Federal Aviation Administration 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes, that currently requires installation of protective tape on the fire and overheat control unit located in the flight compartment. This amendment requires the installation of protective tape and adds repetitive inspections of the condition of the protective tape and related corrective action. This amendment also mandates eventual replacement of the existing fire and overheat control unit with a modified unit, which ends the repetitive inspections. Additionally, this amendment adds airplanes to the applicability in the existing AD. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fluid contamination inside the fire and overheat control unit, which could result in a false fire alarm and consequent emergency landing. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in cooperation with the United States Air Force (USAF), prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) proposal to operate a commercial launch facility at the Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark (CSIA) located adjacent to the town of Burns Flat, Oklahoma. The EA evaluated the potential environmental impacts of launches of three types of horizontally launched suborbital vehicles (Concept X, Concept Y, and Concept Z) proposed to be launched from the CSIA. The EA also evaluated the transfer of ownership of the CSIA from the City of Clinton to OSIDA. After reviewing and analyzing currently available data and information on existing conditions, project impacts, and measures to mitigate those impacts, the FAA, Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) has determined that issuing a launch site operator license to OSDIA for the CSIA would not significantly affect the quality of the human environment within the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The FAA also determined that the transfer of ownership of the CSIA from Clinton, Oklahoma to OSIDA would not significantly affect the quality of the human environment within the meaning of NEPA. Therefore the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required and AST is issuing a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The FAA made this determination in accordance with all applicable environmental laws. For a Copy of the Environmental Assessment: Visit one of the following Internet addresses: https://www.okspaceporteis.com or https:// ast.faa.gov, or contact Mr. Doug Graham, FAA Environmental Specialist, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 331, Washington, DC 20591. You may also send e-mail requests to doug.graham@faa.gov or via telephone (202) 267-8568.

The FAA publishes a monthly notice, as appropriate, of PFC approvals and disapprovals under the provisions of the Aviation Safety and Capacity Expansion Act of 1990 (Title IX of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990) (Pub. L. 101-508) and Part 158 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Part 58). This notice is published pursuant to paragraph d of Sec. 158.29.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Tay 650-15 turbofan engines. That AD currently establishes cyclic life limits for certain part number (P/N) stage 1 high pressure turbine (HPT) discs and stage 1 (LPT) discs operating under certain flight plan profiles. This proposed AD would add Tay 651-54 turbofan engines to the applicability. This proposed AD would also require removing certain stage 1 HPT discs and stage 1 LPT discs at reduced cyclic life limits using a drawdown schedule. This proposed AD results from RRD updating their low-cycle- fatigue (LCF) analysis for stage 1 HPT discs and stage 1 LPT discs and reducing their cyclic life limits. We are proposing this AD to prevent cracks leading to turbine disc failure, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

On July 31, 2001, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Great Lakes Region, published in the Federal Register a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and hold a Public Scoping Meeting at Dayton International Airport (Volume 66, Number 135, FR 36821-36822). The EIS and Public Scoping Meeting were to address proposed runway shifts and extensions to runways 6R/24L and 18/ 36 at the airport. Three public scoping meetings were held on August 14, 15, and 16, 2001. Additional workshops to discuss purpose and need were held on June 4 and 5, 2002. On March 20, 2006 the FAA received notification from the Dayton International Airport that it wished to cancel the EIS. As such, the FAA is hereby canceling the EIS process. Point of Contact: Mr. Brad Davidson, Environmental Protection Specialist, FAA Great Lakes Region, Detroit Airports District Office, 11677 South Wayne Road, Suite 107, Romulus, MI 48174 (734) 229-2900.

This action modifies the boundaries of the Restricted Area R- 3002 range complex at Fort Benning, GA. The U.S. Army requested these modifications as a result of a land exchange agreement between Fort Benning and the City of Columbus, GA. In addition, a portion of the southwest section of R-3002, within the existing restricted airspace, is redesignated as a separate restricted area, R-3002G, to better accommodate instrument approach procedures at Lawson Army Air Field (AAF). The internal boundaries between restricted area subdivisions are also realigned slightly to permit more efficient scheduling and utilization of the range complex. Finally, the names of the controlling agency and using agency for the restricted areas are changed to reflect their current titles.

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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain aviation tires installed on various transport category airplanes. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the nosewheel tires to determine if they are within a designated serial number range, and replacement if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of tread separations and tread-area bulges on the nosewheel tires. We are proposing this AD to prevent tread separation from a nosewheel tire during takeoff or landing, which could result in compromised nosewheel steering or ingestion of separated tread by an engine, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane on the runway or in the air.

