Federal Aviation Administration 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-13-14, which applied to certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. AD 2016-13-14 required an inspection to determine if certain left and right main landing gear (MLG) retract actuator rod ends were installed, repetitive liquid penetrant inspections (LPIs) of affected left and right MLG retract actuator rod ends, and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD retains the actions specified in AD 2016-13-14 and also requires replacement of the left and right MLG retract actuator rod ends. This AD was prompted by a report of a cracked MLG retract actuator rod end. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This document 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.

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

We are revising an earlier notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which applies to all The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747- 100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. This action revises the NPRM by adding a reporting requirement. We are proposing this airworthiness directive (AD) to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these changes.

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 collection involves obtaining basic information from new aviation insurance applicants about eligible aviation insurance applicants needed to establish a legally binding, non-premium insurance policy with the FAA, as requested by another Federal agency, such as the applicants name and address. The information collected will be used to determine whether applicants are eligible for Chapter 443 insurance and the amount of coverage necessary; and to populate non-premium insurance policies with the legal name and address of the applicant.

This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Gregory M. Simmons Memorial Airport, Cisco, TX, to accommodate a new public instrument approach procedure at the airport and for safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport. Also, a correction is made to the airport name in the regulatory text.

We are revising an earlier proposal for all Textron Aviation Inc. Models A36TC and B36TC airplanes. This action revises the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) by adding all Textron Aviation Inc. Models S35, V35, V35A, and V35B airplanes that have the optional turbocharger engine installed to the applicability and adding an annual visual inspection of the exhaust tailpipe v-band coupling (clamp). We are proposing this airworthiness directive (AD) to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions would impose an additional burden over those in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these changes.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Federal Aviation 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. The FAA is republishing this notice to include pertinent information not contained in the previous summary posted to the Federal Docket on September 27, 2017, to clarify that the petitioner specifically requests to utilize an FAA-approved Precision Flight Controls model DCX MAX Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) for fifty (50) percent of the training requirements described in Part 141 Appendix G, for the Flight Instructor Instrument certification. The FAA letter of authorization for this trainer currently allows for (5) percent of the training requirements.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 970-84 and RB211-Trent 972-84 turbofan engines. This AD requires an inspection of the drains mast. This AD was prompted by cracks found in the transition duct area of the drains mast. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

These airworthiness design criteria for the Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. models ASG 32 & ASG 32 Mi gliders. The administrator finds the design criteria, which make up the certification basis for the ASG 32 & ASG 32 Mi gliders, acceptable.

This action makes minor adjustments to the boundary descriptions of restricted areas R-2516, R-2517, R-2534A and R-2534B; Vandenberg AFB, CA. The changes are necessary as a result of the FAA using updated digital data that defines maritime limits and other geophysical features used in the boundary descriptions. This requires minor changes to certain latitude/longitude points in the boundary descriptions of the above restricted areas to match the updated digital data.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of Fifty Third RTCA SC-224 Standards for Airport Security Access Control Systems Plenary.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 0100 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that a jammed control cable prevented the full extension of the nose landing gear (LG). This proposed AD would require a general visual inspection of the LG handle teleflex cable conduit connector for the presence of a grease nipple, a maintenance records check of affected airplanes, and if necessary, a detailed inspection for corrosion and damage of the LG handle teleflex cable, replacement if found, and lubrication. This proposed AD would also require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702), Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that a number of rubber bull gear (RBG) wheels installed in the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA) were manufactured using an incorrect material specification. This AD requires replacement of the affected RBG wheels. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-15-03 for Eurocopter France Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, and AS350D1 helicopters. AD 2013-15-03 required inspecting the hydraulic pump drive pulley bearing (bearing) for leaks, rust, overheating, and condition. This new AD adds a requirement to grease the bearing and inspect for bronze particles in the grease, and changes the inspection and inspection intervals of the bearing until it is replaced with an improved bearing. This AD was prompted by additional reports of hydraulic pump drive belt failure caused by bearing seizures. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

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 FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 mandates that all helicopter air ambulance operators must begin reporting the number of flights and hours flown, along with other specified information, during which helicopters operated by the certificate holder are providing helicopter air ambulance services. The helicopter air ambulance operational data provided to the FAA will be used by the agency as background information useful in the development of risk mitigation strategies to reduce the helicopter air ambulance accident rate, and to meet the mandates set by Congress.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A., Arriel 2E turboshaft engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of ruptured front support pins on the accessory gearbox front support. This proposed AD would require replacement of the accessory gearbox front support. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2005-12- 16, for all Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 0100 airplanes. AD 2005-12-16 requires an inspection to determine the part number of the passenger service unit (PSU) panels for the PSU modification status, and corrective actions if applicable. Since we issued AD 2005-12-16, we have determined that the required modification actions might not have been implemented correctly. This proposed AD would require an inspection of the PSU panels and the PSU panel/airplane interface connectors for discrepancies, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would also remove airplanes from the applicability. 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 Federal Aviation 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.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AW189 helicopters. This proposed AD would require inspecting and altering the emergency flotation system (EFS). This proposed AD is prompted by a report of punctured EFS kits. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these helicopters.

These special conditions are issued for The Boeing Company (Boeing) Model 777-8 and 777-9 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 an electronic flight-control system (EFCS) that provides control of the airplane through pilot inputs to the flight computer. 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 proposes special conditions for Boeing Model 777-8 and 777-9 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 folding wingtips. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed 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 corrects a final rule, technical amendment published in Federal Register on September 21, 2017, that removes the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) part-time status information contained in the legal description of Class E airspace designated as an extension at Lemoore NAS (Reeves Field), Lemoore, CA. The airspace description contained the following wording in error: ``. . . within a 5.2-mile radius of Lemoore NAS (Reeves Field), and . . . .'' This wording is removed. This action does not affect the charted boundaries or operating requirements of the airspace.

This action modifies Class E airspace extending upward From 700 feet above the surface at Bend Municipal Airport, Bend, OR to accommodate airspace redesign for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System.

The FAA proposes to amend the certification standards of normal and transport category helicopters. The proposed changes are necessary to address modern designs currently used in the rotorcraft industry and would reduce the burden on applicants for certification of new rotorcraft designs. The proposed changes would reduce or eliminate the need for certain special conditions currently required to obtain certification of modern rotorcraft. The proposed changes would also incorporate the requirements of equivalent level of safety findings that the FAA has imposed as conditions for approving certain design features.