Federal Aviation Administration March 23, 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its decision to adopt the Department of the Navy's (DoN) Environmental Assessment/Overseas Environmental Assessment (EA/OEA) for the Mariana Islands Range Complex Airspace. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (``NEPA''), the Council on Environmental Quality's (``CEQ'') regulations implementing NEPA, and other applicable authorities, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, paragraph 8-2, and FAA Order JO 7400.2K, ``Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters,'' paragraph 32-2-3, the FAA has conducted an independent review and evaluation of the DoN's Final Mariana Islands Range Complex (MIRC) Airspace EA/OEA dated June 2013. As a cooperating agency with responsibility for approving special use airspace the FAA provided subject matter expertise and closely coordinated with the DoN during the environmental review process, including preparation of the Draft EA/OEA and the Final EA/OEA. Based on its independent review and evaluation, the FAA has determined the Final EA/OEA, including its supporting documentation, as incorporated by reference, and other supporting documentation incorporated by reference for FAA's Written Re-Evaluation and Adoption of Final EA/OEA, adequately assesses and discloses the environmental impacts of the for Mariana Islands Range Complex Airspace, and that adoption of the Final EA/OEA by the FAA is authorized by regulation. FAA included the Written Re-Evaluation as part of the Adoption and FONSI-ROD because the DoN's FONSI is more than three years old. Accordingly, the FAA adopts the Final EA/OEA, and takes full responsibility for the scope and content that addresses the proposed changes to Special Use Airspace for MIRC.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of fatigue cracking found in a certain fuselage frame common to the water tank support intercostal clip located between certain stringers. This proposed AD would require inspections for any cracking of a certain fuselage frame, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of regulations. 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.

This action proposes to modify Class E surface area airspace, and modify Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Bishop Airport (formerly Eastern Sierra Regional Airport), Bishop, CA. The FAA proposes also to establish Class E surface area airspace designated as an extension at this airport. After a review, the FAA found these modifications are necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules aircraft operations at the airport.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs) 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.