[Federal Register: October 8, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 196)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 58903-58906]
[DOCID:fr08oc08-26]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-1071; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-093-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness
directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes. The
existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect
evidence of wear damage in the area at the interface between the
vertical stabilizer seal and fuselage skin, and corrective actions, if
necessary. The existing AD also provides for an optional terminating
action for the repetitive inspections. For all airplanes, this proposed
AD would require doing repetitive inspections for wear damage and
cracks of the fuselage skin in the interface area of the vertical
stabilizer seal and fuselage skin, doing a detailed inspection for wear
damage and cracks of the surface of any skin repair doubler in the
area, and doing corrective actions. For airplanes on which the fuselage
skin has been blended to remove wear damage, this proposed AD would
require doing repetitive external detailed inspections or high
frequency eddy current inspections for cracks of the blended area of
the fuselage skin, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed
AD results from reports of wear damage on airplanes with fewer than
8,000 total flight cycles. In addition, there have been three reports
of skin wear damage on airplanes that applied BMS 10-86 Teflon-filled
coating (terminating action per AD 2002-26-15). We are issuing this AD
to detect and correct wear damage and cracks of the fuselage skin in
the interface area of the vertical stabilizer seal and fuselage skin in
sections 46 and 48, which could cause in-flight depressurization of the
airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 24,
2008.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://
www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ivan Li, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe
Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>;
fax<PHONE_NUMBER>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-1071;
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-093-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    On December 24, 2002, we issued AD 2002-26-15, amendment 39-13003
(68 FR 476, January 6, 2003), for certain Boeing Model 747 series
airplanes. That AD requires repetitive inspections to detect evidence
of skin wear damage in the interface area of the vertical stabilizer
seal and fuselage skin, and corrective actions, if necessary. The
existing AD also provides for an optional terminating action for the
repetitive inspections. That AD resulted from reports of wear damage at
the interface area of the vertical stabilizer seal and fuselage skin in
sections 46 and 48. We issued that AD to detect and correct wear damage
of the fuselage skin, which could result in thinning and cracking of
the fuselage skin, and consequent in-flight depressurization of the
airplane.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2002-26-15, we have received several reports of
skin wear damage on airplanes with less than 8,000 total flight cycles.
As a result, Boeing has revised the initial inspection threshold of the
repetitive inspections to 20,000 total flight hours. In addition, there
have been three reports of skin wear damage on airplanes that have
received the Boeing Material Specifications (BMS) 10-86 Teflon-filled
coating application (terminating action per AD 2002-26-15). We have
concluded that the one-time Teflon-filled coating application does not
provide the necessary skin wear resistance; therefore, the terminating
action no longer terminates the repetitive inspections. The
requirements of 2002-26-15 do not adequately address the identified
unsafe condition of that AD.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2478,
Revision 1, dated March 27, 2008. The service bulletin describes the
following procedures:
     For all airplanes: Do repetitive external inspections for
wear damage and cracks of the fuselage skin at the interface area of
the vertical stabilizer

seal and fuselage skin, and do a detailed inspection for wear damage
and cracks of the surface of any repair doubler installed in the area.
     For airplanes on which the fuselage skin has been blended
to remove wear damage: Do repetitive external detailed inspections or
high frequency eddy current inspections for cracks of the blended area
of the fuselage skin.
     If no wear damage or crack is found: Before further
flight, apply BMS 10-86 Teflon-filled coating.
     If any wear damage or crack is found: Before further
flight, measure the depth of the wear and location, repair any wear
damage and crack, and apply BMS 10-86 Teflon-filled coating.
    Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to develop on other airplanes of the
same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD, which
would supersede AD 2002-26-15. This proposed AD would retain the
requirements of that AD and also require accomplishing the actions
described previously, except as discussed under ``Differences Between
the Proposed AD and the Service Bulletin.''

Differences Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin

    The service bulletin specifies to contact the manufacturer for
actions if corrosion resistant steel rubstrips are installed in the
interface area of the vertical stabilizer seal and fuselage skin, but
this proposed AD would require contacting the FAA for inspections using
a method that we approve.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 917 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Number of U.S.-
               Action                  Work hours     Average labor          Parts            Cost per airplane      registered          Fleet cost
                                                      rate per hour                                                   airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection (required by AD 2002-26-              12             $80  None.................  $960, per inspection              253  $242,880, per
 15).                                                                                cycle.                                 inspection cycle.
Inspection and application of BMS                 8              80  None.................  $640, per inspection              165  $105,600, per
 10-86 Teflon-filled coating (new                                                            cycle.                                 inspection cycle.
 proposed action).
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Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
    3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by
removing amendment 39-13003 (68 FR 476, January 6, 2003) and adding the
following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2008-1071; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-
093-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by November
24, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2002-26-15.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B
SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-
400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes, certificated in any
category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2478, Revision 1, dated March 27, 2008.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of skin wear damage on
airplanes with fewer than 8,000 total flight cycles. In addition,
there have been three reports of skin wear damage on airplanes on
which BMS 10-86 Teflon-filled coating was applied (terminating
action per AD 2002-26-15). We are issuing this AD to detect and
correct wear damage and cracks of the fuselage skin in the interface
area of the vertical stabilizer seal and fuselage skin in sections
46 and 48, which could cause in-flight depressurization of the
airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.

Requirements of AD 2002-26-15

Inspections for Damage/Corrective Actions

    (f) For airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-53A2478, dated February 7, 2002: Prior to the accumulation of
15,000 total flight cycles, or within 1,200 flight cycles after
February 10, 2003 (the effective date of AD 2002-26-15), whichever
occurs later, perform a detailed inspection to detect evidence of
wear damage of the fuselage skin at the interface area of the
vertical stabilizer seal and fuselage skin, per the service
bulletin.
    (1) If no wear damage of the fuselage skin is detected or any
existing blendout is within the structural repair manual (SRM)
allowable damage limits: Repeat the detailed inspection at intervals
not to exceed 6,000 flight cycles.
    (2) If any wear damage of the fuselage skin is detected or any
existing blendout exceeds the allowable damage limits specified in
the SRM: Before further flight, repair the vertical stabilizer seal
interface and refinish the skin with BMS 10-86 Teflon-filled
coating, per the alert service bulletin. Accomplishment of the
repair and refinishing is terminating action for the repetitive
inspections required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage,
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror,
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate
access procedures may be required.''

