Federal Aviation Administration April 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Hearne, TX. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at Hearne Municipal Airport. 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 has issued the final EA and FONSI/ROD for the proposed Runway 13 extension and associated actions for Devils Lake Regional Airport. The EA was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, FAA Orders 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures'' and FAA Order 5050.4B, ``NEPA Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions''. Point of Contact: Ms. Patricia Dressler, Environmental Protection Specialist, FAA Bismarck Airports District Office (ADO), 2301 University Drive, Building 23B, Bismarck, North Dakota, 58504. Telephone number (701) 323-7380.

We propose to revise an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to the products listed above. The existing AD currently requires initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections of propeller hubs, part number (P/N) 660709201. Since we issued that AD, Dowty Propellers introduced a new hub assembly P/N. This proposed AD would revise that AD by introducing as an optional terminating action for the initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections of that AD, replacement of propeller hub P/N 660709201 with a new propeller hub, P/N 660717226. We are proposing this AD to prevent that same propeller hub failure due to cracks in the hub, which could result in loss of control of the airplane, and to introduce an optional terminating action.

This draft letter of interpretation addresses a request by the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) to rescind a letter of interpretation issued May 18, 2010 which clarified what activities may constitute duty for maintenance personnel and the application of the rest provisions under 14 CFR 121.377. The FAA requests comment on the May 18, 2010 proposed response to United Technologies Corporation.

This notice requests comments on a petition to accept an air service incentive program at McCarran International Airport (Airport) as consistent with Federal law and policies on the use of airport revenue and on airport rates and charges. The petitioner Clark County Department of Aviation is the owner and operator of the Airport. The petitioner is the recipient of Federal grants under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), and is subject to obligations under AIP grant agreements, including Federal law and policy on the use of airport revenue and on airport rates and charges. The FAA has interpreted these policies, and the underlying Federal statutes, to permit a temporary waiver of standard airport fees for carriers that provide new air service at an airport, as an incentive to begin or expand air service. The agency recently issued the Air Carrier Incentive Program Guidebook to provide specific guidance to airport operators on the use of air service incentive programs. That guidance restates FAA's previously issued opinions regarding what constitutes new service as characterized in the FAA's Policy and Procedures Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue (Revenue Use Policy) (64 FR 7696). Since the inception of the Revenue Use Policy in 1999, the FAA has defined new air service as: (a) Service to an airport destination not currently served, (b) nonstop service where no nonstop service is currently offered, (c) new entrant carrier, and/or (d) increased frequency of flights to a specific destination. The FAA's interpretation has not permitted an airport operator to offer an incentive program that provides discounts based on increased aircraft weight or an increased number of seats on existing flights. The petitioner proposes an incentive program that would reward air carriers for an increase in landed weight. An increase in landed weight could result from an increase in the size of aircraft used, or ``upgauging,'' on existing flights as well as from added flights. The petitioner requests that the FAA amend existing guidance to make clear that its proposed incentive plan is consistent with Federal law and general agency policies on the use of airport revenue and on airport rates and charges. The FAA is publishing this notice of the petition for public comment on whether agency guidance should be interpreted or amended as requested.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the Noise Exposure Maps submitted by Louisville Regional Airport Authority for Louisville International Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47501 et. seq (Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act) and 14 CFR part 150 are in compliance with applicable requirements.

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 propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to Univair Aircraft Corporation Models (ERCO) 415-C, 415-CD, 415-D, E, G; (Forney) F-1 and F-1A; (Alon) A-2 and A2-A; and (Mooney) M10 Airplanes. The existing AD currently requires an inspection of the aileron balance assembly and ailerons for cracks and excessive looseness of associated parts with the required repair or replacement of defective parts as necessary. Since we issued that AD, we received a report of a Univair Aircraft Corporation Model ERCO 415-D Ercoupe that crashed after an in-flight breakup due to possible aileron flutter. This proposed AD would add airplanes to the Applicability section and require inspections of the ailerons, inspections of the aileron balance assembly and aileron rigging for looseness or wear with a required repair or replacement of parts as necessary, and a reporting of the inspection results. We are issuing this proposed AD to prevent failure of the aileron assembly and associated parts, which could result in loss of control.

This action delays the effective date for the amendment of four VOR Federal airways in the vicinity of Kona, HI; V-1, V-7, V-11 and V-20. The FAA is taking this action due to procedural changes requiring additional flight inspection.

