The Federal Register

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 Airplanes

Fri, Dec 8 2006 11:00:00 GMT

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Airbus Model A318100 and A319100 series airplanes, Model A320111 airplanes, and Model A320200, A321 100, and A321200 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections of the upper and lower attachments of the trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA) to measure for proper clearance and to detect cracks, damage, and metallic particles. The existing AD also requires corrective actions, if necessary, and reports of inspection findings. This proposed AD would shorten the repetitive interval for inspecting the upper THSA attachment. This proposed AD results from new test results on the secondary load path, which indicated the need to shorten the repetitive interval for inspecting the upper THSA attachment. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct failure of the THSA's primary load path, which could result in latent (undetected) loading and eventual failure of the THSA's se

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 Airplanes

Fri, Dec 8 2006 11:00:00 GMT

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the operation of the main landing gear (MLG) door opening sequence to determine if a defective actuator is installed, and replacing any defective actuator with a new actuator. This proposed AD results from reports of slow operation of the MLG door opening/closing sequence due to a defective actuator. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct defective actuators of the MLG door, which could result in slow operation of the MLG door and consequent nonextension of the MLG during an emergency freefall operation.

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747 Airplanes

Fri, Dec 8 2006 11:00:00 GMT

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 747 airplanes. This proposed AD would require an inspection of the number (No.) 2 and No. 3 windows on the left and right sides of the airplane to determine their part numbers, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from loss of a No. 3 window inflight. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the failsafe interlayer of certain No. 2 and No. 3 glass windows, which could result in loss of the window and consequent rapid loss of cabin pressure. Loss of the window could also result in crew communication difficulties or incapacitation of the crew.

Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model ERJ 170-100 LR, -100 STD, -100 SE,

Fri, Dec 8 2006 11:00:00 GMT

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain EMBRAER Model ERJ 170100 LR, 100 STD, 100 SE, 100 SU, 200 LR, 200 STD, and 200 SU airplanes and Model ERJ 190 airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting to determine the part number and serial number of the deployment actuator of the ram air turbine (RAT) and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports that the RAT may not fully deploy due to galling between the piston rod and gland housing of the deployment actuator. We are proposing this AD to prevent the RAT from failing to deploy, which could result in loss of control of the airplane during inflight emergencies.

Notice of Availability of Draft Advisory Circulars, Other Policy Documents and Proposed Technical Standard Orders

Fri, Dec 8 2006 11:00:00 GMT

The FAA's Aviation Safety, an organization responsible for the certification, production approval, and continued airworthiness of aircraft, and certification of pilots, mechanics, and others in safety related positions, publishes proposed nonregulatory documents that are available for public comment on the Internet at http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/draft_docs/ .

Agency Information Collection Activities; Request for Comments; Notice of Intent To Survey Motor Carriers Operating

Fri, Dec 8 2006 11:00:00 GMT

The FMCSA invites comments about its plan to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of a new information collection (IC). FMCSA intends to sponsor this new information collection by use of a research contractor to conduct a survey of motor carriers who operate small passengercarrying commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). The data collected would assist FMCSA with outreach initiatives to these motor carriers of passengers, some of which will be brought within the scope of FMCSA safety regulation by recent statutory changes. This notice is required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Petition for Waiver of Compliance

Fri, Dec 8 2006 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with Part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), notice is hereby given that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) received a request for a waiver of compliance with certain requirements of its safety standards. The individual petition is described below, including the party seeking relief, the regulatory provisions involved, the nature of the relief being requested, and the petitioner's arguments in favor of relief.
BNSF Railway and Norfolk Southern Railway

[Docket Number FRA200626435]

The BNSF Railway (BNSF) and Norfolk Southern Railway (NS), two Class I Railroads, request relief from certain provisions of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 232 Brake System Safety Standards for Freight and Other NonPassenger Trains and Equipment and 49 CFR Part 229 Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards to begin implementation of
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Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) brakes. The petition implicitly requests, as well, exemption from certain prov

Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

Fri, Dec 8 2006 11:00:00 GMT

This notice solicits public comment on continuation of the requirements for the collection of information on safety standards. Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections.

