Federal Aviation Administration April 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is publishing notice of proposed release of approximately one quarter (0.25) of an acre of land acquired with local funds at the Montgomery County Airpark to William C. Rickman Construction Company, Inc. The airport will receive 0.35 of an acre owned by Rickman located in the primary surface in exchange in addition to protective easements and other considerations that will complement anticipated airport development. There are no impacts to the Airport and the land is not needed for airport development as shown on the Airport Layout Plan.

This notice proposes special conditions for the Boeing Model 787-8 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 novel or unusual design features are associated with composite materials chosen for the construction of the fuel tank skin and structure. For these design features, the applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for wing and fuel tank structure with respect to post-crash fire safety. 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 Boeing Model 787-8 airplanes.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4- 605R Variant F, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes; and Model A310 series airplanes. That AD currently requires a one-time inspection for damage of the integrated drive generator (IDG) electrical harness and pyramid arm, and repair if necessary. This new AD adds new repetitive inspections, which, when initiated, terminate the inspection required by the existing AD. This new AD also requires repairing damage and protecting the harness. This new AD also provides for optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This new AD also removes certain airplanes from the applicability of the existing AD. This AD results from a report of structural damage on the forward pyramid arm of an engine pylon due to chafing of the IDG electrical harness against the structure of the pyramid arm. We are issuing this AD to prevent electrical arcing in the engine pylon, which could result in loss of the relevant alternating current (AC) bus bar, reduced structural integrity of the engine pylon, and possible loss of control of the airplane.

The FAA's Aviation Safety, an organization responsible for the certification, production approval, and continued airworthiness of aircraft, and certification of pilots, mechanics, and others in safety related positions, publishes proposed non-regulatory documents that are available for public comment on the Internet at https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/draftdocs/.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is amending its commercial space transportation regulations under the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004. The FAA is establishing application requirements for an operator of a manned or unmanned reusable suborbital rocket to obtain an experimental permit. The FAA is also establishing operating requirements and restrictions on launch and reentry of reusable suborbital rockets operated under a permit.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Airbus Model A318-100, A319-100, A320-200, A321-100, and A321-200 series airplanes, and Model A320-111 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires an inspection to determine whether certain braking and steering control units (BSCUs) are installed or have ever been installed. For airplanes on which certain BSCUs are installed or have ever been installed, the existing AD requires an inspection of the nose landing gear (NLG) upper support and corrective action if necessary, and a check of the NLG strut inflation pressure and an adjustment if necessary. For some of these airplanes, the existing AD also requires a revision to the aircraft flight manual to incorporate an operating procedure to recover normal steering in the event of a steering failure. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the NLG upper support, and related investigative/corrective actions in accordance with new service information; and would remove the one-time inspection that was required by the existing AD. This proposed AD also would provide an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD results from a report of an incident where an airplane landed with the NLG turned 90 degrees from centerline, and from additional reports of NLG upper support anti-rotation lugs rupturing in service. We are proposing this AD to prevent landings with the NLG turned 90 degrees from centerline, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

This technical amendment corrects a final rule published in the Federal Register on August 11, 2006 (71 FR 46076), Docket No. FAA- 2006-25153, Airspace Docket No. 06-AWP-10. In that rule, the reference to FAA Order 7400.9 was published as FAA Order 7400.9N. The correct reference is FAA Order 7400.9P. Also, the corresponding dates that refer to the Order should state ``* * * September 1, 2006, and effective September 15, 2006 * * *'', instead of ``* * * September 1, 2005, and effective September 15, 2005''. This technical amendment corrects those errors.

This technical amendment corrects a final rule published in the Federal Register on August 1, 2006 (71 FR 43355), Docket No. FAA- 2006-24858, Airspace Docket No. 06-ASO-8. In that rule, the reference to FAA Order 7400.9 was published as FAA Order 7400.9N. The correct reference is FAA Order 7400.9P. Also, the corresponding dates that refer to the Order should state ``* * * September 1, 2006, and effective September 15, 2006 * * *'' instead of ``* * * September 1, 2005, and effective September 16, 2005''. This technical amendment corrects those errors.

This technical amendment corrects a final rule published in the Federal Register on August 11, 2006 (71 FR 46077), Docket No. FAA- 2006-24467, Airspace Docket No. 06-ANM-2. In that rule, the reference to FAA Order 7400.9 was published as FAA Order 7400.9N. The correct reference is FAA Order 7400.9P. Also, the corresponding dates that refer to the Order should state `` * * * September 1, 2006, and effective September 15, 2006 * * *'' instead of `` * * * September 1, 2005, and effective September 15, 2005''. This technical amendment corrects those errors.

This technical amendment corrects a final rule published in the Federal Register on July 18, 2006 (71 FR 40653), Docket No. FAA- 2006-25252, Airspace Docket No. 06-AWP-12. In that rule, the reference to FAA Order 7400.9 was published as FAA Order 7400.9N. The correct reference is FAA Order 7400.9P. Also, the corresponding dates that refer to the Order should state `` * * * September 1, 2006, and effective September 15, 2006 * * * '' instead of `` * * * September 1, 2005, and effective September 16, 2005* * * ''. This technical amendment corrects those errors.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-135BJ airplanes. This AD requires modifying the forward and aft auxiliary fuel tanks. This AD results from a fuel system reassessment according to SFAR 88 criteria, which revealed the possibility of sparks due to chafing between the harnesses of the forward and aft auxiliary fuel tanks, between certain harnesses attached to the aircraft structure, or between certain harnesses attached to certain mechanical components. We are issuing this AD to prevent a potential ignition source inside a fuel tank, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion.