Previously Accomplished Inspections and Terminating Action

    (g) For airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-53A2478, dated February 7, 2002: Inspections and terminating
action done before February 10, 2003, per Boeing Service Bulletin
747-53-2192, dated July 21, 1981, are acceptable for compliance with
the corresponding actions required by paragraph (f) of this AD,
provided BMS 10-86 Teflon-filled coating was used, and the new
allowable damage limits specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-53A2478, dated February 7, 2002, are met.

New Requirements of This AD

New Service Bulletin Revision

    (h) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in paragraphs (i)
through (l) of this AD, means Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2478, Revision 1, dated March 27, 2008, unless otherwise
specified.

New Repetitive Inspections

    (i) Except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD: At the
applicable times specified in Table 1 of this AD, do the actions
specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of this AD, as applicable.
Accomplishing the initial inspection specified in paragraph (i)
terminates the requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD.
    (1) For all airplanes: Do the actions specified in paragraphs
(i)(1)(i) and (i)(1)(ii) of this AD, as applicable.
    (i) Do repetitive external detailed inspections for wear damage
and cracks of the fuselage skin in the interface area of the
vertical stabilizer seal and fuselage skin, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.
    (ii) Where a skin repair doubler is present in the interface
area of the vertical stabilizer seal and fuselage skin, do a
detailed inspection for wear damage and cracks of the surface of the
repair doubler.
    (2) For airplanes that have reduced skin thickness in Section 46
due to blending without reinforcement: Do repetitive external
detailed inspections or high frequency eddy (HFEC) current
inspections for cracks of the blended area of the fuselage skin, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the service
bulletin.

                                            Table 1--Compliance Times
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Compliance time (whichever occurs later)
               Action               -----------------------------------------------------  Repeat interval (not
                                              Threshold                Grace period             to exceed)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For actions required by paragraph    Prior to the accumulation    Within 6,000 flight     7,500 flight hours.
 (i)(1) of this AD.                   of 20,000 total flight       hours after the
                                      hours since the date of      effective date of
                                      issuance of the original     this AD.
                                      airworthiness certificate
                                      or the date of issuance of
                                      the original export
                                      certificate of
                                      airworthiness, or within
                                      7,500 flight hours after
                                      the last inspection of
                                      this AD, whichever occurs
                                      later.
For actions required by paragraph    Prior to the accumulation    Within 1,000 flight     1,200 flight cycles
 (i)(2) of this AD.                   of 20,000 total flight       cycles after the        for external detailed
                                      cycles since the date of     effective date of       inspection, or 6,000
                                      issuance of the original     this AD.                flight cycles for
                                      airworthiness certificate                            HFEC inspection.
                                      or the date of issuance of
                                      the original export
                                      certificate of
                                      airworthiness, or within
                                      6,000 flight cycles after
                                      the initial blend,
                                      whichever occurs later.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exception to the Repetitive Inspections

    (j) If corrosion-resistant steel rubstrips are installed in the
interface area of the vertical stabilizer seal and fuselage skin:
Within the applicable compliance times specified in paragraph (i) of
this AD, inspect the fuselage skin using a method approved in
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (m) of this
AD.

For No Wear Damage or Cracks Found: Apply Teflon

    (k) If no wear damage or crack is found in the fuselage skin
during any inspection required by paragraph (i) of this AD: Before
further flight, apply Boeing Material Specifications (BMS) 10-86
Teflon-filled coating in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of the service bulletin.

For Any Wear Damage or Crack Found: Applicable Corrective Actions

    (l) If any wear damage or crack is found in the fuselage skin
during any inspections required by paragraph (i) of this AD: Before
further flight, after the inspection required by paragraph (i), do
the actions specified in paragraphs (l)(1), (l)(2), and (l)(3) of
this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the
service bulletin.
    (1) Measure the depth of the wear and record the location.
    (2) Repair any wear damage and any crack.

    (3) Apply BMS 10-86 Teflon-filled coating.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (m)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, ATTN: Ivan Li, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S,
FAA, Seattle ACO, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-
3356; telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax<PHONE_NUMBER>; has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair required by this AD, if it is approved by an
Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Delegation Option Authorization Organization who has been authorized
by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For a repair
method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification basis
of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this
AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 26, 2008.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-23824 Filed 10-7-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 8, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14265-14266]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04768]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket No. USCG-2023-0172]

Safety Zone; Fireworks Display, Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach,
VA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notification of enforcement of regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard will enforce a safety zone regulation for
Ocean Park Civic League on July 1st, 2023, to provide for the safety of
life on navigable waterways during this event. Our regulation for
marine events within the Fifth Coast Guard District identifies the
regulated area for this event in Virginia Beach, VA. During the
enforcement period, entry of vessels or persons into this zone is
prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port
Virginia.

DATES: The regulations in 33 CFR 165.506 will be enforced for the
location identified as Item 8 in table 3 to paragraph (h)(3) from 9
p.m. until 10 p.m. on July 1, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this
notification of enforcement, call or email LCDR Ashley Holm, Chief,
Waterways Management Division, Sector Virginia, U.S. Coast Guard;
telephone<PHONE_NUMBER> email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As noted in paragraph (c) of Sec.  165.506,
the enforcement period(s) for each safety zone in paragraph (h) of this
section are subject to change, and the enforcement period announced
here differs from the enforcement period noted in Table 3 to paragraph
(h). The Coast Guard will

enforce the safety zone in 33 CFR 165.506 for Ocean Park Civic League
regulated area from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. on July 1st, 2023, which is the
first Saturday in July. This action is being taken to provide for the
safety of life on navigable waterways during this 1-hour event. Our
regulation for marine events within the Fifth Coast Guard District,
Sec.  165.506, specifies the location of the regulated area for the
Ocean Park Civic League which encompasses portions of the Chesapeake
Bay. During the enforcement periods, entry of vessels or persons into
this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain
of the Port Virginia.
    In addition to this notification of enforcement in the Federal
Register, the Coast Guard plans to provide notification of this
enforcement period via the Local Notice to Mariners and marine
information broadcasts.

    Dated: March 1, 2023.
Jennifer A. Stockwell,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Virginia.
[FR Doc. 2023-04768 Filed 3-7-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 13 (Friday, January 19, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2765-2766]
[FR Doc No: 2018-00847]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 395

[Docket No. FMCSA-2017-0360]

Hours of Service of Drivers of Commercial Motor Vehicles;
Proposed Regulatory Guidance Concerning the Transportation of
Agricultural Commodities; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT

ACTION: Proposed regulatory guidance; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA extends the public comment period for the Agency's
December 20, 2017, notice announcing the proposed regulatory guidance
concerning the transportation of agricultural commodities. On December
22, 2017, the American Trucking Associations, Inc. (ATA) requested a
30-day extension of the comment period. Additional requests for
extension of the comment period have been received. The Agency extends
the January 19, 2018, deadline for the submission of public comments to
February 20, 2018.