This document describes a collection of information associated with 49 CFR Part 574, Tire Identification and Recordkeeping.

Stillwater Central Railroad--Trackage Rights Exemption--BNSF Railway Company

Fri, Dec 8 2006 11:00:00 GMT

Pursuant to a written trackage rights agreement, Stillwater Central Railroad (SLWC) has agreed to grant overhead trackage rights to BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) over SLWC's rail line extending between milepost 668.73 at Long, OK, and milepost 438.9 at Sapulpa, OK, a distance of approximately 229.83 miles.

The transaction is scheduled to be consummated on or before January 1, 2007.\1\ The purpose of the trackage rights is to allow for the movement of BNSF's trains overhead between (a) Long, OK, and Oklahoma City, OK, and (b) Long, OK, and Sapulpa, OK.
\1\ The trackage rights agreement provides for an initial term of 15 years. The parties must seek appropriate Board authority for the trackage rights to expire at the end of that time period.

As a condition to this exemption, any employees affected by the trackage rights will be protected by the conditions imposed in Norfolk and Western Ry. Co.Trackage RightsBN, 354 I.C.C. 605 (1978), as modified in Mendocino Coast Ry., Inc.Lease and O

Union Pacific Railroad Company--Discontinuance of Service Exemption--in Yuba County, CA

Fri, Dec 8 2006 11:00:00 GMT

On November 20, 2006, Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) filed with the Board a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to discontinue service over an approximately 4.77mile line of railroad known as the Pearson Industrial Lead, extending from milepost 133.29, near Alicia, to milepost 129.91, near Pearson, and milepost 0.00 to milepost 1.39, near Pearson, in Yuba County, CA. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Code 95901, and serves stations at Pearson and Reed.

The line does not contain federally granted rightsofway. Any documentation in the possession of the railroad will be made available promptly to those requesting it.

The interest of railroad employees will be protected by the conditions set forth in Oregon Short Line R. Co.AbandonmentGoshen, 360 I.C.C. 91 (1979).

By issuing this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be issued by March 9, 2007.

RIN: 2105-AD25

Fri, Dec 8 2006 11:00:00 GMT

Current law requires that U.S. citizens actually control each U.S. air carrier, that U.S. citizens own or control at least 75 percent of the shareholders' voting interest, and that the president and two thirds of the directors and the managing officers must be U.S. citizens. The Department interprets this law in conducting initial and continuing fitness reviews of U.S. air carriers. We are withdrawing a proposal to modify by regulation the standards we apply in those cases where ``actual control'' by U.S. citizens is at issue.

The proposal being withdrawn would have narrowed the scope of our inquiry in such cases to those core matters affecting compliance with U.S. requirements affecting safety, security, national defense and corporate governance. These rationalized standards for deciding whether U.S. citizens maintained ``actual control'' of a carrier would have applied only to proposed transactions involving investors whose countries have an openskies air services agreement with the United

Applications for Urban Partnership Agreements as Part of Congestion Initiative

Fri, Dec 8 2006 11:00:00 GMT

In May 2006, the U.S. Department of Transportation (the ``Department'') announced its National Strategy to Reduce Congestion on America's Transportation Network (the ``Congestion Initiative''), a bold and comprehensive national program to reduce congestion on the Nation's roads, rails, runways, and waterways. One major component of the Congestion Initiative is the Urban Partnership Agreement (``UPA''). The purpose of this Notice is to solicit proposals by metropolitan areas to enter into UPAs with the Department in order to demonstrate strategies with a combined track record of effectiveness in reducing traffic congestion. To support congestionreducing strategies adopted by the Department's urban partners (``Urban Partners''), the Department expects to utilize discretionary funding available under the Department's Intelligent Transportation System Operational Testing to Mitigate Congestion Program (the ``ITSOTMC Program''), its Value Pricing Pilot Program (the ``VPP Program''), and other discre