Federal Aviation Administration 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that during an inspection of the flight deck escape hatches it was found that they were difficult to open from the inside, and several hatches were found impossible to open from the outside. Subsequent investigation revealed corrosion on the flight deck escape hatch mechanism due to condensation penetrating inside the mechanism. This proposed AD would require replacing all affected flight deck escape hatches with serviceable hatches, 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 a SNPRM for all Eurocopter France (now Airbus Helicopters) Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1 helicopters. The SNPRM retained the proposed requirements in the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) and added recurring inspections and references to an engineering report that lists approved U.S. alternative fasteners and materials that may be used in any required repairs. The FAA is reopening the comment period because a significant amount of time has elapsed since the SNPRM was published. This proposed AD would require measuring the 9-degree frame flange (frame) for the correct edge distance of the four attachment holes for the stretcher support and inspecting for cracks, and repairing the frame, if necessary, as specified in two Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) ADs, which are proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). This action also revises the SNPRM by updating the type certificate holder's name and estimated cost information. The FAA is 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 SNPRM, the agency is requesting comments on this SNPRM.

Under this notice, the FAA announces the submission deadline of May 13, 2021, for Winter 2021/2022 flight schedules at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-07- 16, which applied to certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. AD 2020-07-16 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD requires 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 incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. 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 the 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 November 16, 2020. The Advanced Qualification Program uses data driven quality control processes for validating and maintaining the effectiveness of air carrier training program curriculum content.

This notice announces a meeting of the Women in Aviation Advisory Board (the Board).

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-26-01, which applies to all CFM International, S.A. (CFM) CFM56-3 and CFM56-7B model turbofan engines with a certain accessory gearbox assembly (AGB) not equipped with a handcranking pad oil dynamic seal assembly. AD 2013-26-01 requires an independent inspection to verify re-installation of the handcranking pad cover after removal of the pad cover for maintenance. Since the FAA issued AD 2013-26-01, a dual- engine oil loss event occurred, prompting CFM to revise its service information to provide procedures for reworking and reidentifying the AGB. The FAA has also evaluated the requirement to install a redesigned handcranking pad oil dynamic seal assembly in response to the dual- engine oil loss event. This proposed AD would continue to require independent inspection to verify re-installation of the AGB handcranking pad cover after maintenance. This proposed AD would require the replacement of the affected AGB as a terminating action to the inspection requirement. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-8 and 737-9 airplanes. This AD was prompted by manufacturing design changes to certain metallic support panel assemblies installed in the flight deck, which resulted in insufficient electrical bonding of the panels and consequent insufficient electrical grounding of installed equipment. This AD requires modification of the electrical bonding of these assemblies to provide sufficient electrical grounding for equipment installed in the flight deck. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for a new information collection. The collection is from persons or entities that desire to provide Inspection Authorization (IA) refresher courses for the purpose of IA renewal. The course providers complete FAA Form 8610-6 to substantiate their courses and administrative procedures are acceptable to the Administrator as required by 14 CFR 65.93(a)(4).

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-08-20 for certain Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter France) EC130B4 and EC130T2 helicopters. AD 2016-08-20 required repetitively inspecting the tail boom to Fenestron junction frame (junction frame) for a crack. This new AD continues to require inspecting the junction frame with the horizontal stabilizer removed, and expands the applicability, revises the compliance time and the inspection procedures for inspecting the junction frame, adds inspection procedures for certain helicopters, allows repair of the junction frame, and requires modifying and then repetitively inspecting the junction frame and reporting certain information. This AD was prompted by additional cracks and the availability of a design change that modifies the junction frame. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to modify the Class E airspace, designated as a surface area, at Gulkana Airport, Gulkana, AK. This action also proposes to modify the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 and 1,200 feet above the surface. Additionally, this action also proposes to remove the Gulkana VORTAC and the Glenallen NDB from the Class E2's text header and airspace description. Further, this action proposes to remove the Gulkana VOR/DME from the Class E5's text header and airspace description. Lastly, this action proposes administrative updates to the Class E2 and Class E5 text headers and the Class E2 airspace description. This action would ensure the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

