Federal Aviation Administration 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes to modify Class D airspace, Class E surface area airspace, Class E surface area airspace designated as an extension, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Walla Walla Regional Airport, Walla Walla, WA. After a review of the airspace, the FAA found it necessary to amend the airspace area for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for arriving and departing aircraft at the airport. This action would also update the geographic coordinates of Walla Walla Regional Airport in the respective Class D and E airspace areas above.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. 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 directive (AD) 2006-23- 17, which applies to certain Turbomeca S.A. Turmo IV A and IV C turboshaft engines. AD 2006-23-17 currently requires repetitive inspections of the centrifugal compressor intake wheel (inducer) blades for cracks and corrosion, replacement of parts that fail inspection, and replacement of the TU 197 standard centrifugal compressor. This proposed AD would require the same inspections but at revised intervals, add the replacement of the TU 215 standard centrifugal compressor, and require replacement of parts that fail inspection. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the centrifugal compressor inducer, which could lead to an uncontained blade release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

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. 49 U.S.C. 44707 empowers the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to provide for the examination and rating of civilian schools giving instruction in flying. This CFR prescribes the requirements for issuing pilot school certificates, provisional pilot school certificates and associated ratings to qualified applicants.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings on the Noise Compatibility Program submitted by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. (the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR Part 150. These findings are made in recognition of the description of Federal and nonfederal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On July 27, 2015, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps (NEM) submitted by the ADOT&PF under Part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On November 17, 2015, the FAA approved the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) and Lake Hood Seaplane Base (LHD) noise compatibility program (NCP). Most of the recommendations of the program were approved.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at South Naknek NR 2 Airport, South Naknek, AK, to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures developed for the airport. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1E2 turboshaft engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of uncommanded in-flight shutdowns (IFSDs). This proposed AD would require removing the tachometer box on affected engines. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the tachometer box, which could lead to failure of the engine, IFSD, and loss of control of the helicopter.

This action corrects an error in the legal description of a final rule published in the Federal Register of September 24, 2015, that establishes Class E airspace at the Newberry VHF Omni-Directional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME), Newberry, MI. The legal description noted exclusionary language for Federal airways and Canadian airspace not required for this airspace.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all ATRGIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42 and ATR72 airplanes. This AD was prompted by new occurrences of certain cracked main landing gear (MLG) rear hinge pins. This AD requires identifying the serial number and part number of the MLG rear hinge pins, and replacing pins or the MLG if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracked rear hinge pins, which could lead to MLG structural failure, possibly resulting in collapse of the MLG and consequent injury to the occupants of the airplane.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a RTCA Program Management Committee meeting.

These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 747-8 airplane. This airplane, as modified by Associated Air Center, will have novel or unusual design features associated with side-facing seats and airbag-equipped shoulder belts for these side-facing seats. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. 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.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2006-19- 12, which applies to certain The Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 2006-19-12 currently requires inspecting the lower web of the aft fairing of the engine struts for any discoloration and doing any related investigative and corrective action if necessary; inspecting the heat shield castings for any damage and doing any corrective action if necessary; installing gap cover strips; and replacing insulation blankets with new insulation blankets. Since we issued AD 2006-19-12, we have received a report that an aft fairing lower spar web exceeded the allowable conductivity limits. This proposed AD would also require, depending on airplane configuration, one-time or repetitive detailed inspections for cracking and deformation, as applicable, of the aft fairing lower structure, and one-time or repetitive conductivity inspections of the aft fairing lower structure and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also adds airplanes to the applicability. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct degradation of the aft fairing lower web, which could lead to cracking of the web and could allow flammable fluids to leak into the heat shield pan castings, and consequent increased risk of an uncontained fire and subsequent structural damage.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for REIMS AVIATION S.A. Model F406 airplanes. This AD revises AD 2015-16-07, which required inspection of the left-hand and right-hand rudder control pedal torque tubes, and, depending on findings, replacement with a serviceable part. This AD retains the actions of AD 2015-16-07 and adds additional acceptable serviceable replacement parts. The AD was prompted by reports of detachment of the pilot's rudder control pedal in flight. 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 all Airbus Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, and A330-300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked support strut body ends at a certain frame location of the trimmable horizontal stabilizer (THS). This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the strut ends of the THS support located at a certain frame in the tail cone, and replacement if necessary; and reinstallation or installation of reinforcing clamps on certain strut ends. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracked support strut body ends of the THS, which could lead to the loss of all four THS support struts, making the remaining structure unable to carry limit loads, resulting in the loss of the horizontal tail plane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Zodiac Aerotechnics (formerly Intertechnique Aircraft Systems) flightcrew oxygen mask regulators as installed on, but not limited to, various transport and small airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that improper maintenance on oxygen mask regulators was found. This AD requires the identification and replacement of all potentially affected units. This AD also requires installation of a placard and revision of the airplane flight manual to include an operational procedure for use in case of depressurization. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct affected oxygen mask regulators, which could lead to inadequate protection to the affected flightcrew against hypoxia. Hypoxia can start from a headache and drowsiness and lead eventually to unconsciousness with severe consequence in terms of airplane controllability.

