Federal Aviation Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes special conditions for the Airbus Model A330-300 series airplane. This airplane as modified by Aerocon Engineering Company (Aerocon) 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 installation of a lower deck crew rest compartment (LDCRC) under the passenger cabin floor in the cargo compartment. 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 FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-04- 13, which applied to certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes. AD 2023-04-13 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2023-04- 13 and 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. 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 Airbus SAS Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a widespread fatigue damage (WFD) evaluation on Airbus SAS Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes, which found that the circumferential joint at Frame 58 (near the rear fuselage) is susceptible to WFD. This AD requires a modification to reinforce the circumferential joints at Frame 58 and, if necessary, corrective action, 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 proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by two engine fan blade-out (FBO) events that resulted in the separation of engine inlet cowl and fan cowl parts from the airplane. In one event, fan cowl parts damaged the fuselage, which caused loss of pressurization and subsequent emergency descent. This proposed AD would require replacing the fasteners on the fan cowl support beam hinge fittings for certain airplanes and, for all airplanes, would require modifying the radial restraint assembly and installing an external doubler at the starter vent, or as an option, installing a serviceable fan cowl. This proposed AD would also require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new airworthiness limitations. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-19-15, which applies to certain International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE LLC) Model PW1100G series engines; and AD 2023-16-07, which applies to certain IAE LLC Model PW1100G series engines and PW1400G series engines. AD 2022-19-15 requires an angled ultrasonic inspection (AUSI) of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage disk and HPT 2nd- stage disk, and replacement if necessary. AD 2023-16-07 requires an AUSI of the HPT 1st-stage hub (also known as the HPT 1st-stage disk) and HPT 2nd-stage hub (also known as the HPT 2nd-stage disk) for cracks, and replacement if necessary, which is terminating action for AD 2022-19-15. Since the FAA issued these two ADs, an investigation determined an increased risk of powder metal anomalies for all powder metal parts in certain powder metal production campaigns, which are susceptible to failure significantly earlier than previously determined. This proposed AD would retain the AUSI requirement for certain HPT 1st-stage and HPT 2nd-stage hubs from AD 2023-16-07. This proposed AD would also require performing an AUSI of the HPT 1st-stage hub, HPT 2nd-stage hub, high-pressure compressor (HPC) 7th-stage integrally bladed rotor (IBR-7), and HPC 8th-stage integrally bladed rotor (IBR-8) for cracks and replacement if necessary. This proposed AD would also require accelerated replacement of the HPC IBR-7, HPC IBR-8, HPC rear hub, HPT 1st-stage hub, HPT 1st-stage air seal, HPT 1st-stage blade retaining plate, HPT 2nd-stage hub, HPT 2nd-stage blade retaining plate, and HPT 2nd-stage rear seal. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action makes editorial changes, updating the airport names of two Army Airfields and replacing the term Notice to Airmen with Notice to Air Missions in Class D and Class E descriptions. This action does not change the airspace boundaries or operating requirements.

The FAA announces the release of the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for proposed departure procedure amendments at Bob Hope ``Hollywood Burbank'' Airport (BUR Airport). The FAA has prepared the Draft EA to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the FAA adopting new procedures for Runway 15 departures at BUR Airport. If implemented, the Proposed Action (Alternative A) is intended to maintain the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) while meeting the terms of a settlement agreement that the FAA entered with local homeowners' associations, which requires consideration of alternative procedures. The FAA also evaluated proposed amendments put forth by the Southern San Fernando Valley Airplane Noise Task Force for BUR Airport (Alternative B).

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all CFM International, S.A. (CFM) Model LEAP-1B21, LEAP-1B23, LEAP-1B25, LEAP-1B27, LEAP-1B28, LEAP-1B28B1, LEAP-1B28B2, LEAP-1B28B2C, LEAP- 1B28B3, LEAP-1B28BBJ1, and LEAP-1B28BBJ2 (LEAP-1B) engines. This AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that revealed that certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) rotor stage 1 disks (HPT stage 1 disks) and a certain compressor rotor stages 6-10 spool were manufactured from material suspected to have reduced material properties due to iron inclusion. This AD requires replacing certain HPT stage 1 disks and a certain compressor rotor stages 6-10 spool. 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 October 02, 2022. The collection involves a survey of uncrewed-aircraft-systems (UAS) operators within the United States. The information gathered through the survey's questionnaire on flight behavior and fleet characteristics is used to inform UAS rule making and guide investment in UAS research and infrastructure.