This amendment amends Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed 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 is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Boeing Model 747-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect cracking of certain lower lobe fuselage frames, and repair if necessary. This new AD retains all the requirements of the existing AD, and adds airplanes to the applicability. This AD results from reports indicating that fatigue cracks were found in lower lobe frames on the left side of the fuselage. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of certain lower lobe fuselage frames, which could lead to fatigue cracks in the fuselage skin, and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A310-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD requires doing repetitive rotating probe inspections for any crack of the rear spar internal angle and the left and right sides of the tee fitting, and doing related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This AD also requires modifying the holes in the internal angle and tee fitting by cold expansion. This AD results from full-scale fatigue tests, which revealed cracks in the lower rear spar internal angle, and tee fitting. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracks of the rear spar internal angle and tee fitting, which could lead to the rupture of the internal angle, tee fitting, and rear spar, and consequent reduced structural integrity of the wings.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2005-17- 19, which applies to certain Cirrus Design Corporation (CDC) Models SR20 and SR22 airplanes. AD 2005-17-19 currently requires you to measure and adjust the crew seat break-over bolts and to replace the crew seat recline locks on both crew seats. Since we issued AD 2005-17- 19, CDC developed new crew seat break-over pins to replace the old crew seat break-over bolts. Consequently, this proposed AD would retain the action from AD 2005-17-19 of replacing the crew seat recline locks on both seats and would add the action of replacing the crew seat break- over bolts with the new crew seat break-over pins on both seats. We are proposing this AD to prevent the crew seats from folding forward during emergency landing dynamic loads with consequent occupant injury.

This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-76A, B, and C helicopters. The AD would require inspecting all installed HR Textron main rotor servo actuators (servo actuators) for a high rate of leakage and also inspecting for contaminated hydraulic fluid. The AD would also require reducing the time-in-service (TIS) interval for overhauling the servo actuators. This proposal is prompted by a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Safety Recommendation written in response to an accident involving a Model S-76 helicopter in which the performance of an HR Textron servo actuator was questioned as a result of piston head seal leakage and piston head plasma spray flaking. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to detect a high rate of leaking from a servo actuator and contamination of the hydraulic fluid, which could lead to degraded ability to maneuver the cyclic and collective controls and could result in subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This document proposes to revise an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N, N1, and SA-366G1 helicopters. That AD currently requires inspecting the main gearbox (MGB) base plate for a crack and replacing the MGB if a crack is found. This action would increase the time intervals for inspecting the MGB base plate. This action would also include minor editorial changes throughout the AD. This proposal is prompted by crack growth tests that indicate that the inspection intervals can be increased without affecting safety. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to detect a crack in an MGB base plate and prevent failure of one of the MGB attachment points to the frame, which could result in severe vibration and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, DC-9-20, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9-50 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires a one-time inspection at a certain disconnect panel in the left forward cargo compartment to find contamination of electrical connectors and to determine if a dripshield is installed over the disconnect panel, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would revise the applicability of the existing AD to remove certain airplanes and add others. This proposed AD results from a report of electrical arcing that resulted in a fire. We are proposing this AD to prevent contamination of certain electrical connectors, which could cause electrical arcing and consequent fire on the airplane.

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 and Working Groups 1-3 and Sub-Groups 1-3.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) MU-2B series airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to do flight checks of the rigging of the engine and propeller systems. This proposed AD results from a recent safety evaluation that used a data-driven approach to evaluate the design, operation, and maintenance of the MU-2B series airplanes in order to determine their safety and define what steps, if any, are necessary for their safe operation. Part of that evaluation was the identification of unsafe conditions that exist or could develop on the affected type design airplanes. We are issuing this proposed AD to detect and correct improper adjustment of the flight idle fuel flow setting. This condition, if uncorrected, could result in degraded performance and poor handling qualities with consequent loss of control of the airplane in certain situations.

The Federal Aviation Administration's Office of Airports (ARP) has updated and revised its instructions for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for airport actions. ARP is replacing Order 5050.4A, Airport Environmental Handbook with the updated and revised instructions in Order 5050.4B, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions. This Notice announces the availability of Order 5050.4B and its Preamble. The documents are available at ARP's Web site https://www.faa.gov/ airportsairtraffic/ airports. Although APR is presenting the Preamble on its Web site, it is not including the text of that document in this Notice. ARP expects to publish the text in the Federal Register within the next 10 days. This delay is due to publication procedures associated with the extensively detailed Preamble.

Pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 5 U.S.C. App. 2), notice is hereby given of a meeting of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC). The meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 24, 2006, starting at 8 a.m. at the Federal Aviation Administration Headquarters Building, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, in the Bessie Coleman Conference Center, located on the 2nd Floor. This will be the forty-third meeting of the COMSTAC. The proposed agenda for the meeting will feature an update on commercial space transportation legislative activities, briefings on national space and security policies, new RLV technology developments, and the Office of Space Commercialization in the Department of Commerce, and an activities report from FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation. The 2006 Commercial Space Transportation Forecasts on the geosynchronous and non-geosynchronous markets will also be released at this meeting. An agenda will be posted on the FAA Web site at https://ast.faa.gov/COMSTAC. Meetings of the COMSTAC Working Groups (Technology and Innovation, Reusable Launch Vehicle, Risk Management, and Launch Operations and Support) will be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2006. For specific information concerning the times and locations of the working group meetings, contact the Contact Person listed below. Individuals who plan to attend and need special assistance, such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodations, should inform the Contact Person listed below in advance of the meeting.

