Federal Aviation Administration April 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes, and A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by the discovery of corroded circlips in fuel vent protectors (FVP) having a certain part number. This AD requires an inspection to determine the part number and serial number of the FVP, and replacement if necessary; and application of sealant on certain nuts and bolts of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) duct assembly. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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.

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 propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) CF34-8 model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by analysis that resulted in the reduction of the life of the affected fan blades. This proposed AD would require inspections of the affected fan blades until their removal. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes a special condition for the Pilatus Aircraft Limited PC-12, PC-12/45, and PC-12/47 airplanes. These airplanes, as modified by Innovative Solutions & Support, Inc., will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with the use of an autothrust system. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. This proposed special condition contains the additional safety standards 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) 2014-26- 10, for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2014-26-10 currently requires revising the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. Since we issued AD 2014-26-10, we have determined that more restrictive maintenance instructions and airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or revised airworthiness limitation requirements. This proposed AD also removes airplanes from the applicability. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D or E surface area, modify Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, and remove Class E airspace upward from 1,200 feet above the surface at Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport, Medford, OR. This action is necessary due to the proposed decommissioning of the PUMIE locator outer marker and removal of the VHF Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) from the airspace description as the FAA transitions from ground-based navigation aids to satellite-based navigation. Also, this action would update the airport's geographic coordinates for Class D and E airspace areas to reflect the FAA's current aeronautical database.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has prepared the Purpose, Need, and Alternatives Working Paper for the Proposed Airfield Safety Enhancement Project (ASEP) including real property transactions at Tucson International Airport (TUS), Pima County, Arizona. The FAA initiated preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in response to a proposal by the Tucson Airport Authority (TAA). The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public that the Purpose, Need, and Alternatives Working Paper will be made available for public comment as part of a continued effort to engage the public in the scoping process for this project. FAA is seeking comments on the Working Paper. The FAA is the lead Federal agency for preparation of the EIS and will do so in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-15080). The preparation of the EIS will follow FAA regulations and policies for implementing NEPA published in FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, and FAA Order 5050.4B, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions. The U.S. Air Force (USAF) and the National Guard Bureau (NGB) are cooperating agencies under 40 CFR 1501.6. This Purpose, Need, and Alternatives Working Paper provides background information on TUS, a description of the Proposed Action, and the Purpose and Need to which the FAA, USAF, and NGB are responding in evaluating the Proposed Action and various reasonable alternatives to the Proposed Action. In whole or in summary, the Purpose, Need, and Alternatives Working Paper will become part of the EIS. The FAA is not making a decision regarding the Proposed Action in this Working Paper.

These special conditions are issued for the Bombardier Inc. (Bombardier) Model BD-700-2A12 and BD-700-2A13 airplanes. These airplanes 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 a fuselage fabricated using aluminum-lithium materials instead of conventional aluminum. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate fire-safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional fire-safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes; and Model DHC-8-200 and DHC-8-300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of incorrect installation of the auto-ignition system due to crossed wires at one of the splices in the auto-relight system. This AD requires inspecting the auto-ignition system for correct wiring, and doing corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain American Champion Aircraft Corp. Model 8KCAB airplanes. This AD requires fabrication and installation of a placard to prohibit aerobatic flight, inspection of the aileron hinge rib and support, and a reporting requirement of the inspection results to the FAA. This AD was prompted by a report of a cracked hinge support and cracked hinge ribs, which resulted in partial loss of control with the aileron binding against the cove. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

This action modifies the Little Rock, AR, Class C airspace area by amending the legal description to update the current airport name and updated airport reference point (ARP) information to match the FAA's aeronautical database and charted information. Additionally, exclusion language is added to the legal description to ensure flight safety and address any potential for confusion where the Class C and restricted area R-2403B airspace areas overlap. This action does not change the boundaries, altitudes, or operating requirements of the Class C airspace area.

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Leesville City Airport, Leesville, LA, and Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport, Patterson, LA. Airspace redesign is necessary due to the decommissioning of the Leesville non-directional radio beacon (NDB), and the Patterson radio beacon (RBN), and cancellation of NDB and RBN approaches, and for the safe management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at these airports.

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Iowa County Airport, Mineral Point, WI. This action is necessary due to the decommissioning of the Mineral Point non-directional radio beacon (NDB) and cancellation of the NDB approach. This action would enhance the safety and management of standard instrument approach procedures for instrument flight rules (IFR) 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.

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.

We are publishing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the condenser blower motor (motor) and condenser blower (blower) to determine if the motor is securely attached to the blower support (shroud). This AD is prompted by a report that the motor detached from the blower. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter, -200, and -300 series airplanes; and Airbus Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that nonconforming aluminum alloy was used to manufacture several structural parts on the inboard flap. This AD requires identification of the potentially affected inboard flap parts, a one-time eddy current inspection to identify which material the parts are made of, and, depending on findings, replacement with serviceable parts. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 777- 200 airplane. This airplane, as modified by VT DRB Aviation Consultants (VT DRB), 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 an airbag system installed in shoulder 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 action amends Class D and Class E airspace at Savannah, GA, by adjusting the geographic coordinates of Hunter Army Airfield (AAF), and updating the name of Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. The boundaries and operating requirements of these airports remain the same.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Louisville, GA, to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) serving Louisville Municipal Airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace designated as an extension to Class D airspace by removing the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) part-time status at Lancaster Airport, Lancaster, PA; Reading Regional Airport/Carl A. Spaatz Field, Reading, PA; and Williamsport Regional Airport, Williamsport, PA. This action would also update the geographic coordinates of these airports and the Picture Rocks navigation aid listed in this proposed rule. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at these airports.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Finleyville, PA, to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) serving Finleyville Airpark. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Brenner Field Airport, Falls City, NE, due to the decommissioning of the Brenner non-directional radio beacon (NDB) and cancellation of NDB approach. This action is necessary to enhance the safety and management of standard instrument approach procedures for instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters. This AD requires removing from service the tail gearbox center housing (housing) when it has 12,200 or more hours time-in-service (TIS). This AD was prompted by fatigue analysis conducted by Sikorsky that determined the housing required a retirement life. The actions are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.