On November 15, 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a Request for comments seeking input on its proposed policy update of the FAA's Office of Airports policy regarding the definition of ``aeronautical activity'' to include unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), advanced air mobility (AAM), and commercial space launch or re-entry vehicle operations. Under Federal law, an airport operator that has accepted Federal grants or certain Federal land conveyances is obligated to maintain the airport for public aviation use. This proposed update will add UAS, AAM, and commercial space operations to the existing definition of aeronautical activity that is included in FAA Order 5190.6B, FAA Airport Compliance Manual, Appendix Z, and subsequent revisions. The comment period for the request for comments was scheduled to end on December 15, 2023. FAA received several requests to extend the comment period. The FAA is extending the comment period for the request for comments by 30 days.

This action amends the Class E airspace at Roseau, MN. This action is the result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Roseau very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimum Operating 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 brings the airspace into compliance with FAA orders to support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations.

This action proposes to amend Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-13, V-133, and V-300, and United States (U.S.) Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-331; establish Canadian RNAV routes Q-924, T-765, T-776, and T-810 in U.S. airspace; and revoke Jet Route J-533 and VOR Federal airway V-348. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the Thunder Bay, Ontario (ON), Canada, VOR navigational aid (NAVAID). This action is in support of NAV CANADA's NAVAID Modernization Program within Canada.

This action amends Class D airspace and Class E surface airspace for New Castle Airport, Wilmington, DE, by making editorial changes to the airspace legal descriptions. This action does not change the airspace boundaries or operating requirements.

This action proposes to amend six jet routes and six domestic Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways in the eastern United States. In addition, this action proposes to revoke one existing jet route. These actions support the Little Rock, AR (LIT), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) relocation project.

This notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) would require certificated repair stations located outside the territory of the United States whose employees perform safety-sensitive maintenance functions on certain air carrier aircraft to obtain and implement a drug and alcohol testing program in accordance with the requirements of the Drug and Alcohol Testing Program published by the FAA and the Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug Testing Programs published by the Department of Transportation.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Robinson Helicopter Company Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, R22 Mariner, R44, R44 II, and R66 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of helicopters losing a tail rotor blade (TRB) tip cap. This proposed AD would require visually checking and inspecting certain part-numbered and serial-numbered TRB tip caps for evidence of corrosion and, depending on the results, removing the corrosion. This proposed AD would also require removing all affected TRBs from service and prohibit installing them on any helicopter. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the release and sale of eleven parcels of land at the Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport (LBL), Liberal, Kansas.

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 proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Deutsche Aircraft GmbH Model 328-100 and -300 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by operator reports of worn and ruptured bonding straps inside the feeder wing tanks and in both outer and inner wing tanks. This proposed AD would require a one-time detailed inspection of each affected part, and applicable corrective actions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). 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 Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent 1000-AE3, Trent 1000-CE3, Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000-G3, Trent 1000-H3, Trent 1000-J3, Trent 1000-K3, Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000-M3, Trent 1000-N3, Trent 1000-P3, Trent 1000-Q3, and Trent 1000-R3 engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of wear in the combining spill-valve (CSV) assembly of certain hydro-mechanical units (HMUs). This proposed AD would require removing certain HMUs from service and replacing with a serviceable part or modifying the HMU by replacing the CSV assembly, which is an optional terminating action; and would prohibit installing certain HMUs unless the HMU is a serviceable part, 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 Federal Aviation Administration, in cooperation with the National Park Service, published a document in the Federal Register on November 2, 2023, announcing the opportunity for the public to comment on the results of the FAA's efforts to identify historic properties, evaluate the properties' significance, and assess the undertaking's effects on them as part of the development of Air Tour Management Plan for Canyon de Chelly National Monument pursuant to the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000 and its implementing regulations. The document contained an incorrect date regarding the comment deadline for the Consultation Documents for Public Comment Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

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.

This action amends Class D and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Smith Reynolds Airport, Winston Salem, NC. This action also establishes Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D surface area and amends verbiage in the description.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-07- 05, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 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. AD 2019-07-05 required repetitive inspections for cracking of the 10VU rack fitting lugs and repair of any cracking. This AD continues to require the requirements of AD 2019-07-05, with reduced compliance times and removes airplanes having a certain modification from the applicability. This AD was prompted by a determination that certain repetitive inspection intervals need to be revised. 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 Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2B16 (604 Variant) airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports from the supplier that sensing elements of the bleed air leak detection system were manufactured with insufficient salt fill, which can result in an inability to detect hot bleed air leaks. This AD requires testing of all affected overheat detection sensing elements of the bleed air leak detection system, and replacement if necessary. This AD also prohibits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.