DATES: FMCSA extends the comment period for the notice of proposed
regulatory guidance published on December 20, 2017 at 82 FR 60360. You
must submit comments on or before February 20, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may insert comments identified by Federal Docket
Management System Number FMCSA-2017-0360 by any of the following
methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building, Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods.
See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion of
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for instructions on submitting
comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Thomas Yager, Chief, Driver and
Carrier Operations Division, Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, phone<PHONE_NUMBER>, email
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Public Participation and Request for Comments

A. Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number listed
above, indicate the specific section of this document to which your
comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or
recommendation. You may submit your comments and material online or by
fax, mail, or hand delivery. FMCSA recommends that you include your
name and a mailing address, an email address, or a phone number in the
body of your document so that FMCSA can contact you if there are
questions regarding your submission.
    To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov,
put the

docket number, FMCSA-2017-0360, in the keyword box, and click
``Search.'' When the new screen appears, click on the ``Comment Now!''
button and type your comment into the text box on the following screen.
Choose whether you are submitting your comment as an individual or on
behalf of a third party and then submit.
    If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them
in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for
copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and would
like to know that they reached the facility, please enclose a stamped,
self-addressed postcard or envelope.
    FMCSA will consider all comments and material received during the
comment period and may change this guidance based on your comments.

B. Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, go to http://www.regulations.gov. Insert the
docket number, FMCSA-2017-0360, in the keyword box, and click
``Search.'' Next, click the ``Open Docket Folder'' button and choose
the document to review. If you do not have access to the internet, you
may view the docket online by visiting the Docket Management Facility
in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

C. Privacy Act

    In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the
public to better inform its regulatory process. DOT posts these
comments, without edit, including any personal information the
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at
www.transportation.gov/privacy.

II. Background

    On December 20, 2017 (82 FR 60360), FMCSA published a notice of
proposed regulatory guidance concerning the transportation of
agricultural commodities. That proposed guidance provides clarity to
the agricultural exception in 49 CFR 395.1(k)(1) and specifically
addresses two scenarios: (1) Driving an unladen commercial motor
vehicle to either pick up an agricultural community or on a return trip
following the delivery of an agricultural commodity; and (2)
application of the agricultural commodity exemption to trips involving
transportation of the commodity more than 150 air-miles from its
source. In addition, the Agency requested comment on scenarios where a
trip involves the loading of agricultural commodities at multiple
sources and the meaning of the term ``source'' in connection with the
loading of certain commodities. Finally, the Agency requested comment
on what segments of the industry that would take advantage of the
proposed change, how would the flexibility provided impact the need for
electronic logging devices, and what is the population of carriers and
drivers transporting various categories of agricultural commodities.
    In the December 20, 2017, notice the Agency proposed new regulatory
guidance question and answer numbers 34 and 35 to 49 CFR 395.1. A copy
of the proposed regulatory guidance is available for review in the
docket referenced at the beginning of this notice.

Requests for Extension of the Comment Period

    On December 22, 2017, the American Trucking Associations, Inc.
(ATA), asked that the Agency provide a 30-day extension of the comment
period. ATA expressed concern that end-of-year tasks and holiday
periods might make it difficult for many interested parties to prepare
comments by the original January 19 deadline. A copy of the ATA request
is in the docket identified at the beginning of this notice. Similar
requests were subsequently submitted by other organizations.
    FMCSA acknowledges the concerns of ATA and others. After reviewing
the requests, FMCSA hereby grants a 30-day extension of the comment
period to February 20, 2018, to provide all interested parties
additional time to respond to the notice of proposed regulatory
guidance.

    Issued on: January 12, 2018.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2018-00847 Filed 1-18-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P


[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 195 (Friday, October 7, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 62418]
[FR Doc No: 2011-25967]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2010-N-0646]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Announcement of Office
of Management and Budget Approval; Tobacco Products, Exemptions From
Substantial Equivalence Requirements; Correction

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice; correction.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is correcting a notice
that appeared in the Federal Register of September 12, 2011 (76 FR
56200). The document announced that an information collection had been
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The document was
published with an incorrect expiration date. This document corrects
that error.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joyce Strong, Office of Policy, Food
and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 32, Rm. 3208,
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002,<PHONE_NUMBER>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In FR Doc. 2011-23184, appearing on page
56200, in the Federal Register of Monday, September 12, 2011, the
following correction is made:
    1. On page 56200, in the first column, under the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section, the sentence ``The approval expires on August 14,
2014.'' is corrected to read ``The approval expires on August 31,
2014.''

    Dated: October 3, 2011.
David Dorsey,
Acting Associate Commissioner for Policy and Planning.
[FR Doc. 2011-25967 Filed 10-6-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-P


[Federal Register: March 24, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 57)]
[Notices]
[Page 14888-14891]
[DOCID:fr24mr06-66]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. AD06-2-000]

Assessment of Demand Response Resources

March 15, 2006.
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission).

ACTION: Notice of issuance of voluntary survey.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) section
1252(e)(3),\1\ the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is
required to prepare a report, by appropriate region, that assesses
demand response resources, including those available from all consumer
classes. To gather information for this report, a voluntary survey will
be issued to 3,372 respondents to gather information on advanced
metering (AMI) and demand response (DR) and time-based rate programs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109-58, section
1252(e)(3), 119 Stat. 594, (2005) (EPAct section 1252(e)(3)).

