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

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for PW JT9D-7R4 series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires removing certain reduced cooling flow 2nd stage high pressure turbine (HPT) vane assemblies installed in certain 2nd stage HPT vane cluster assemblies. It also requires a visual and a fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of the 2nd stage HPT air seal assembly, P/N 815097. This proposed AD would require a visual and fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of all part number (P/N) 2nd stage HPT air seal assemblies that were used with reduced cooling flow 2nd stage HPT vane assemblies. This proposed AD results from the manufacturer identifying additional P/N air seal assemblies that are affected by the unsafe condition. 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 proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus Model A310 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires modification of certain wires in the right-hand (RH) wing. This proposed AD would require further modification by installing an additional protection sleeve and segregating route 2S in the RH pylon area. This proposed AD results from analysis of wire routing that revealed that route 2S of the fuel electrical circuit, located in the RH wing, does not provide adequate separation of fuel quantity indication wires from wires carrying 115- volt alternating current (AC). We are proposing this AD to ensure that fuel quantity indication wires are properly separated from wires carrying 115-volt AC. Improper separation of such wires, in the event of wire damage, could lead to a short circuit and a possible ignition source, which could result in a fire in the airplane.

This action revises VOR Federal Airway 363 (V-363) between the Mission Bay, CA, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and the Pomona, CA, VORTAC. Specifically, the FAA is making this realignment to provide a southwestern route structure to circumnavigate the Camp Pendleton, CA, range complex.

This final rule amends FAA regulations for certification and operations of transport category airplanes. These changes are necessary to help ensure continued safety of commercial airplanes. They improve the design, installation, and maintenance of airplane electrical wiring systems and align those requirements as closely as possible with the requirements for fuel tank system safety. This final rule organizes and clarifies design requirements for wire systems by moving existing regulatory references to wiring into a single section of the regulations specifically for wiring and by adding new certification rules. It requires holders of type certificates for certain transport category airplanes to conduct analyses of their airplanes and make necessary changes to existing Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to improve maintenance procedures for wire systems. It requires operators to incorporate ICA for wiring into their maintenance or inspection programs. And finally, this final rule clarifies requirements of certain existing rules for operators to incorporate ICA for fuel tank systems into their maintenance or inspection programs.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) revision of a current information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on August 15, 2007, vol. 72, no. 157, pages 45861-45862. The FAA collects information from airport sponsors and planning agencies in order to administer the Airports Grants Program.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) revision of a current information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on August 15, 2007, vol. 72, no. 157, page 45864. FAR Part 43 prescribes the rules governing maintenance, rebuilding, and alteration of aircraft and aircraft components, and is necessary to ensure this work is performed by qualified persons, and at proper intervals.

This document confirms the effective date of the direct final rule which revises Class E airspace at Poplar Bluff, MO.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-300, -400, -500, -600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require installing a new circuit breaker, relays, and wiring to allow the flightcrew to turn off electrical power to the in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems and other non-essential electrical systems through a switch in the flight compartment, and doing other specified actions. This proposed AD results from an IFE systems review. We are proposing this AD to ensure that the flightcrew is able to turn off electrical power to IFE systems and other non-essential electrical systems through a switch in the flight compartment. The flightcrew's inability to turn off power to IFE systems and other non-essential electrical systems during a non-normal or emergency situation could result in the inability to control smoke or fumes in the airplane flight deck or cabin.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 213, Enhanced Flight Vision Systems/ Synthetic Vision System, (EFVS/SVS).

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to Goodrich evacuation systems approved under TSO- C69b and installed on certain Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes, Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes, and Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes. That AD currently requires inspecting to determine the part number of the pressure relief valves on the affected Goodrich evacuation systems, and corrective action if necessary. For certain airplanes, this new AD requires an additional inspection to determine the part number of the pressure relief valves, and corrective action if necessary. This AD results from a report indicating that, during maintenance testing, the pressure relief valves on the affected Goodrich evacuation systems did not seal when activated, which caused the pressure in the escape slide/raft to drop below the minimum allowable raft mode pressure. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of pressure in the escape slides/rafts after an emergency evacuation, which could result in inadequate buoyancy to support the raft's passenger capacity during ditching, and increase the chance for injury to raft passengers.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This 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:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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:

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to provide the public an opportunity to comment on the petition for exemption. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cessna Aircraft Company Model 172 and 182 series airplanes that are equipped with the BRS-172 and BRS-182 Parachute System. This proposed AD would require the replacement of the pick-up collar support and nylon screws for the BRS-172 and BRS-182 Parachute System. This proposed AD results from notification by Ballistic Recovery Systems, Inc. (BRS) that the pick-up collar assembly may prematurely move off the launch tube and adversely affect rocket trajectory during deployment. We are proposing this AD to prevent premature separation of the collar. This condition could result in the parachute failing to successfully deploy.

This notice amends part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) by establishing a Class D airspace area extending upward from the surface to and including 3,300 feet above sea level within a 4.6-mile radius of Independence Municipal Airport, KS. The establishment of an air traffic control tower has made this action necessary.

This action amends Class E Airspace at Pottsville, PA to provide adequate airspace for a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Special Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) that has been developed to serve the Pottsville Hospital (91PN), Pottsville, PA.

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 issuing this Notice of Intent to the public an EIS under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, will be prepared to consider the siting and construction of a replacement airport for the Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN), Hailey, Idaho. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is involved in the project as alternative sites may occur on BLM land. The BLM has not entered into a cooperating or co-lead agreement at this time. The Friedman Memorial Airport Authority, the sponsor of the project, has proposed to construct and operate a replacement airport for the Friedman Memorial Airport within Blaine County, Idaho. Friedman Memorial Airport is located in Hailey, Idaho and serves the Wood River region of South Central Idaho. The airport currently does not and cannot comply with FAA airfield design standards on the limited land owned by the airport. Further, the airport is close to numerous residences. Mountainous terrain on the east, west, and north sides of SUN precludes instrument approach procedures which would make SUN accessible in poor weather. All alternatives at the existing airport site are extremely costly and extend into residential areas. Further, they provide no benefit to reliability and safe operation in either good or adverse weather. Considering the limitations of the existing airport, elected and appointed officials in Blaine County, Idaho have decided to evaluate the environmental impacts of building and operating an airport meeting FAA design standards and supporting an instrument approach. Several alternatives, as well as the no-action alternative will be evaluated. The EIS will determine all environmental impacts, such as and not limited to, noise impacts, impacts on air and water quality, wetlands, fish, wildlife, and plants, farmlands, floodplains, historic/tribal resources, hazardous wastes, socioeconomics, and economic factors.