Federal Aviation Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-09-18, which applies to all The Boeing Company Model 707, 717, and 727 airplanes; Model DC-8, DC-9, and DC-10 airplanes; Model MD-10 and MD-11 airplanes; Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD- 83), DC-9-87 (MD-87), and MD-88 airplanes; and Model MD 90-30 airplanes. AD 2022-09-18 requires revising the limitations and operating procedures sections of the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to incorporate specific operating procedures for, depending on the airplane model, instrument landing system (ILS) approaches, non-precision approaches, ground spoiler deployment, and go-around and missed approaches, when in the presence of 5G C Band interference as identified by Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs). Since the FAA issued AD 2022-09-18, the FAA determined that additional limitations are needed due to the continued deployment of new 5G C-Band base stations whose signals are expected to cover most of the contiguous United States at transmission frequencies between 3.7- 3.98 GHz. This proposed AD would require revising the limitations and operating procedures sections of the AFM to incorporate specific operating procedures for, depending on the airplane model, ILS approaches, non-precision approaches, ground spoiler deployment, and go-around and missed approaches, due to the presence of 5G C-Band interference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This final rule amends the U.S. Department of Transportation's regulated industry drug testing program to include oral fluid testing. This additional methodology for drug testing will give employers a choice that will help combat employee cheating on urine drug tests and provide a less intrusive means of achieving the safety goals of the program. In order for an employer to implement oral fluid testing under the Department's regulation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will need to certify at least two laboratories for oral fluid testing, which has not yet been done. The final rule includes other provisions to update the Department's regulation and to harmonize, as needed, with the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs using Oral Fluid established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In addition, this rule amends the FAA, FMCSA, FRA and FTA regulations to ensure consistency within the Department of Transportation and by removing or adjusting references to the word ``urine'' and/or add references to oral fluid, as well as removing or amending some definitions for conformity and to make other miscellaneous technical changes or corrections.

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 collection involves requirements in FAA regulations that set safety and oversight rules for a broad variety of sightseeing and commercial air tour flights to improve the overall safety of commercial air tours by requiring all air tours to submit information.

Notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the Port of Portland, Oregon to waive the ADAP/FAAP property requirements and dispose of approximately 5.6 acres of airport property located at Hillsboro Airport, in Hillsboro, Oregon.

This notice announces a meeting of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pratt & Whitney Canada Corporation (P&WC) PW308A and PW308C model turbofan engines. This AD is prompted by a manufacturer's design review, which identified that the combustion chamber outer case (CCOC) to rear compressor case (RCC) flange bolt low cycle fatigue life was inadequate and that those flange bolts may develop cracks resulting in flange bolt fracture. This AD requires replacing all CCOC flange bolts and modifying the CCOC and inner bypass ducts. This AD also prohibits installation of certain flange bolts on any affected engine, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is revising a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would have superseded Airworthiness Directive (AD) 64-09-03, which applies to all de Havilland (type certificate now held by Viking Air Limited) Model DHC-2 ``Beaver'' airplanes. This action revises the NPRM by changing the required action specified in the proposed AD. Additionally, the FAA is publishing an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) to aid the public in commenting on the potential impacts to small entities from this proposal. The FAA is reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on the revised proposed action and whether the revised proposed action would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products and the agency is requesting comments on this SNPRM.

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 is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB412 and AB412 EP helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a fatigue crack in a left-hand (LH) fin spar cap. This AD requires cleaning and repetitively inspecting certain part-numbered LH fin spar caps, and repetitively inspecting the exterior of the fin skin and, depending on the results, accomplishing corrective action. This AD also prohibits certain corrective actions as a terminating action for the repetitive inspections unless the corrective actions have been approved as a terminating 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 is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of missing shims, a wrong type of shim, shanked fasteners, fastener head gaps, and incorrect hole sizes common to the left and right sides at a certain station (STA) frame inner chord and web. This AD requires inspecting for existing repairs, inspecting the area for cracking, and performing applicable on-condition actions. 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 collection involves practices that permitted certificated air carriers to operate two-engine airplanes over long range routes. The FAA uses this information collection to ensure that aircraft for long range flights are equipped to minimize diversions, to preclude and prevent diversions in remote areas, and to ensure that all personnel are trained to minimize any adverse impacts of a diversion.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. 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. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action corrects a typographical error in the final rule published in the Federal Register on March 31, 2023, amending Class D airspace, Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D surface area, and Class E airspace at Key West International Airport and Key West Naval Air Station (NAS), FL.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, Council on Environmental Quality NEPA-implementing regulations, and FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, the FAA is announcing the availability of the Written Re- Evaluation for the Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment and Mitigated Finding of No Significant Impact and Record of Decision for the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Program regarding Vehicle Ocean Landings and Launch Pad Detonation Suppression System Water at the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-401 and -402 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that the saddle washer (radius filler) for the front and rear spar joints may have been incorrectly manufactured for several years. This proposed AD would require inspecting the horizontal stabilizer to vertical joint for gaps and bending of the saddle washer and adjacent washers, and replacing parts if necessary. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action modifies the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Torrington Municipal Airport, WY by reducing the Class E airspace encircling the airport, removing the northwest extension and eastern procedure turn area, and adding a southeast extension. These modifications support the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action proposes to revoke Alaskan VOR Federal Airway V- 318 in the vicinity of Level Island, AK. The FAA is proposing this action due to the airways lack of use.

This action amends Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-51, V-115, V-243, V-267, V-311, V-333, and V-415; and removes V-463 in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program.

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Maine Coast Memorial Heliport, Ellsworth, Maine; Maine General Medical Center/Augusta Heliport, Augusta, Maine; and Maine General Medical Center-Waterville Heliport, Waterville, Maine as instrument approach procedures have been designed for each heliport.

The FAA is withdrawing the notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Federal Register on November 7, 2022, proposing to amend Class E airspace in Morganton, NC, because it is duplicative of a previous action.

This action proposes to revoke Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-456 and the Mankato, MN, Low Altitude Reporting Point. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Mankato, MN (MKT), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Mankato VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

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 U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces the opportunity to apply for an estimated $1.5 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2023 discretionary grants under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The FAA awards these annually appropriated discretionary funds through the FAA's long- standing iterative, competitive grant process. Prior to the publication of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the FAA identified eligible applicants in its National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) and compiled potentially eligible projects through the 3-year Airports Capital Improvement Plan (ACIP). Both of these processes are described in FAA Order 5090.5, ``Formulation of NPIAS and ACIP,'' which authorizes discretionary funds. The AIP funds airport capital improvements and rehabilitation projects. All discretionary grant funding is subject to appropriations, statutory requirements, and related program funding availability.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Berclair, TX. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of a request from the U.S. Navy to establish Class E airspace at Goliad NOLF, Berclair, TX, to support instrument procedures at this airport.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace at Madison Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field, WI, and establish Class E airspace at Madison, WI. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of an airspace review requested by the FAA Airspace Rules and Regulations office. The name and geographic coordinates of various airports would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.