DATES: E-Mails and letters will be sent to the survey respondents by
March 16, 2006. Responses should be made by April 12, 2006. Extensions
will be granted on a case-by-case basis by contacting the Demand
Response Team (anytime).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Kathan, Office of Energy Markets
and Reliability, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426,<PHONE_NUMBER>, E-mail: Demand
Response Team.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Notice of Issuance of Voluntary Survey on Advanced Metering and Demand
Response Programs

    1. Take notice that a survey of demand response (DR) and time-based
rate programs/tariffs, and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is
being issued to gather information to assist in the preparation of a
report for Congress that assesses various aspects of demand response in
the United States as specified in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct
2005) section 1252(e)(3).\2\ The survey will be sent to 3,372 electric
power businesses and organizations who directly serve end-use
customers. E-mails will be sent to each respondent along with follow-up
letters. Reponses would be appreciated by April 12, 2006 to provide
sufficient time to process and analyze the results by August 8, 2006,
the date set by Congress for submission of the report.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109-58, Sec.
1252(e)(3), 119 Stat. 594, (2005) (EPAct section 1252(e)(3)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2. This survey is the first nationwide effort to gather information
on the dispersion of advanced metering and demand response programs.
Industry cooperation is important for us to obtain as accurate and up-
to-date information as possible to respond to Congress, as well as to
provide information to states and other market participants. We,
therefore, strongly encourage all potential survey respondents to
complete the survey.
    3. Towards this end, the survey has been designed to be as user-
friendly as possible. To ease the burden of responding, the survey will
be conducted using the Internet and will allow respondents to enter
information via a Web-survey instrument. The survey will use three Web-
based forms that collect general corporate information, inventory AMI
at the utility, and inventory DR and time-based programs/tariffs.\3\
The survey has been divided into three sections to allow different
people within an organization to enter information on AMI, DR, and
time-based rate programs and/or tariffs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The final versions of the corporate information, AMI, and
demand-response and time-based rate programs/tariffs surveys can be
accessed at: http://www.ferc.gov/industries/electric/ indus-act/dem-resp/gen-inf-sec.pdf, http://www.ferc.gov/[fsxp0]industries/

electric/indus-act/dem-resp/ami-sec.pdf, and http://www.ferc.gov/industries/electric/
 indus-act/dem-resp/drs-tbr.pdf.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 I. Background

    4. Section 1252(e)(3) of EPAct 2005 requires the Commission to
draft and publish a report, by appropriate region, that assesses DR
resources, including those available from all consumer classes.
Specifically, EPAct 2005 requires that the Commission identify and
review:
    (A) Saturation and penetration rates of advanced meters and
communications technologies, devices and systems;
    (B) Existing demand response programs and time-based rate programs;
    (C) The annual resource contribution of demand resources;
    (D) The potential for demand response as a quantifiable, reliable
resource for regional planning purposes;
    (E) Steps taken to ensure that, in regional transmission planning
and operations, demand resources are provided equitable treatment as a
quantifiable, reliable resource relative to the resource obligations of
any load-serving entity, transmission provider, or transmitting party;
and
    (F) Regulatory barriers to improved customer participation in
demand response, peak reduction and critical period pricing programs.
    5. On November 3, 2005, a notice was issued requesting comments on
proposed survey questions. A survey was proposed because adequate
information on this subject is not collected by other sources. Twenty-
nine comments were filed on the draft survey.

II. Discussion

    6. We appreciate all the useful comments submitted on the survey
questions. Within the limits of the available survey instrument, we
have made revisions to reduce the burden in responding and to ensure
the information is more accurate. In certain cases, we did not make
suggested changes because more detailed information is needed to
respond to specific items in the EPAct or to provide useful data. We
trust that with the changes that have been made, the survey should not
be onerous to complete, and we encourage all potential respondents to
complete the survey so that we can obtain the most precise information
possible.
    7. The following summarizes the major changes to the survey and
addresses the concerns expressed by commenters:
    (1) New survey software is being used to make navigation among
sections of the survey faster and easier.
    (2) To make entering information simpler, the survey asks all
respondents to enter general company information only once, and
provides for the entry of company name and utility identification
number to allow data linkages among data from all survey parts.
    (3) The demand response and time-based rate program sections of the
survey also have been combined, as suggested by commenters.
    (4) The survey is going to regulated and non-regulated entities
that own or operate end-use meters that are used for billing purposes
and to entities that offer DR programs and/or time-based rates. In
response to commenters, the latter now includes third-party curtailment
service providers and ISOs/RTOs.
    (5) In the interest of reducing possible confusion and to ensure
more direct comparison, the commercial/industrial (C/I) customer
definition used in the draft surveys has been revised. The final survey
asks respondents to report their data into five categories:
Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Transportation, and Other. These
categories are relatively standard and with the exception of the
``Other'' category are identical to the categories used by the Energy
Information Administration (EIA) in their form EIA-861, ``Annual
Electric Power Industry Report.''
    (6) The survey has been revised to eliminate the need for state
level reporting on demand response and time-based rate programs/
tariffs, as suggested by commenters. The final survey will allow
respondents the flexibility to list demand response and time-based rate
programs/tariffs that cross state boundaries.
    (7) State level reporting will be requested on AMI information. We
received comments from state commissions that state level data will be
important for their consideration of smart metering required in EPAct
section 1252. We trust that larger, regional companies will be able to
easily report or estimate their AMI data by state.
    (8) In response to requests in comments, the final demand response
and time-based rates/tariffs section of the survey adds questions with
regards to expected impact on energy usage, and the total maximum
demand of participating customers. This information will provide useful
information for determining the size and impact of demand response and
time-based rate programs/tariffs.
    (9) The final version of the AMI section of the survey continues to
request data on the number of installed meters by frequency of
measurement

