Federal Aviation Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company (GE) Model CT7-2E1 engines. This AD was prompted by a revised analysis using an updated stress model, which calculated that the actual life limit of the CT7-2E1 stage 2 turbine aft cooling plate is less than the current life limit. This AD requires revision of the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing CT7-2E1 engine maintenance manual (EMM) and the operator's existing approved maintenance program or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate a reduced life limit for this part. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-27-01, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and - 1041 airplanes. AD 2022-27-01 requires replacing affected fasteners and applying additional head nut cap protection at the front and rear spars in the center wing box (CWB). Since the FAA issued AD 2022-27-01, the FAA determined that additional Airbus SAS Model A350 manufacturer serial numbers (MSNs) are affected by the same potential unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2022-27-01 and would expand the applicability to include the additional Airbus SAS Model A350 MSNs, 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 proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A300 B4-2C, A300 B4-203, A300 B4-603, A300 B4-605R, A300 B4-622, A300 B4-622R, and A300 F4-605R airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking of the main landing gear (MLG) support rib 5 lower flange on certain modified airplanes due to incorrect accomplishment of modification instructions. This proposed AD would require a special detailed inspection (geometrical inspection) of the MLG rib 5 lower flange holes on the left-hand wing and right- hand wing and repair if necessary, 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 Airbus SAS Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes; and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes). This AD was prompted by a determination 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 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 announces that the FAA will not take enforcement action against regulated entities for failing to comply with the final rule titled "Drug and Alcohol Testing of Certificated Repair Station Employees Located Outside of the United States; Correction" until March 20, 2025.

This notice announces that the FAA will not take enforcement action against regulated entities for failing to comply with the final rule titled "Aircraft Registration and Recordation Procedural Updates: Original Documents and Stamping" until March 20, 2025.

This action corrects a typographical error in the final rule published in the Federal Register on February 24, 2025, amending the Class E airspace at Austin, TX, and establishing Class E airspace at Austin, Lago Vista, and Lakeway, TX.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-14-09, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and - 1041 airplanes. AD 2023-14-09 requires an inspection for missing or incorrectly applied sealant in the wing tanks, applicable corrective actions, and a modification to restore two independent layers of lightning strike protection. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-14-09, Airbus provided inspection instructions for a new inspection area of the upper and lower, front and rear spar corner fittings for certain airplanes. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2023-14-09 and would require a one-time detailed inspection (DET) for missing or incorrectly applied sealant of the front and rear spars for certain airplanes and applicable on-condition actions, 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 action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for ECU Health Chowan Hospital Heliport, Edenton, NC. Additionally, it corrects the Northeastern Regional Airport name along with correcting coordinates for Northeastern Regional Airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this heliport.

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 amend the Class E airspace at Payson, AZ. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of airspace reviews conducted as part of the decommissioning of the Payson non directional beacon (NDB). This action would also update the name and 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 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.

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.