Federal Aviation Administration 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to authorize the release of 11.92 acres of the airport property at the Chan Gurney Municipal Airport, Yankton, South Dakota. The proposal consists of the trade of unimproved land on the northwest side of the airport owned by the City of Yankton for an equal parcel of land located on the north central side of the airport. The acreage being released is not needed for aeronautical use as currently identified on the Airport Layout Plan. There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the City of Yankton to trade properties. Approval does not constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in the disposal of the airport property nor a determination of eligibility for grant-in-aid funding from the FAA. In accordance with section 47107(h) of title 49, United States Code, this notice is required to be published in the Federal Register 30 days before modifying the land-use assurance that requires the property to be used for aeronautical purpose.

The FAA is issuing a SNPRM for the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published on February 7, 2012, in order to elicit comments regarding removing reference to the navigation aid in the legal description of the Class E airspace area designated as an extension at Boise Air Terminal (Gowen Field), Boise, ID. The NPRM only proposed an amendment of Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at the airport, as well as adjusting the geographic coordinates of the airport. The FAA is proposing this amendment to enhance safety in the Boise, ID, airspace area.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT invites airports consultants, industry representatives and all other interested parties to review and comment on the Draft ``Specification for Airport Light Bases, Transformer Housings, Junction Boxes, and Accessories Airport Design'' Advisory Circular, AC 150/5345-42G. The Advisory Circular provides standards and recommendations for airport light bases, transformer housings, junction boxes and accessories. The FAA has posted the AC on the Internet at: https://www.faa.gov/ airports/resources/advisorycirculars/.

This action amends Class E airspace at Livingston, Mission Field Airport, Livingston, MT. Decommissioning of the Livingston Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN) has made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. Also, the geographic coordinates of the airport are updated at the request of National Aeronautical Navigation Services.

This action amends Class D airspace within the Pontiac, MI, area by changing the name of the airport from Oakland-Pontiac Airport to Oakland County International Airport and updating the geographic coordinates. This action does not change the boundaries or operating requirements of the airspace.

This action amends Class E airspace at Watts-Woodland Airport, Woodland, CA. The projected decommissioning of the Travis VHF Omni- Directional Radio Range (VOR) has made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also makes a minor adjustment to the geographic coordinates of the airport.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect cracking in the web of the aft pressure bulkhead at body station 1016 at the aft fastener row attachment to the ``Y'' chord, and corrective actions if necessary. That AD was prompted by several reports of fatigue cracking at that location, which could result in rapid decompression of the fuselage. Since we issued that AD, we have received additional reports of cracks found in the aft pressure bulkhead. This proposed AD would add various inspections for discrepancies at the aft pressure bulkhead, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct such fatigue cracking, which could result in rapid decompression of the fuselage.

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace at Lewistown Municipal Airport, Lewistown, MT. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft using Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures at Lewistown Municipal Airport, Lewistown, MT. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations at the airport.

The FAA is issuing this Notice to advise the public that it has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for a proposed new runway and associated facilities and improvements at the Taos Regional Airport, Taos, New Mexico. The FEIS reflects the Section 106 consultations between the FAA, the Taos Pueblo, Town of Taos, National Park Service, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, New Mexico State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), and the New Mexico Department of Transportation regarding adverse effects on the Taos Pueblo World Heritage Site and other traditional cultural properties within the National Register Eligible Historic District associated with the Taos Pueblo. The FEIS also includes floodplain impact evaluations. The FAA is seeking comments on those sections of the FEIS that have been updated and/or contain information that has become available since the release of the DEIS. Please see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for more information. The FAA is providing a thirty day (30) day FEIS review period. The FEIS review period begins on the date of the publication of this Notice of Availability in the Federal Register, and will close on July 30, 2012. The FAA must receive written comments on these subsections postmarked no later than July 30, 2012. Comments received after that date may not be considered by the FAA. All comments on the FEIS are to be submitted to Mr. Dean McMath of the FAA, at the address shown in the section below entitled, ``For Further Information or to Submit Comments''.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model 340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of stall events during icing conditions which were not accompanied with a prior stall warning. This proposed AD would require replacing the stall warning computer (SWC) with a new SWC, and modifying the airplane for the replacement of the SWC. We are proposing this AD to prevent natural stall events when operating in icing conditions, which if not corrected may result in loss of control of the airplane.