection method and a new design for the affected NLG wheel axle that provides terminating action for the repetitive inspections, as specified in updated service information published by the manufacturer. This AD requires preparing, inspecting, replacing, reconditioning the NLG wheel axle, and prohibiting affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA announces its final decision to renew an exemption requested jointly by the Automobile Carriers Conference (ACC) of the American Trucking Associations and the Auto Haulers Association of America (AHAA) to relieve motor carriers operating stinger-steered automobile transporter equipment from the requirement to place warning flags on projecting loads of new and used motor vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) require any commercial motor vehicle (CMV) transporting a load which extends more than 4 feet beyond the rear of the vehicle be marked with a single red or orange fluorescent warning flag at the extreme rear if the projecting load is 2 feet wide or less and two warning flags if the projecting load is wider than 2 feet. The exemption is renewed for 5 years, unless revoked earlier.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace at Giddings, TX. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of an airspace review 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 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 amend the Class E airspace at Smith Center, KS. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of an airspace review conducted due to the decommissioning of the Mankato very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. This action would also update the geographic coordinates of the airport 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 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.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-800 and A330-900 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a protective cap found still in place on the drain hole of a fire extinguishing pipe, and by further investigations indicating these caps may have remained on other airplanes. This AD requires a one-time general visual inspection (GVI) of the engine fire extinguishing pipe drain hole and, depending on findings, removal of the protective cap, 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 Maritime Administration (MARAD) invites public comments on our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed collection OMB 2133-0552 (Port Infrastructure Development Program) is being updated to reflect the elimination of the MA-1083 Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) Project Information Form, which is no longer needed. The total respondents and public burden have also reduced since this collection was implemented in 2019. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies.

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the request to release and sell a 44.47 acre parcel of federally obligated airport property at the Philip Billard Airport (TOP), Topeka, Kansas.

The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for a new information collection, which is summarized below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

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 submission of FAA Form 8710-3 for the certification process of agricultural aircraft operators, and other reporting and recordkeeping activities required of agricultural aircraft operators. The information to be collected is necessary to evaluate the applicants' qualifications for certification. This collection also involves the submission of information in petitions for exemption by agricultural aircraft operators, plans for operations over congested areas, and recordkeeping requirements for agricultural aircraft operators.

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 collection involves the member of the public that may submit an Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC) request to the FAA by using the Airworthiness Directives Development (ADD) External website. The information to be collected will be used to support publicly disseminated information to the FAA and/or is necessary because this information supports the Department of Transpiration's strategic goal to promote the public health and safety by working toward eliminating transportation-related deaths and injuries.

FMCSA announces that it has received an application from Vision Systems North America, Inc. (VSNA) for a renewal of its exemption allowing motor carriers to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) with the company's Smart-Vision high-definition camera monitoring system (Smart-Vision) installed as an alternative to the two rear-vision mirrors required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). VSNA currently holds an exemption for the period January 15, 2020, through January 15, 2025, and requests a five-year renewal of the exemption. FMCSA requests public comment on VSNA's request for exemption.

FMCSA announces its decision to deny applications from four individuals for an exemption from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) announces the extension of the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) until October 1, 2029, pursuant to Section 708 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended. VISA is intended to make intermodal shipping services/systems, including ships, ships' space, intermodal facilities and equipment, and related management services, available to the Department of Defense (DoD) as required to support the emergency deployment and sustainment of U.S. Armed Forces through cooperation among the maritime industry, the Department of Transportation (DOT), and DoD. In addition to extending VISA for an additional 5 years for existing participants, MARAD is modifying VISA for new applicants by making certain modifications to the Agreement, including clarification of what is meant by shipping services/systems, and the required vessel certifications for program entry. MARAD has also updated references to authorities and statutory and regulatory citations.

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Tallahassee, FL, as new instrument approach procedures have been designed for Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Heliport, Tallahassee, FL. Additionally, this action corrects the Tallahassee International Airport name along with correcting coordinates for Tallahassee International Airport and Quincy Municipal Airport. 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.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the information collection and its expected burden. On July 30, 2024, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on the ICR. FRA received no comments in response to the notice.

The Surface Transportation Board (Board) published a document in the Federal Register on October 3, 2024, concerning the Board's intent to request from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval without change of the Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, EC225LP, SA-365N, and SA-365N1 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an unintentional activation of the hoist shear-button (shear-button) on the collective pitch handle during a night flight. This proposed AD would require checking the operation of the shear-button safety-cap on each applicable collective pitch handle and prohibit installing certain part-numbered collective pitch handles or collective sticks with those part-numbered collective pitch handles installed unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.