Federal Aviation Administration 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing revisions to amateur rocket regulations and activities to preserve the level of safety associated with amateur rocketry. Current regulations are outdated and do not reflect current industry practice. This action would update our regulations and guidance for amateur rocket activities. We propose to change the amateur rocket classifications, the way we collect information from operators of advanced amateur rocket launches, and the format of the regulations. In addition, we propose to address and correct minor inconsistencies in the present rules. We would take this action to update our regulations and align them with advances in the amateur rocket industry. We would also codify certain operating restrictions that are already widely used but are important enough to be required universally.

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 airworthiness authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as some stringer reinforcements (F900DX) and some rivets (F900DX/F2000EX) missing from the skin panels on each side of the fuselage between frames 9 and 10 on certain Falcon 900DX and Falcon 2000EX EASy aircraft; this situation affects the structural integrity of the fuselage. We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

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:

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.

This document proposes superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Eurocopter France (ECF) model helicopters. That AD currently requires a onetime inspection for end play in the pitch control rod assembly double bearing (bearing) using the tail rotor (T/R) hub control plate, and before further flight, replacing the bearing if end play is present. This action would require checking the T/R gearbox (TGB) oil level before the first flight of the day and maintaining the oil at the maximum level for certain helicopters. Also, this action would require, during each required inspection or at certain specified intervals, ensuring the oil is at the maximum level for certain other model helicopters. Also, this action would require inspecting the magnetic plug for chips at specified intervals. Depending on the quantity of chips found, this action would require either replacing the TGB before further flight or further inspecting for axial play in the T/R hub pitch change control spider (spider). If axial play is found in the spider, before further flight, this AD would require replacing the bearing. This proposal is prompted by the finding that metal chips were not detected on the magnetic plug due to insufficient oil flow because the oil in the TGB was being maintained at the minimum level. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to detect metal chips on the magnetic plug, to prevent damage to the bearing resulting in end play, loss of T/R pitch control, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The FAA assigned the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee a new task to: Review and recommend revisions to certain requirements for operation of aviation maintenance technician schools. This notice is to inform the public of this ARAC activity.

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.

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:

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 carbon fiber reinforced plastic used in the construction of the fuselage. For these design features, the applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for impact response characteristics to ensure survivable crashworthiness. 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 787-8 airplanes.

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 design features include wing fuel tanks constructed of carbon fiber composite materials. 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.

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:

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect cracks and/or corrosion of the girt bar support fitting at certain main entry doors (MED), and repair or replacement of the support fitting. The existing AD also provides for various terminating actions for the repetitive inspections. This new AD requires the following additional actions: An inspection, for certain airplanes, for correct installation of square and conical washers in the girt bar support fitting; an inspection, for certain other airplanes, to determine if the washers are installed; and related investigative and corrective action if necessary. This AD results from a report that the square and conical washers may be installed incorrectly in the girt bar support fitting on airplanes on which the support fitting was repaired or replaced in accordance with the requirements of the existing AD. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion of the girt bar support fitting, which could result in separation of the escape slide from the lower door sill during deployment, and subsequently prevent proper operation of the escape slides at the main entry doors during an emergency. We are also issuing this AD to detect and correct incorrect installation of the square and conical washers in the girt bar support fitting, which could result in failure of the escape slide when deployed.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) that supersedes AD 2006-23-02, which applies to certain Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) (Type Certificate (TC) No. 3A20 and TC No. A24CE formerly held by Raytheon Aircraft Corporation and Beech) Models C90A, B200, B200C, B300, and B300C airplanes. AD 2006-23-02 currently requires you to inspect the flight controls for improper assembly or damage, and if any improperly assembled or damaged flight controls are found, take corrective action. Since we issued AD 2006-23-02, we have determined the need to add airplane serial numbers that were not previously included in the applicability. Consequently, this AD retains the actions of AD 2006-23-02 and adds airplane serial numbers to the applicability. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct improperly assembled or damaged flight controls, which could result in an unsafe condition by reducing capabilities of the flight controls and lead to loss of control.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of the RTCA Program Management Committee.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Goodrich evacuation systems approved under TSO-C69, TSO- C69a, TSO-C69b, and TSO-69c, installed on certain Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, and Airbus transport category airplanes. For certain systems, this proposed AD would require replacing the evacuation systems shear- pin restraints with new ones. For certain other systems, this proposed AD would require an inspection for manufacturing lot numbers; and a general visual inspection of the shear-pin restraint for discrepancies, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by several reports of corroded shear-pin restraints that prevented Goodrich evacuation systems from deploying properly. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the evacuation system, which could impede an emergency evacuation and increase the chance of injury to passengers and flightcrew during the evacuation.