This action extends the comment period for an NPRM published on October 2, 2015. In that document, the FAA proposes to amend the regulations governing the curriculum and operations of FAA-certificated Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools. These amendments would modernize and reorganize the required curriculum subjects in the appendices of the current regulations. They would also remove the course content items currently located in the appendices and require that they be placed in each school's operations specifications so they could more easily be amended when necessary. The amendments are needed because the existing curriculums are outdated, do not meet current industry needs, and can be changed only through notice and comment rulemaking. These amendments would ensure that aviation maintenance technician students receive up-to-date foundational training to meet the demanding and consistently changing needs of the aviation industry. This extension is a result of a joint request from Aviation Technical Education Council (ATEC), Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Airlines for America (A4A), Aviation Suppliers Association (ASA), Helicopter Association International (HAI), Modification And Replacement Parts Association (MARPA), National Air Carrier Association (NACA), National Air Transport Association (NATA), Regional Airline Association, STEM Education Coalition (STEM), and University Aviation Association (UAA) (collectively, the ``Petitioners'').

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 95-18-08, for all Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes. AD 95-18-08 currently requires repetitive inspections to detect cracks in the bottom skin of the wing in the area of the cut out for the pylon rear attachment fitting, and repair if necessary. Since we issued AD 95-18-08, we received a report that updated fatigue and damage tolerance analyses and a fleet survey found that certain inspection thresholds and intervals must be reduced to allow more timely findings of cracking. This proposed AD would, for certain airplanes, reduce the compliance times for the inspections. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct such fatigue-related cracking, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the wing.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of water leakage from the potable water system due to improperly installed waterline couplings, and water leaking into the electronics equipment (EE) bays from above the floor in the main cabin, resulting in water on the equipment in the EE bays. This proposed AD would require replacing the potable waterline couplings above the forward and aft EE bays with new, improved couplings. This proposed AD would also require sealing the main cabin floor areas above the aft EE bay, installing drip shields and foam blocks, and rerouting the wire bundles near the drip shields above the equipment in the aft EE bay. We are proposing this AD to prevent a water leak from an improperly installed potable water system coupling, or main cabin water source, which could cause the equipment in the EE bays to become wet, resulting in an electrical short and potential loss of system functions essential for safe flight.

Pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 5 U.S.C. App. 2), notice is hereby given of a teleconference of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC). The Teleconference will take place on Thursday, December 10, 2015, starting at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time and will last approximately one hour. The agenda and call-in number will be posted at least one week in advance at https://www.faa.gov/go/ast. The proposed agenda for this teleconference is to review findings and recommendations on FAA AST possible engagement with European Space Agency to foster U. S. commercial participation in the refinement and attainment of the lunar village concept. Interested members of the public may submit relevant written statements for the COMSTAC members to consider under the advisory process. Statements may concern the issues and agenda items mentioned above and/or additional issues that may be relevant for the U.S. commercial space transportation industry. Interested parties wishing to submit written statements should contact Larry Scott, COMSTAC Designated Federal Officer, (the Contact Person listed below) in writing (mail or email) by December 3, 2015, so that the information can be made available to COMSTAC members for their review and consideration before the December 10 teleconference. Written statements should be supplied in the following formats: One hard copy with original signature and/or one electronic copy via email. An agenda will be posted on the FAA Web site at www.faa.gov/go/ast. Individuals who plan to participate and need special assistance should inform the Contact Persons listed below in advance of the meeting.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the Thirty-Seventh RTCA Special Committee 224 meeting.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the Forty-Second RTCA Special Committee 206 meeting.

This document announces the criteria, application procedures, and schedule to be applied by the Secretary of Transportation in designating or redesignating, and funding capital development for up to 15 current joint-use or former military airports seeking first time designation or redesignation to participate in the MAP.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 99-16-01, for certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes). AD 99-16-01 currently requires repetitive inspections of certain bolt holes where parts of the main landing gear (MLG) are attached to the wing rear spar, and repair if necessary. Since we issued AD-99-16-01, we have determined that the risk of cracking in the rear spar is higher than initially determined. This proposed AD would add airplanes to the applicability, reduce the compliance times and repetitive intervals for the inspections, and change the inspection procedures. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the rear spar of the wing, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that certain center and outboard stowage bin modules were incorrectly installed. This proposed AD would require an inspection of the center and outboard stowage bin modules for missing parts, quick release pins that are not fully engaged, and parts that are installed in incorrect locations; and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct incorrectly installed center and outboard stowage bin modules that might not remain intact during an emergency landing, resulting in injuries to occupants and interference with airplane evacuation.

This amendment adopts miscellaneous amendments to the required IFR (instrument flight rules) altitudes and changeover points for certain Federal airways, jet routes, or direct routes for which a minimum or maximum en route authorized IFR altitude is prescribed. This regulatory action is needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace under instrument conditions in the affected areas.