Federal Aviation Administration November 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action revises Class E airspace at Badami, AK to provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs). Two SIAPs are being developed for the Badami Airport. Additionally, a textual Obstacle Departure Procedure (ODP) is being developed. This action revises existing Class E airspace upward from 700 feet (ft.) and 1,200 ft. above the surface at Badami Airport, Badami, AK.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -400ER series airplanes. This AD requires installing new relay(s), circuit breakers as applicable, and wiring to allow the flightcrew to turn off electrical power to the in- flight entertainment (IFE) systems and certain circuit breakers through a utility bus switch, and doing other specified actions. This AD results from an IFE systems review. We are issuing 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.

We are superseding an existing 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: * * * * * During recent inspections it was found that some * * * bolts, that connect the horizontal stabilizer control unit actuator with the dog-links, were broken. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to [the loss of the flight control input connection to the horizontal stabilizer and consequent] partial loss of control of the aircraft. * * * * * We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is amending the regulations governing the packing interval for certain types of parachutes. Currently, the FAA prohibits most parachutes from being used or carried aboard an aircraft and available for emergency use unless they have been packed within the previous 120 days. New reliability data from the parachute industry and other sources indicate that the packing interval should be increased; therefore, we are lengthening the interval from 120 to 180 days. This final rule revises the parachute packing interval and ensures safe use.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 221: Aircraft Secondary Barriers.

In accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations and FAA Order 1050.1E, Change 1, the FAA is announcing the availability of Final EIS for the Spaceport America Commercial Launch Site, Sierra County, New Mexico. The FAA, Office of Commercial Space Transportation is the lead Federal agency for the development of this EIS. Cooperating agencies include the Bureau of Land Management; the National Park Service; United States Army, White Sands Missile Range (WSMR); and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Final EIS was prepared in response to an application for a Launch Site Operator License from the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA). Under the Proposed Action, the FAA would issue a Launch Site Operator License to NMSA to operate a launch facility capable of accommodating both horizontal and vertical launches of suborbital launch vehicles (LVs). The vehicles may carry space flight participants, scientific experiments, or other payloads. The proposed site is located in Sierra County, approximately 30 miles southeast of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and 45 miles north of Las Cruces, New Mexico. The Final EIS also addresses the potential environmental impacts of issuing a Launch Site Operator License for horizontal launches only (Alternative 1), vertical launches only (Alternative 2), and the No Action Alternative. The FAA submitted the Final EIS to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA will post a separate notification in the Federal Register announcing the availability of the Final EIS. The FAA will issue a Record of Decision no sooner than 30 days following EPA's notice in the Federal Register. The Record of Decision will be published in the Federal Register. The FAA has posted the Final EIS on the FAA Web site at https:// ast.faa.gov. In addition, CDs of the Final EIS were sent to persons and agencies on the distribution list (found in Chapter 8 of the Final EIS). A paper copy and a CD version of the Final EIS may be reviewed for comment during regular business hours at the following locations:

This action establishes a low altitude Global Positioning System (GPS)/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) area navigation route, designated T-254, in the vicinity of the Houston, TX, terminal area. This route allows for more efficient utilization of airspace and enhances the management of aircraft operations in the vicinity of Houston, TX.

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:

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 action makes a correction to the airport's name and geographic coordinates in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published in the Federal Register October 22, 2008 (73 FR 62940) Docket No. FAA-2008-0873.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Houston, TX. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at Lone Star Executive Airport, Conroe, TX. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft operations at Lone Star Executive Airport. This action also updates the coordinates of Chambers County Airport, and reflects a name change for Scholes Field.

This establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures 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, adding new obstacles, or changing 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 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:

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 announces the availability of and requests comments on revisions to Operations Specification A021, pertaining to Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) operations, and Operation Specification A050, pertaining to Helicopter Night Vision Goggle Operations (HNVGO).

