Federal Aviation Administration 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-03-10, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes; and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes). AD 2019-03-10 requires repetitive detailed visual inspections of the main landing gear (MLG) leg components and replacement of the MLG leg if cracked components are found. Since the FAA issued AD 2019-03-10, it was determined that additional actions (including inspections, modifications, and checks) are needed to address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions required by AD 2019-03-10. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would also require modification of the MLG hinge arm by installing improved MLG hinge arm/barrel pins; an out-of- roundness check of removed pins; repetitive inspections of any affected pins and the associated connecting rod bushes, and replacement of the MLG leg if cracked components are found; and installation of an improved spacer as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all ATRGIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42 airplanes; and Model ATR72 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by in-service data which revealed that the minimum operating airspeeds in severe icing conditions, computed to provide adequate stall margins, do not provide sufficient margins to stall speeds at high bank angle while exiting severe icing conditions. This proposed AD would require revising the existing aircraft flight manual (AFM) and applicable corresponding operational procedures to provide emergency procedures and limitations for operating in severe icing conditions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is revising an earlier proposed Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Bell Textron Inc. (Bell) Model 205B helicopters which proposed to require reducing the life limit of certain tail rotor (T/R) blades and re-identifying certain T/R blades with a new part number (P/N). The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) was prompted by flight testing and fatigue analysis results. This action revises the NPRM by adding additional T/R part numbers (P/Ns) to the proposed applicability. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions would impose an additional burden over those in the NPRM, the FAA is reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these changes.

This action modifies the Class D airspace at Helena Regional Airport. This action also modifies the Class E airspace, designated as a surface area. Additionally, this action establishes Class E airspace, designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area. Further, this action modifies the Class E airspace, extending upward from 700 feet above the surface. Also, this action modifies the Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface. This action removes the Helena VORTAC from the airspace legal descriptions. Lastly, this action implements administrative corrections to the airspaces' legal descriptions.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-24-03 which applies to all Dassault Aviation Model Falcon 10 airplanes. AD 2018-24-03 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-24-03, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-23-15, which applies to certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. AD 2019-23-15 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2019-23-15, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-24-08 for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG (RRD) RB211-Trent 875-17, RB211-Trent 877-17, RB211-Trent 884-17, RB211-Trent 884B-17, RB211- Trent 892-17, RB211-Trent 892B-17, and RB211-Trent 895-17 model turbofan engines. AD 2016-24-08 required repetitive inspections of the engine upper bifurcation nose fairing assembly and repair or replacement of any fairing assembly that fails inspection. This AD retains the requirements to perform repetitive inspections of the engine upper bifurcation nose fairing assembly and repair or replacement of any fairing assembly that fails inspection. As a terminating action to these inspections, this AD also requires the modification of the engine upper bifurcation nose fairing assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of failure of a second stage planet gear of the main gear box (MGB). This proposed AD would require replacement of the MGB particle detector assembly with an improved, elongated MGB particle detector assembly, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This AD requires revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to incorporate procedures for conducting an approach with a localizer- based navigation aid, monitoring localizer raw data, calling out any significant deviations, and performing an immediate go around if the airplane has not intercepted the final approach course as shown by the localizer deviation. This AD was prompted by reports that the autopilot flight director system (AFDS) failed to transition to the instrument landing system localizer (LOC) beam after the consistent localizer capture function in the flight control modules initiated a transition to capture LOC during approach. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for 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 March 13, 2020. The information collected will be used to recognize Community Based Organizations (CBOs), administer an aeronautical knowledge and safety test, establish fixed flying sites, and approve standards and limitations for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) weighing more than 55 pounds.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc., Model PA-34-220T airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of damage to the rudder flight control cables and the emergency power supply (EPS) system wiring due to inadequate clearance from the EPS wiring harness. This AD requires inspecting the rudder flight control cables and the EPS wiring for damage, replacing damaged cables and wires if necessary, and re-routing the EPS wiring harness to ensure proper clearance between the EPS and the rudder flight control cables. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that certain central wing box (CWB) fasteners had rotated inside the fastener holes due to insufficient friction for the application. This AD requires replacement of the affected fasteners, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, and AS355F2 helicopters. This AD requires testing the UP/DOWN switches of a certain part-numbered DUNLOP cyclic stick grip, installing a placard, and revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter, or removing the DUNLOP cyclic stick grip. This AD was prompted by an inadvertent activation of the rescue hoist cable cutter. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on April 21, 2020.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, and EC155B1 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by the FAA's determination that to improve the process and performance in collecting metal particles in the main gear box (MGB) certain existing magnetic plugs (electrical and non-electrical) installed in the MGB pump intake must be replaced with improved non-electrical magnetic plugs. This proposed AD would require replacing the existing magnetic plug with an improved non-electrical magnetic plug, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes; and Airbus SAS Model A300 B4- 600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Airbus SAS Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes). This AD was prompted by reports of cracking at a certain hole location on the left-hand (LH) side of a certain frame (FR). This AD requires repetitive inspections for discrepancies of certain areas in and around the fuselage, as specified in two European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ADs, which are incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Inc., Model CL-600-2B16 (601-3A, 601-3R, and 604 Variants) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that certain airplanes have outdated magnetic variation (MagVar) tables inside navigation systems. This proposed AD would require revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to update the Flight Management System (FMS) and Inertial Reference System (IRS) limitations. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 727 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that excessive sealant coating on internal wing Structural Significant Items (SSIs) may not reveal cracks during inspections required by AD 98-11-03 R1. This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate inspections that will give no less than the required damage tolerance rating (DTR) for certain SSIs of the wing. This proposed AD would also require repetitive inspections for cracking of the affected SSIs and repair if necessary. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to revoke the Class E surface airspace at Tri-County Regional Airport, Lone Rock, WI, and amend the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Tri-County Regional Airport and Richland Airport, Richland Center, WI. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of airspace reviews caused by the decommissioning of the Lone Rock VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) navigation aid as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. The names and geographic coordinates of the airports would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Norway Heliport, Norway, ME, to accommodate new area navigation (RNAV) global positioning system (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures (SIAPs) serving this heliport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

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.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-17-01, which applies to certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters. AD 2017-17-01 requires repetitive inspections of the main rotor blade (MRB) attachment pins. Since issuing AD 2017- 17-01, the FAA has determined that it is necessary to measure the attachment pin chamfer after corrosion removal, that replacement of an attachment pin after four corrosion removals is no longer necessary, and that all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters are affected by the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require the repetitive inspections of the MRB attachment pins, and would include a new requirement to repetitively measure the attachment pin chamfer at certain intervals after corrosion removal, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which will be incorporated by reference. This proposed AD would also continue to require replacing the attachment pin if there is corrosion pitting. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action modifies the Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area at Truckee-Tahoe Airport. This action also modifies the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface. Lastly, this action proposes an administrative correction to all of the airspaces' legal descriptions.

The FAA announces the availability of and requests comments on proposed airworthiness criteria for the Flirtey Inc. Model Flirtey F4.5 unmanned aircraft system (UAS). This document proposes airworthiness criteria the FAA finds to be appropriate and applicable for the UAS design.