Federal Aviation Administration November 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky Model S-76A, B, and C helicopters to require certain inspections of each spindle cuff assembly or blade fold cuff assembly for a crack. If there is a crack, this AD requires replacing the cracked part. If there is no crack, this AD requires applying white paint to the inspection area to enhance the existing inspection procedure. This AD was prompted by discovery of cracks in the spindle cuffs. The actions are intended to prevent failure of a spindle cuff assembly or blade fold cuff assembly, loss of a rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain PILATUS Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as chafing on the wiring harness attached to the engine mounting frame on the right-hand side of the engine compartment, which could cause a short circuit and could result in a fire in the engine compartment. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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 the 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 supersede airworthiness directives AD 2003-14- 11, AD 2004-11-08, AD 2004-13-25, AD 2004-18-14, AD 2008-06-07, and AD 2012-04-07 that apply to certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes. AD 2003-14-11, AD 2004-11-08, AD 2004-13-25, AD 2004-18-14, AD 2008-06-07, and AD 2012-04-07 required revising the maintenance program to incorporate certain maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations; replacing certain flap rotary actuators; repetitively inspecting elevator servo-controllers and pressure relief valves of the spoiler servo controls (SSCs); repetitively testing the elevator servo control loops, modifying the elevator servo controls, and repetitively replacing certain retraction brackets of the main landing gear; and revising the airplane flight manual. Since we issued those ADs, we have determined that more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance program to incorporate certain maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. The proposed AD also removes Airbus Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes from the applicability. We are proposing this AD to address the aging effects of aircraft systems. Such aging effects could change the characteristics leading to an increased potential for failure, which, in isolation or in combination with one or more other specific failures or events, could result in failure of certain life limited parts, which could reduce the structural integrity of the airplane or reduce the controllability of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Models DA 42 NG and DA 42 M-NG airplanes. 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 failure of the alternator indication system to indicate warning when one alternator is inoperative. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 217Aeronautical Databases being held jointly with EUROCAE WG-44Aeronautical Databases.

This action confirms the effective date of the direct final rule published on September 16, 2013, and responds to the comments received on that direct final rule. The rule permits an airman who passes a practical test for issuance of a flight instructor certificate, a practical test for the addition of a rating to a flight instructor certificate, a practical test for renewal of a flight instructor certificate, or a practical test for the reinstatement of a flight instructor certificate to meet the 24-calendar month flight review requirements. This rule also clarifies that the generally applicable recent flight experience requirements do not apply to a pilot in command who is employed by a commuter or on-demand operator if the pilot in command is in compliance with the specific pilot in command qualifications and recent experience requirements for that commuter or on-demand operator. Finally, this rule permits replacement airman and medical certificates to be requested online, or by any other method acceptable to the Administrator. These changes relieve regulatory burdens and clarify existing regulations.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-135ER, - 135KE, -135KL, and -135LR airplanes; and Model EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes. This AD requires repetitive detailed inspections to detect discrepancies on the attaching parts of the lower eyelet fitting of the cockpit windshield center-post, and, if no discrepancy is found, a check to make sure the bolts are tight, and replacement of the attaching parts if necessary. This AD also provides an option to accomplish the replacement of the attaching parts, which terminates the repetitive inspections. This AD was prompted by reports of failure of the bolts that connect the lower eyelet fitting of the cockpit windshield center-post to the forward fuselage. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct failed bolts and attaching parts of the lower eyelet fitting of the cockpit windshield center-post, which could lead to loss of structural integrity of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Model 206B and 206L helicopters. This AD requires installing a placard beneath the engine power dual tachometer and revising the operating limitations section of the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM). This AD was prompted by several incidents of third stage engine turbine wheel failures, which were caused by excessive vibrations at certain engine speeds during steady-state operations. These actions are intended to alert pilots to avoid certain engine speeds during steady- state operations, prevent failure of the third stage engine turbine, engine power loss, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

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 for a new information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on April 12, 2013, vol. 78, no. 71, pages 22020-22021. The information collected will be used by FAA Flight Standards Service to improve the quality and delivery of the services and products provided to their stakeholders.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of 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 are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for any DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000T glider equipped with a Solo Kleinmotoren Model 2350 C engine. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as engine shaft failure and consequent propeller detachment. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action establishes Class E airspace at the Cut Bank VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range Tactical Air Navigational Aid (VORTAC) navigation aid, Cut Bank, MT, to facilitate vectoring of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft under control of Salt Lake City and Seattle Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs). This improves the safety and management of IFR operations within the National Airspace System.

This action establishes Class E airspace at the Rome VHF Omni- Directional Radio Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigation aid, Rome, OR, to facilitate vectoring of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft under control of Salt Lake City, Oakland and Seattle Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs). This improves the safety and management of IFR operations within the National Airspace System.