Federal Aviation Administration 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Model EC130 B4 helicopters. This action requires identifying and inspecting a certain emergency flotation gear unit ``1G'' (1G unit). This action also requires modification of certain affected 1G units. This amendment is prompted by an uncommanded in-flight deployment of the emergency flotation gear when it was not armed by the crew. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent an uncommanded in-flight deployment of the emergency flotation gear, unexpected deceleration and pitch down movement of the helicopter, 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) 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 superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive detailed inspections of the slat track downstop assemblies to verify that proper hardware is installed, one-time torquing of the nut and bolt, and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD also requires replacing the hardware of the downstop assembly with new hardware of the downstop assembly, doing a detailed inspection or a borescope inspection of the slat cans on each wing and the lower rail of the slat main tracks for debris, replacing the bolts of the aft side guide with new bolts, and removing any debris found in the slat can. This AD also removes airplanes from the applicability. This AD results from reports of parts coming off the main slat track downstop assemblies. We are issuing this AD to prevent loose or missing parts from the main slat track downstop assemblies from falling into the slat can and causing a puncture, which could result in a fuel leak and consequent fire.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to Goodrich evacuation systems approved under TSO- C69b and installed on certain Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes, Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes, and Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires inspecting to determine the part number of the pressure relief valves on the affected Goodrich evacuation systems, and corrective action if necessary. Since we issued that AD, we have received reports that during workshop testing, certain pressure relief valves, which were required by the existing AD, did not seal and allowed the pressure in slides/rafts to fall below the minimum raft mode pressure for the unit. This proposed AD would require inspecting to determine the part number of the pressure relief valves on the affected Goodrich evacuation systems and replacing certain pressure relief valves. This proposed AD would also add airplanes to the applicability. We are proposing this AD to prevent loss of pressure in the escape slides/rafts after an emergency evacuation, which could result in inadequate buoyancy to support the raft's passenger capacity during ditching and increase the chance for injury to raft passengers.

This action proposes to amend Class D airspace and Class E airspace at Palmdale, CA, to accommodate aircraft using Instrument Landing System (ILS) Localizer (LOC) standard instrument approach procedures at Palmdale Regional Airport/USAF Plant 42. This action would enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations at Palmdale Regional Airport/USAF Plant 42. This action would also correct the name of the airport.

This action establishes Class E Airspace at Lancaster, NH, to accommodate a new Area Navigation Global Positioning System RNAV special Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) serving the Weeks Medical Center Heliport. This action enhances the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System.

This action establishes Class E Airspace at Wolfeboro, NH, to accommodate a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) special Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) serving Huggins Hospital Heliport. This action enhances the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System.

This action proposes to Amend Class E Airspace at Waynesboro, VA, to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) developed for Eagle's Nest Airport. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action adopts an interim policy amending and clarifying FAA policy concerning through-the-fence access to a federally-obligated airport from an adjacent or nearby property, when that property is used as a residence, and permits continuation of existing access subject to certain standards. This action also modifies sponsor grant assurance 5, Preserving Rights and Powers, to prohibit new residential through-the- fence access to a federally-obligated airport. Prior FAA policy discouraged through-the-fence access to a federally-obligated airport from an off-airport residence. Owners of properties used both as a residence and for the storage of personal aircraft, sometimes called ``hangar homes,'' had urged the agency to permit an exception to the through-the-fence policy for residents who own aircraft. At this time, the FAA is adopting an interim policy. The policy review conducted in 2010 highlighted a number of differences among the airports identified as having residential through-the-fence arrangements. As a result, the FAA believes it will take more time and more detailed information to better understand these arrangements and how they impact each airport sponsor's ability to comply with its grant assurances. However, the agency also acknowledges that interested stakeholders have a more immediate need for resolution. The goal of the interim policy is to strike a careful balance by accommodating residential through-the-fence access where it already exists. To date, the FAA has not been able to clearly define the specific criteria or requirements that would allow airport sponsors to enter into new residential through-the-fence arrangements while ensuring ongoing compliance with their grant obligations. Therefore, the interim policy requires airports with existing residential through-the-fence arrangements to develop access plans outlining how the airport sponsor meets certain standards for control of airport operations and development and for self-sustaining and nondiscriminatory airport rates. In adopting this interim policy, the FAA is announcing its intent to initiate another policy review of residential through-the-fence access to federally-obligated airports in 2014. This timeframe will give the FAA the experience it needs in reviewing residential through- the-fence arrangements via the access plans and understanding how to mitigate the real and potential adverse effects of these arrangements. Additionally, it will allow the agency to complete a separate, ongoing general aviation airport study that is analyzing the federally assisted general aviation airport system. The interim policy adopts the changes proposed to sponsor grant assurance 5, Preserving Rights and Powers, to prohibit new residential through-the-fence access to a federally-obligated airport. However, it is the agency's intent to reconsider this change as part of the policy review that will be conducted in 2014. In the interest of obtaining all available information relevant to the review, the FAA invites any person who would be interested in a specific approval of new residential through-the-fence access at a federally-obligated airport to contact the FAA Airport Compliance Division to discuss the particular circumstances so this can be considered in our 2014 review.

