Federal Aviation Administration August 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to FAA's rulemaking provisions governing the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for exemption, part 11 of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), this notice contains the disposition of certain petitions previously received. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of any petition or its final disposition.

This notice announces the bi-annual meeting of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aeronautical Charting Forum (ACF) to discuss informational content and design of aeronautical charts and related products, as well as instrument flight procedures policy and criteria.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 203, Minimum Performance Standards for Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Unmanned Aircraft

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by the Department of Port Administration of the American Samoa Government under the provisions of Title I of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, as amended, (Pub. L. 96-193) (hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR part 150. These findings are made in recognition of the description of Federal and nonfederal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On January 28, 2005, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by Department of Port Administration of the American Samoa Government under Part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all GROB-WERKE Model G120A airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to inspect for signs of any chafing damage to the attachment cables of the switch panels below the left-hand instrument panel, any damaged switch below the switch panels of the left-hand instrument panel, any damaged (that is, sharp) edge of the support tray for the attachment cables of the switch panels below the left-hand instrument panel; correct any damage found during the inspection; and apply a layer of anti-rub (protective padding) strips to the edge of the support tray. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are issuing this proposed AD to detect, correct, and prevent chafing of the cables against the rear lip of the tray that holds the switch panels. Chafing of the electrical cables could result in smoke or fire in the cockpit.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the noise exposure maps submitted by the City of Fresno for Fresno Yosemite International Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47501 et seq. (Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act) and 14 CFR part 150 are in compliance with applicable requirements.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Turbomeca Arrius 2F turboshaft engines. This AD requires a one-time removal and inspection of the fuel filter-holder assembly to determine that the fuel control unit (FCU) filter is dimensionally correct. The AD also requires updating the Engine Maintenance Manuals to include a dimensional check of the fuel filter-holder assembly every time the FCU filter element is removed from the fuel filter-holder assembly. This AD results from reports of restricted fuel flow caused by a dimensionally incorrect FCU filter. Ground run testing may not detect the fuel flow limitation. We are issuing this AD to detect a dimensionally incorrect FCU filter that could lead to an undetected limitation of fuel flow, limiting the maximum power available in-flight, which could result in the inability to continue safe flight, avoid obstacles or land safely.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Turbomeca S.A. Arrius 2F turboshaft engines. This AD requires replacing certain O-rings on the check valve piston in the lubrication unit. This AD results from a report of a forced landing of a Eurocopter EC120B helicopter. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded in-flight shutdown of the engine, which could result in a forced autorotation landing and damage to the helicopter.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is amending its operating regulations to allow the use, on board aircraft, of Child Restraint Systems (CRSs) that are approved by the FAA through a Type Certificate, Supplemental Type Certificate, or Technical Standard Order. Current FAA regulations do not allow the use of CRSs other than those that meet specific standards for the automobile environment. The intended effect of this regulation is to reduce the regulatory burden to industry while maintaining or increasing safety.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes; Model A300-600 series airplanes; and Model A310-200 and -300 series airplanes. That AD currently requires, among other actions, repetitive tests to detect desynchronization of the rudder servo actuators, and adjustment or replacement of the spring rods of the rudder servo actuators, if necessary. This new AD requires new repetitive tests/inspections/analyses of the rudder servo actuators, and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. Accomplishment of the new actions ends the existing repetitive requirements. This AD is prompted by new reports of desynchronization of the rudder servo actuators. We are issuing this AD to prevent desynchronization of one of the three rudder servo actuators, which, if combined with an engine failure, could result in the loss of the related hydraulic system and could cause the loss of one of the two synchronized actuators. This condition could create additional fatigue loading and possible cracking on the attachment fittings and could result in the inability of the remaining synchronized actuator to maintain the commanded rudder deflection, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

This action modifies the Class E airspace area at Santa Elena, TX to provide adequate controlled airspace for the Instrument Landing System (ILS) standard instrument approach procedure (SIAP) at the Sierra Blanca Regional Airport (SRR).

Pursuant to FAA's rulemaking provisions governing the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for exemption, part 11 of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), this notice contains the disposition of certain petitions previously received. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of any petition or its final disposition.