and frequency of data retrieval, and does not provide a specific
definition for advanced metering. Although several parties requested a
specific definition of advanced metering, there was a lack of consensus
in the comments on the definition on advanced metering. Consequently,
Commission staff determined that a broader data collection would be
useful and appropriate to support the development of the final report
and to support future policy deliberations.
    (10) A glossary of terms and list of acronyms have been added and
instructions for completing the survey have been significantly revised.
When respondents access the survey on the Web site, they will be able
to access and download the glossary of terms, a list of acronyms used
in the survey, and instructions for each section of the survey.
Respondents will also be able to download a copy of the entire survey
instrument to help them organize their collection of the data and to
help them complete the Web survey online as quickly as possible.
    (11) The final survey incorporates many of the general suggestions
commenters made, such as providing response space throughout to give
respondents the opportunity to provide more information on the purpose
and applicability of the programs. Commission staff wants to receive
information on all programs, regardless of size and encourages
potential respondents to take the survey even if they have only one
program.
    (12) The Commission is very interested in achieving as high a
response rate as possible to this survey. The Commission is aware that
some potential respondents do not have email and/or Internet access.
These respondents will receive a letter informing them of the survey
and providing them with hard copies of all the information they need to
participate in this important national study.
    (13) In response to comments related to security, there are a
number of steps that will safeguard both the data collection and the
data itself. First, Commission staff has assigned each respondent a
utility identification and a password. This identifying data is
required for completion of each section of the survey and will allow
automated compilation and verification of validity of the survey data.
The survey instrument itself is powered by Snap Survey Software. This
is a tool the survey contractor has used extensively without ever
encountering a security breach. Respondents completing the survey via
FERC-727 and FERC-728 will be working on the survey contractor's Web
site. The survey contractor's server hosting company uses network
intrusion detection in a signature based model. They also use a state
based layer 3 firewall with notification and alerting of abnormal
events. The administrator at the contractor's server hosting company is
a Certified Information Systems Security Professional. The survey
contractor, who has extensive general expertise and knowledge about
demand response programs across the country, will also be conducting
validity checks on the data as the forms are completed and after all
the data is collected to ensure early and timely detection of unusual
data entries.
    (14) The Commission received a comment from one large company
indicating that based on a preliminary ``dry run'' of activities
necessary to complete the draft FERC-727, the company did not believe
that the Commission's estimate of reporting burden associated with
completion of this survey accurately reflected the actual effort that
will be required to complete the survey. The commenter indicated that
the data collection and input required for it to complete FERC-727
would require approximately four hours. Although the Commission burden
estimate for this information collection was questioned by only one
commenter, Commission staff is revising its burden estimate for FERC-
727 from one hour to four hours for two primary reasons. First, as
described previously, a number of commenters asked for FERC-727 to
collect data on various additional aspects of demand response and time-
based rate programs/tariffs to ensure the meaningfulness of the data
and the survey has been revised to accommodate these reasonable
requests. Second, Commission staff anticipates that many of the largest
potential respondents to the survey (such as Pacific Gas and Electric)
will also be the largest contributors to total national demand
response. Commission staff thereby revises its burden estimate for
FERC-727 and predicts that it will take all respondents 1 hour or less
to enter the data they have compiled from their businesses into the
Web-based form but that many will need as many as 3 non-continuous
hours to collect data for a number of the questions being asked in the
final FERC-727. The total estimated reporting burden for FERC-727 and
FERC-728 is estimated to be five hours maximum. The Commission expects
that the majority of the respondents will take significantly less time
to complete the survey because of the smaller size and less
extensiveness of their programs. Other details regarding this data
collection are as follows.

III. Data Collection Information

    8. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations require that
OMB approve certain reporting, record keeping, and public disclosure
(collections of information) imposed by an agency.\4\ Accordingly,
pursuant to OMB regulations, notice is given to the public that OMB has
reviewed and approved the final survey under section 3507(d) of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ 5 CFR 1320.10 (2005).
    \5\ 44 U.S.C. 3507(d) (2005).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    9. The OMB has approved the Commission's burden estimate and the
calculation of the information collection costs and determined that the
survey meets its information collection requirements. The OMB
authorization numbers for collecting this information via FERC-727 and
FERC-728 are displayed on the forms themselves and shown below.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Total
                       Data collection                         Number of    Number of    Hours per      annual
                                                              respondents   responses     response      hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FERC-727, Demand Response and Time Based Rate Programs              3,372            1            4       13,488
 Survey, OMB No. 1902-0214..................................
FERC-728, Advanced Metering Survey, OMB No. 1902-0213.......        3,372            1            1        3,372
                                                             ---------------------------------------------------
    Totals..................................................        3,372            2            5       16,860
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    10. Total Annual Hours for Collection: The reporting burden for
this survey is estimated at 16,860 hours.
    11. Information Collection Costs: The surveyed organizations
collect all the information requested in FERC-727 and FERC-728 as part
of their customary and usual business practices. There were no comments
on the cost of responding to FERC-727 and FERC-728. Therefore, the
Commission concludes that its calculation of the average annualized
cost for all respondents being projected to be $910,440 (16,860 hours x
$54 per hour) is accurate.
    12. Title: FERC-727, Demand Response and Time-Based Rate Programs
Survey and FERC-728, Advanced Metering Infrastructure Survey.
    13. Action: Proposed Information Collection. The respondent shall
not be penalized for failure to respond to this collection of
information unless the collection of information displays a valid OMB
control number.
    14. Respondents: Business or other for profit, publicly-owned
utilities, and electric cooperatives, RTOs/ISOs.
    15. Frequency of Responses: On occasion.
    16. Necessity of Information: On August 8, 2005, Congress enacted
EPAct 2005. Section 1252 (e)(3) of the EPAct 2005 requires the
Commission to draft and publish a report, by appropriate region, that
assesses demand response resources, including those available from all
consumer classes. Commission staff has reviewed public information to
determine the availability of saturation and penetration data on
advanced metering with the regional specificity required by the EPAct
2005. The review included an assessment of the EIA-861, which collects
aggregate information on energy efficiency and load management. The
EIA-861 does not include any information on advanced metering.
Moreover, there are no publicly available saturation and penetration
data on advanced metering at the level required by the EPAct 2005. The
Commission is dedicated to establishing clear market rules to govern
electric markets. The information collected through this survey will
assist the Commission in carrying out its goal of developing robust and
efficient energy markets.
    17. Internal Review: Internal review at the Commission shows that
there is specific, objective support for the burden estimates
associated with the information requirements. The Commission will
review the data resulting from the survey to ensure that the survey
results meet the congressional requirements of the report on DR in
EPAct 2005. This conforms to the Commission's plan for efficient
information collection, communication, and management within the
electric industry.
    18. Interested persons may obtain information on the reporting
requirements of the survey by contacting the following: Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426
(Attention: Michael Miller, Office of the Executive Director, 202-502-
8415, fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>, e-mail: Michael.miller@ferc.gov). To submit
comments concerning the collection of information and the associated
burden estimates including suggestions for reducing this burden, please
send your comments to the contact listed above and to the Office of
Management and Budget, Room 10202 NEOB, 725 17th Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20503 (Attention: Desk Officer for the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission), fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>, e-mail:
oira_submission@omb.eop.gov).

