Federal Aviation Administration 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive detailed inspections for proper functioning of the girt bar leaf springs for the escape slides to ensure the leaf springs retain the sliders and the required 0.37-inch minimum engagement between the sliders and floor fittings is achieved at passenger doors 1, 2, and 4, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a report that the escape slides failed to deploy correctly during an operator's tests of the escape slides. We are issuing this AD to prevent escape slides from disengaging from the airplane during deployment or in use, which could result in injuries to passengers or flightcrew.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) GTSIO-520 series reciprocating engines. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive visual inspections of the starter adapter assembly and crankshaft gear and unscheduled visual inspections of the starter adapter assembly and crankshaft gear due to a rough-running engine. That AD also requires replacement of the starter adapter shaft gear needle bearing with a certain bushing and installation of a certain TCM service kit at the next engine overhaul, or at the next starter adapter replacement, whichever occurs first. This proposed AD would require the inspection ordered in paragraph (h) of AD 2005-20-04 to be done every 100 hours time-in-service (TIS), or annually. This proposed AD results from an error discovered in AD 2005-20-04. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the starter adapter assembly and or crankshaft gear, resulting in failure of the engine and possible forced landing.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacement of an electronic flight information system/engine indicating and crew alerting system (EFIS/EICAS) interface unit (EIU) located on the E2-6 shelf of the main equipment center with a new or modified EIU. This proposed AD results from two instances where all six integrated display units (IDUs) on the flight deck panels went blank in flight. We are proposing this AD to prevent loss of the IDUs due to failure of all three EIUs, which could result in the inability of the flightcrew to maintain safe flight and landing of the airplane.

This notice announces the issuance of Advisory Circular (AC) 33.83A, Turbine Engine Vibration Test. This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance and acceptable methods, but not the only methods, that may be used to demonstrate compliance with the vibration test requirements of Sec. 33.83 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR part 33). This AC cancels AC 33.83, dated February 14, 1997.

This action revises Class E airspace at Mountain Home, ID, beginning at 1,200 feet above ground level (AGL), replacing the existing Class G uncontrolled airspace. This airspace action accommodates the terminal environment transition between Salt Lake Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and Mountain Home AFB Radar Approach Control (RAPCON) by placing aircraft in controlled airspace during the transfer of aircraft radar identification between the facilities. In addition, a review of the legal description revealed that it does not reflect the correct airport reference point (ARP) of Mountain Home Municipal Airport and geographic position of the Sturgeon Non-Directional Beacon (NDB). The notice of Proposed Rulemaking published in the Federal Register on August 21, 2006, included an incorrect longitude for Mountain Home TACAN. This action corrects those minor discrepancies.

This action establishes a Class E airspace area at Bethel Regional Airport, Bethel, ME (K0B1) to provide for adequate controlled airspace for those aircraft using the new Helicopter Area Navigation (RNAV), 317 Instrument Approach Procedure to the Airport.

The FAA hereby provides notice of intent to release certain airport properties 7.8392 Acres at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, Sarasota, FL from the aeronautical use restriction as contained in a Quitclaim Deed agreement between the United States of America, acting through the War Assets Administrator and the Sarasota Manatee County Airport Authority, dated December 16, 1947. The release of property will allow the Sarasota Manatee County Airport Authority to lease the property for other than aeronautical purposes. The property is located in the Northeast quarter of Section 1, Township 36 South, Range 17 East, Sarasota County, Florida. The parcel is currently designated as aeronautical use. The property use designation will change to non-aeronautical use for the purpose of revenue generation. The fair market value of the property has been determined by appraisal to be between $0.17 and $0.18 per square foot. The airport will receive fair market value for the property, which will be subsequently reinvested in the operating and maintenance of the airport. Documents reflecting the Sponsor's request are available, by appointment only, for inspection at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport and the FAA Airports District Office.

This action proposes to revise Class D airspace at Mesa, AZ, Falcon Field Airport. The airspace would be modified to accommodate general aviation pilots transitioning the Phoenix area as described in the forthcoming proposed Phoenix Class B airspace redesign. Revising the Falcon Field airspace will provide a wider corridor for general aviation pilots to transition north and south beneath the proposed Phoenix Class B airspace and remain west of the Falcon Field Airport Class D airspace.

The FAA is issuing a correction to the Notice of Opportunity To Participate, Criteria Requirements and Application Procedure for Participation in the Military Airport Program (MAP), which was published in the Federal Register on October 16, 2006 (71 FR 60791). That Notice announced the criteria, application procedures, and schedule to be applied by the Secretary of Transportation in designating or redesignating, and funding capital development annually for up to 15 current (joint-use) or former military airports seeking designation or redesignation to participate to the Military Airport Program (MAP). These corrections change the year from ``2006'' to ``2007'' and change available slots from ``6 slots'' to ``4 slots''.

