Federal Aviation Administration February 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Government/Industry Air Traffic Management Advisory Committee (ATMAC) revised agendarescheduled meeting.

Delta Air Lines and US Airways submitted a joint waiver request from the prohibition on purchasing operating authorizations (``slots'' or ``slot interests'') at LaGuardia Airport (LGA). The carriers requested the waiver to allow them to consummate a transaction in which Delta would transfer 42 pairs of slot interests to US Airways at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), international route authorities to S[atilde]o Paulo and Tokyo; and terminal space at the Marine Air Terminal at LGA. US Airways would transfer 125 pairs of slot interests to Delta at LGA, and would lease an additional 15 pairs of LGA slot interests with a purchase option, together with terminal space in LGA's Terminal C. We have evaluated the proposed transaction and tentatively determined that, while the proposed transaction has a number of benefits, a grant of the waiver in its entirety would result in a substantial increase in market concentration that would harm consumers. Accordingly, while we have tentatively decided to grant Delta Air Lines' and US Airways' joint waiver request in part, we have tentatively determined that the public interest would best be served by creating new and additional competition at the airports to counterbalance the potential harm to consumers. To achieve that goal, our proposed waiver would require the divestiture of 14 pairs of slot interests at DCA and 20 pairs of slot interests at LGA to new entrant and limited incumbent carriers.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2500-A1, V2525-D5 and V2528-D5 turbofan engines and certain serial numbers (S/Ns) of IAE V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2530-A5, and V2533-A5 turbofan engines. For certain S/Ns of V2500-A1, V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2530-A5, and V2533-A5 series turbofan engines, this proposed AD would require initial and repetitive on-wing ultrasonic inspections (UIs) of the high-pressure compressor (HPC) stage 3 to 8 drum for cracks. As mandatory terminating action to the repetitive inspections, this proposed AD would require removal from service of the fully silver plated nuts attaching the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum to the HPC stage 9 to 12 drum, removal of silver residue from the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum, and fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of the stage 3 to 8 drum within a specified time. For all other engines, this proposed AD would require removal from service of the fully silver plated nuts attaching the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum to the HPC stage 9 to 12 drum, removal of silver residue from the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum, and FPI of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum at the next drum piece-part exposure. This proposed AD results from reports of 39 HPC stage 3 to 8 drums found cracked since March 2009. We are proposing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the HPC stage 3 to 8 drum, which could result in damage to the airplane.

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 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 propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes. This proposed AD would require installing a hot short protector (HSP) for the fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS) of the center fuel tank and, for certain airplanes, the horizontal stabilizer fuel tank. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent an electrical hot short from a source outside the FQIS to the densitometer wiring from causing failure of the FQIS densitometer resistors, which could result in an ignition source inside the center or horizontal stabilizer fuel tanks. An ignition source, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Osceola, AR. Decommissioning of the Osceola non-directional beacon (NDB) at Osceola Municipal Airport, Osceola, AR, has made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at Osceola Municipal Airport.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Emmetsburg, IA. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Emmetsburg Municipal Airport, Emmetsburg, IA. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for SIAPs at the airport.

This action proposes to modify Jet Route J-120 in Alaska. The FAA is proposing this action in preparation of the eventual decommissioning of the Barter Island (BTI) Non-directional Beacon (NDB) at the village of Kaktovik, Alaska, ensuring the safe and efficient use of airspace within the National Airspace System.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas Corporation Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87), and MD-88 airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking of the lower rear spar caps of the wings, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD would also require repetitive inspections of certain repaired areas. This proposed AD results from reports of cracking of the wing rear spar lower cap at the outboard flap and inboard drive hinge at station Xrs=164.000; the cracking is due to material fatigue from normal flap operating loads. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct such fatigue cracking, which could result in fuel leaks, damage to the wing skin or other structure, and consequent reduced structural integrity of the wing.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above that would supersede an existing AD. 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: Incomplete closure of the MED [main entry door] may be followed by in-flight opening of the door. As a result, the MED and the adjacent fuselage structure may be damaged during opening and landing impact. Damage to the left engine by flying debris and objects may also occur.

These special conditions are issued for the Alenia Model C-27J airplane. This airplane has novel or unusual design features when compared to the state of technology described in the airworthiness standards for transport-category airplanes. These design features include a lavatory in the Class E cargo compartment. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. These 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. The FAA has issued additional special conditions for other novel or unusual design features of the C- 27J.

This action will modify Class E airspace at Grand Junction Regional, Grand Junction, CO, to accommodate the vectoring of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) traffic from Grand Junction Regional, Grand Junction, CO to en route airspace, and changes the airport name. This will improve the safety of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action corrects an error in the legal description for RNAV route Q-108 that was published in the Federal Register on Friday, December 11, 2009, Airspace Docket No. 09-ASO-17.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Claremore, OK. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Claremore Regional Airport, Claremore, OK. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for SIAPs at the airport.

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 October 16, 2009, vol. 74, no. 199, page 53315. This rule set safety and oversight rules for a broad variety of sightseeing and commercial air tour flights.

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 October 16, 2009, vol. 74, no. 199, page 53315. This collection is necessary for gathering data concerning potential new hires for the FAA.

This action proposes to modify Jet Route J-3 by terminating the route at the Spokane, WA, VHF omnidirectional range/tactical air navigation (VORTAC) instead of the Canadian border. This action is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System (NAS).

This action proposes to modify Jet Routes J-37 and J-55 in the Northeast United States (U.S.) by terminating the routes at a navigation aid prior to the U.S./Canadian Border. This change is proposed to resolve flight plan processing issues between U.S. and Canadian air traffic control (ATC) systems.

On January 25, 2010, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a notice in the Federal Register. (75 FR 3954). This action corrects an error in two dates in that document. The notice announced that February 22, 2010, is the deadline for each airport sponsor to notify the FAA whether or not it will use its fiscal year 2010 entitlement funds available under Public Law No. 111-117 to accomplish Airport Improvement Program (AIP)-eligible projects that the sponsor previously identified through the Airports Capital Improvement Plan (ACIP) process during the preceding year.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive detailed and eddy current inspections to detect cracks or corrosion of certain midspar fuse pins, and corrective actions if necessary. That AD also provides optional terminating action, which ends the repetitive inspections. This new AD requires reduced intervals for certain repetitive inspections. This AD results from a report of a fractured midspar fuse pin. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of the strut and engine due to corrosion damage and cracking of both fuse pins on the same strut.

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 document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-23-51, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires cleaning and inspecting each main gearbox (MGB) assembly mounting foot pad and rib for a crack and corrosion. If you do not find a crack, the AD requires applying a corrosion preventive compound. If you find a crack, the AD requires replacing the MGB before further flight. If you find corrosion, bubbled paint, or paint discoloration, the AD also requires you to repair the MGB before further flight. This amendment is prompted by reports of cracks in the MGB mounting foot pads and foot ribs. This condition, if not detected, could result in loss of the MGB and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

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: