Federal Aviation Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would have applied to all Airbus SAS 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, -232, and -271N airplanes. The NPRM was prompted by a determination that a damage-tolerance and fatigue reassessment of nose landing gear (NLG) repairs is necessary for certain parts fitted on airplanes approved for operation in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The NPRM would have required repair and replacement of all affected parts, and would have limited installation of affected parts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD. Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has determined that the applicability as specified in the NPRM was incorrect; the FAA is issuing new rulemaking that corrects the applicability. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Transylvania Community Hospital, Brevard, NC, to accommodate new area navigation (RNAV) global positioning system (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures serving the heliport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this heliport.

This action proposes to establish Class D airspace and amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Auburn University Regional Airport, Auburn, AL, as a new air traffic control tower will service the airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

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

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, and -153N airplanes; A320 series airplanes; and A321-211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -251NX, - 252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that a damage-tolerance and fatigue reassessment of nose landing gear (NLG) repairs is necessary for certain parts fitted on airplanes approved for operation in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). This proposed AD would require repair and replacement of all affected parts, and introduces restrictions for the installation of affected parts, 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 is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-13- 11, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2022-13-11 required revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) for airplanes equipped with affected flight control units (FCUs) and replacing any affected FCU with a serviceable FCU. This AD was prompted by reports of inadvertent auto flight system (AFS) altitude changes on the FCU; an investigation revealed that, depending on the ring selection, failure of the ALT knob on the FCU could change the target altitude. This AD continues to require certain actions in AD 2022-13-11, including replacing any affected FCU with a serviceable FCU, expands the requirement to revise the existing AFM for all airplanes, and prohibits the installation of affected parts; 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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-25- 07, which applied to certain Embraer S.A. Model EMB-550 and EMB-545 airplanes. AD 2020-25-07 required repetitive inspections of the flight deck side windows for any cracking or delamination, corrective action if necessary, and eventual replacement of the windows. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-25-07, additional part numbers were added to the installation prohibition list. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2020-25-07, expands the list of affected parts, and prohibits the installation of affected parts, as specified in an Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) 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 Austro Engine GmbH (Austro) Model E4 and E4P engines. This AD was prompted by reports of engine failures and an investigation where cracks were discovered on the pistons. This AD requires repetitive borescope inspections (BSIs) for cracks on the pistons, and, if necessary, removal from service and replacement of the piston, and a fuel sample analysis for water contamination and, if contamination is found, replacement of the high-pressure pump (HPP), injectors, and fuel rails. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-26-16, which applies to certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Model PA-28-151, PA-28-161, PA-28-181, PA-28-235, PA-28R-180, PA-28R-200, PA- 28R-201, PA-28R-201T, PA-28RT-201, PA-28RT-201T, PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300, and PA-32RT-300T airplanes. AD 2020-26-16 requires calculating the factored service hours (FSH) for each main wing spar to determine when an inspection is required, inspecting the lower main wing spar bolt holes for crack(s), and replacing any cracked main wing spar. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-26-16, the FAA evaluated the reports required by AD 2020-26-16 and determined that repetitive inspections of the lower main wing spar bolt holes for crack(s) and non-crack damage (including deep scratches, gouges, and thread marks) and replacement or modification of the main wing spar should be required, calculated service hours (CSH) should be used instead of FSH to determine times for required actions for each main wing spar, and that certain airplanes should be removed from the applicability and a new airplane model added to the applicability. This proposed AD would require calculating the CSH for each main wing spar; repetitively inspecting the lower main wing spar bolt holes for crack(s) and non- crack damage and taking corrective actions as needed; and replacing or modifying main wing spars at a specified time. This proposed AD would also revise the applicability by removing certain airplanes and adding a new airplane model. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, FL (FLL), Class C airspace by subdividing the southwest corner of Area E to reduce the lateral boundary of the FLL Class C airspace by creating a new "Area H" southwest of the existing Area E with a floor of 2,600 feet mean sea level (MSL) and a ceiling of 4,000 feet MSL. The FAA is making this amendment to enhance safety and enable more efficient operations for non-participating aircraft operations at North Perry Airport, FL (HWO). Additionally, this action makes multiple minor editorial amendments to the airspace description.

