Federal Aviation Administration 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.

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:

We are superseding an existing emergency airworthiness directive (EAD) for the Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell) Model 212 helicopters with a certain main rotor hub inboard strap fitting (fitting) installed. That EAD requires, before further flight, removing certain serial-numbered fittings and replacing them with airworthy fittings. It also requires performing a magnetic particle inspection (MPI) on fittings with certain serial numbers (S/Ns) to inspect for a crack. If a crack is found, the cracked fitting must be replaced with an airworthy fitting, and certain data must be reported to the FAA. This airworthiness directive (AD) retains the requirements of that EAD and expands the applicability to require performing an MPI for a crack on additional serial-numbered fittings. This AD is prompted by the determination that certain fittings were not manufactured in accordance with the approved manufacturing processes and controls. In total, eight fittings have been found that have cracks. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of a fitting, loss of a main rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. That NPRM proposed to require installing new panel assemblies in the main equipment center or on the forward cargo compartment sidewall and removing certain relays from some panels in the main equipment center. That NPRM also proposed to require revising the maintenance program to incorporate Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) No. 28-AWL-27 and No. 28-AWL-28. That NPRM was prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. For certain airplanes, this action revises that NPRM by proposing to require prior or concurrent installation of a second fuel crossfeed valve. This action also revises that NPRM by proposing an alternative location for the installation of the new panel assemblies for airplanes that have the optional water system drain plumbing and changing the interconnecting wiring between the P141 panel and the P36 and P37 panels. For airplanes with a deactivated center fuel tank, this action revises that NPRM by proposing an alternative functional test for the left and right override/jettison pumps. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent possible sources of ignition in a fuel tank caused by electrical fault or uncommanded dry operation of the main tank boost pumps and center auxiliary tank override and jettison pumps. An ignition source in the fuel tank could result in a fire or an explosion and consequent loss of the airplane. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

This action amends the Order Limiting Operations at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) that published on May 21, 2008, and was amended on October 7, 2009. The Order remains effective until the final Congestion Management Rule for LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport becomes effective but not later than October 26, 2013.

This action amends the Order Limiting Operations at New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) that published on December 27, 2006, and was amended on November 8, 2007, August 19, 2008, and October 7, 2009. The Order remains effective until the final Congestion Management Rule for LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport becomes effective but not later than October 26, 2013.

This action will amend Class E airspace at Taylor Airport, Taylor, AZ, to accommodate aircraft using the CAMBO One Departure, and the Area Navigation (RNAV) standard instrument approach procedures at Taylor Airport. This will improve the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also corrects the airport names to Taylor Airport, and Show Low Regional Airport, respectively. Additionally, the geographic coordinates for Taylor Airport will be adjusted.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD requires an inspection of the elevator spar for cracks and, if any crack is found, either replacement with a serviceable elevator spar that is found free of cracks or repair/ modification with an FAA-approved method. This AD also requires reporting to the FAA the results of the inspection. This AD was prompted by reports of a total of nine elevator spar cracks across seven of the affected airplanes, including a crack of 2.35 inches just below the outboard hinge of the right-hand elevator. We are issuing this AD to prevent structural failure of the elevator spar due to such cracking, which could result in separation of the elevator from the airplane with consequent loss of control.

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.

This action will establish Class E airspace at Kahului Airport, Kahului, HI, to accommodate aircraft using Area Navigation (RNAV) standard instrument approach procedures at Kahului Airport. This will improve the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.