Federal Aviation Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes to amend Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-55, V-100, and V-277. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Keeler, MI (ELX), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Keeler VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

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.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters. This AD prompted by an engine compartment fire where the upper stiffener of the central firewall in the engine compartment was found damaged. This AD requires replacing the aluminum central firewall stiffener with a titanium central firewall stiffener and prohibits installing an aluminum central firewall stiffener. 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.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace at Mineral Wells, TX. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of airspace reviews conducted as part of the decommissioning of the Mineral Wells non directional beacon (NDB). This action would also update the geographic coordinates of the airport and the Millsap Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VORTAC). The name 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) operations.

This action proposes to revoke Jet Route J-534 and Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-349, amend VOR Federal Airways V-23 and V-165, and establish Canadian Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-645 in the Northwestern United States. The FAA is proposing this action due to the pending decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Whatcom, WA, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The VOR portion of the Whatcom VORTAC is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program. There are two airways that use the naming convention of V-23. One is located in the state of Hawaii and the other is located in the state of California. This action proposes to affect the V-23 in the state of California and does not propose any changes to the V-23 in the state of Hawaii.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the Noise Exposure Maps submitted by Palm Beach County for the Palm Beach County Park Airport, under the provisions of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act and related FAA regulations, are in compliance with applicable requirements.

These special conditions are issued for a supplemental type certificate (STC) to install a digital systems architecture on certain transport category airplanes. These airplanes, as modified by Universal Avionics, 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 a digital systems architecture that will allow increased connectivity to and access from external network sources (e.g., operator networks, wireless devices, internet connectivity, service provider satellite communications, electronic flight bags, etc.) 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.

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 that the nose radome lightning diverter strips on certain aircraft were painted in production; paint on the diverter strips can compromise the nose radome lightning protection. This AD requires inspecting for paint on the diverter strips on the nose radome, and replacing the nose radome if necessary, 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.

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Ahoskie, NC, by adding airspace for ECU Health Roanoke Chowan Heliport, Ahoskie, NC, to accommodate new instrument approach procedures. This action also amends the airport information for Tri-County at Henry Joyner Field Airport by updating the airport name and coordinates. Additionally, this action brings the Ahoskie Class E airspace into compliance with FAA orders. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this heliport.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by two engine fan blade- out (FBO) events that resulted in the separation of engine inlet cowl and fan cowl parts from the airplane damaging the fuselage, which caused loss of pressurization and subsequent emergency descent. The FBO events also resulted in cracks in the primary exhaust nozzle, potentially resulting in the departure of the primary exhaust nozzle and damaging a stabilizer or striking the fuselage and window. This AD requires an inspection or maintenance records check to determine if the primary exhaust nozzle has an affected part number and, for affected primary exhaust nozzles, an installation of bridge brackets onto the primary exhaust nozzle, or as an option, an installation of a serviceable primary exhaust nozzle. This AD also requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new airworthiness limitations. 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 CT7-5A2, CT7-5A3, CT7-7A, CT7-7A1, CT7-9B, CT7-9B1, CT7-9B2, CT7-9C, CT7-9C3, CT7-9D, and CT7-9D2 engines. This AD was prompted by the manufacturer's determination that certain GE Model CT7 fleets have affected cooling plates installed that do not meet lifing guidelines. This AD requires replacement of the stage 1 turbine forward cooling plate and the stage 2 turbine aft cooling plate. 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 certain Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Model Duo Discus and Duo Discus T gliders. This AD was prompted by reports of gliders' canopies opening during air tow. This AD requires modifying the canopy locking mechanism. 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 The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by two engine fan blade-out (FBO) events that resulted in the separation of engine inlet cowl and fan cowl parts from the airplane. In one event, fan cowl parts damaged the fuselage, which caused loss of pressurization and subsequent emergency descent. This AD requires replacing specified inlet cowl aft bulkhead fasteners for certain airplanes; for certain other airplanes, inspecting the inlet cowl aft bulkhead fastener and replacing the fasteners if rivets are found, and, for all airplanes, replacement of the crushable spacers used in the attachment of the inlet cowl to the engine fan case; or as an option, installing a serviceable inlet cowl. This AD also requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new airworthiness limitations (AWLs). 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 Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 airplanes. This AD was prompted by the discovery that a partial loss of thrust after an engine failure during a required navigation performance authorization required (RNP- AR) approach under certain weight, altitude and temperature (WAT) conditions, may lead to a descent below the specified path guidance. This AD requires a revision to the existing airplane flight manual (AFM), to incorporate updated WAT tables for RNP-AR approach operations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for ECU Health Bertie Hospital Heliport, Windsor, NC, to accommodate new area navigation (RNAV) global positioning system (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures serving the heliport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this heliport.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500- 1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by events where the cargo bottle fail caution message was displayed. This proposed AD would require replacing affected low rate discharge (LRD) bottles, inspecting extinguishing discharge lines and tubes, and replacing extinguishing discharge lines and tubes, as applicable, and would also prohibit the installation of affected LRD bottles, 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.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-11- 08, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A330-841 and -941 airplanes. AD 2023-11-08 required maintenance actions, including a high-pressure valve (HPV) seal integrity test, repetitive replacement of the HPV clips, revision of the existing airplane flight manual (AFM), and implementation of updates to the FAA-approved operator's minimum equipment list (MEL). This AD was prompted by the determination that the replacement intervals required by AD 2023-11-08 must be reduced to address the unsafe condition. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2023-11-08. This AD also reduces the HPV clip replacement intervals, requires an additional revision of the existing AFM for certain airplanes, and limits the installation of HPV clips, 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.

Notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the City of Melbourne to release 55.8 (+/-) acres at the Melbourne Orlando International Airport, Melbourne, FL from the conditions, reservations, and restrictions as contained in a Quitclaim Deed agreement between the FAA and the City of Melbourne, dated April 20, 1948. The release of property will allow the City of Melbourne to dispose of the property for non-aeronautical purposes.

This action proposes to amend United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes Q-64 and T-414, and establish RNAV Routes T-461 and T-463 in the eastern United States. This action supports FAA Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) efforts to provide a modern RNAV route structure to improve the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).

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 information will determine if applicant proposals for conducting commercial space launches can be accomplished according to regulations issued by the Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation. The Federal Register notice with a 60- day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on June 24, 2024. The Commercial Space Launch Act of 1984, as recodified, requires certain data be provided in applying for a license to conduct commercial space launch activities. These data are required to demonstrate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation (AST), that a license applicant's proposed activities meet applicable public safety, national security, and foreign policy interests of the United States.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 and MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of significant wear of the control rod assembly and pitch link assembly spherical bearings. This proposed AD would require measuring the radial play of certain control rod assembly and pitch link assembly spherical bearings, reporting the results, and depending on the results, taking corrective action. These actions are specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing certain control rod assemblies and pitch link assemblies unless certain requirements are met. 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 Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B2, AS350B3, and EC130B4 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of broken cargo swing frames and the determination to change an existing repetitive inspection threshold. This proposed AD would require repetitively inspecting the cargo swing installation and frame and, depending on the results, corrective action, as 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 is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model Trent 1000-AE3, Trent 1000- CE3, Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000-G3, Trent 1000-H3, Trent 1000-J3, Trent 1000-K3, Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000-M3, Trent 1000-N3, Trent 1000-P3, Trent 1000-Q3, Trent 1000-R3, Trent 7000-72, and Trent 7000-72C engines. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked intermediate pressure compressor (IPC) shaft assembly front air seals. This AD requires an inspection of the affected IPC shaft assembly for cracking and, depending on the results of the inspection, repetitive inspections or replacement of the IPC shaft assembly front air seals, 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 proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain ATRGIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR72 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD 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.