Federal Aviation Administration 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This document confirms the effective date of the direct final rule which revises Class E airspace at Mason City, IA.

This action revises Class E airspace at Huslia, AK to provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing one new and two amended Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs). This rule results in revised Class E airspace revised upward from 700 feet (ft.) and 1,200 ft. above the surface at Huslia, AK.

The U.S. Army will soon be changing the name of Fort (Ft.) Wainwright Army Airfield (AAF) to Ladd AAF. This action amends the airport name accordingly for each of the Class D and Class E airspace descriptions in FAA Order 7400.9N.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for CFM International CFM56-5 and -5B series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires exhaust gas temperature (EGT) harness replacement or the establishment of an EGT baseline and trend monitoring. That AD also requires replacement, if necessary, of certain EGT harnesses and EGT couplings as soon as a slow and continuous EGT drift downward is noticed after the effective date of that AD. This proposed AD would require the same actions but for an increased population of affected EGT harnesses. This proposed AD results from CFM International adding subsequently certified engine models to the list of engines that could have affected harnesses installed. We are proposing this AD to prevent unexpected deterioration of critical rotating engine parts due to higher than desired engine operating EGTs.

These special conditions are issued for the Cessna Aircraft Company, Model 510 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with the use of an electronic engine control system instead of a traditional mechanical control system. 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 Federal Aviation Administration is making minor changes to the Announcement of Policy for Landing Performance Assessments After Departure for All Turbojet Operators published in the Federal Register on June 7, 2006 (71 FR 32877).

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, - 400, and -500 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires initial and repetitive inspections of the elevator tab assembly to find any damage or discrepancy; and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD adds certain new inspections and removes certain existing inspections. This AD results from additional reports of airframe vibrations of the elevator tab during flight on airplanes inspected per the existing AD; subsequently, considerable damage was done to the elevator tab, elevator, and horizontal stabilizer. In several incidents, a portion of the elevator tab separated from the airplane. We are issuing this AD to prevent excessive in-flight vibrations of the elevator tab, which could lead to loss of the elevator tab and consequent loss of controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the first bonding jumper aft of the bulkhead fitting to detect damage or failure and to determine the mechanical integrity of its electrical bonding path, and repair if necessary; measuring the bonding resistance between the fitting for the fuel feed tube and the front spar in the left and right main fuel tanks, and repairing the bonding if necessary; and applying additional sealant to completely cover the bulkhead fittings inside the fuel tanks. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent arcing or sparking during a lightning strike at the interface between the bulkhead fittings of the engine fuel feed tube and the front spar inside the fuel tank. This arcing or sparking could provide a potential ignition source inside the fuel tank, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for General Electric Company (GE) CF6-45/-50 series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires an initial and repetitive on-wing visual inspection of the side links of the five-link forward mount assembly for cracks, and replacement of the side links and pylon attachment bolts and inspection of the fail-safe bolt and platform lug if the side links are cracked. That AD also requires a shop-level refurbishment of the side links as a terminating action to the on-wing inspection program. This ad requires inspecting and refurbishing the side link at every exposure of the side link. This AD also requires the same actions on certain part number side links installed on CF6-80A turbofan engines. This AD results from a report of a cracked side link. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the side links and possible engine separation from the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. This AD requires a detailed inspection for cracks and marks on the carbon blades of the ram air turbine (RAT), and replacement of the RAT with a new or serviceable RAT if necessary. This AD results from a report of three chord-wise cracks on the aft side of one carbon blade of a certain RAT. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks and/or marks on the RAT carbon blades, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the carbon blade, and consequent loss of the RAT as a source of hydraulic and electrical power in an emergency.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100) airplanes. That AD currently requires revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to provide the flightcrew with revised procedures for checking the flap system. The existing AD also requires revising the maintenance program to provide procedures for checking the flap system, and performing follow-on actions, if necessary. This new AD requires installing new flap actuators, a new or retrofitted air data computer, a new skew detection system, and new airspeed limitation placards; and revising the AFM to include revised maximum allowable speeds for flight with the flaps extended, and a new skew detection system/crosswind-related limitation for take-off flap selection. This AD results from a number of cases of flap system failure that resulted in a twisted outboard flap panel. We are issuing this AD to prevent an unannunciated failure of the flap system, which could result in a flap asymmetry and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive eddy current inspections to detect cracks of the outer skin of the fuselage at certain frames, and repair or reinforcement of the structure at the frames, if necessary. The existing AD also requires eventual reinforcement of the structure at certain frames, which, when accomplished, terminates the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD would add, for airplanes that were previously reinforced but not repaired in accordance with the existing AD, a one-time inspection for cracking of the fuselage outer skin at frames 28A and 30A above stringer 30, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report that the previously required actions were not sufficient to correct cracking before the structural reinforcement was installed. We are proposing this AD to prevent such fatigue cracking, which could result in reduced structural integrity, and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.