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 collection involves operators and owners of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) issued an airworthiness certificate under Part 21, and mandates that these entities must retain records of all maintenance performed on their aircraft and records documenting the status of life- limited parts, compliance with airworthiness directives, and inspection status of the aircraft. These records are used to validate that aircraft are maintained in a manner that ensures the reliability associated with having an airworthiness certificate and that the operations-over-people privileges afforded to category 4 operations continue to be appropriate. The owner or operator may keep these records electronically or by paper.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 helicopters. This AD was prompted by the discovery of a main gearbox (MGB) with worn ramps and broken roller cages. This AD requires installing a placard on the pilot instrument panel and replacing certain MGBs. 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 Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD- 500-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that following an in-service engine shutdown during taxi, water was found to be dripping into the forward avionics bay; the water caused a short circuit and tripped a circuit breaker. This proposed AD would require replacing the forward galley slotted drain covers with solid blanking plates and modifying the associated drain tubing to block water. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the Town of Pittsfield, MA to change 16.2 acres of land from aeronautical to non-aeronautical use for non-aeronautical revenue generation at Pittsfield Municipal Airport, Pittsfield, MA. The airport has two projects. The fire project is the installation of a solar farm and the second is a municipal water tank that will service the airport. The solar facility will be built on three on airport sites, totaling 15.5 acres, and will produce 6 mW of energy. The power produced will go into the electrical grid, however, the airport will have a long term land lease with the solar utility, generating a long term revenue stream for the airport. The lease revenue will be placed in the airport's operating and maintenance fund. The municipal water tank will serve the community as well as the airport, significantly enhancing the existing airport water system and serve future development on the airport as well. The tank and access road requires approximately .73 acres and will not interfere with future development of 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.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319-111, A319-112, A319- 113, A319-114, A319-115, A319-131, A319-132, and A319-133 airplanes; Model A320-211, A320-212, A320-214, A320-216, A320-231, A320-232, and A320-233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, A321-112, A321-131, A321-211, A321-212, A321-213, A321-231, and A321-232 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that certain oxygen supply solenoid valves are a potential source of increased flow resistance within the flightcrew oxygen system. This AD requires a detailed inspection (flow test) of certain solenoid valves, and replacement if necessary, as specified in 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 is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for PZL Swidnik S.A. (PZL) Model W-3A helicopters. This AD requires repetitive inspections of a certain part-numbered stainless steel cable (cable) installed on a certain part-numbered hoist assembly, and depending on those inspection results, removing certain parts from service and reporting the results. This AD also prohibits installing the affected part unless it is inspected per the AD requirements. This AD was prompted by wear of and damage to the cable near the swaged terminal due to movement of the hook assembly. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-17- 02, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters. AD 2019-17-02 required inspecting certain part-numbered actuators for corrosion, removing them as necessary, and reporting certain information. This new AD continues to require inspecting certain part-numbered actuators, removing them as necessary, and reporting; and extends the compliance time for the initial inspection, expands the applicability, and includes new requirements for repetitive replacement of affected actuators; as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by a hard landing of a helicopter and the discovery of a ruptured and displaced tie bar inside the piston of the longitudinal single-axis actuator of the main rotor actuator (MRA). The FAA is issuing 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 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by crack indications found in the lower aft wing skin bolt holes where the flap tracks attach to the track support fitting. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the left and right wing, lower aft wing skin aft edge, at certain flap track locations, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to establish Class E domestic en route airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface at Mountain Home, ID. This airspace would facilitate vectoring of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft and it would properly contain IFR aircraft operating on direct routes under the control of Salt Lake City Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of IFR operations within the National Airspace System (NAS).

This action proposes to modify the Class E airspace, designated as a surface area, and the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Williston Basin International Airport, Williston, ND. The proposed airspace modifications support the establishment of new instrument procedures for runways 04 and 22. This action also proposes to update the geographic coordinates in the Class E2 and Class E5 text headers. This action would ensure the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Calais Regional Heliport, Calais, ME. The FAA discovered that necessary language was inadvertently omitted to the description of the airspace that excluded airspace outside of the United States.

This action proposes to amend Jet Route J-181 and VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-13, V-14, V-15, and V- 307; establish Area Navigation (RNAV) routes T-411 and T-413; and remove VOR Federal airway V-506. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Neosho, MO (EOS), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigation aid (NAVAID). The Neosho VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-11-02 for Airbus Helicopters Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters. AD 2014-11-02 requires repetitively inspecting frame number (No.) 9 for a crack. Since the FAA issued AD 2014-11-02, Airbus Helicopters developed a modification that would provide an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by AD 2014-11-02. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2014-11-02, provide an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections, and reduce the applicability by excluding certain post-modified helicopters. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.