This action proposes to amend the Class D and Class E airspace and establish Class E airspace at Flagstaff Pullman Airport, Flagstaff, AZ. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of a biennial airspace review. This action will bring the airspace into compliance with FAA orders and to support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-13-10 and AD 2024-04-03, which apply to certain Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2023-13-10 and AD 2024- 04-03 require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-13-10 and AD 2024-04-03, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would continue to require certain actions in AD 2023-13-10 and all actions in AD 2024-04-03 and 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 (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This final rule incorporates various changes required by the United States Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act of 2015. This final rule provides regulatory clarity to applicants seeking licenses for space flight operations involving government astronauts by adding two new subparts to the human space flight regulations containing requirements for operators with government astronauts with and without safety-critical roles on board vehicles.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Model PA-28-140, PA-28-150, PA-28-160, PA-28-180, PA-28S-160, PA-28S-180, PA-28-236, PA-28-201T, PA-32-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300, PA-32RT-300T, PA-32-301FT, PA-32- 301XTC, PA-32R-301 (HP), PA-32R-301 (SP), PA-32R-301T, PA-32-301, and PA-32-301T airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a wing separation caused by fatigue cracking in a visually inaccessible area of the lower main wing spar cap and additional reports of fatigue cracking in the wing spars of airplanes that share common type design features. This proposed AD would require reviewing airplane maintenance records to determine if an eddy current inspection of the lower main wing spar bolt holes was done and, depending on the result, doing a one-time eddy current inspection of the lower wing spar bolt holes for crack(s), and replacing any cracked main wing spar. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice announces a meeting of the NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC).

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the request to release and sell a 0.46 acre parcel of federally obligated airport property at the Malden Regional Airport & Industrial Park (MAW), Malden, Missouri.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-25- 13, which applied to certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-1A10 (Challenger 300) airplanes. AD 2009-25-13 required the deactivation of the left-hand (LH) baggage bay heater mat. Since the FAA issued AD 2009-25-13, Bombardier developed a new design solution for the potential uncontrolled heating of the baggage bay sidewall heater mat. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2009-25-13 and requires modifying the baggage bay sidewall interior panel, heater mat, and water tank heater installation, and doing functional testing. Upon the completion of the new actions, the retained requirements of AD 2009-25- 13 will terminate. This AD also revises the applicability. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-17- 02, which applied to all ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 airplanes. AD 2021-17-02 required a one-time inspection for discrepancies of the wire bundles between the left- and right-hand angle of attack (AOA) probes and the crew alerting computer, and, depending on findings, applicable corrective actions. AD 2021-17-02 also required, for certain airplanes, modifying the captain stick shaker wiring, and for all airplanes, revising the existing aircraft flight manual (AFM) and applicable corresponding operational procedures to incorporate procedures for the stick pusher/shaker. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-17-02, additional modification of the affected wiring for certain airplanes was developed. This AD retains all of the requirements of AD 2021-17-02 and requires installing a new AOA power supply unit and removing the AFM amendment; 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 MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the electrical harnesses in the overhead bin above the class divider may have insufficient or no separation with the class divider mounting plate. This AD requires inspecting the overhead bin electrical harnesses at the class dividers and modifying the class divider mounting plate assembly or accomplishing a temporary repair if necessary; and, eventually modifying the class divider mounting plate assembly if a modification was not done after accomplishing the inspection, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is considering a proposal to change 109.91 acres of airport land from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the sale of airport property located at Rantoul National Aviation CenterElliott Field, Rantoul, IL. The aforementioned land is not needed for aeronautical use. The subject parcels (13 in total) are located in the western half of the airport, all being west of Runway 18/36, south of Urbana Avenue, east of Century Boulevard, and north of Township Highway 154 S. Many of the subject parcels have old industrial buildings that supported the United States military mission (Chanute Air Force Base) and now are in a state of disrepair. The proposed sale would allow the cost of the repair and maintenance of these old structures to be transferred to the buyers of the parcels and the proceeds of the sale to be used for airport purposes. The parcels would be used for non-aeronautical purposes that are compatible with airport operations.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Textron Aviation Inc. (Textron) (type certificate previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company) Model 525, 525A, and 525B airplanes with Tamarack active technology load alleviation system (ATLAS) winglets installed per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SA03842NY. This AD was prompted by a report of the potential for a failure of the ATLAS system in which a loss of load alleviation would be un-annunciated. This AD requires installing placards on the left-hand inboard edge of the Tamarack active camber surface (TACS) and revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) for your airplane. 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 Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a fuel leakage discovered during fuel system crash impact testing activity. This AD requires installing a grommet around the sump drain port fitting airframe hole, as specified in a Transport Canada 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 747-400F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that cap seals were not applied to certain fasteners in the fuel tanks during production. This AD requires applying cap seals to certain fastener collars inside the fuel tanks. 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.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Austin Airport, Austin, NV. The airport is transitioning from visual flight rules (VFR) to instrument flight rules (IFR), and these actions would support the safety and management of IFR operations at the airport.