Federal Aviation Administration 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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

These special conditions are issued for the Cirrus Design Corporation (Cirrus), model SF50. This airplane will have novel and unusual design features associated with installation of an inflatable three-point restraint safety belt with an integrated airbag device at the pilot and co-pilot seats to include optional installations at other passenger seat locations. 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 Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on July 3, 2013, vol. 78, no. 128, pages 40263-40264. The ``Aging Aircraft Program (Widespread Fatigue Damage)'' final rule (75 FR 69745) amended FAA regulations pertaining to certification and operation of transport category airplanes to preclude widespread fatigue damage in those airplanes.

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 Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on June 27, 2013, vol. 78, no. 124, page 38794-38795. Title 49, United States Code, Sections 40117(k) and 47106(f) require that a covered airport submit a written competition plan to the Secretary/ Administrator in order to receive approval to impose a Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) or to receive a grant under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP).

This action publishes the entire Department of Transportation (``Department''), Federal Aviation Administration (``FAA''), ``Policy Regarding Airport Rates and Charges'' (``Policy'') to reflect all deletions from and amendments to the policy to date. The Policy was originally published in the Federal Register on June 21, 1996 (``1996 Rates and Charges Policy''). In response to a subsequent petition for review, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a decision in 1997 that vacated the challenged provisions of the 1996 Rates and Charges Policy and the Secretary's supporting discussion in the preamble. In 2008, the Department and FAA adopted three amendments to the Policy, to allow operators of congested airports to use landing fees to provide incentives to air carriers to use the airport at less congested times or to use alternate airports to meet regional air service needs. The Federal Register notice publishing those amendments set out the amendments, but did not publish an entire version of the policy as amended. As a convenience for the public and for regulated entities, this notice publishes the entire Policy Regarding Airport Rates and Charges currently in effect in a single document. The FAA is not adopting or proposing any new amendments to the Policy in this notice.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 25. 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 certain Eurocopter Model EC225 LP helicopters. This proposed AD would add a new operating limitation that would require increasing the minimum density altitude flight limitation for helicopters without certain Eurocopter modifications installed. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that flights below a certain density altitude create oscillations in the main rotor which can transfer dynamic loads to the structure, the main gearbox (MGB), and the main servo-control inputs, which could result in subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Inc. (BHT) Model 206A, 206B, and 206L helicopters. This AD requires replacing certain part-numbered engine auto-relight kit control boxes. This AD was prompted by a design review that revealed the control box chipset did not meet the required temperature range requirements, which could cause the control box to malfunction, disabling the engine auto-relight system. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent a disabled auto-relight system, failure of the engine to relight after a flame-out, increased pilot workload during a power loss emergency, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This document withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would have applied to GROB-WERKE GMBH & CO KG Model G 115E airplanes. The proposed airworthiness directive (AD) would have required a one-time inspection to verify correct cable routing behind the LH cockpit instrument panel and, depending on findings, correction and replacement of damaged parts. Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has re-evaluated this airworthiness concern and determined that the airplanes affected are not type certificated in the United States. This withdrawal does not prevent the FAA from initiating future rulemaking on this subject.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Pacific Scientific seat restraint rotary buckle assemblies (buckle). This proposed AD is prompted by several reports of a cracked handle on certain buckles. Testing on these buckles indicates that in some circumstances a load placed on the restraint system prevents a strap from releasing as intended when the buckle is rotated. The proposed actions are intended to replace cracked buckle handles and allow the release of the restraint system strap in an emergency.

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to all Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-31, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350 airplanes. Table 1 of paragraph (g) lists the incorrect model/part number for the Model PA-31-350, tail pipe assembly, top. This document corrects that error. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

This action proposes to establish Class E Airspace at Star, NC, to accommodate a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) serving Montgomery County Airport. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System.

