Federal Aviation Administration 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the sixteenth Special Committee 227 meeting.

The FAA is proposing to establish a Special Flight Rules Area in the vicinity of Pearson Field Airport, Vancouver, Washington. Pearson Field Airport is located approximately three nautical miles northwest of Portland International Airport, Portland, Oregon. The close proximity of the airport traffic patterns and approach courses create converging flight paths between traffic on approach to Portland International Airport and traffic at Pearson Field Airport, increasing the risk for near mid-air collision, mid-air collision and wake turbulence events. The intended effect of this action is to mitigate the identified risk by establishing operating requirements applicable to all aircraft when operating within a designated area at Pearson Field Airport, which would increase overall system efficiency and safety.

This action modifies Class D airspace, Class E surface area airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, at Stockton Metropolitan Airport, Stockton, CA. A review of the airspace and the decommissioning of the Manteca VHF omnidirectional radio range and distance measuring equipment (VOR/DME), has made it necessary to amend the airspace areas for the safety and management of the new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747- 200B, 747-300, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the upper chords of the upper deck floor beams are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracks at the floor panel attachment fastener holes; repetitive inspections for cracks in the upper and lower chords of the upper deck floor beams at permanent fastener locations; repetitive inspections for cracks in certain repaired and modified areas; and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would also require repetitive replacement of the upper chords of the upper deck floor beams, including pre- replacement inspections and corrective action if necessary; and post- replacement repetitive inspections and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the upper chords of the upper deck floor beams. Undetected cracking could result in large deflection or deformation of the upper deck floor beams, resulting in damage to wire bundles and control cables for the flight control system, and reduced controllability of the airplane. Multiple adjacent severed floor beams could result in rapid decompression of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that no instructions for continued airworthiness exist for the nose landing gear (NLG) alternate extension actuator of the NLG alternate release system. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate a new airworthiness limitation task for the NLG alternate extension actuator. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the NLG alternate release system and, if the normal NLG extension system also fails, failure of the NLG to extend, and consequent damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.

This action amends Class E airspace at Audubon County Airport, Audubon, IA; Corning Municipal Airport, Corning, IA; Ellen Church Field Airport, Cresco, IA; Eagle Grove Municipal Airport, Eagle Grove, IA; Guthrie County Regional Airport, Guthrie Center, IA; Hampton Municipal Airport, Hampton, IA; Harlan Municipal Airport, Harlan, IA; Iowa Falls Municipal Airport, Iowa Falls, IA; Knoxville Municipal Airport, Knoxville, IA; Oelwein Municipal Airport, Oelwein, IA; and Red Oak Municipal Airport, Red Oak, IA. Decommissioning of the non-directional radio beacons (NDBs) and/or cancellation of NDB approaches due to advances in Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities has made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the above airports.

These special conditions are issued for the Gulfstream Model GVII-G500 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport-category airplanes. This design feature is associated with a reduced margin between design cruising speed, VC/MC, and design diving speed, VD/MD, based on the incorporation of a high-speed protection system that limits nose-down pilot authority at speeds above VC/MC. 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.

This document provides clarity and guidance regarding the use of the contraction ``EST'', which stands for ``Estimated'', when appended to the end of validity time in a NOTAM. The FAA is taking this action to align NOTAM policy with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and recommended practices.

Under the provisions of Title 49, U.S.C. Section 47153(d), notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority in Brunswick ME to waive the surplus property requirements for approximately 12.07 acres of airport property located at Brunswick Executive Airport in Brunswick, ME. The subject parcel is currently undeveloped and has been identified for commercial development on the current Airport Layout Plan. The airport will retain the land to generate long term lease revenue for the airport and thus, is requesting a release to change the property from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use. It has been determined through study and master planning that the subject parcel will not be needed for aeronautical purposes is not contiguous to the airport proper. Full and permanent relief of the surplus property requirements on this parcel will allow the airport to generate long term revenue through lease of the land. All lease revenue will continue to be subject to the FAAs revenue-use policy and dedicated to the maintenance and operation of the Brunswick Executive Airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to rule and invites public comment on the application for a land-use change authorization effecting approximately 12.2 acres of airport property at the Elko Regional Airport, Elko, Nevada which will provide for an amendment of the Grant Agreement Assurance obligation that requires use of airport land for aeronautical purposes. Since the City of Elko, sponsor of the Elko Regional Airport, acquired the land in 1930, the property does not have an aeronautical purpose or planned to be used for an aeronautical purpose. The land-use change will authorize the release of the aeronautical-use obligation from the Grant Assurance Agreement for a proposed long term non-aeronautical commercial development. The 12.2 acres of airport land is identified as ``future commercial'' on the FAA conditionally approved Airport Layout Plan (ALP). The approximately 12.2 acres of airport property is currently zoned as ``light industrial business park'' and the land is proposed for retail mall development. The proposed developer will pay the costs to develop, manage, and improve the property for non-aeronautical commercial businesses. The City of Elko will lease the land at fair market value (FMV) to earn revenue for the airport thereby benefiting the airport and serving the interest of civil aviation. The proposed use will be compatible with the airport and will not interfere with the airport or its operation.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Model 188 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the upper and lower wing skin planks at the attachment of the main landing gear (MLG) ribs at certain wing-stations are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This AD requires an inspection (for cracking) and modification of the chordwise fastener rows of the upper and lower wing planks at the attachments to the MLG ribs at certain wing-stations. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the upper and lower wing skin planks at the attachment of the MLG ribs, which could result in failure of the wing.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 800 series engines. This AD was prompted by reports of in-flight separation of the engine's aft plug from the forward plug, which are the two parts of the turbine exhaust plug assembly. This AD requires installation of a serviceable turbine exhaust plug assembly (for certain airplanes), and a general visual inspection (for certain airplanes) to determine the diameter of the bolt used at the forward and aft plug interface, and applicable corrective actions. We are issuing this AD to prevent separation of the aft plug from the forward plug of the turbine exhaust plug assembly, which could result in parts departing the airplane and hitting the empennage, and destabilizing the airplane during a critical flight phase. In addition, parts remaining on a runway could pose a hazard to another airplane.

