Federal Aviation Administration 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747- 200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes, without a stretched upper deck or stretched upper deck modification. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections for cracks of each affected tension tie and of the surrounding structure, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would also require, for certain airplanes, modifying the tension tie structure or tension tie and frame structure at certain stations; and a post-modification inspection of the modified area and post-modification repetitive inspections of the unmodified area, and repair if necessary. Doing the modification would terminate the repetitive inspection requirements in the existing AD. This proposed AD would reduce the compliance time and add inspections for certain airplanes. This proposed AD results from reports that certain airplanes have tension ties that are susceptible to widespread fatigue damage. This proposed AD also results from reports of cracks on the forward and aft tension tie channels at station (STA) 740 and STA 760, and a determination that initial inspection intervals need to be reduced. We are proposing this AD to prevent tension ties from becoming severed or disconnected from the frames, which could lead to rapid in-flight decompression.

This action amends Class E airspace for the Wrightstown, NJ, area, by changing Allaire Airport to Monmouth Executive Airport, Belmar, NJ. This action also updates the airspace descriptions to be in concert with the FAAs aeronautical database.

This action proposes to amend Class E Airspace in the Springfield, TN area. Aydelotte Airport has been abandoned and controlled airspace is no longer needed. Airspace reconfiguration is necessary for the continued safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations within the Springfield, TN airspace area.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model L-1011 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking of the wing rear spar and upper surface zones, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD results from a damage tolerance analysis conducted by the manufacturer indicating that fatigue cracking could occur in those areas. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct such fatigue cracking, which could result in cracking that grows large enough to reduce the wing strength below certificated requirements and possibly cause fracture of the rear spar, resulting in extensive damage to the wing and possible fuel leaks.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model DC-8-11, DC-8-12, DC-8-21, DC-8-31, DC-8-32, DC-8- 33, DC-8-41, DC-8-42, and DC-8-43 airplanes; Model DC-8-50 series airplanes; Model DC-8F-54 and DC-8F-55 airplanes; Model DC-8-60 series airplanes; Model DC-8-60F series airplanes; Model DC-8-70 series airplanes; and Model DC-8-70F series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive high frequency eddy current or repetitive low frequency eddy current inspections for cracks on the area around certain fasteners of the access opening doubler on the left and right wing center spar lower cap, and repair, if necessary. This AD was prompted by reports that cracks in the center spar lower cap and, in some cases, the web of the spar, have been found at stations Xrs = 168.00, Xrs = 251.00, and Xrs = 358.00. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the area around certain fasteners of the access opening doubler on the left and right wing center spar lower cap, which could compromise the structural integrity of the wing structure.

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 action amends five existing Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes and establishes four new ATS routes. The existing routes being amended are Q-42, J-60, V-16, V-229 and V-449. The new routes are Q-62, Q-406, Q-448 and Q-480. The FAA is taking this action to increase National Airspace System (NAS) efficiency, enhance safety and reduce delays within the New York metropolitan area airspace.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of the RTCA Special Committee 214: Working Group 78: Standards for Air Traffic Data Communication Services.

The FAA is correcting a final rule published on August 22, 2011 (76 FR 52231). In that final rule the FAA prohibited any person holding a certificate from knowingly employing, or making a contractual arrangement with, certain individuals to act as an agent or a representative of the certificate holder in any matter before the FAA under certain conditions. This document corrects an amendment number.

These special conditions are issued for the Cessna Aircraft Company Model 680 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with lithium-ion batteries. 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.