The FAA published a proposed rule on February 1, 2011, to establish minimum standards for training of personnel who access the airport non-movement area (ramp and apron) to help prevent accidents and incidents in that area. This proposal would require a certificate holder to conduct pavement surface evaluations to ensure reliability of runway surfaces in wet weather conditions. This proposed action would also require a Surface Movement Guidance Control System (SMGCS) plan if the certificate holder conducts low visibility operations, facilitating the safe movement of aircraft and vehicles in low visibility conditions. Finally, this proposal would clarify the applicability of part 139 and explicitly prohibit fraudulent or intentionally false statements in a certificate application or record required to be maintained. This action reopens the comment period.

These special conditions are issued for the modification of the Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) model AS350B series, AS350D, and EC130 helicopters. These model helicopters will have novel or unusual design features when modified by installing the Hoh Aeronautics, Inc. (Hoh) complex autopilot/stabilization augmentation system (AP/SAS) that has potential failure conditions with more severe adverse consequences than those envisioned by the existing applicable airworthiness regulations. These special conditions contain the added safety standards the Administrator considers necessary to ensure the failures and their effects are sufficiently analyzed and contained.

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) 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 Joint RTCA Special Committee 213: EUROCAE WG-79: Enhanced Flight Vision Systems/Synthetic Vision Systems (EFVS/SVS).

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Campbellton, TX. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at 74 Ranch Airport. 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 removes Class E Airspace at Kutztown, PA. The Kutztown Airport has been abandoned and therefore controlled airspace associated with the airport is being removed.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD requires removing certain power turbine rotors from service using a specific drawdown schedule. This AD was prompted by reports of fatigue cracks in the airfoil of the power turbine blades. We are issuing this AD to prevent fracture of the power turbine blade airfoil, which could result in sudden loss of engine power and prevent continued safe flight or safe landing.

These special conditions are issued for the Diamond Aircraft Industry (DAI) GmbH model DA-40NG the Austro Engine GmbH model E4 aircraft diesel engine (ADE) using turbine (jet) fuel. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with the installation of a diesel cycle engine utilizing turbine (jet) fuel. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. 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 proposes to rule and invite public comment on the release of land at the Burnet Municipal Airport under the provisions of Section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21).

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 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:

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Model 757 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by incorporating new limitations for fuel tank systems to satisfy Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 requirements. That AD also requires the initial inspection of certain repetitive AWL inspections to phase- in those inspections, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD would require actions that were provided previously as optional actions, and would require a certain initial inspection to be accomplished for a revised AWL. This proposed AD results from a report that an AWL required by the existing AD must be revised. We are proposing this AD to prevent the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

This action corrects an error in the notice of public meeting, request for comments, and availability of preliminary alternatives published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, March 29, 2011, announcing the availability of preliminary air tour alternatives and announcing meetings hosted by the National Park Service, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the FAA's Air Tour Management Program. This document corrects two Web sites for public comments.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to the products listed above. The existing AD currently requires an inspection of the No. 2 and No. 3 windows on the left and right sides of the airplane to determine their part numbers, related investigative and corrective actions if necessary, and repetitive inspections of single pane windows. Since we issued that AD, we have determined that terminating action for the repetitive inspections is necessary. This proposed AD would add a requirement to install dual pane No. 2 and No. 3 windows. This proposed AD also removes certain airplanes from the applicability. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the fail-safe interlayer of certain No. 2 and No. 3 glass windows, which could result in loss of the window and consequent rapid loss of cabin pressure. Loss of the window could also result in crew communication difficulties or incapacitation of the crew.

The Federal Aviation Administration is requesting public comment on the Bradford Regional Airport Authority's request to change 35.46 acres of airport property from aeronautical use to non- aeronautical use. The parcel is located at Bradford Regional Airport (BFD) in Lafayette Township, McKean County, PA. The property is currently depicted on the Airport Layout Plan of record as airport property and consists mostly of wooded undeveloped land bound by State Highway Rt. 59 and the Airport Access Road. More specifically, the 35.46 Acre tract is positioned east of the airport access road and north of State Highway Rt. 59 at their intersection. The airport is proposing redesignating this area as available for non-aeronautical use. The requested change is for the anticipated purpose of permitting the Airport Owner to lease commercial space to tenants for commercial and light industrial development that is compatible with airport operations. This action will allow the redesignation of the 35.46 area as land available for non-aeronautical use on the Airport Layout Plan (ALP). Documents reflecting the Sponsor's request are available, by appointment only, for inspection at the Bradford Airport Manager's office and the FAA Harrisburg Airport District Office.