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. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of the 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 document makes a correction to the final regulation published in the Federal Register on June 21, 2006. (71 FR 35760) This rule amended the airman medical certification standards to disqualify an airman based on an alcohol test result of 0.04 or greater breath alcohol concentration (BAC) or a refusal to take a drug or alcohol test required by the Department of Transportation (DOT) or a DOT agency.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for GE CF6-80C2B series turbofan engines with electronic control units (ECUs), installed on Boeing 747 and 767 airplanes. This proposed AD would require installing software version 8.2.Q1 to the engine ECU, which increases the margin to engine flameout. This proposed AD results from reports of engine flameout events during flight, including reports of events where all engines simultaneously experienced a flameout or other adverse operation. We are proposing this AD to provide increased margin to flameout and to minimize the potential of an all-engine flameout event, due to ice accretion and shedding during flight.

These special conditions are issued for the Airbus A380-800 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. Some of these novel or unusual design features are associated with the high bypass engines used on the Model A380. For these design features, the applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards regarding transient engine failure loads. 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. Additional special conditions will be issued for other novel or unusual design features of the Airbus Model A380-800 airplane.

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.

This action modifies the Class E airspace area at Honolulu International Airport, HI. The establishment of an Area Navigation (RNAV) Required Navigation Performance (RNP) Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) to Runway (RWY) 08L and 26L to Honolulu International Airport, Honolulu, HI has made this action necessary. Additional controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth is needed to contain aircraft executing this RNAV (RNP) IAP to RWY 08L and 26L to Honolulu International Airport. The intended effect of this action is to provide adequate controlled airspace for Instrument Flight Rules operations at Honolulu International Airport, Honolulu, HI.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings on the noise compatibility program modification submitted by the Sanford Airport Authority under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. (the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, 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 June 22, 2005, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by the Sanford Airport Authority under part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On August 23, 2006, the FAA approved the Orlando Sanford International Airport modification to the noise compatibility program. All of the recommended modifications of the program were approved. No program elements relating to new or revised flight procedures for noise abatement were proposed by the airport operator.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-200, A340-200, and A340-300 airplanes. This AD requires the installation of heatshields in the belly fairing of the center fuselage. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent exposing any fuel leaked from the center fuel tank to the hot temperature areas of the air conditioning packs, which could result in a fire and consequent fuel tank explosion.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-62, DC-8-63, DC-8-62F, and DC- 8-63F airplanes. This proposed AD would require revising the wiring for the engine thrust brake circuit and indicating circuit and other specified actions, or rerouting the wiring at plug P1-1762A on the electrical power center generator control panel, as necessary. This proposed AD results from the determination that the thrust reverser systems on these airplanes do not adequately preclude inadvertent deployment of the thrust reversers. We are proposing this AD to prevent inadvertent deployment of the thrust reversers during takeoff or landing, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Turbomeca Turmo IV A and IV C series turboshaft engines. This AD requires identifying, inspecting and replacing flexible lubrication pipes manufactured after April 1, 2003. If both engines on the same helicopter each have an affected pipe, then this AD requires replacing one of the affected pipes before further flight. This AD also requires initial and repetitive borescope inspections of affected pipes, visual inspections for oil leakage, and visual inspections of the oil filter, on engines that are not required to have an affected pipe replaced before further flight by this AD. This AD results from 7 reports of oil leakage due to the deterioration of flexible lubrication pipes manufactured after April 1, 2003. We are issuing this AD to prevent dual-engine failure on a twin-engine helicopter.

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. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of the 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 is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT8D-1, -1A, -1B, -7, -7A, -7B, -9, -9A, -11, -15, -15A, -17, -17A, -17R, -17AR, -209, -217, -217A, -217C, and -219 turbofan engines. That AD currently requires either replacing high pressure compressor (HPC) front hubs and HPC disks that have operated at any time with PWA 110-21 coating and that operated in certain engine models, or, visually inspecting and fluorescent penetrant inspecting (FMPI) for cracking of those parts and re-plating them if they pass inspection. This AD requires the same actions, but makes necessary corrections to inadvertent reference errors and omissions found in AD 2006-17-07, and relaxes some of the compliance times in Table 5. This AD results from our finding reference errors and omissions in AD 2006- 17-07, from determining that the AD as drafted imposed an unnecessary burden on operators if they have to immediately remove engines, and from requests to clarify compliance paragraphs. We are issuing this AD to prevent a rupture of an HPC front hub or an HPC disk that could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

This action proposes special conditions for the Dassault Aviation Model Falcon 7X 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 include interaction of systems and structures, limit pilot forces, and electrical and electronic flight control systems. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. 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 document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Model MD900 series helicopters. The AD would require modifying the pilot and co-pilot dual-control directional pedal assemblies, or the pilot single-control directional pedal assembly (directional control pedal assembly). This proposal is prompted by an accident which has been attributed to loss of directional control due to failure of the welds in the directional control pedal assembly. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent fatigue cracking in the welds that connect the directional control pedal to the pedal shaft, resulting in loss of directional control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre, Pennsylvania. The development of an Area Navigation (RNAV), Helicopter Point in Space Approach, for the Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre, PA, has made this action necessary. Controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is needed to contain aircraft executing the approach to the Robert Packer Hospital.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Hill Top Heliport, Troy, Pennsylvania. The development of an Area Navigation (RNAV), Helicopter Point in Space Approach, for the Hill Top Heliport, Troy, PA, has made this action necessary. Controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is needed to contain aircraft executing the approach to the Hill Top Heliport.