On October 1, 1999, the FAA amended the regulations governing takeoff and landing slots and slot allocation procedures at certain High Density Traffic Airports as a result of the ``Open Transborder'' Agreement between the Government of the United States and the Government of Canada. One element of this final rule established that the deadline for submission of requests for international slots will be published in a Federal Register notice for each scheduling season. The purpose of the amendment is for the FAA deadline for international slots requests to coincide with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) deadline for submission of slot requests. In accordance with this amendment, the FAA announces in this notice that the deadline for submitting requests for international slots at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) for allocation under 14 CFR 93.217 is May 11, 2006. The FAA will allocate international slots through December 31, 2006 only, as the High Density Rule expires at JFK on December 31, 2006. (See 49 U.S.C. 41715(a)(2).) After that date, slots will no longer be required for operation at JFK. The FAA has designated Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (O'Hare) as a Level 2, Schedules Facilitated Airport under the IATA Guidelines and will review international operations based on runway parameters. The FAA requests carriers intending to conduct international service at O'Hare for the Winter 2006/07 Scheduling Season to submit their intended schedules following the same procedures used for submitting requests for slots at JFK. Carriers are advised that this notice does not alter or change any coordination procedures conducted by the City of Chicago for O'Hare's Terminal 5 facilities. Finally, the U.S. scheduling season is consistent with the changes in daylight savings time. In accordance with the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-58), daylight savings time will begin on March 11, 2007 and end on November 3, 2007. The IATA Northern Winter Scheduling Season will end on March 24, 2007, and its Summer Scheduling Season will only begin on March 25, 2007. There is a two-week period for which the IATA Winter scheduling season will overlap with the U.S. summer scheduling season. We recognize this transition period will cause some carriers to adjust scheduled times based on their network requirements and other considerations. For O'Hare, the FAA will accept carriers' schedule requests for the entire IATA Northern Winter Scheduling Season (ending on March 24, 2007), even though that will be the first two weeks of the U.S. summer scheduling season. This will facilitate carriers seeking to confirm schedules at other worldwide slot coordinated airports in accordance with the IATA season and coordination process. Carriers should clearly indicate any schedule differences during the March 11 to 24, 2007, period. The FAA intends to provide the maximum practical flexibility to accommodate schedule adjustments during this period and does not anticipate any significant issues regarding historic rights due to the earlier introduction of daylight saving time in the U.S. A deadline for submitting the reamining summer schedules for 2007 will by announced in the Federal Register by September 2006. The Department of Transportation reserves the right to withhold the approval of schedules to any foreign air carrier of a country that does not provide equivalent rights of access to its airports for U.S. air carriers, as determined by the Secretary of Transportation.

This document confirms the effective date of the direct final rule which establishes a Class E enroute domestic airspace area, Vandenberg AFB, CA, to replace existing Class G uncontrolled airspace.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 207, Airport Security Access Control Systems.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT9D-7R4G2 turbofan engines. This proposed AD would require replacing the old configuration 2nd stage high pressure turbine (HPT) air seal assembly with a new design 2nd stage HPT air seal assembly that increases cooling air flow. This proposed AD results from a report of an uncontained failure of the 2nd stage air seal assembly, caused by the air seal assembly brace disengaging from the air seal, due to insufficient cooling air flow. We are proposing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the 2nd stage HPT air seal assembly, leading to engine in-flight shutdown and damage to the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 727, 727C, 727-100, and 727-100C series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracks in the body skin and bear strap at the upper and lower hinge cutouts of the mid-cabin galley doorway, along the upper fastener row of the stringer 14R lap splice, and in the doorstop fitting adjacent to the upper hinge cutout; and corrective action if necessary. This AD also provides for optional terminating action for certain inspections. This AD results from reports of skin and bear strap cracking at the upper and lower hinge cutout and along the upper fastener row of the stringer 14R lap splice, and cracking in the doorstop fitting adjacent to the upper hinge cutout. There are also reports of cracking on airplanes previously modified in production to resist such cracking. We are issuing this AD to find and fix fatigue cracking of the fuselage, which could result in reduced structural integrity and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.

We propose to revise Airworthiness Directive (AD) 68-17-03, which applies to all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC-6 series airplanes. AD 68-17-03 currently requires you to repetitively inspect the rudder end rib for cracks and replace the rudder end rib with a modified rudder end rib when you find cracks. Installing the modified rudder end rib terminates the repetitive inspection requirements of AD 68-17-03. Under a licensing agreement with Pilatus, Fairchild Republic Company (also identified as Fairchild Industries, Fairchild Heli Porter, or Fairchild-Hiller Corporation) produced Model PC-6 series airplanes (manufacturer serial numbers 2001 through 2092) in the United States. AD 68-17-03 was intended to apply to all affected serial numbers of Model PC-6 series airplanes listed on Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) No. 7A15, including the Fairchild-produced airplanes. Consequently, this proposed AD would clarify that all models of the PC- 6 airplane on TCDS No. 7A15 (including those models produced under the licensing agreement by Fairchild Republic Company) are included in the applicability. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the rudder end rib, which could result in failure of the rudder end rib. This failure could result in loss of directional control.