We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 90-23-14 for certain The Boeing Company Model 747 series airplanes. AD 90-23-14 required inspections of the fuselage skin lap splice between body station (BS) 340 and BS 400 at stringers (S)-6L and S-6R, and repair if necessary. This new AD adds new repetitive inspections for cracking in the S-6 skin lap splice, which terminates the inspections required by AD 90-23-14; eventual modification of the lap splice, which terminates the repetitive inspections; post-modification inspections; and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also adds airplanes to the applicability. This AD was prompted by a report of cracks up to 18.5 inches that were found at S-6L and S-6R on several airplanes, and subsequent analysis results that indicated that the protruding head fastener modification and related post-modification inspections required by AD 90-23-14 are not adequate to prevent cracking at the upper row of fasteners in the S-6 lap joint before the cracks reach a critical length. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking at the upper row of fasteners in the S-6 lap joint, which could result in a sudden loss of cabin pressurization and the inability of the fuselage to withstand failsafe loads.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for various aircraft equipped with Rotax Aircraft Engines 912 A Series 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 oil leaks in the intake channel in the area of the valve guide on some cylinder heads could increase the oil consumption and result in engine stoppage. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS350 and AS355 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the tail rotor control stop screws to determine if they are correctly aligned and adjusting the screws if they are misaligned. This AD is prompted by the discovery of a loose nut on the tail rotor control stop and a misaligned tail rotor control stop screw. The actions of this AD are intended to detect a loose nut or a misaligned stop screw, which, if not corrected, could limit yaw authority, and consequently, result in a loss of helicopter control.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-524B-02; -524B2-19; -524B3-02; -524B4-02; - 524C2-19; -524D4-19; -524D4-B-19; -524D4-39; -535C-37; -535E4-37; - 535E4-B-37, and -535E4-B-75 turbofan engines, and all RB211-524G2-19; - 524G3-19; -524H2-19; and -524H-36 turbofan engines. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the front combustion liner (FCL) metering panel to determine if it is made from N75 material and, if so, replacing it with an FCL made from C263 material. This AD was prompted by the discovery of a cracked and distorted FCL metering panel, which was made from N75 material. We are issuing this AD to prevent hot gases from burning through the engine casing, which could result in an under-cowl fire and damage to the airplane.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of FAA's regulations. 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 superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau Models AS - K13, Ka2B, Ka 6, Ka 6 B, Ka 6 BR, Ka 6 C, Ka 6 CR, K7, K8, and K 8 B sailplanes. 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 misalignment of the automatic elevator control connection. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes; Model A340-200 and - 300 series airplanes; and Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes. This final rule was prompted by reports of wing tip brakes (WTBs) losing their braking function in service due to heavy wear on the brake discs. WTBs are designed to stop and hold the mechanical transmission of slats and flaps in certain failure cases. This final rule requires repetitive operational tests of certain WTB pressure-off-brakes (POBs) for performance on the flap and slat systems, and replacement of any affected WTB with a new or serviceable part if the test fails. This final rule also requires eventual replacement of all affected WTBs with a new part, which terminates the repetitive tests. We are issuing this final rule to prevent loss of the WTB braking function, and consequent inability of the flap or slat system to be stopped and held in position during operation, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of advance pneumatic detectors (APDs) for engine fire/ overheat detector assemblies failing to reset after activation due to permanent deformation of the detector switch diaphragm after being exposed to high temperatures. This AD requires replacing all three APDs with new detector assemblies. We are issuing this AD to prevent a continued engine fire indication in the cockpit after the actual fire has been extinguished, which is misleading and might influence the pilot to conduct a potentially hazardous ``off-airport'' landing.

Pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 5 U.S.C. App. 2), and 5 U.S.C. 552b(c), notice is hereby given of a special closed session of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC). The special closed session will be an administrative session for the Committee members to review the provisions of the COMSTAC Charter; the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA); 41 CFR, Parts 101-6 and 102-3; and the Department of Transportation and FAA Orders concerning advisory committee management. The meeting will take place on Thursday, October 10, 2013, at the National Housing Center, 1201 15th Street NW., Washington, DC 20005, from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

The FAA is correcting airworthiness directive (AD) 2013-05-08 that published in the Federal Register. AD 2013-05-08 applies to all Airbus Model A330-200 and A330-300 series airplanes, and Model A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes. Two paragraphs of AD 2013-05-08 incorrectly specify flight control secondary computers (FCSCs), rather than flight control primary computers (FCPCs). This document corrects those errors. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

This action establishes two new low-altitude RNAV routes, designated T-287 and T-299, to enhance the flow of air traffic to the west of the Washington-Dulles International Airport. Also, there is a name change to one of the navigation fixes; an adjustment to the coordinates of another navigation fix, and a change from a waypoint to a fix for a navigation point.

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.