Federal Aviation Administration 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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).

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is continuing to expand the availability and capability of area navigation (RNAV) to improve safety and efficiency within the National Airspace System (NAS). A major enhancement is the introduction of Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) capable RNAV instrument approach procedures that provide for near-precision vertical guidance. The number of instrument approach procedures available to the public has nearly doubled over the past decade and will continue to grow with the public's demand for new WAAS procedures. The cost of maintaining the existing ground-based navigational infrastructure while expanding new RNAV capability is challenging to the FAA's projected budget over the next five years. Maintenance of existing ground-based procedures places the greatest strain on limited FAA resources. To meet the public's demand for WAAS capable RNAV procedures, the FAA must manage the growth in the number of instrument approach procedures by eliminating redundant ground-based procedures. Specifically, the agency has identified NDB procedures for cancellation at runway ends that are also served by an RNAV procedure and a second ground-based procedure (i.e., a ground-based procedure other than the NDB). The FAA resources currently used to maintain these NDB procedures will be applied to the development of new WAAS capable RNAV procedures in the NAS.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 757-200, -200PF, and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting for damage of the ground brackets, ground wires, and terminal lugs of the auxiliary power unit (APU) battery and the APU start transformer rectifier unit (TRU) as applicable; and corrective and related investigative actions. This proposed AD is prompted by reports indicating that, during inspections on two airplanes, the ground brackets for the APU battery were found damaged. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct a damaged electrical bonding surface of the APU battery and APU start TRU ground connections, which could cause overheating of the ground connections and lead to possible consequent ignition of the adjacent insulating blankets.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus transport category airplanes. This proposed AD would require an inspection to determine if the suspect part numbers (P/N) and serial numbers of certain Thales Avionics equipment is installed, and replacement of any suspect part with a modified part having a new P/N. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of loss of the digital distance radio magnetic indicator and subsequent loss of both very high frequency omnidirectional range indicators, both distance measuring equipment, and one centralized maintenance computer. We are proposing this AD to prevent loss of navigation indications on the primary flight display requiring continuation of the flight on emergency instruments, which could lead to reduced ability to control the airplane in adverse conditions.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Aerospatiale Model ATR 42-200, -300, and -320 series airplanes. This AD requires inspecting to determine the part and serial number of the swinging lever of the main landing gears (MLG) and replacing the swinging lever if necessary. This AD is prompted by a report that, on an airplane lined up for takeoff, the swinging lever of the left MLG collapsed when engine power was applied. We are issuing this AD to prevent fracture of the MLG swinging lever, which could result in collapse of the swinging lever and reduced structural integrity and possible collapse of the MLG during operations on the ground.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 airplanes. This AD requires a general visual inspection in the electrical/electronics (E/E) compartment for damage of the wire bundle and aft right radio rack structure at station 160.000, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also requires modifying the radio rack structure and wire bundle routing. This AD is prompted by a report indicating that burnt wiring was discovered in the wire bundle at station 160.000 in the E/E compartment. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct chafing of the wire bundle at station 160.000 against the support bracket located on the aft right radio rack, which could lead to shorted or burnt wires and consequent smoke and fire in the E/E compartment.

The FAA is making available a draft of changes to the commercial space transportation regulations governing licensing and safety requirements for launch. We intend the changes to identify, codify, and maintain the successful safety measures that have been implemented at the federal launch ranges belonging to the Department of Defense and NASA. We are also establishing clear safety requirements for launches from non-federal launch sites. We will hold a public meeting on March 29-31, 2005, to give stakeholders an opportunity to get information about, and provide comments on, the draft regulatory language.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Model Falcon 2000EX and 900EX series airplanes. This AD requires prohibiting dispatch with certain equipment inoperative; and revising the airplane flight manual to facilitate recovery of the cockpit display units in the event of an avionics standard communication bus (ASCB) failure and to inform the flightcrew what equipment is inoperative during an ASCB failure. This AD also requires doing an integrity check of the ASCB for any faults and corrective action if necessary, and installing an avionics software update to the Honeywell Primus Epic system. This AD is prompted by a report that an analysis and tests of the Honeywell Primus Epic systems installed on the Model Falcon 2000EX and 900EX series airplanes revealed that all information displayed on the cockpit display units could become invalid during flight. We are issuing this AD to prevent a loss of data from all four of the cockpit display units, and loss of all radio communications (with the exception of VHF emergency frequency and last frequency used), primary navigation instruments, autopilot, auto- throttle, central alerting system, aural alarms, and normal braking (on Model Falcon 2000EX series airplanes only). These losses could reduce the flightcrew's situational awareness, increase flightcrew workload, and consequently reduce the ability to maintain safe flight and landing of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330 and A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections for discrepancies of the inboard and outboard actuator fittings of the aileron servo-controls, corrective actions if necessary, and eventual replacement of all the attachment bolts of the aileron servo-controls. This proposed AD is prompted by several cases of bushing migration on the inboard and outboard actuator fittings of the aileron servo- controls; in one case the bushing had migrated completely out of the actuator fitting and the fitting was cracked. We are proposing this AD to prevent rupture of the inboard and outboard actuator fittings of the aileron servo controls, which could result in airframe vibration and consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the noise exposure maps submitted by Lee County Port Authority for Southwest Florida 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.

