Federal Aviation Administration 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

By Federal Register notice on April 20, 2018 the National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) invited interested persons to apply to fill two openings on the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group (NPOAG) to represent air tour operator concerns and Native American interests. This notice informs the public of the selection made for the vacancy representing air tour operators and invites persons interested in serving on the NPOAG to apply for current and future openings representing Native American concerns, and future openings representing general aviation, and air tour operator interests.

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the release of land at Myrtle Beach International Airport, Myrtle Beach, SC.

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.

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Memphis International Airport, Memphis, TN. Airspace reconfiguration is necessary due to the decommissioning of the Elvis non-directional radio beacon (NDB), and for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport. Olive Branch Airport, Olive Branch, MS, is removed from the airspace description to be reestablished in a separate rulemaking.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures 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 for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl Model P2006T airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as an incorrect part number for the rudder trim actuator is referenced in the Airworthiness Limitations section of the FAA-approved maintenance program (e.g., maintenance manual) and the life limit for that part may not be properly applied in service. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action modifies Class D airspace at Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport, Kansas City, MO; removes Class E airspace designated as an extension to Class D airspace at Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport; and modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Kansas City International Airport, Kansas City, MO, and Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport. This action is required due to the decommissioning of the Riverside VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) facility, which provided navigation guidance for the instrument procedures to Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport. The VOR has been decommissioned as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. Additionally, the geographic coordinates and airport name are being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. This action is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at these airports.

This action modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Ionia County Airport, Ionia, MI. This action as the result of an airspace review due to the decommissioning of the Lansing VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) navigation aid as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. The geographic coordinates of the airport are also updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Models G-IV and GIV-X airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of disbonding and surface cracking of the composite aft pressure bulkhead. This proposed AD would require inspections of the forward and aft surfaces of the pressure bulkhead composite panels for damage and repair of any damage found. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

These special conditions are issued for the Piper Aircraft Model PA-32-series airplanes. These airplanes, as modified by TCW Technologies, LLC, will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with the installation of a rechargeable lithium battery. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. 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.

On July 9, 2018, the FAA published a Federal Register notice announcing the process for eligible airport sponsors in two categories to notify the FAA of any supplemental discretionary funding requests. This notice addresses two omissions, one correction and one update.

This action corrects a final rule published in the Federal Register of July 11, 2018, that establishes restricted areas R-5602A and R-5602B, over a portion of the Fort Sill, OK, R-5601 restricted area complex. The restricted areas using agency listed in the rule is corrected to reflect the military unit responsible for ensuring the restricted areas are used for their designated purpose, scheduling the restricted areas, and coordinating the restricted area airspace use with the controlling agency.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Trent 1000-A, Trent 1000-C, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-G, and Trent 1000-H turbofan engine models. This AD requires inspecting the intermediate-pressure compressor (IPC) stage 1 rotor blades, IPC stage 2 rotor blades, and IPC stage 2 dovetail posts, and removing any cracked parts from service. This AD was prompted by crack findings on the IPC rotor blades, which could lead to separations resulting in engine failures. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A319-115, -132, and -133 airplanes; and Model A320- 214, -216, -232, -233, -251N, and -271N airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of safety pins that had been installed on the inflation reservoirs of escape slides/slide rafts during production, but had not been removed. This AD requires inspecting each passenger escape slide/ slide raft to determine whether the safety pin is installed on the slide inflation reservoir, and removing any installed safety pin. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is requesting public comment on the agency's proposal to discontinue the Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service (HIWAS).

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for The Boeing Company Model 787 series airplanes powered by Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines. This AD was prompted by a report of failures of the inner fixed structure (IFS) forward upper fire seal and damage to thermal insulation blankets in the forward upper area of the thrust reverser (TR). This AD requires an inspection to determine the part number of the IFS forward upper fire seal, and applicable on-condition actions. 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 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 adopting a procedure for prompt settlement agreements between the FAA and commercial pilots who have: Received a verified positive result for a Department of Transportation (DOT)- required drug test; received a DOT-required alcohol test result of .04 or above alcohol concentration; refused to submit to a DOT-required drug or alcohol test in violation of FAA regulations; or acted or attempted to act as a crewmember of an aircraft in commercial operations in violation of specified FAA regulations under this policy that proscribe the use, being under the influence or affects, or while have proscribed levels of alcohol or drugs. The settlement agreement procedures in this notification are generally available to pilots who, but for the disqualifying DOT drug or alcohol test result, refusal to submit to a DOT test, or violation of the specified alcohol- and drug- related FAA regulations prohibiting acting or attempting to act as a crewmember, would be qualified for a pilot certificate and who are first-time violators of these drug or alcohol provisions.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Leonardo S.p.A. (Leonardo) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This proposed AD would require replacing screws installed on the left and right main landing gear (MLG) shock absorber assembly. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that some screws may have been manufactured without meeting specifications. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to correct an unsafe condition on these helicopters.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4074D, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 turbofan engines with a low pressure compressor (LPC) fan hub, part number (P/N) 51B821 or P/N 52B521, installed. This proposed AD was prompted by updated low cycle fatigue analysis techniques that indicate certain LPC fan hubs could crack prior to their published life limit. This proposed AD would require repetitive eddy current inspections (ECIs) and fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPIs) for cracks in certain LPC fan hubs and removal of hubs from service that fail inspection. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319 series airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of early cracking on certain holes of the crossbeam splicing at certain fuselage frames. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the fastener holes in certain fuselage frames, and depending on airplane configuration, provides an optional terminating action to the repetitive inspections. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-01-11, which applied to certain Airbus Model A320-211, -212, and -231 airplanes. AD 2016-01-11 required repetitive inspections for cracking of the radius of the front spar vertical stringers and the horizontal floor beam on frame (FR) 36, repetitive inspections for cracking of the fastener holes of the front spar vertical stringers on FR 36, and repair if necessary. This AD adds new thresholds and intervals for the repetitive inspections; requires, for certain airplanes, a potential terminating action modification of the center wing box area; and expands the applicability. This AD was prompted by a report that, during a center fuselage certification full-scale fatigue test, cracks were found on the front spar vertical stringer at a certain frame. This AD was also prompted by a determination that, during further investigations of the frame as part of the widespread fatigue damage (WFD) campaign, certain inspection compliance times have to be revised and new inspections and a new potential terminating action modification have to be introduced. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-07-07, which applied to certain Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes. AD 2017-07-07 required repetitive inspections of certain fastener holes, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2017-07-07 and expands the applicability. This AD was prompted by a report of cracking at fastener holes located at frame (FR) 40 on the lower shell panel junction. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to remove AD 93-14-19, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 93-14-19 requires inspections for disbonding of the trailing edge wedge of the leading edge slat; and repair, if necessary. Since we issued AD 93-14- 19, an updated stability and control analysis showed that the worst- case scenario of a trailing edge wedge disbond in-flight would not adversely affect the controllability of the airplane. Accordingly, we propose to remove AD 93-14-19.

The FAA proposes to add a new load condition to the design standards for transport category airplanes. The new load condition would require the airplane be designed to withstand the loads caused by rapid reversals of the rudder pedals and would apply to transport category airplanes that have a powered rudder control surface or surfaces. This rule is necessary because accident and incident data show that pilots sometimes make rudder reversals during flight, even though such reversals are unnecessary and discouraged by flightcrew training programs. The current design standards do not require the airplane structure to withstand the loads that may result from such reversals. If the airplane loads exceed those for which it is designed, the airplane structure may fail, resulting in catastrophic loss of control of the airplane. This proposal aims to prevent structural failure of the rudder and vertical stabilizer that may result from these rudder reversals.