This action prohibits flight operations below flight level 200 within the territory and airspace of Somalia by all: (1) U.S. air carriers; (2) U.S. commercial operators; (3) operators of U.S. registered aircraft except when such operators are foreign air carriers; and (4) persons exercising the privileges of a U.S. airman certificate except if the flight is on behalf of a foreign air carrier. The FAA finds this action necessary to prevent a potential hazard to persons and aircraft engaged in such flight operations.

The Federal Aviation Administration is requesting public comment on Boca Raton Airport Authority's (BRAA) request to change +/- 4.67 acres of airport property from aeronautical use to non- aeronautical use. The parcel in question is the last remaining parcel of aeronautical land available at the Boca Raton Airport. The property in question is on the east side of Airport Road and approximately 1 mile north of Glades Road between the Premiere leasehold and the Fairfield Inn leasehold. The BRAA intends to use the property to develop an office building and possible restaurant(s). Portions of the building would house BRAA office, while the remainder would be leased to third party tenants for revenue generation. Documents reflecting the Sponsor's request are available, by appointment only, for inspection at the Airport Manager's office and the FAA Airport District Office.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-62, DC-8-62F, DC-8-63, DC-8-63F, DC-8-72, DC-8-72F, and DC-8-73F airplanes. This proposed AD would require deactivating certain components (the sump heater, scavenge valve, and scavenge pump) of the center wing fuel tank. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent certain conditions related to these components, which could lead to a possible ignition source in the fuel tank and a potential fire or explosion.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directives (AD) 93-07-11 and AD 94-04-16, which apply to certain Mitsubishi Heavy Industries MU- 2B Series airplanes. AD 93-07-11 and AD 94-04-16 currently require you to reduce the maximum deflection of the elevator nose-down trim to a 1- degree to 3-degree range. When the above AD actions were issued, there was no associated elevator trim indicator change. Without such change, the trim reaches the maximum nose-down limit and the indicator still shows additional nose-down trim available. In attempting to force additional nose-down trim, pilots have manually jammed the trim system preventing subsequent electric trim changes until the pilot manually freed the trim wheel. Consequently, this proposed AD would retain the actions from AD 93-07-11 and AD 94-04-16 and add the action of modifying the elevator trim indicator scale dial to be consistent with the reduced elevator trim capability. We are proposing this AD to prevent the above scenarios from occurring with consequent loss of control.

This technical amendment corrects a final rule published in the Federal Register on July 24, 2006 (71 FR 41727), Docket No. FAA- 2005-23157, Airspace Docket No. 05-ANM-15. In that rule, the reference to FAA Order 7400.9 was published as FAA Order 7400.9O. The correct reference is FAA Order 7400.9P. Also, the corresponding date that refers to the date the Order was signed was omitted. The final rule should state ``* * * dated September 1, 2006 * * *'' (prior to the effective date), instead of ``* * * updated yearly * * *'' This technical amendment corrects those errors.

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 is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 777 airplanes. This AD requires a one-time inspection to determine the part number of the left and right air supply and cabin pressure controllers (ASCPCs) and installation of new ASCPC software if necessary. This AD results from a report of an ASCPC failure during flight. We are issuing this AD to prevent an ASCPC failure that could stop airflow into the airplane, inhibit the cabin altitude warning message, and cause an incorrect display of cabin altitude. These failures could result in depressurization of the airplane without warning.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Airbus Model A318-100, A319-100, A320- 200, A321-100, and A321-200 series airplanes; and Model A320-111 airplanes. That AD currently requires modification of the electrical bonding of all structures and systems installed inside the center fuel tank. This new AD requires modification of additional bonding points inside the center fuel tank. This AD results from a report that additional bonding points need to be modified in order to prevent electrical arcing in the center fuel tank. We are issuing this AD to prevent electrical arcing in the center fuel tank due to inadequate bonding, which could result in an explosion of the center fuel tank and consequent loss of the airplane.

This draft letter of interpretation addresses a request by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) that the FAA rescind a letter of interpretation dated June 6, 2006 regarding ``known icing conditions''. Because of the controversy surrounding this issue, the FAA is publishing a draft of its response to seek public comment.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain SAP cylinder assemblies installed in Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) 470, 520, and 550 series reciprocating engines, Lycoming Engines (LE) 320, 360, and 540 series reciprocating engines, Avco Lycoming (AL) 540 series reciprocating engines, and Superior Air Parts, Inc. (SAP) 360 series reciprocating engines. That AD currently requires removing from service certain SAP part numbered (P/N) cylinder assemblies installed in TCM, LE, and AL reciprocating engines. That AD also requires removing from service certain cylinder assemblies installed as original equipment in SAP reciprocating engines, or in certain overhauled or repaired SAP reciprocating engines. This AD continues to require those same actions. This AD results from comments from the Public on the existing AD. We are issuing this AD to prevent cylinder separation that can lead to engine failure, a possible engine compartment fire, and damage to the airplane.