The FAA is amending certification procedures and marking requirements for aeronautical products and articles. The amendment requires production approval holders to identify an accountable manager who is responsible for, and has authority over, their production operations and serves as the primary contact with the FAA; allows production approval holders to issue authorized release documents for aircraft engines, propellers, and articles; permits production certificate holders to manufacture and install interface components; requires production approval holders to ensure that each supplier- provided product, article, or service conforms to the production approval holder's requirements and establish a supplier-reporting process for products, articles, or services that have been released from or provided by the supplier and subsequently found not to conform to the production approval holder's requirements; removes the requirement that fixed-pitch wooden propellers be marked using an approved fireproof method; and changes the title of part 21 of title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This amendment updates FAA regulations to reflect the current global aeronautical manufacturing environment, thereby promoting aviation safety.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Springfield, MO. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Downtown Airport. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

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 are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-02-10 for all Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes; Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 2013-02-10 required an inspection of the rods to determine the manufacturer; and for affected parts, an inspection for any cracking of the rods, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD revises the affected airplanes of a certain paragraph of AD 2013-02-10 due to the discovery of an error. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the rods, which could result in rupture of rods that attach the belly fairing to the airframe, leading to separation of the belly fairing from the airframe, and consequent damage to airplane structure and airplane systems.

These special conditions are issued for Boeing Model 777-200 airplanes. This airplane, as modified by Flight Structures, Inc., will have novel or unusual design features associated with oblique-angled, single-occupant seats equipped with airbag systems. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

These special conditions are issued for Boeing Model 747-8 airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with seats with inflatable lap belts. 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.

This final rule requires air carriers conducting domestic, flag, and supplemental operations to make available on their Web sites information to enable passengers to determine which child restraint system can be used on airplanes in these operations. Specifically, this final rule requires air carriers to make available on their Web sites the width of the narrowest and widest passenger seats in each class of service for each make, model and series of airplane used in passenger- carrying operations.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of fuel odor in the cabin. Fuel was found leaking from a cracked fuel line shroud in the left cargo compartment equipment tunnel. This proposed AD would require a check for the presence of fuel at the fuel shroud drain; a high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection for cracked fuel line shrouds; a pressure test of the drain system of the tail tank fuel shroud and a pressure test of the drain system of the aft fuselage fuel shroud to determine cracking; and corrective actions, if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fuel leaking from a cracked fuel line shroud, which could result in fuel accumulation below the cargo compartment floor and consequent increased risk of fire.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at U.S. Coast Guard Station Neah Bay Heliport, Neah Bay, WA, to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures for developed at the heliport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the heliport.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model BO-105A, BO-105C, and BO-105S helicopters. This AD requires inspections to detect oil contamination in the main gearbox (MGB). This AD was prompted by initial findings from an accident investigation of a Model BO-105 helicopter, which indicated deterioration of the MGB caused by a contaminated oil supply. The actions of this AD are intended to detect oil contamination in the MGB, which could result in MGB deterioration, MGB failure, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-02-02 for certain Models SA26-AT, SA26-T, SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226- TC, SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-CC, SA227-DC (C-26B), and SA227-TT airplanes. AD 97-02-02 required applying torque to the control column pitch bearing attaching nuts, inspecting the bearing assembly, inspecting the elevator control rod end bearing retainer/dust seals, and replacing or installing new parts as necessary. This new AD requires inspecting for movement and correct torque of the elevator control pivot bearing, inspecting the elevator control rod for damage and correct configuration, and replacing parts as necessary. This AD also requires a 10,000-hour time-in-service (TIS) repetitive replacement of the control column pivot bearing and elevator control rod bolt and requires replacement of the control column pivot bearing with the improved design by 35,000 hours TIS. This AD was prompted by loss of elevator control due to failure of the bolt attaching the elevator control rod to the elevator walking beam under the cockpit floor. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of a potential latent failure of the fuel shutoff valve actuator circuitry, which was not identified during actuator development. This AD requires replacing certain engine and auxiliary power unit (APU) fuel shutoff valve actuators with new actuators, and also requires revising the maintenance or inspection program to include a new airworthiness limitation into the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA). We are issuing this AD to detect and correct latent failures of the fuel shutoff valve to the engine and auxiliary power unit (APU), which could result in the inability to shut off fuel to the engine and APU and, in case of certain fires, an uncontrollable fire that could lead to structural failure.

This action modifies Class E surface area airspace designated as an extension to Class C airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Portland International Airport, Portland, OR. After reviewing the airspace, the FAA found the Portland VHF omnidirectional radio range/distance measuring equipment (VOR/DME) and Laker non-directional beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned, thereby necessitating airspace redesign for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also corrects the geographic coordinates of the airport.