This action modifies Class E airspace at Miles City, MT, to accommodate aircraft using a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures at Frank Wiley Field. Additionally, the geographic coordinates for Frank Wiley Field are being adjusted. This improves the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, 42 United States Code 4321-4347 (as amended), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA implementing regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] parts 1500-1508), and FAA Order 1050.1E, Change 1, the FAA is announcing the availability of a SEA and FONSI for the FAA/AST to renew Launch Site Operator License (LSO-01-005) to SSI for the continued operation of the California Spaceport at VAFB, California. The SEA supplements the U.S. Air Force February 1995 EA for the California Spaceport (1995 EA) and was prepared to address the potential environmental impacts of the FAA/AST's Proposed Action to renew SSI's Launch Site Operator License for the continued operation of the California Spaceport. The Launch Site Operator License would be valid for 5 years. The 1995 EA analyzed the potential environmental impacts of construction and operation of a commercial launch facility (which is now the California Spaceport) at VAFB, California. Activities addressed in the SEA include launches of a variety of vertically-launched launch vehicles (Minuteman and Castor 120 derivative boosters) at the California Spaceport over the 5-year term of the license. Since 1996 when FAA issued SSI its first Launch Site Operator License, SSI has supported eight commercial launches. Although the terms of the license do not specify the number of launches allowed, FAA selected a conservative value of up to 15 launches per year has been considered for the purposes of the SEA's environmental analysis. The largest launch vehicle proposed to launch from the California Spaceport is the Athena III, consisting of a two-stage Castor 120 solid-propellant rocket motor with the addition of up to six Castor IVA or Castor IVXL rocket motors strapped to the first stage. The 1995 EA analyzed the potential environmental impacts of construction and operation of a commercial launch facility (which is now the California Spaceport) at VAFB, California. The analysis considered operation of variety of vertical launch vehicles, including the Athena III. The proposed activities at the California Spaceport remain consistent with those analyzed in the 1995 EA and are incorporated by reference in the SEA. The SEA summarizes the data and environmental analysis presented in the 1995 EA where the data and analysis remains substantially valid. In addition, the SEA provides new data and analysis where information presented in the 1995 EA is outdated. The resource areas considered in the SEA include air quality; biological resources (fish, wildlife, and plants); noise; land use (including coastal resources); historical, architectural, archaeological, and cultural resources; Department of Transportation Section 4(f) Properties; geology and soils; hazardous materials, pollution prevention, and solid waste; health and safety; socioeconomics, environmental justice, and children's environmental health and safety; and water quality (including floodplains and wetlands). Potential cumulative impacts of the Proposed Action were also addressed in the SEA. Alternatives analyzed in the SEA included the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. Under the No Action Alternative, the FAA would not renew the Launch Site Operator License to SSI for continued operation of the California Spaceport at VAFB. Existing USAF activities would continue at VAFB. After careful and thorough consideration of available data and information on existing conditions and potential impacts, the FAA has determined that there will be no significant short-term, long-term, or cumulative impacts to the environment or surrounding populations from the renewal of the Launch Site Operator License for continued operations of the California Spaceport at VAFB. The Proposed Action is consistent with existing national environmental policies and objectives as set forth in Section 101 of NEPA and other applicable environmental requirements and will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment within the meaning of NEPA. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Action is not required and the FAA issued a FONSI. The FAA has posted the SEA and FONSI on the Internet at https:// www.faa.gov/about/officeorg/headquartersoffices/ast/.

This action modifies Class E airspace at Grand Junction, CO. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to facilitate vectoring of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) traffic from Grand Junction Regional Airport to en route and enhances the safety and management of aircraft operations at the airport. This action also amends Class D and Class E airspace to update the airport name from Grand Junction, Walker Field.

This rule 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.

Under this notice, the FAA announces the submission deadline of October 13, 2011, for Summer 2012 flight schedules at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD), New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in accordance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Worldwide Slot Guidelines. The deadline coincides with the schedule submission deadline for the IATA Schedules Conference for the Summer 2012 scheduling season.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain model IO-720-A1B Lycoming Engines reciprocating engines. This AD requires a crankshaft inspection for certain parts that may be installed. This AD was prompted by the failure of a crankshaft due to incorrect parts installed. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine crankshaft failure and damage to the airplane.

This action proposes to revise Class E airspace at Anaktuvuk Pass, AK. The creation of two standard instrument approach procedures at the Anaktuvuk Pass Airport has made this action necessary to enhance safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations.

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:

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Mercury, Desert Rock Airport, Mercury, NV. Decommissioning of the Mercury Non- Directional Beacon (NDB) at Mercury, Desert Rock Airport has made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

These special conditions are issued for Pratt and Whitney Canada (PWC) model PT6C-67E engines. The engine model will have a novel or unusual design feature which is a 30-Minute All Engines Operating (AEO) power rating. This rating is primarily intended for high power hovering operations during search and rescue missions. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the added safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

The FAA publishes a monthly notice, as appropriate, of PFC approvals and disapprovals under the provisions of the Aviation Safety and Capacity Expansion Act of 1990 (Title IX of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990) (Pub. L. 101-508) and Part 158 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 158). This notice is published pursuant to paragraph d of Sec. 158.29.

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 correcting an unintentional error in the preamble of the final rule, Airworthiness Standards; Rotor Overspeed Requirements, published on July 18, 2011 (76 FR 42020). The final rule established uniform rotor overspeed design and test requirements for aircraft engines and turbochargers certificated by the FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This document corrects an error in the preamble.

This action amends Class D Airspace in the Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), FL airspace area. The Destin Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned and new Standard Instrument Approaches have been developed for Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport that enhances the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also corrects the geographic coordinates of Eglin AFB, Duke Field, and Hulbert Field.