Federal Aviation Administration 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Pilatus Aircraft Limited Model PC-12/47E airplanes. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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 inboard flap fairings aft (IFFAs) having an incorrect shape, which may result in chafing between the IFFA and the associated front inboard tension rod could occur. This proposed AD would require an inspection of the IFFAs for the correct shape and chafing between the IFFA and the associated front inboard tension rod, with corrective action as necessary. This condition could lead to failure of the inboard flap drive arm with consequent asymmetric flap extension, resulting in reduced control of the airplane. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Clinton Regional Airport, Clinton, MO. This action is the result of an airspace review due to the decommissioning of the Golden Valley non-directional beacon (NDB). The name and geographic coordinates of the airport are also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) (Bell), Model 204B, 205A-1, and 212 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion on main rotor hub tension-torsion strap (TT strap) assemblies. This AD requires reducing the life limit of a certain part-numbered TT strap assembly and prohibits installing this TT strap assembly on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to remove the Class D airspace and modify the following: Class E surface area, the Class E airspace as an extension to the surface area and the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet AGL at Gillette-County Airport, Gillette, WY. In addition, this proposal would remove the VOR/DME from the legal description and replace the outdated term Airport Facility/Directory with the term Chart Supplement. After being informed that the Airport Traffic Control Tower at Gillette-County Airport is closed permanently, the FAA found it necessary to amend the existing airspace for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at this airport.

The FAA proposes to extend through March 27, 2021, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related limited waiver of the minimum slot usage requirement at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) that the FAA has already made available through October 24, 2020, with additional conditions as described below. The FAA also proposes to extend, through December 31, 2020, its COVID-19- related policy for prioritizing flights canceled at designated International Air Transport Association (IATA) Level 2 airports in the United States, for purposes of establishing a carrier's operational baseline in the initial months of the next corresponding season, also with additional conditions as described below. These IATA Level 2 airports include Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). This notice affords interested persons an opportunity to submit comments and any relevant information on the FAA's proposal. The FAA anticipates subsequently providing notice of its final decision.

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 a new information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on May 12, 2020. The collection is a survey of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operator who are registered with the FAA under part 107 and section 349. The information to be collected will be used to prepare and plan for the integration of UAS into the national airspace system (NAS), as required by Section 376 under the FAA Reauthorizations Act of 2018.

This action modifies the Class D and Class E surface area at Bethel Airport, Bethel AK, by redefining the Hangar Lake exclusion area and eliminating the use of the VORTAC in the descriptions. This action removes Class E airspace as an extension to the Class D and Class E surface area and modifies the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at the Airport. After a biennial review of the airspace, the FAA found it necessary to amend the existing airspace for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at this airport. This action also updates the geographical coordinates and replaces the outdated term Airport/ Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-23-08 for Agusta S.p.A. (now Leonardo S.p.a.) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. AD 2017-23-08 requires repetitively inspecting the main rotor (M/R) rotating scissors, removing certain lower half scissor spherical bearings (bearings) from service, replacing the removed bearings with a new bearing, and installing a special nut. Since the FAA issued AD 2017-23-08, investigation results determined that a quality control issue may have affected the production of the affected bearings. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2017-23- 08 and require replacing each affected bearing with a certain part- numbered bearing. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to modify the Class D airspace, establish Class E airspace extending upward from the surface, and establish Class E airspace as an extension to the Class D and Class E surface areas at Hayward Executive Airport, Hayward, CA. After a biennial review of the airspace, the FAA found it necessary to amend the existing airspace for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at this airport. This action would also update the airport name, amend the geographical coordinates for Hayward Executive and Metropolitan Oakland International airports to match the FAA's database and make a minor editorial change replacing the outdated term Airport/Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement.

This notice announces a meeting of the Research, Engineering, and Development Advisory Committee (REDAC).

This notice announces a meeting of the Drone Advisory Committee.

The FAA is removing AD 2015-17-01, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters. AD 2015-17-01 required inspections of each tail rotor pitch horn assembly (pitch horn) for a crack, replacement of a cracked pitch horn, and a repetitive visual inspection of certain pitch horns. AD 2015-17-01 is no longer necessary because the cause of the unsafe condition has been removed from all affected helicopter models. Accordingly, the FAA is removing AD 2015-17-01.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Leonardo S.p.a. (Leonardo) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD requires removing certain main gearbox (MGB) input modules from service. This AD was prompted by the discovery that a batch of duplex bearings, which are installed on the MGB input modules, are defective. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA announces a Period of Public Comment for Aircraft Pilots Workforce Development Grant Program and previews a forthcoming notice of funding opportunity.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747 airplanes and Model 767 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an un-commanded fuel transfer between the main and center fuel tanks. This proposed AD would prohibit operation of an airplane with any inoperative refuel valve (fueling shut-off valve) secured in the open position. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA announces a Period of Public Comment for the Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grant Program and previews a forthcoming notice of funding opportunity.

This action revokes the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Ambassador Field, Big Sandy, TX; and establishes and amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at several Texas airports. This action is the result of airspace reviews caused by the decommissioning of the Quitman VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) navigation aid as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. The names and geographic coordinates of several airports are also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action amends the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Park Rapids Municipal Airport-Konshok Field, Park Rapids, MN. This action as the result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Park Rapids VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) navigation aid as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. The name and geographic coordinates of the airport are also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action amends the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Harper Municipal Airport, Harper, KS. This action is the result of an airspace review due to the decommissioning of the Anthony VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) navigation aid as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program.

This action extends the Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) prohibiting certain flight operations in the Pyongyang Flight Information Region (FIR) (ZKKP) by all: U.S. air carriers; U.S. commercial operators; persons exercising the privileges of an airman certificate issued by the FAA, except when such persons are operating U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except when the operator of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier. The FAA finds this action necessary to address significant, continuing hazards to U.S. civil aviation associated with North Korean military capabilities and activities, including unannounced North Korean missile launches and air defense weapons systems. Additionally, the FAA republishes the approval process and exemption information for this SFAR, consistent with other recently published flight prohibition SFARs, and makes a minor administrative change to the wording of the applicability paragraph of the SFAR for consistency with other recently published flight prohibition SFARs.

This notice announces a meeting of the Youth Access to American Jobs in Aviation Task Force (YIATF).

This action proposes to amend Alaskan Federal Airway V-456 due to the pending decommissioning of the Glenallen Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) in east central Alaska, and the cancellation of Federal Colored Airway Green 11 (G-11) under Regional Docket Number 20-AAL-4.

This action proposes special conditions for the Bombardier Inc. (Bombardier) Model CL-600-2B16 (604 variant) airplane. This airplane, as modified by B/E Aerospace, 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 seats with a 3-point shoulder harness incorporating a pretensioner restraint system. 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.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS), announces that it is terminating previously initiated processes for the development of Air Tour Management Plans (ATMP) and Environmental Assessments (EA)/ Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for a number of National Park System units. The agencies had initiated and actively worked these processes at a number of parks from 2004 to 2011 but ceased all work by September 2012 due to a focus on other program priorities. Given the length of time since these processes were initiated and actively worked, termination of these processes will allow the agencies to start anew with the development of ATMPs and associated environmental documents at these and other parks.

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.