    19. The ``public protection'' provision of the Paperwork Reduction
Act \6\ requires each agency to display a currently valid OMB control
number and to inform respondents that a response is not required unless
the information collection displays a valid OMB control number on each
information collection. This provision has two legal effects: (1) It
creates a legal responsibility for the agency; and (2) it provides an
affirmative legal defense for respondents if the information collection
is imposed on respondents by the Commission through regulation or
administrative means in order to satisfy a legal authority or
responsibility of the Commission. If the Commission should fail to
display an OMB control number, then it is the Commission not the
respondent who is in violation of the law. ``Display'' is defined as
publishing the OMB control number in regulations, guidelines or other
issuances in the Federal Register (for example, in the preamble or
regulatory text for the final rule containing the information
collection).\7\ Therefore, the Commission may not conduct or sponsor,
and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information
unless the information collection displays a valid OMB control number.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ 44 U.S.C. 3512 (2000); 5 CFR 1320.5(b) (2005); 5 CFR
1320.6(a) (2005).
    \7\ See 1 CFR 21.35 (2005); 5 CFR 1320.3(f)(3) (2005).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Document Availability

    20. In addition to publishing the full text of this document in the
Federal Register, the Commission provides all interested persons an
opportunity to view and/or print the contents of this document via the
Internet through the Commission's Home Page (http://www.ferc.gov) and

in the Commission's Public Reference Room during normal business hours
(8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time) at 888 First Street, NE., Room 2A,
Washington, DC 20426.
    21. From the Commission's home page on the Internet, this
information is available in the Commission's document management
system, eLibrary. The full text of this document is available on
eLibrary in PDF and Microsoft Word format for viewing, printing, and/or
downloading. To access this document in eLibrary, type the docket
number excluding the last three digits of this document in the docket
number field.
    22. User assistance is available for eLibrary and the Commission's
Web site during normal business hours. For assistance, please contact
the Commission's Online Support at 1-866-208-3676 (toll free) or 202-
502-6652 (e-mail at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov), or the Public
Reference Room at<PHONE_NUMBER>, TTY<PHONE_NUMBER>. E-Mail the Public
Reference Room at<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E6-4230 Filed 3-23-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 80925]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32982]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. ER12-628-000]

MRL Energy, LLC; Supplemental Notice That Initial Market-Based
Rate Filing Includes Request for Blanket Section 204 Authorization

    This is a supplemental notice in the above-referenced proceeding of
MRL Energy, LLC's application for market-based rate authority, with an
accompanying rate tariff, noting that such application includes a
request for blanket authorization, under 18 CFR part 34, of future
issuances of securities and assumptions of liability.
    Any person desiring to intervene or to protest should file with the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE. Washington,
DC 20426, in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's
Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). Anyone
filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that
document on the Applicant.
    Notice is hereby given that the deadline for filing protests with
regard to the applicant's request for blanket authorization, under 18
CFR part 34, of future issuances of securities and assumptions of
liability, is January 9, 2012.
    The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and
interventions in lieu of paper, using the FERC Online links at http://www.ferc.gov. To facilitate electronic service, persons with Internet
access who will eFile a document and/or be listed as a contact for an
intervenor must create and validate an eRegistration account using the
eRegistration link. Select the eFiling link to log on and submit the
intervention or protests.
    Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and
14 copies of the intervention or protest to the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426.
    The filings in the above-referenced proceeding are accessible in
the Commission's eLibrary system by clicking on the appropriate link in
the above list. They are also available for review in the Commission's
Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an eSubscription link
on the web site that enables subscribers to receive email notification
when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with
any FERC Online service, please email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or
call<PHONE_NUMBER> (toll free). For TTY, call<PHONE_NUMBER>.

    Dated: December 19, 2011.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
 Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-32982 Filed 12-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 27 (Friday, February 10, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10258-10262]
[FR Doc No: 2017-01824]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-6670; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-006-AD;
Amendment 39-18789; AD 2017-02-10]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-19-04 for
certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900
series airplanes. AD 2013-19-04 required repetitive inspections for
cracking of the skin around the fasteners common to the ends of certain
bulkhead chords, and related investigative actions and corrective
actions if necessary; and

provided an optional terminating modification. This new AD reduces the
inspection threshold and repetitive inspection intervals. This AD was
prompted by a report of cracks found in the skin at fasteners of
certain bulkhead chords. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 17, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 17,
2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA
90740-5600; telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced service information
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call<PHONE_NUMBER>. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
6670.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
6670; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Pohl, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax:
425-917-6590; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to supersede AD 2013-19-04, Amendment 39-17586 (78 FR 59801,
September 30, 2013) (``AD 2013-19-04''). AD 2013-19-04 applied to
certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900
series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 12,
2016 (81 FR 29505) (``the NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by a report of
cracks found in the skin at body station (STA) 540 just below stringer
S-22L. The NPRM proposed to continue to require repetitive detailed and
high frequency eddy current inspections for cracking of the skin around
the eight fasteners common to the ends of the STA 540 bulkhead chords
between stringers S-22 and S-23, left and right sides; related
investigative actions and corrective actions, if necessary; and to
provide an optional terminating modification. The NPRM also proposed to
reduce the inspection threshold and repetitive inspection intervals. We
are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking in the
fuselage skin around the eight fasteners securing the STA 540 bulkhead
chords, which could result in rapid decompression of the cabin.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and
the FAA's response to each comment.

Support for the NPRM

    Boeing and United Airlines had no objections to the NPRM.

Effect of Winglets on Accomplishment of the Proposed Actions

    Aviation Partners Boeing stated that installation of winglets, as
provided in Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00830SE, does not
affect the ability to accomplish the actions proposed in the NPRM.
    We concur with the commenter. We have redesignated paragraph (c) of
the proposed AD as (c)(1) and added paragraph (c)(2) to this AD to
state that installation of STC ST00830SE does not affect the ability to
accomplish the actions required by this AD. Therefore, for airplanes on
which STC ST00830SE is installed, a ``change in product'' alternative
method of compliance (AMOC) approval request is not necessary to comply
with the requirements of 14 CFR 39.17.

Request To Clarify Access and Restoration Requirements

    All Nippon Airways requested that we clarify if the access and
restoration instructions specified in the service information
referenced in paragraph (k) of the proposed AD are required actions.
    We agree to clarify this issue. Access and restoration actions are
not part of the actions required to correct the unsafe condition
identified in this AD. Therefore, access and restoration actions were
excluded from the required actions in AD 2013-19-04 and are excluded
from the required actions in this AD. We have added the service
information referenced in paragraph (k) of this AD to paragraph (i)(4)
of this AD. Paragraph (i)(4) of this AD specifies that the access and
restoration actions specified in the referenced service information are
not required by this AD.

Request To Clarify Corrective Action

    Southwest Airlines (SWA) requested that we clarify the corrective
action for drilling the new drag link assembly. SWA stated that the
service information only provides instructions for parts constructed of
aluminum and that the drag link assembly is made from titanium.
    We agree that clarification is necessary. Boeing has informed us
that revised service information is forthcoming. However, since the
revised service information is not yet available, we do not consider
that delaying this action until after the release of the manufacturer's
revised service bulletin is warranted. When this service information
becomes available, and upon satisfactory review, we plan to approve it
as a global alternative method of compliance (AMOC) to the appropriate
requirements of this AD. The issue raised by SWA affects only the on-
condition repair instructions and not the required inspection to detect
the identified unsafe condition. We have added paragraph (i)(5) to this
AD to specify that repairs provided in Part 4 or Part 5 of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 737-53-1294, Revision 2, dated December 9, 2015 (``SASB 737-
53-1294 R2''), must be done before further flight, using a method
approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l)
of this AD. We have revised paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD
accordingly.

Clarification of Exception to Repetitive Intervals

    For clarity, we have changed the format of paragraph (g) of this AD
to make it clear the exceptions apply to the entire paragraph,
including the repetitive inspection sentence specified in paragraph (g)
of this AD.

Clarification of Terminating Actions

    We have clarified paragraph (h) of this AD to specify that
accomplishing the skin repair or preventive modification,

as specified in the applicable part of the Accomplishment Instructions
of Boeing SASB 737-53-1294 R2, is terminating action for the side on
which the skin repair or preventive modification is done.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
this AD with the changes described previously, and minor editorial
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed SASB 737-53-1294 R2. The service information describes
procedures for inspecting the skin around the eight fasteners common to
the ends of the STA 540 bulkhead chords between stringers S-22 and S-
23, left and right sides, for cracking, repairing cracks, and
installing a chord splice as a preventive modification. This service
information is reasonably available because the interested parties have
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means
identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 903 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Cost on U.S.
             Action                      Labor cost          Parts cost    Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection (left and right        12 work-hours x $85 per            $0  $1,020 per           $921,060 per
 sides).                           hour = $1,020 per                      inspection cycle.    inspection cycle.
                                   inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs and
inspections that will be required based on the results of the
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that
might need these repairs:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Action                       Labor cost              Parts cost             Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preventive modification (each      7 work-hours x $85 per     $894................  $1,489.
 side).                             hour = $595.
Skin repair (each side)..........  39 work-hours x $85 per    Up to $5,635........  Up to $8,950.
                                    hour = $3,315.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a
substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec.  39.13   [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2013-19-04, Amendment 39-17586 (78 FR 59801, September 30, 2013), and
adding the following new AD:

2017-02-10 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18789; Docket No. FAA-
2016-6670; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-006-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 17, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2013-19-04, Amendment 39-17586 (78 FR 59801,
September 30, 2013) (``AD 2013-19-04'').

(c) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -
700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes, certificated in any category,
as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-
1294, Revision 2, dated December 9, 2015 (``SASB 737-53-1294 R2'').
    (2) Installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)
ST00830SE [http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/184DE9A71EC3FA5586257EAE00707DA6?OpenDocument&Highlight=st00830se]
does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions required by
this AD. Therefore, for airplanes on which STC ST00830SE is
installed, a ``change in product'' alternative method of compliance
(AMOC) approval request is not necessary to comply with the
requirements of 14 CFR 39.17.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of cracks found in the skin at
body station (STA) 540 just below the left side of stringer S-22. We
are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking in the
fuselage skin around the eight fasteners securing the STA 540
bulkhead chords, which could result in rapid decompression of the
cabin.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.

(g) Inspection and Corrective Action

    Except as required by paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of this AD:
At the applicable time specified in table 1 of paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of SASB 737-53-1294 R2, do detailed and high
frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections for cracking of the skin
in the area around the eight fasteners securing the STA 540 bulkhead
chords between stringers S-22 and S-23; and do all applicable
related investigative and corrective actions; in accordance with
Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the Accomplishment Instructions of SASB
737-53-1294 R2, except as required by paragraphs (i)(3), (i)(4), and
(i)(5) of this AD. Do all applicable related investigative and
corrective actions before further flight. Except as required by
paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, repeat the detailed and HFEC
inspections thereafter at the intervals specified in table 1 of
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of SASB 737-53-1294 R2, until the
optional preventive modification specified in paragraph (h) of this
AD is done.

(h) Skin Repair or Optional Preventive Modification

    Accomplishing the skin repair or preventive modification,
including an HFEC inspection for cracking of the skin and STA 540
bulkhead chords, and all applicable repairs, in accordance with
paragraph 3.B, Part 2 or Part 4 (left side), or Part 3 or Part 5
(right side), as applicable, of the Accomplishment Instructions of
SASB 737-53-1294 R2, except as required by paragraphs (i)(2) and
(i)(5) of this AD, terminates the inspection requirements of
paragraph (g) of this AD for the side on which the skin repair or
preventive modification is done.

(i) Exceptions to Service Bulletin Specifications

    (1) Where paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of SASB 737-53-1294
R2, specifies a compliance time ``after the Revision 2 date of this
service bulletin,'' this AD requires compliance within the specified
compliance time after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes on which Boeing Business Jet Lower Cabin
Altitude Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01697SE (http://
rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/
0812969a86af879b8625766400600105/$FILE/ST01697SE.pdf) (6,500 feet
maximum cabin altitude in lieu of 8,000 feet) has been incorporated,
the flight-cycle related compliance times for the inspection
required by paragraph (g) of this AD are different from those
specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of SASB 737-53-1294 R2.
All initial compliance times specified in total flight cycles or
flight cycles must be reduced to half of those specified in SASB
737-53-1294 R2. All repetitive interval compliance times specified
in flight cycles must be reduced to one-quarter of those specified
in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of SASB 737-53-1294 R2.
    (3) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by
this AD, and SASB 737-53-1294 R2, specifies to contact Boeing for
appropriate action: Before further flight, repair using a method
approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph
(l) of this AD.
    (4) The access and restoration actions identified in the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 737-53-1294, dated March 31, 2011; Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 737-53-1294, Revision 1, dated June 14, 2013; or
SASB 737-53-1294 R2; are not required by this AD. Operators may
perform those actions in accordance with accepted maintenance
procedures.
    (5) For doing repairs specified in Part 4 or Part 5 of the
Accomplishment Instructions of SASB 737-53-1294 R2: Before further
flight, repair using a method approved in accordance with the
procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this AD.

(j) Supplemental Inspections Not Required by This AD

    Table 2 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of SASB 737-53-1294
R2, specifies post-modification airworthiness limitation inspections
in compliance with 14 CFR 25.571(a)(3) at the modified locations,
which support compliance with 14 CFR 121.1109(c)(2) or
129.109(b)(2). As airworthiness limitations, these inspections are
required by maintenance and operational rules. It is therefore
unnecessary to mandate them in this AD. Deviations from these
inspections require FAA approval, but do not require an AMOC.

(k) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed
before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 737-53-1294, dated March 31, 2011, which is not
incorporated by reference in this AD; or Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 737-53-1294, Revision 1, dated June 14, 2013, which
was incorporated by reference in AD 2013-19-04.

(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (m)(1) of this AD.
Information may be emailed to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD
if it is approved by the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization
Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the
Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. To be approved, the
repair method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must
meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must
specifically refer to this AD.
    (4) AMOCs approved previously for the optional preventive
modification installed in accordance with paragraph (h) of AD 2013-
19-04, and AMOCs approved previously for repairs for AD 2013-19-04,
are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD,
provided that such modification or repair included installation of
the splice plate as specified in Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 737-53-1294, except as provided by paragraph (l)(5) of this
AD.
    (5) The time-limited repair approved as specified in FAA Letter
120S-15-140, dated June 3, 2015, is approved as an AMOC to the
corresponding requirements of this AD.

(m) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Alan Pohl,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356;
phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in
paragraphs (n)(3) and (n)(4) of this AD.

(n) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference

(IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1294,
Revision 2, dated December 9, 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Boeing service information identified in this AD,
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA
90740-5600; telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call<PHONE_NUMBER>, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 18, 2017.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-01824 Filed 2-9-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 26, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59068-59070]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23123]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0864; Airspace Docket No. 21-AAL-13]
RIN 2120-AA66

Proposed Establishment of United States Area Navigation (RNAV)
Route T-415; Gulkana, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish United States Area
Navigation (RNAV) route T-415 in the vicinity of Gulkana, AK in support
of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the
state of Alaska.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 10, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590; telephone:
1(800) 647-5527, or<PHONE_NUMBER>. You must identify FAA Docket No.
FAA-2021-0864; Airspace Docket No. 21-AAL-13 at the beginning of your
comments. You may also submit comments through the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points,
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can contact the
Rules and Regulations Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is also available for inspection at the
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of FAA Order JO 7400.11F at NARA, email:
[email protected] or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher McMullin, Rules and

Regulations Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration,
800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority for This Rulemaking

    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII,
Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's
authority. This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described
in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that section,
the FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign the use of
the airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the
efficient use of airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority as it would expand the availability of RNAV in Alaska and
improve the efficient flow of air traffic within the National Airspace
System (NAS) by lessening the dependency on ground based navigation.

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic,
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal.
    Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No.
FAA-2021-0864; Airspace Docket No. 21-AAL-13) and be submitted in
triplicate to the Docket Management Facility (see the ADDRESSES section
for address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the
internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to FAA Docket No. FAA-2021-0864; Airspace DocketNo. 21-AAL-13.'' The
postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
    All communications received on or before the specified comment
closing date will be considered before taking action on the proposed
rule. The proposal contained in this action may be changed in light of
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for
examination in the public docket both before and after the comment
closing date. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the
docket.

Availability of NPRM

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the
internet at https://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
    You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any
comments received and any final disposition in person in the Dockets
Office (see the ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal
business hours at the office of the Western Service Center, Operations
Support Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA 98198.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace
Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and effective
September 15, 2021. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is publicly available as
listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11F
lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service
routes, and reporting points.

Background

    In 2003, Congress enacted the Vision 100-Century of Aviation
Reauthorization Act (Pub L. 108-176), which established a joint
planning and development office in the FAA to manage the work related
to the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). Today,
NextGen is an ongoing FAA-led modernization of the nation's air
transportation system to make flying safer, more efficient, and more
predictable.
    In support of NextGen, this proposal is part of a larger and
comprehensive T-route modernization project in the state of Alaska. The
project mission statement states: ``To modernize Alaska's Air Traffic
Service route structure using satellite based navigation Development of
new T-routes and optimization of existing T-routes will enhance safety,
increase efficiency and access, and will provide en route continuity
that is not subject to the restrictions associated with ground based
airway navigation.'' As part of this project, the FAA evaluated the
existing Colored Airway structure for: (a) Direct replacement (i.e.,
overlay) with a T-route that offers a similar or lower Minimum En route
Altitude (MEA) or Global Navigation Satellite System Minimum En route
Altitude (GNSS MEA); (b) the replacement of the colored airway with a
T-route in an optimized but similar geographic area, while retaining
similar or lower MEA; or (c) removal with no route structure (T-route)
restored in that area because the value was determined to be
insignificant.
    The aviation industry/users have indicated a desire for the FAA to
transition the Alaskan en route navigation structure away from
dependency on Non-Directional Beacons (NDB), and move to develop and
improve the RNAV route structure. The FAA proposes to establish RNAV
route T-415 to offer RNAV routing in an area where published airways do
not exist in order to provide instrument approach connectivity and
access to the McCarthy Airport (PAMX), McCarthy, AK. The proposed route
GNSS MEAs will ensure terrain/obstacle clearance with continuous two-
way VHF voice communications.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to establish
RNAV route T-415 in the vicinity of Gulkana, AK in support of a large
and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of
Alaska. The proposed route is described below.
    T-415: The FAA proposes to establish T-415 from the WRNGL, AK,
waypoint (WP) over PAMX to the Gulkana, AK, (GKN) VHF omnidirectional
range/distance measuring equipment (VOR/DME).
    United States Area Navigation Routes are published in paragraph
6011 of FAA Order JO 7400.11F dated August 10, 2021 and effective
September 15, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1.
The RNAV route listed in this document would be published subsequently
in FAA Order JO 7400.11F.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points,
is published yearly and effective on September 15.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves
an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current.
It, therefore: (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under
Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3) does not warrant preparation
of a regulatory evaluation as the anticipated impact is so minimal.
Since this is a routine matter that will only affect air traffic
procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this proposed rule,
when promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

    This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies
and Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

0
1. The authority citation for part 71 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g); 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O.
10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.

Sec.  71.1   [Amended]

0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order JO
7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10,
2021, and effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-415 WRNGL, AK to Gulkana, AK [New]
WRNGL, AK                         WP                (Lat. 61[deg]28'54.40'' N, long. 143[deg]59'24.23'' W)
GRYNE, AK                         WP                (Lat. 61[deg]33'21.59'' N, long. 144[deg]15'00.78'' W)
DUYZI, AK                         WP                (Lat. 61[deg]45'00.59'' N, long. 144[deg]46'01.75'' W)
GULKANA, AK (GKN)                 VOR/DME           (Lat. 62[deg]09'13.51'' N, long. 145[deg]26'50.51'' W)

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 19, 2021.
Michael R. Beckles,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-23123 Filed 10-25-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P