Safety Rules and Regs

Air Safety Week, Sept 22, 2008

Auction Procedures for Allocating Slots at LaGuardia, Kennedy International, and Newark International. Notice of Availability. SUMMARY: In accordance with rulemaking activity that is not yet complete, the FAA may use an auction to allocate leases for a certain number of slots at New York's three main airports: John F. Kennedy (JFK), Newark (EWR), and LaGuardia (LGA). If the FAA decides to conduct auctions, the number of slots to be allocated via auction will be specified in the final rule and may be supplemented by additional capacity and/or slots returned to the FAA. As specified in the proposed Congestion Management Rule for LaGuardia Airport and the proposed Congestion Management Rule for John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, FAA anticipates, if the rule is adopted, conducting an auction of slot leases at these airports once a year over a five year period.1The FAA expects to conduct the first auction, if any, on January 12, 2009. This auction will be for slots at LGA, JFK, and EWR. Only certificated U.S. aircraft operators or foreign airlines may participate in these auctions. If you are interested in commenting on the planned auction procedures you will be able to find additional information and procedures for providing comments at http:// faaco.faa.gov. For further information contact: Dr. Jeffrey C. Wharff, Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Aviation Policy and Plans, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: 202-267-3274; His e- mail is J.Wharff@FAA.gov.

Airworthiness Directive; EMBRAER EMB- 135BJ. Final Rule. SUMMARY: This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as: It has been found the occurrence of cable guard pins not installed in the aileron control system, which may lead to jamming of the aileron control cables, reducing the aircraft controllability.

Airworthiness Directive; Boeing 747. Final Rule. SUMMARY: This AD requires modification of the refuel valve control unit for the reserve fuel tanks. This AD also requires a revision to the FAA-approved maintenance program to incorporate airworthiness limitation (AWL) No. 28-AWL-20 or AWL No. 28-AWL- 25, as applicable. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent lightning-induced electrical energy from entering a reserve fuel tank through the refuel valve, which could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

Airworthiness Directive; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430. Final Rule. SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing AD for the helicopters. That AD currently requires visually inspecting the main rotor hydraulic actuator support (support) to verify the presence of all dowel pins and sealant between the support and transmission and verifying the proper torque of each attaching nut (nut). This AD requires the same actions as the existing AD and also requires repetitive actions at intervals not to exceed 600 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 12 months, whichever occurs first. This AD is prompted by the discovery that a 12-month compliance requirement was correctly included in an Emergency AD (EAD) that we issued but was inadvertently omitted when we published the Final rule; request for comments following the issuance of the EAD. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the support and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Airworthiness Directive; Boeing 777-200 and -300 equipped with Rolls- Royce Model RB211-TRENT 800. Final Rue; Request for Comments. SUMMARY: This AD requires revising the airplane flight manual to include in- flight procedures for pilots to follow in certain cold weather conditions and requires fuel circulation procedures on the ground when certain conditions exist. This AD results from a report of uncommanded reduction in thrust on both engines because of reduced fuel flows. We are issuing this AD to prevent ice from accumulating in the main tank fuel feed system, which, when released, could result in a restriction in the engine fuel system. Such a restriction could result in failure to achieve a commanded thrust, and consequent forced landing of the airplane.

Airworthiness Directive; Engine Components, Inc. (ECi) Reciprocating Engine Cylinder Assemblies Final Rule. SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Lycoming Engines (formerly Textron Lycoming) models 320, 360, and 540 series, ''Parallel Valve'' reciprocating engines, with certain Engine Components, Inc. (ECi) cylinder assemblies, part number (P/N) AEL65102 series ''Titan'', installed. This AD requires initial and repetitive visual inspections and compression tests to detect cracks at the head-to-barrel interface, replacement of cylinder assemblies found cracked, and replacement of certain cylinder assemblies, at new reduced times-in-service. This AD results from reports of 45 failures with head separations of ECi cylinder assemblies. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of engine power due to cracks at the head- to-barrel interface in the cylinder assemblies and possible engine failure caused by separation of a cylinder head, which could result in loss of control of the aircraft.