On April 19, 2007, the FAA published a Direct Final Rule to amend the definition of a light-sport aircraft (LSA) in two areas. The changes permit development of lighter-than-air (LTA) LSA, and allow retractable landing gear for LSA intended for operation on water.

These special conditions are issued to Op Technologies, Inc.; 15236 NW., Greenbrier Parkway, Beaverton, OR 97006 for a Supplemental Type Certificate for the Cirrus Design Corporation Model SR22 airplane. This airplane will have novel and unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisaged in the applicable airworthiness standards. These novel and unusual design features include the installation of electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) displays Model Pegasus Primary Flight Displays manufactured by Op Technologies for which the applicable regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate airworthiness standards for the protection of these systems from the effects of high intensity radiated fields (HIRF). These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to the airworthiness standards applicable to these airplanes.

The FAA is correcting a technical amendment to its drug and alcohol testing requirements published on March 15, 2007 (72 FR 12082). The purpose of the technical amendment was to conform those requirements to the National Air Tour Safety Standards. In one paragraph of the regulation, we inadvertently referred to an ``antidrug program,'' when we should have referred to an ``Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program.''

The FAA is amending its regulations to reflect technological advances that support area navigation (RNAV); include provisions on the use of suitable RNAV systems for navigation; amend certain terms for consistency with those of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); remove reference to the middle marker in certain sections because a middle marker is no longer operationally required; clarify airspace terminology; and incorporate by reference obstacle departure procedures into Federal regulations. The changes will facilitate the use of new navigation reference sources, enable advancements in technology, and increase efficiency of the National Airspace System.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting ground blocks GD261 and GD264 for corrosion, measuring the electrical bond resistance between the ground blocks and the airplane structure, separating the ground wires for the fuel boost pump circuit between ground blocks GD261 and GD264, and doing corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report of random flashes of the six fuel pump low pressure lights and intermittent operation of the fuel boost pumps. We are proposing this AD to prevent the simultaneous malfunction of all six fuel boost pumps, which could cause the engines to operate on suction feed and potentially flame out.

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 superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -311, and - 312 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires an initial rotating probe inspection and initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections for discrepancies of the first fastener hole of the horizontal flange of the keel beam on previously modified airplanes, installation of new fasteners, and corrective action if necessary. This AD retains the actions required by the existing AD and adds new rotating probe inspections and a terminating action for the repetitive inspections of the existing AD. This AD results from a report that certain inspections, done before accomplishing the modification of the lower keel beam fitting and forward lower shell connection, revealed cracking that was outside the modification limits specified in the service bulletin; the cracking was repaired by installing a titanium doubler. We are issuing this AD to prevent discrepancies of the fastener holes of the horizontal flange of the keel beam, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the fuselage.

This notice contains a summary of a petition 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 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 proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, and 747SP series airplanes. This proposed AD would require reconfiguring the clamps of certain wire bundles and applying insulating sealant to certain fasteners inside the fuel tanks. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent arcing inside the fuel tanks in the event of a lightning strike or high-powered short circuit, which could result in a fuel tank explosion or fire.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11, MD-11F, DC-10-30 and DC-10- 30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, and MD-10-30F airplanes. This proposed AD would require measuring the electrical resistance of the bond between the No. 2 fuel transfer pump adapter surface of the fuel tank and the fuel transfer pump housing flange, and performing corrective and other specified actions as applicable. This proposed AD results from a design review of the fuel tank systems. We are proposing this AD to prevent inadequate bonding between the No. 2 fuel transfer pump adapter surface of the fuel tank and the fuel transfer pump housing flange. Inadequate bonding could result in a potential ignition source inside the fuel tank if the fuel transfer pump and structure interface are not submerged in fuel, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.