This notice announces the availability of, and requests comment on, a proposed Technical Standard Order (TSO) on battery-based emergency power units (BEPU). The TSO prescribes minimum performance standards that BEPU must meet to be identified with the marketing ``TSO-C174.''

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 757-200, 757-200CB, and 757- 200PF series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive detailed inspections to detect horizontal or vertical movement of the shims at the joint of the mid-bulkhead and the upper link fittings, and corrective action if necessary; or certain alternative actions that terminate the requirement for the repetitive inspections. This new AD continues to require those repetitive inspections; decreases the allowable tolerance for shim migration; and adds new repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of the entire mid-bulkhead, and repair if necessary. This new AD also adds additional airplanes to the applicability of the AD. This AD is prompted by reports of cracks in the mid-bulkhead lower vertical flange common to the lower chord and stiffener and reports of cracking at other locations on the mid- bulkhead. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct migration of shims at the joint of the mid-bulkhead and the upper link fittings and cracking of the mid-bulkhead, which could result in cracking of the strut and consequent loss of the strut and engine.

These special conditions are issued for Cessna Aircraft Company Model 501 airplanes modified by Garrett Aviation Services. These airplanes will have novel and unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. The modification incorporates the installation of Electronic Flight Displays with Engine Indication and Flight Information Systems. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for the protection of these systems from the effects of high-intensity- radiated fields (HIRF). 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 issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 135/EUROCAE Working Group 14: Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment.

This action confirms the new effective date for the establishment of Class D and E4 airspace at Olive Branch, MS and the amendment of Class E5 airspace at Memphis, TN. The construction of a new Federal contract tower with a weather reporting system was delayed; therefore, the effective date of the establishment of Class D and E4 airspace and amendment of Class E5 airspace was also delayed.

This notice announces the availability of, and requests comments on, a proposed Technical Standard Order (TSO) on nickel- cadmium and lead-acid batteries. These batteries power aircraft equipment (emergency and standby systems, plus engine or APU starting). The TSO prescribes minimum performance standards for these batteries to be identified with the marking ``TSO-C173.''

This notice announces the availability of, and requests comment on, a proposed Technical Standard Order (TSO) on aircraft clamps. The TSO prescribes minimum performance standards that aircraft clamps must meet to be identified with the making ``TSO-C171.''

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Short Brothers Model SD3-60 series airplanes. This AD requires, for certain airplanes, repetitive inspections for cracking of the balance weight brackets of the elevator trim tabs, and replacement of any cracked bracket with a new or reworked bracket that conforms to the approved design standard. This AD also provides for an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD is prompted by reports indicating that balance weight brackets have been found cracked on both the left and right elevator trim tabs. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the balance weight bracket for the elevator trim tab, which could cause loss of the balance weight. This could result in incorrect trim during takeoff and landing, and reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the application to use the revenue from a PFC at Blue Grass Airport under the provisions of the 49 U.S.C. 40117 and Part 158 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Part 158).

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 a summary of certain petitions seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR, dispositions of certain petitions previously received, and corrections. 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.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Dornier Model 328-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require installing an additional mounting angle for the respective de- icing pipes at rib 9 in the leading edge area of the left- and right- hand wings. This proposed AD is prompted by chafed de-icing lines in the wing leading edge area. We are proposing this AD to prevent chafing of the de-icing lines, which could result in a reduction in functionality of the anti-ice system, and possibly reduced controllability and performance of the airplane in icing conditions.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for General Electric Company (GE) CT58-140-1, CT58-140-2, and surplus military T58-GE-5, -10, -100, and -402 turboshaft engines with certain serial numbers (SNs) of stage 1 compressor disks, part number (P/N) 5001T20P01, installed. This AD requires removing certain stage 1 compressor disks from service before reaching a reduced low-cycle- fatigue (LCF) life limit for those affected disks of 2,100 hours time- since-new (TSN) or by December 31, 2008, whichever occurs first. This AD results from two reports of low blade tip clearances in the compressor. We are issuing this AD to prevent LCF cracking and failure of the stage 1 compressor disk, an uncontained engine failure, and damage to the helicopter.

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the application to impose and use, PFC revenue at Yakima Air Terminal McAllister Field under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 40117 and part 158 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 158).