Federal Aviation Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes to remove Class E surface airspace for Manchester Boston Regional Airport, Manchester, NH, as the overlying Class C airspace deems the Class E surface airspace unnecessary.

This action establishes Class C airspace and removes Class D airspace at the Harrisburg International Airport (MDT), PA. The Class C airspace created is larger than the existing Class D airspace at MDT and is described as areas A through F. In addition, the non-regulatory Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA) is removed. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the efficient management of air traffic operations and reduce the potential for midair collision in the MDT terminal area.

This notification announces a limited, conditional policy for prioritizing returned operations at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) due to a construction-related runway closure at SFO for purposes of establishing a carrier's operational baseline in the next corresponding scheduling seasons. In addition, the FAA will provide similar limited, conditional relief at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) under the FAA's Level 2 schedule facilitation process as well as a limited, conditional waiver of minimum usage requirements at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) for impacted flights between SFO and the listed airports.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Britten-Norman Aerospace Ltd. Model BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2A-2, BN-2A-3, BN-2A-6, BN-2A-8, BN-2A-9, BN-2A-20, BN-2A-21, BN-2A-26, BN- 2A-27, BN-2B-20, BN-2B-21, BN-2B-26, BN-2B-27, BN-2T, BN2T-4R, and BN2T-4S airplanes; and Model BN2A MK. III, BN2A MK. III-2, and BN2A MK. III-3 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by the determination that in order to ensure the continued structural integrity of certain landing gear and associated components, it is necessary to require removal of these components from service prior to exceeding established fatigue lives. This proposed AD would require determining the number of landings on affected main landing gears (MLGs), nose landing gears (NLGs), and associated components; removing from service any part that has reached or exceeded the established fatigue life and installing a replacement part; and prohibiting the installation of any affected part unless the number of landings for that part is below the established fatigue life. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-258 and V-519, and Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-426; and revoke Jet Routes J-213 and J-526, and VOR Federal Airway V-59. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Beckley, WV (BKW), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Beckley VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

This action proposes to amend Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-216 and V-380, and to revoke VOR Federal Airways V-549 and V-551. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Mankato, KS (TKO), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Mankato VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

This action amends Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-44, V-128, and V-493, and United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes T-315 and T-323. The FAA is taking this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the York, KY (YRK), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The York VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of water in the oil of a main gearbox (MGB). This AD requires replacing certain main rotor (M/R) mast upper stops assembly screws. This proposed AD would also require inspecting certain M/R mast cover plates and accomplishing MGB oil analyses and, depending on the results, replacing the M/R mast cover plate, accomplishing an additional inspection, or replacing the MGB. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing certain M/R mast upper stops assembly screws, M/R masts with an affected M/R mast upper stops assembly screw installed, or used M/R mast cover plates on any helicopter. Lastly, this proposed AD would prohibit installing affected M/R masts unless the inspections are done. These actions are 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.

These special conditions are issued for non-rechargeable lithium batteries and battery systems on Boeing Model 757-200 airplanes, as modified by H4 Aerospace (UK) Ltd (H4). Non-rechargeable lithium batteries are a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These 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.

This action amends Class D airspace, Class E surface airspace, and Class E airspace, which is designated as an extension to a Class D surface area at Capital City Airport, Harrisburg, PA. In addition, this action makes administrative updates.

This action amends the Class D and Class E airspace at Lake Charles, LA. This action is the result of airspace reviews conducted due to the decommissioning of the Beaumont very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of various airports. This action brings the airspace into compliance with FAA orders and supports instrument flight rule (IFR) operations and procedures.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Thomaston-Upson County Airport, Thomaston, GA, as the YATES Non-directional Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned and associated instrument approaches canceled. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport.

This action amends the Class D and Class E airspace at Saginaw, MI. This action is the result of an airspace review conducted due to the decommissioning of the Mount Pleasant very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimum Operating Network (MON) Program. The names and geographic coordinates of various airports are 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 and procedures.

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 a main rotor gearbox (MGB) flange assembly coupling (coupling) that was incorrectly assembled. This proposed AD would require a one-time visual inspection to determine correct assembly of each sliding flange installed on each MGB coupling, and if necessary, further corrective actions. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing certain MGB couplings or any MGB equipped with certain MGB couplings on any helicopter. These actions are 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.

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 certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a fuel leakage discovered during fuel system crash impact testing activity. This proposed AD would require installing a grommet around the sump drain port fitting airframe hole, as specified in a Transport Canada 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 correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to certain General Electric Company (GE) Model GE90-110B1 and GE90-115B engines. As published, references to the service information include a typographical error in the regulatory text of the AD. This document corrects that error in all references. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Barrow County Airport, Winder, GA. This action increases the existing radius and updates the airport's name and geographic coordinates to coincide with the FAA's database.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-22-13, which applies to certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. AD 2023-22-13 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-22- 13, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would continue to require certain actions in AD 2023-22-13 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 action extends the Order Limiting Operations at New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) published on December 27, 2006, as most recently extended October 28, 2022. The Order remains effective until October 24, 2026.

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 March 14, 2024. The collection involves maintaining and recording "the status of life-limited parts of each airframe, engine, propeller, rotor, and appliance. The information to be collected is necessary for verifying the time-life of life-limited parts and is used to ensure parts that have reached their life-limit are not installed on an aircraft, or are removed from an aircraft and properly dispositioned.

This Notice provides information to Federal, State, and local agencies; Native American tribes; and other interested persons regarding the FAA's intent to prepare an EIS to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of issuing a commercial launch Vehicle Operator License to SpaceX for the Starship-Super Heavy launch vehicle at Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida. SpaceX proposes to construct launch, landing, and other associated infrastructure at and in proximity to LC-39A. The proposal would also include Starship-Super Heavy launches at LC-39A; recoverable Super Heavy booster and Starship landings at LC-39A or on a droneship; and expendable Super Heavy booster and Starship landings in the ocean. The FAA will prepare the EIS in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA, and FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, as part of its licensing process. Additional information is available online at: https://www.faa.gov/space/stakeholder_engagement/spacex_stars hip_ksc.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Inc., Model 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracked tail boom attachment barrel nuts (barrel nuts). This proposed AD would require replacing all steel alloy barrel nuts with nickel alloy barrel nuts and, replacing or inspecting other tail boom attachment point hardware and depending on the results, replacing hardware, stabilizing torque, and applying torque stripes. This proposed AD would also require repetitively inspecting torque and, depending on the results, corrective action. This proposed AD would require repetitively replacing the upper left-hand (LH) tail boom attachment bolt (bolt) and repetitively inspecting the other tail boom attachment point bolts. Lastly, this proposed AD would prohibit installing steel alloy barrel nuts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is correcting a final rule published on April 24, 2024. In that document the FAA adopts standards for measuring non- volatile particulate matter (nvPM) exhaust emissions from aircraft engines. With this rulemaking, the FAA implements the nvPM emissions standards adopted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), allowing manufacturers to certificate engines to the new nvPM emissions standards in the United States and fulfilling the statutory obligations of the FAA under the Clean Air Act. This document corrects errors in the preamble and regulatory text of that document.

This action proposes special conditions for the Airbus Model A321neoXLR airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the technology envisaged by the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. This design feature is an integral rear center tank (RCT). The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for fire-safety performance of fuel-tank skin or structure in a post-crash external fuel-fed ground fire. 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.