Safety Rules and Regs

Air Safety Week, May 19, 2008

Modification of Class E Airspace; Roanoke, VA SUMMARY: This action proposes to modify Class E Airspace at Roanoke, VA. Additional airspace is necessary to allow for a lower vectoring altitude known as the Minimum Vectoring Altitude (MVA) for vectoring of both Visual Flight Rule (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) aircraft for spacing within 20 miles of Roanoke, VA. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management around the Roanoke Regional/Woodrum Field Airport.

Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-135 Airplanes; and Model EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, - 145LR, - 145XR, -145MP, and -145EP Airplanes Final rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain EMBRAER Model EMB-135 airplanes; and Model EMB-145, - 145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes. The existing AD currently requires performing repetitive inspections for cracks, ruptures, or bends in certain components of the elevator control system; replacing discrepant components; and, for certain airplanes, installing a new spring cartridge and implementing new logic for the electromechanical gust lock system. The existing AD also requires eventual modification of the elevator gust lock system to replace the mechanical system with an electromechanical system, which terminates the repetitive inspections. This AD reduces the compliance time for doing the modification. This AD results from additional reports of failure of the mechanical gust lock system to protect the elevator control surfaces and components from high wind gusts. We are issuing this AD to prevent discrepancies in the elevator control system, which could result in reduced control of the elevator and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

Flight Simulation Training Device Initial and Continuing Qualification and Use Final rule. SUMMARY: This action amends the Qualification Performance Standards (QPS) for flight simulation training devices (FSTD) to provide greater harmonization with international standards for simulation. In addition, the rule adds a new level of simulation for helicopter flight training devices (FTD) and establishes FSTD Directive 1, which requires all existing FSTD airport models that are beyond the number of airport models required for qualification to meet specified requirements. The intended effect of this rule is to ensure that the flight training and testing environment is accurate and realistic. Except for the requirements of FSTD Directive 1, these technical requirements do not apply to simulators qualified before May 30, 2008. This rule results in minimal to no cost increases for manufacturers and sponsors.

Crewmember and Dispatcher Training Programs Final rule; technical amendment.

SUMMARY: The FAA is issuing this technical amendment to reserve subparts BB and CC in 14 CFR part 121. The FAA is engaged in rulemaking and anticipates codifying the new regulations in part 121 subparts BB and CC. The FAA is engaged in rulemaking to revise regulations for crewmember and dispatcher training programs in domestic, flag, and supplemental operations. The FAA anticipates codifying the revised training regulations for crewmembers in subpart BB of part 121 and regulations for dispatchers in subpart CC of part 121. The FAA is issuing this technical amendment to reserve subparts BB and CC in 14 CFR part 121 to ensure that these subparts will be available for this future rulemaking.