This notice contains the text of a memorandum from the Secretary of Transportation to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration regarding the Provision of Aviation Insurance Coverage for U.S. Flag Commercial Air Carrier Service in Domestic and International Operations.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A320-111, -211, -212, and -231 airplanes. This proposed AD would require, for certain airplanes, modifying the cables and access holes to the inner tank fuel pumps; and, for certain other airplanes, inspecting the fuel pump access holes and modifying the access holes, if necessary. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent chafing of the fuel pump cables, which could result in electrical arcing and possible ignition of fuel vapors and consequent explosion of the fuel tank.

This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Boeing Model 747SP, 747SR, 747-100, - 100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, and -300 series airplanes, that would have required modification of the escape slide/raft pack assembly and cable release sliders. This new action revises the proposed rule by incorporating new service information, which clarifies the airplanes on which certain actions must be done, and by adding a new requirement for certain airplanes. The actions specified by this new proposed AD are intended to prevent improper deployment of the escape slide/raft or blockage of the passenger/crew doors in the event of an emergency evacuation, which could result in injury to passengers or crewmembers. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

This action corrects errors in the legal descriptions of Area Navigation Instrument Flight Rules Terminal Transition Routes (RITTR) listed in a final rule published in the Federal Register on June 15, 2005 (70 FR 34649), Airspace Docket No. 04-ASO-15.

These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 777 series airplanes. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with side-facing single-occupant seats equipped with inflatable lapbelts. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

This document announces two fact-finding informal airspace meetings to solicit information from airspace users, and others, concerning a proposal to modify the Class B airspace area at the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport terminal area, St. Louis, Missouri. The proposed modifications are a result of the new runway (11/29) project underway at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. Additionally, the proposed modifications are intended to enhance traffic flow management and ensure that all instrument procedures are contained within Class B airspace. The FAA is holding these meetings to provide interested parties an opportunity to present recommendations and comments on the proposal. All comments received during these meetings will be considered prior to any issuance of a notice of proposed rulemaking.

This notice proposes to amend the Class E airspace area in the Binghampton, NY area. The development of multiple area navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) for numerous airports within the Binghampton, NY area with approved Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations and the resulting overlap of designated Class E-5 airspace have made this proposal necessary. The proposal would correct the name of the airport and update the Airport Reference Point (ARP). The proposal would consolidate the Class E-5 airspace designations for six airports in the Binghampton area and result in the rescission of five separate Class E-5 descriptions through separate rulemaking action. The area would be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot reference.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces the availability of final policy on certification of an in-seat video system.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the noise exposure maps (NEM's) submitted by the airport director for the Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Field under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47501 et seq. (Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act) and 14 CFR part 150 are in compliance with applicable requirements. The FAA also announces that it is reviewing a proposed noise compatibility program that was submitted for the Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Field under part 150 in conjunction with the NEM's and this program will be approved or disapproved on or before February 13, 2006.

The FAA proposes to rule and invite public comment on the release of land at the Pueblo Memorial Airport under the provisions of section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21).

These special conditions are issued for the Embraer Model ERJ 190 series airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. These design features are associated with (1) engine size and torque load which affect sudden engine stoppage, (2) electrical and electronic systems which perform critical functions, and (3) an Automatic Takeoff thrust Control Systems (ATTCS). These special conditions also pertain to the effects of such novel or unusual design features, such as their effects on the structural performance of the airplane. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. 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 proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon), Model 390, Premier 1 airplanes. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would require you (unless already done) to replace the plastic cover over the air conditioning motor module with a metallic cover and modify the air conditioning compressor motor module electromagnetic interference-radio frequency interference (EMI-RFI) filter located under the cover and reidentify the module part number. For all airplanes, the proposed AD would limit future installations of the cover for the air conditioner and the air conditioning compressor motor module. This proposed AD results from reports that the plastic cover over the air conditioning motor module was found melted or burned and that the overheating of the EMI-RFI filter assembly located under the cover caused this damage. We are issuing this proposed AD to prevent the melting or burning of the plastic cover. The burning of the plastic cover could result in a fire.

The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 525, 525A, and 525B airplanes. This AD requires you to install identification sleeves on the wiring for both engine fire extinguisher bottles. This AD results from reports of incorrectly connecting wires to the engine fire extinguisher bottles. We are issuing this AD to prevent incorrect installation of the wires to the engine fire extinguisher bottles, which could result in failure of the engine fire extinguisher bottles to discharge when activated. This failure could lead to the inability to control an engine fire.