Federal Aviation Administration July 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) 250-C20, -C20B, and -C20R/2 turboshaft engines. This AD was prompted by seven cases reported of released turbine blades and shrouds, which led to loss of power and engine in- flight shutdowns (IFSDs). This AD requires a one-time visual inspection and fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) on certain 3rd and 4th stage turbine wheels for cracks in the turbine blades. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of 3rd or 4th stage turbine wheel blades which could cause engine failure and damage to the airplane.

This action corrects a final rule published in the Federal Register on June 14, 2012, that establishes two RNAV routes in the southwest United States. This action corrects the latitude/longitude coordinates for the NOCHI waypoint (WP) as appears in the description of RNAV route T-310.

This action amends Class E Airspace at Memphis, TN area, as the West Memphis Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned and new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures have been developed at Memphis International Airport. This action also removes West Memphis Municipal Airport, West Memphis, from the existing airspace surrounding Memphis International Airport, Memphis, TN. This action enhances the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also makes a minor adjustment to the geographic coordinates of General DeWitt Spain Airport and makes a minor correction to the regulatory text.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 series airplanes; all Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model 300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series airplanes). This AD was prompted by reports of an inoperative fire shut-off valve (FSOV) as a result of damage due to over-length of the bonding lead. This AD requires a one- time detailed inspection for length of the FSOV bonding leads and for contact or chafing of the wires, and corrective actions, if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct contact or chafing of wires and bonding leads which, if not detected could be a source of sparks in the wing trailing edge, and could lead to an uncontrolled engine fire.

These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 737- 800 airplane. This airplane as modified by Lufthansa Technik will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with the installation of large non-structural glass items in the cabin area of an executive interior occupied by passengers and crew. The installation of these items in a passenger compartment, which can be occupied during taxi, takeoff, and landing, is a novel or unusual design feature with respect to the material used. 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.

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 Advanced Qualification Program (AQP) incorporates data driven quality control processes for validating and maintaining the effectiveness of air carrier training program curriculum content.

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 FAA Acquisition Management System establishes policies and internal procedures for FAA acquisition. The information collection is necessary to solicit, award, and administer contracts for supplies, equipment, services, facilities, and real property to fulfill FAA's mission.

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. This information will be used to issue special flight authorizations for non-revenue transports and non-transport jet operations of Stage 2 airplanes at U.S. airports. Only a minimal amount of data is requested to identify the affected parties and determine whether the purpose for the flight is one of those enumerated by law.

This action proposes to establish Class E Airspace at Reidsville, GA. Separation of existing Class E airspace surrounding Swinton Smith Field at Reidsville Municipal Airport, Reidsville, GA, from the Class E airspace of Vidalia Regional Airport, Vidalia, GA, has made this action necessary to enhance the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also would change the names of both airports and update the airport's geographic coordinates.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to rule and invites public comment on the application for a release of approximately 13.35 acres of airport property at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT), Fresno, California from all conditions contained in the Grant Assurances since the parcels of land is not needed for airport purposes. The land is located approximately 5,000 feet from the end of runway 11L in the northwest corner of the airport property. The property will be sold for its fair market value to the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District and the proceeds deposited in the airport account. The Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District will continue use of the property as storm water detention basin. The detention basin usage will keep the property vacant and compatible with the airport to ensure it does not interfere with the airport or its operation, as well as continuing to serve the interest of civil aviation.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Circle Town County Airport, Circle Town, MT, to accommodate aircraft using new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures at the airport. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at Circle Town County Airport.

This amendment clarifies aircraft engine vibration test requirements in the airworthiness standards. The clarification is in response to inquiries from applicants requesting FAA engine type certifications and aftermarket certifications, such as supplemental type certificates, parts manufacturing approvals, and repairs. We are revising the regulations to clarify that ``engine surveys'' require an engine test. The change is not substantive in nature, and will not impose any additional burden on any person.

This action confirms the effective date of the direct final rule published on March 22, 2012. The rule removes a regulatory provision under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certification standards that requires individuals granted the Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate (Authorization) to have their letter of Authorization in their physical possession or readily accessible on the aircraft while exercising pilot privileges.

This notice announces the availability of a report from the ARC, which presents recommendations to enhance the content, process, and methodology for development of aeronautical knowledge testing and training materials.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the eighth meeting of RTCA Special Committee 225, Rechargeable Lithium Battery and Battery SystemsSmall and Medium Sizes.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) to supersede an existing AD for all The Boeing Company Model 767 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect discrepancies of the wiring and surrounding Teflon sleeves of the fuel tank boost pumps and override/jettison pumps; replacement of the sleeves with new sleeves, for certain airplanes; and repair or replacement of the wiring and sleeves with new parts, as necessary. The previous NPRM proposed to reduce the initial compliance time and repetitive inspection interval in the existing AD. The previous NPRM was prompted by fleet information indicating that the repetitive inspection interval in the existing AD is too long because excessive chafing of the sleeving continues to occur much earlier than expected between scheduled inspections. This action revises the previous NPRM by proposing a terminating action for the repetitive inspections, to eliminate wire damage. This action also removes certain airplanes from the applicability of the previous NPRM. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to detect and correct chafing of the fuel pump wire insulation and consequent exposure of the electrical conductor, which could result in electrical arcing between the wires and conduit and consequent fire or explosion of the fuel tank. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the previous NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

This rulemaking would allow air carrier operators and commuter or on-demand operators that also conduct commercial air tour operations to combine the drug and alcohol testing required for each operation into one testing program. The current rule requires those operators to conduct separate testing programs for their air tour operations. This results in an unnecessary duplication of effort. The intended effect of this rulemaking is to decrease operating costs by eliminating the requirement for duplicate programs while maintaining the level of safety intended by the current drug and alcohol testing regulations. This proposal would also clarify existing instructions within the rule, correct an inadvertent typographical error, clarify an existing requirement by rearranging its numerical order, and remove language that describes a practice that has been discontinued.

We are rescinding an airworthiness directive (AD) for RRD BR700-715A1-30, BR700-715B1-30, and BR700-715C1-30 turbofan engines. The existing AD resulted from the need to reduce the published life limits of high-pressure (HP) turbine stage 1 discs, part numbers (P/Ns) BRH20130 and BRH20131, and HP turbine stage 2 discs, P/Ns BRH19423 and BRH19427. We are rescinding the existing AD because RRD has revised the approved published life limits of these parts to the same or higher limits as originally certified.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Empresa Brasileria de Aeron[aacute]utica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-505 airplanes. 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 an inadequate amount of drain holes in the primary control surfaces (rudder, elevator, and aileron) and their tab surfaces, which may allow water to accumulate in the control surfaces. This condition could cause unbalanced flight control surfaces and reduced flutter margins, which could result in loss of control of the airplane. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.