This notice proposes special conditions for the Boeing Model 747-8 airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. These design features include a stairway between the main deck and upper deck. These proposed 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. Additional special conditions will be issued for other novel or unusual design features of the Boeing 747-8 airplanes.

This action proposes to establish Class E Airspace at Kenbridge, VA, to accommodate the additional airspace needed for the Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) developed for Lunenburg County Airport. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This notice solicits Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 grant proposals to continue the development of a Commercial Space Transportation infrastructure system, which supports the National Space Policy and Congressional intent. Begun in 2010, the program supports the Commercial Space Transportation industry by identification, prioritization, and funding for Commercial Space Transportation infrastructure projects. It must be noted that with the FY 2011 Congressional appropriation not yet enacted, the FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) does not currently have funding for the Commercial Space Transportation Grants Program. Should there be an appropriation for the Commercial Space Transportation Grants Program; the FAA/AST intends to swiftly execute grant awards within FY 2011. To facilitate this, the FAA/AST is requesting grant applications at this time. The FAA/AST intends to receive, process, and evaluate the applications in a timely manner, and in accordance with the notional schedule listed below, so should there be an appropriation, the recipients will already be selected and the awards can be made within FY 2011. There remains the possibility that no funds will be appropriated in FY 2011 for the Commercial Space Transportation Grants Program. If no funds are appropriated, no grant applications submitted in response to this Notice will be approved and funded. Due to time constraints, this Notice will be the only solicitation made for FY 2011 projects and proposals. The FAA/AST will review and evaluate all applications for a grant received by the deadline, pursuant to 49 United States Code (U.S.C.) Chapter 703 (to be recodified at 51 U.S.C. Chapter 511). The FAA/AST may make one or more grant awards based upon its evaluations of the submissions. All grants awarded under the Commercial Space Transportation Grants Program are discretionary awards. Projects to be funded under the Commercial Space Transportation Grants Program must carry out commercial space transportation infrastructure development, as defined in 49 U.S.C. 70301 (to be recodified as 51 U.S.C. 51101).

These special conditions are issued for Boeing Model 747-8 airplanes. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features associated with connectivity of the passenger domain computer systems to the airplane critical systems and data networks. 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.

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 contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

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 notice announces a public meeting of the FAA's Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) to discuss transport airplane and engine (TAE) issues.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 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, DC-8-50 series airplanes, DC-8F- 54 and DC-8F-55 airplanes, DC-8-60 series airplanes, DC-8-60F series airplanes, DC-8-70 series airplanes, and DC-8-70F series airplanes. This proposed AD would require 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 proposed AD results from 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 proposing 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.

This action corrects errors in the geographic coordinates of a final rule published in the Federal Register February 1, 2011, that amends Class E airspace in the La Porte, IN area.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD would require a detailed inspection to detect distress and existing repairs to the leading edge structure of the vertical stabilizer at the splice at Station Zfs = 52.267; repetitive inspections for cracking in the front spar cap forward flanges of the vertical stabilizer, and either the aft flanges or side skins; repetitive inspections for loose and missing fasteners; and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracked vertical stabilizer skin, a severed front spar cap, elongated fastener holes at the leading edge of the vertical stabilizer, and a cracked front spar web and front spar cap bolt holes in the vertical stabilizer. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct such cracking damage, which could result in the structure being unable to support limit load, and could lead to the loss of the vertical stabilizer.

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 proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires an inspection to determine if certain motor operated valve actuators for the fuel tanks are installed, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would add airplanes and, for certain airplanes, require additional inspections to determine if certain motor operated valve actuators for the fuel tanks are installed, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent an ignition source inside the fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The respondents are those airport operators voluntarily submitting noise exposure maps and noise compatibility programs to the FAA for review and approval.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The requested information is needed to mitigate potential hazards presented by airmen using alcohol or drugs in flight, to identify persons possibly unsuitable for pilot certification.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. 14 CFR part 17 sets forth procedures for filing solicitation protests and contract claims in the FAA's Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition. The regulations seek factual and legal information from protesters or claimants primarily through written submissions.