This notice proposes special conditions for the Piper PA 28- 161 Cadet, Warrior II and Warrior III series airplanes. These airplanes, as modified by Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH, will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with the installation of a diesel cycle engine utilizing turbine (jet) fuel. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for installation of this new technology engine. These proposed 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.

This notice proposes special conditions for the Piper Model PA28-236 airplanes with a Societe de Motorisation Aeronautiques (SMA) Model SR305-230 Aircraft Diesel Engine (ADE). This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with the installation of a diesel cycle engine utilizing turbine (jet) fuel. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for installation of this new technology engine. These proposed 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 the RTCA Program Management Committee.

This notice proposes to modify the Class E airspace area of Half Moon Bay, CA. The establishment of an Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Z Instrument Approach Procedures (IAP) to Runway (RWY) 30 at Half Moon Bay Airport, Half Moon Bay, CA has made this proposal necessary. Additional controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth is needed to contain aircraft executing the RNAV (GPS) Z IAP to RWY 30 at Half Moon Bay Airport. The intended effect of this proposal is to provide adequate controlled airspace for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at Half Moon Bay Airport, Half Moon Bay, CA.

The FAA proposes to rule and invite public comment on the release of land at City-County Airport under the provisions of section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21), now 49 U.S.C. 47107(h)(2).

This amendment establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and/or Weather Takeoff Minimums 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, addition of new obstacles, or changes in 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 proposes to revise an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, and - 800 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires inspecting/ measuring the length of the attachment fasteners between the nacelle support fittings and the lower wing skin panels, and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would correct errors found in the existing AD. This proposed AD results from detection of those inadvertent errors. We are proposing this AD to prevent inadequate fastener clamp-up, which could result in cracking of the fastener holes, cracking along the lower wing skin panels, fuel leaking from the wing fuel tanks onto the engines, and possible fire.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is giving notice that a portion of the airport property containing 16.6 acres located across the Waupaca River from the airport and is not needed for aeronautical use as currently identified on the Airport Layout Plan. This parcel was originally purchased as part of a larger City purchase in December 1944. The parcel is presently open and undeveloped. The land comprising this parcel is, therefore, no longer needed for aeronautical purposes. Income from the sale will be used to improve the airport. There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the airport to dispose of the property. In accordance with section 47107(h) of title 49, United States Code, this notice is required to be published in the Federal Register 30 days before modifying the land-use assurance that requires the property to be used for an aeronautical purpose.

The FAA proposes to amend the regulations governing objects that may affect the navigable airspace. Specifically, the FAA is proposing to add notification requirements and obstruction standards for electromagnetic interference and amend the obstruction standards for civil airport imaginary surfaces to more closely align these standards with FAA airport design and instrument approach procedure criteria. The FAA proposes to require proponents to file with the agency a notice of proposed construction or alteration of structures near private use airports that have an FAA approved instrument approach procedure. This proposal, if adopted, would also increase the number of days in which a notice must be filed with the FAA before beginning construction or alteration; add and amend definitions for terms commonly used during the aeronautical evaluation process; and remove the provisions for public hearings and antenna farms. Lastly, the FAA proposes to retitle the rule and reformat it into sections that closely reflect the aeronautical study process. These proposals incorporate case law and legislative action, and simplify the rule language. The intended effect of these proposed changes is to improve safety and promote the efficient use of the National Airspace System.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, -314, and -315 airplanes. This AD requires certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, -314, and -315 airplanes. This AD results from a report that, during structural testing of the cockpit door, the lower hinge block rotated and caused the mating hinge pin to disengage, and caused excessive door deflection. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of a door attachment, which could result in uncontrolled release of the cockpit door under certain fuselage decompression conditions, and possible damage to the airplane structure.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Hamilton Sundstrand model 14RF-19 propellers. This AD requires replacing certain actuator yokes with improved actuator yokes. This AD results from certain propeller system actuator yoke arms breaking during flight. We are issuing this AD to prevent actuator yoke arms breaking during flight, which could cause high propeller vibration and contribute to reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Airbus Model A300 and A300-600 series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect cracks in Gear Rib 5 of the main landing gear (MLG) attachment fittings at the lower flange, and repair, if necessary. That AD also requires modification of Gear Rib 5 of the MLG attachment fittings, which constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This new AD requires new repetitive inspections at reduced compliance times. This new AD also requires new repetitive inspections of certain areas of the attachment fittings that were repaired in accordance with the actions specified in the existing AD. This AD results from new service information that was issued by the manufacturer and mandated by the French airworthiness authority. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the MLG attachment fittings, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires a one-time inspection to determine the serial number of both main landing gear (MLG) sliding tubes, repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of the affected MLG sliding tubes, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would retain these inspections and add new repetitive inspections for cracking of the MLG sliding tubes. This proposed AD would also require eventual replacement of both MLG shock absorbers. Doing this replacement would terminate the repetitive inspection requirements of this proposed AD. This proposed AD results from a determination that additional inspections and mandatory replacement of the MLG shock absorbers are necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking in an MLG sliding tube, which could result in failure of the sliding tube, loss of one axle, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.