Federal Aviation Administration 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes to amend Class D and Class E surface airspace at Blountville, TN, and remove Class E airspace at Tri-City, TN, as new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures have been developed at Tri-Cities Regional Airport. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for SIAPs at the airport. This action would also update the geographic coordinates, airport name, and airspace designation.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Model 382, 382B, 382E, 382F, and 382G airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of incidents involving fatigue cracking and corrosion in transport category airplanes that are approaching or have exceeded their design service objective. This AD requires revising the maintenance inspection program to include inspections that will give no less than the required damage tolerance analysis for each principal structural element (PSE), doing repetitive inspections to detect cracks of all PSEs, and repairing cracked structure. We are issuing this AD to maintain the continued structural integrity of the fleet.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a new revision to the airworthiness limitations of the maintenance planning document. This AD requires revising the maintenance program to update inspection requirements to detect fatigue cracking of principal structural elements (PSEs). We are issuing this AD to ensure that fatigue cracking of various PSEs is detected and corrected; such fatigue cracking could adversely affect the structural integrity of these airplanes.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Fokker Services B.V. Model F.27 Mark 050 airplanes. This proposed AD would require performing a low frequency eddy current inspection for cracks of the lap joint of the rear fuselage, and repair if necessary. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the fuselage lap joint. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct exponential crack growth, which could lead to failure of the lap joint over a certain length and consequent in-flight decompression of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cessna Aircraft Company Model 680 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a false cross-feed command to the right-hand fuel control card, due to the cross-feed inputs on the left- and right-hand fuel control cards being connected together and causing an imbalance of fuel between the left and right wing tanks. This AD requires adding diodes to the fuel cross-feed wiring, and revising the airplane flight manual to include procedures to use when the left or right generator is selected OFF. We are issuing this AD to prevent lateral imbalance of the airplane, resulting from uncontrolled fuel cross-feed, which can be corrected by deflecting the aileron trim; deflecting the aileron trim increases the pilot's workload and could exceed the airplane's limitation in a short period of time, resulting in reduced controllability of the airplane.

On April 14, 2011, the FAA issued a Notice in the Federal Register (76 FR 21,420, April 15, 2011) seeking comment on a petition submitted by Clark County Department of Aviation (CCDOA), owner and operator of Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (Airport). The petition requested a determination by the Federal Aviation Administration (``FAA'') that its proposed air service incentives program (``Incentives Program''), intended to induce increases in landed weight by air carriers at McCarran International Airport (the ``Airport'' or ``LAS'') in Las Vegas, is consistent with Federal law and policies on the use of airport revenue and on airport rates and charges. In its petition, CCDOA proposed the FAA amend its interpretation of ``new air service'' to include ``increases in landed weight.'' The FAA has interpreted these policies, and the underlying Federal statutes, to permit a temporary waiver of standard airport fees for carriers that provide new air service at an airport, as an incentive to begin or expand air service. In September 2010, the agency issued the Air Carrier Incentive Program Guidebook to provide specific guidance to airport operators on the use of air service incentive programs. That guidance restates FAA's previously issued opinions regarding what constitutes new service as characterized in the FAA's Policy and Procedures Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue (Revenue Use Policy) (64 FR 7,696 (Feb. 16, 1999)). Since the inception of the Revenue Use Policy in 1999, the FAA has defined new air service as: (a) Service to an airport destination not currently served, (b) nonstop service where no nonstop service is currently offered, (c) new entrant carrier, and/ or (d) increased frequency of flights to a specific destination. The FAA's interpretation has not permitted an airport operator to offer an incentive program that provides discounts based on increased aircraft weight or an increased number of seats on existing flights. CCDOA proposes an incentive program that would reward air carriers for an increase in landed weight. An increase in landed weight could result from an increase in the size of aircraft used, or ``upgauging,'' on existing flights, consolidation of existing flights, and/or added flights. CCDOA requests that the FAA amend existing guidance to make clear that its proposed incentive plan is consistent with Federal law and existing agency policies on the use of airport revenue and on airport rates and charges. This notice responds to the comments received and grants a portion of the petition as written.

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace at Billings Logan International Airport, Billings, MT, to accommodate aircraft using Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures at Billings Logan International Airport. This action also would make a minor adjustment to the geographic coordinates of the airport. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