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for GE CF6-80A series turbofan engines with a high-pressure turbine rotor (HPTR) stage 1 disk, part number (P/N) 9367M45G06, installed. This proposed AD would require removing any HPTR stage 1 disk, P/N 9367M45G06, before exceeding 2,075 cycles-since-new (CSN). This proposed AD results from an error by GE that incorrectly cited a cyclic life of 12,600 CSN for the HPTR stage 1 disk, P/N 9367M45G06. We are proposing this AD to prevent the HPTR stage 1 disk from exceeding its part life which could cause fatigue cracks to start and grow. These cracks could result in a possible uncontained disk failure and damage to the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for PW models PW2037, PW2037(M), and PW2040 turbofan engines. This proposed AD would require inspecting all high-pressure turbine (HPT) 2nd stage hubs at the next HPT overhaul after the effective date of the proposed AD. The inspections of the hubs include fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) for cracks and an optical comparator inspection (OCI) of the blade retention slots to confirm the hubs are within dimensional tolerances before returning them to service. This proposed AD results from an uncontained release of HPT 2nd stage blades and blade retention lugs. We are proposing this AD to detect cracks and remove nonconforming HPT 2nd stage hubs, which could result in an uncontained release of turbine blades and blade retention lugs, and damage to the airplane.

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 affecting only RB211 Trent 500 series turbofan engines that have not incorporated Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-72-D733, dated August 21, 2002, or Revision 1 of that SB, dated March 6, 2008, as follows:

The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. That AD currently requires various repetitive inspections for cracking of the upper frame to side frame splice of the fuselage, and other specified and corrective actions if necessary. That AD also provides for an optional preventive modification, which terminates the repetitive inspections. This new AD adds an optional terminating action that was inadvertently omitted from that AD. This AD results from a report that the upper frame of the fuselage was severed between stringers S-13L and S-14L at station 747, and the adjacent frame at station 767 had a 1.3-inch-long crack at the same stringer location. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the upper frame to side frame splice of the fuselage, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the frame and adjacent lap joint. This reduced structural integrity can increase loading in the fuselage skin, which will accelerate skin crack growth and result in decompression of the airplane.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 747 series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections for cracking and corrosion of all exposed surfaces of the carriage spindles (including the inner bore and aft links) of the trailing edge flaps, and additional inspection and corrective action if necessary. That AD also currently requires repetitive overhaul of the carriage spindle and aft link, which terminates the repetitive inspections. This new AD adds a repetitive inspection to detect broken parts, and revises the overhaul threshold and repetitive intervals. This AD results from analysis that showed additional inspections should be done to prevent the loss of a flap, and that the flight-hour-based interval should be revised to a flight- cycle-based interval, because the greatest loads on the spindles happen during takeoff and landing. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct failed carriage spindles or aft links of the inboard or outboard trailing edge flaps. Such failure could cause the flap to depart the airplane, reducing the flightcrew's ability to maintain the safe flight and landing of the airplane.

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 action changes the controlling agency of R-6901A and R- 6901B, Fort McCoy, WI, from ``FAA Chicago ARTCC'' to ``FAA, Minneapolis ARTCC.'' This action also changes the controlling agency of R-6903, Sheboygan, WI, from ``FAA, Chicago ARTCC'' to ``FAA, Minneapolis ARTCC.'' The FAA is taking this action in response to a request from Minneapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) to reflect an administrative change of controlling agency responsibility for the restricted areas. There are no changes to the boundaries; designated altitudes; time of designation; or activities conducted within the affected restricted area.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 182Q and 182R airplanes that are equipped with Societ[eacute] de Motorisations A[eacute]ronautiques (SMA) Aircraft Diesel Engine (ADE) Model SR305- 230-1 or Model SR305-230 converted to Model SR305-230-1 installed under Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA03302AT. This proposed AD would require you to remove the intercooler and the intercooler inlet and outlet hoses, install a reworked intercooler and new intercooler inlet and outlet hoses, inspect hoses and clamp torques, and repetitively inspect installation of the intercooler outlet and inlet hose assemblies for any displacement or damage of clamps or hoses, and, if necessary, replace any damaged clamps or hoses. This proposed AD results from a report of two instances of induction hose disconnection occurring while in service, resulting in a loss of turbo boost and a significant loss of engine power. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct improper intercooler outlet and intercooler inlet hose assembly installations, which could result in loss of turbo boost and a significant loss of engine power. This failure could lead to an inability to maintain constant altitude in flight.

The FAA is correcting an SNPRM published in the Federal Register on August 15, 2008, regarding filtered flight data. Questions from industry caused us to conclude that the intent expressed in the preamble is inconsistent with the proposed rule language. This document will clarify our intent and the rule language. We are also extending the comment period to allow for consideration of this clarification by all interested parties.

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: