The Federal Register

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 and -400F Series Airplanes

Mon, Dec 1 2003 11:00:00 GMT

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747400 and 400F series airplanes. This action requires replacing the rudder feel, centering, and trim mechanism with a new or serviceable rudder feel, centering, and trim mechanism. This action is necessary to prevent degradation/loss of rudder feel and centering, which could result in increased pilot workload and could lead to loss of control of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, - 300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes

Mon, Dec 1 2003 11:00:00 GMT

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Boeing Model 737100, 200, 200C, 300, 400, and 500 series airplanes, that currently requires repetitive inspections to find cracks, fractures, or corrosion of each carriage spindle of the left and right outboard midflaps; and corrective action, if necessary. That AD also provides for an optional action of overhaul or replacement of the carriage spindles. This amendment requires repetitive gap checks of the inboard and outboard carriage of the outboard midflaps to detect fractured carriage spindles; and corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment also reduces the interval for the existing inspections and revises the overhaul procedures. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect and correct cracked, corroded, or fractured carriage spindles and to prevent severe flap asymmetry, which could result in reduced control or loss of controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address t

Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 200 Series Airplanes

Mon, Dec 1 2003 11:00:00 GMT

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to all Dassault Model MystereFalcon 200 series airplanes. This action requires a onetime inspection of the fire extinguishing pipe for each engine to determine whether holes for dispersal of fireextinguishing agent are present, and corrective action if necessary. This action is necessary to ensure that the flightcrew is able to extinguish an engine fire, should one occur. Inability to extinguish an engine fire could result in loss of control of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-365N, N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 Helicopters

Mon, Dec 1 2003 11:00:00 GMT

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) model helicopters that requires inspecting the fuel air vent hoses (air vent hoses) for chafing and fuel leakage in the interference areas, inspecting the length of the latch support attachment screws, installing spacers to prevent interference with the latch support attachment screws, and removing one tyrap clamp support. This amendment is prompted by a report of a fuel leak in the air vent hose at the 9[deg] frame on the pilot's side of the helicopter. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fuel leakage, toxic fumes inside the cabin creating a fire hazard that could lead to a fire and smoke in the cabin, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332C, L, L1, and L2 Helicopters

Mon, Dec 1 2003 11:00:00 GMT

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) model helicopters that requires inspecting the cockpit pedal unit (pedal unit) adjustment lever (lever) for a crack at specified time intervals by a dye penetrant inspection and replacing any cracked lever with an airworthy lever before further flight. Modifying the pedal unit is also required and is a terminating action for the requirements of this AD. This amendment is prompted by cracks detected in the lever that creates an unsafe condition. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the lever, loss of access to the brake pedals on the ground or loss of yaw control in flight, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-31 and DC- 9-32 Airplanes

Mon, Dec 1 2003 11:00:00 GMT

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC931 and DC932 airplanes. This action requires installation of ceiling panels and a protective pad in the tailcone emergency exit passageway. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent people on board the airplane from striking their heads on exposed metal frames in the tailcone area, which could cause injury and delay or impede their evacuation during an emergency. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

Stage 4 Aircraft Noise Standards

Mon, Dec 1 2003 11:00:00 GMT

The FAA is proposing a new noise standard for subsonic jet airplanes and subsonic transport category large airplanes. This noise standard would ensure that the latest available noise reduction technology is incorporated into new aircraft designs. This noise standard, Stage 4, would apply to any person submitting an application for a new airplane type design on and after January 1, 2006. The standard could be chosen voluntarily prior to that date. This noise standard is intended to provide uniform noise certification standards for Stage 4 airplanes certificated in the United States and those airplanes that meet the new International Civil Aviation Organization Annex 16 Chapter 4 noise standard.

Notice of Intent To Rule on Request To Release Airport Property at the Waco Regional Airport, Waco, TX

Mon, Dec 1 2003 11:00:00 GMT

The FAA proposes to rule and invite public comment on the release of land at Waco Regional Airport under the provisions of Section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21).

Random Drug and Alcohol Testing Percentage Rates of Covered Aviation Employees for the Period of January 1, 2004,

Mon, Dec 1 2003 11:00:00 GMT

The FAA has determined that the minimum random drug and alcohol testing percentage rates for the period January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2004, will remain at 25 percent of safety sensitive aviation employees for random drug testing and 10 percent of safetysensitive aviation employees for random alcohol testing.

Notice of Intent To Rule on Application 03-05-C-00-AOO To Impose, and Impose and Use the Revenue From a Passenger

Mon, Dec 1 2003 11:00:00 GMT

This correction revises information from the previously published notice. In notice document 0328826 beginning on page 65342 in the issue of Wednesday, November 19, 2003, under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section, first paragraph, the substantially complete date should be October 3, 2003.

Notice of Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Approvals and Disapprovals

Mon, Dec 1 2003 11:00:00 GMT

The FAA publishes a monthly notice, as appropriate, of PFC approvals and disapprovals under the provisions of the Aviation Safety and Capacity Expansion Act of 1990 (Title IX of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990) (Pub. L. 101508) and Part 158 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 158). This notice is published pursuant to paragraph d of Sec. 158.29.
PFC Applications Approved

Public Agency: City of Bismarck, North Dakota.

Application Number: 0304C00BIS.

Application Type: Impose and use a PFC.

PFC Level: $4.50.

Total PFC Revenue Approved in This Decision: $5,574,555.

Earliest Charge Effective Date: March 1, 2004.

Estimated Charge Expiration Date: October 1, 2014.

Class of Air Carriers Not Required to Collect PFC's: Air taxis filing FAA Form 180031 except commuter air carriers.

Determination: Approved. Based on information contained in the public agency's application, the FAA has determined that the approved class accounts for less than 1 perce

Environmental Impact Statement: Kootenai and Bonner Counties, Idaho

Mon, Dec 1 2003 11:00:00 GMT

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed highway project in Kootenai and Bonner Counties, Idaho.

Office of Research and Technology Forum

Mon, Dec 1 2003 11:00:00 GMT

This notice invites interested persons to participate in a forum sponsored by the FMCSA Office of Research and Technology in conjunction with the 83rd Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board. The purpose of the forum is to provide insights into building publicprivate partnerships that involve government, academia and industry through panel discussions and presentations highlighting such collaborations. On Panel I, attendees will learn about some recently completed and current research being managed by FMCSA staff in the areas of the Commercial Vehicle Information Systems & Networks, electronic onboard recorders, crash causation, CMV medical qualifications and testing, and the National Commercial Vehicle Roadside Testing Lab. On Panel II, industry representatives will present firsthand accounts of how their
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organizations have worked with FMCSA to develop and promote research and technology designed to achieve mutual commercial motor vehicle safety goals and objectives.

Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (``RSAC''); Working Group Activity Update

Mon, Dec 1 2003 11:00:00 GMT

FRA is updating its announcement of RSAC's working group activities to reflect their current status. For additional details on completed activities see prior working group activity notices (68 FR 25677).

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Fuel Systems Integrity

Mon, Dec 1 2003 11:00:00 GMT

In this document, NHTSA is upgrading the rear impact test in the Federal motor vehicle safety standard on fuel system integrity. To simulate being struck in the rear by another vehicle, that standard currently specifies that the full width of the rear of the test vehicle be impacted with a flat, rigid barrier at speeds up to 48 km/h (30 mph). This final rule replaces that full rear impact test procedure with an offset rear impact test procedure specifying that only a portion of the width of the rear of the test vehicle be impacted at 80 km/h (50 mph). Under the new rear impact procedure, a lighter, deformable barrier is used. The barrier is very similar to the one used for dynamic testing in the agency's side impact protection standard, except that the rear impact barrier's face is mounted slightly lower to simulate the diving of the front end of a vehicle during precrash braking. The agency has concluded that the new, more stringent rear impact test procedure will save lives and prevent injuri

Innovative Grants To Support Increased Safety Belt Use Rates

Mon, Dec 1 2003 11:00:00 GMT

NHTSA announces the fifth year of a grant program under Section 1403 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA21) to provide funding to States for innovative projects to increase safety belt use rates. Consistent with prior years, the goal of this program is to increase safety belt use rates across the Nation in order to reduce the deaths, injuries, and societal costs that result from motor vehicle crashes. Award of funds will be based on criteria specified in this Notice. This Notice solicits applications from the States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, through their Governors' Representatives for Highway Safety, for funds to be made available in fiscal year (FY) 2004. Detailed application instructions are provided in the Application Procedure and the Application Contents and Grant Criteria sections of this Notice.

Gas and Hazardous Liquid Gathering Lines

Mon, Dec 1 2003 11:00:00 GMT

This document announces a public meeting and an opportunity to submit written comments on the safety regulation of gas and hazardous liquid gathering lines. Congress has directed RSPA to define ``gathering line'' for gas and hazardous liquid pipeline transportation and, if appropriate, define as ``regulated gathering line'' those rural gathering lines that, because of specific physical characteristics, should be regulated. The gas pipeline regulations do not clearly distinguish gathering lines from production facilities and transmission lines. This lack of clarity has caused many disputes between government and industry over whether the regulations cover particular pipelines. The current definition of hazardous liquid gathering has worked [[Page 67130]]
well. We will consider all public comments in developing future proposals on gathering lines.

Pipeline Safety: Passage of Internal Inspection Devices

Mon, Dec 1 2003 11:00:00 GMT

On April 12, 1994, RSPA issued a regulation requiring pipeline operators to design and construct certain new transmission lines and certain existing line sections that contain replaced pipe or components to accommodate the passage of instrumented internal inspection devices. Responding to petitions for reconsideration, we suspended enforcement on some facilities and invited comments on proposed changes to the regulation. To help us reach a
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final decision on the petitions and issues raised by commenters, this notice seeks responses to the questions stated below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION concerning offshore gas transmission lines.