In 2010, Congress transferred the statute authorizing the FAA's commercial space transportation regulations. This action is necessary to correct affected citations in the Code of Federal Regulations to reflect this transfer of authority. The intended effect of this action is to make the affected regulations comply with the statute.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the twenty-ninth meeting of RTCA Special Committee 206, Aeronautical Information and Meteorological Data Link Services.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 875-17, RB211-Trent 877-17, RB211-Trent 884-17, RB211-Trent 884B-17, RB211-Trent 892-17, RB211- Trent 892B-17, and RB211-Trent 895-17 turbofan engines. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections (UIs) of certain low-pressure (LP) compressor blades identified by serial number (S/N). This AD requires the same actions but expands the population of blades. This AD was prompted by RR concluding that additional blades affected must be inspected. We are issuing this AD to prevent LP compressor blades from failing due to blade root cracks, which could lead to uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB412 helicopters with certain tail rotor blades (blades) installed. This AD requires, before further flight, removing and replacing each affected blade with an airworthy blade. This AD is prompted by incidents where a blade tip weight separated from a blade in flight on other model helicopters with common part-numbered blades. It has been determined that this unsafe condition may also exist on the specified Agusta model helicopters. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent loss of the blade tip weight, loss of a blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Model L-1011-385-1, L-1011-385-1-14, and L-1011-385-1-15 airplanes. That AD currently requires implementation of a Supplemental Inspection Document (SID) program of structural inspections to detect fatigue cracking, and repair if necessary, to ensure continued airworthiness of these airplanes as they approach the manufacturer's original fatigue design life goal. This new AD adds Model L-1011-385-3 airplanes to the applicability, changes certain inspection thresholds, adds three new structurally significant details (SSDs), and removes an SSD that has been addressed by a different AD. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the manufacturer of usage and flight data that provided additional information about certain SSDs where fatigue damage is likely to occur. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking that could compromise the structural integrity of these airplanes.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all 328 Support Services GmbH (Type Certificate previously held by AvCraft Aerospace GmbH; Fairchild Dornier GmbH; Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH) Model 328-100 and -300 airplanes. That AD currently requires performing a detailed visual inspection of the cockpit door locking device and the surrounding area for proper installation, and corrective action if necessary. This new AD requires removing or replacing the locking device of the cockpit door; performing operational tests, and repair if necessary; and, for certain airplanes, installing gap filler parts. This AD was prompted by a report that a right-hand power lever jammed in flight-idle position during the landing roll-out, and the airplane was stopped by excessive braking. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct interference with the engine and flight control cables, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA published a final rule on January 4, 2012 that amends the existing flight, duty and rest regulations applicable to certificate holders and their flightcrew members. Since then, the FAA has received questions from stakeholders concerning the provisions of the final rule. In response to these questions, the FAA is issuing this document, which announces the procedures for submitting clarifying questions to the final rule.

The FAA is correcting a notice of proposed rulemaking that published in the Federal Register on March 5, 2012 (77 FR 13027). In that document, the FAA proposed to amend its regulations to update, simplify, and streamline rules of practice and procedure for filing and adjudicating complaints against federally-assisted airports. This correction clarifies that the notice number for that proposed rulemaking is 12-02.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Eurocopter France (EC) Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, SA-366G1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, and EC155B1 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by the discovery of a cracked main rotor mast nut. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to complete failure of the mast nut, resulting in failure of the rotor mast and loss of control of the helicopter. This proposed AD would require replacing the main rotor mast nut with an airworthy main rotor mast nut. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the main rotor mast and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This action amends Class E airspace at Tobe, CO. Decommissioning of the Tobe Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN) has made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations in the vicinity of the Tobe VHF Omni- Directional Radio Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME).

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 information on FAA Form 8420-8, Application for Pilot School Certificates, is required from applicants who wish to be issued pilot school certificates and associated ratings.

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 information garnered from a signed Specific Release form is used by FAA Special Agents to obtain information related to a specific investigation. That information is then provided to the FAA decision making authority to make FAA employment and/or pilot certification/revocation determinations.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Boyne City, MI. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Boyne City Municipal Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A318-112 and -121 airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -115, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320- 214, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-211, -212, -213, and -231 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracked nuts on the fuselage. This proposed AD would require an inspection to determine if certain fuselage nuts are installed, a detailed inspection for cracking of fuselage nuts having a certain part number, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracked nuts on the fuselage which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

This action announces an FAA determination that 10 p.m. to 10:59 p.m. no longer is a low demand period at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). As a result of this determination, the FAA will allocate available slots in that period on a temporary basis subject to recall, and the FAA may conduct a lottery in the future to allocate available slots in that period.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces May 1, 2012, as the deadline for each airport sponsor to notify the FAA whether or not it will use its fiscal year 2012 entitlement funds available under Section 47105(f) of Title 49, United States Code, to accomplish Airport Improvement Program (AIP)-eligible projects that the sponsor previously identified through the Airports Capital Improvement Plan (ACIP) process during the preceding year. This notice must address all entitlement funds apportioned for fiscal year 2012. After Friday, August 10, 2012, the FAA will carry over all remaining entitlement funds, and the funds will not be available again until at least the beginning of fiscal year 2013. This notification requirement does not apply to non- primary airports covered by the block-grant program.

Under this notice, the FAA announces the submission deadline of May 10, 2012, for Winter 2012-2013 flight schedules at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), 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 Slot Conference for the Winter 2012-2013 scheduling season.