[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 249 (Wednesday, December 29, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 72963-72964]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33734]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 249 / Wednesday, December 29, 1999 /
Proposed Rules
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-311-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Learjet Model 35, 35A, 36, 36A, 55,
55B, and 55C Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); rescission.
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to rescind an existing airworthiness
directive (AD), applicable to certain Learjet Model 35, 35A, 36, 36A,
55, 55B, and 55C airplanes. That AD currently requires installation of
a placard on the instrument panel in the cockpit to advise the
flightcrew that the Omega navigation system may be inoperative at
certain engine speeds. That AD also provides for an optional
installation of certain band reject filters, which eliminates the need
for the placard. The actions specified by that AD are intended to
prevent excessive deviation from the intended flight path due to loss
of navigation signals, which could result in a potentially low-fuel
condition or a traffic conflict. Since the issuance of that AD, use of
the Omega navigation system has been permanently discontinued;
therefore, the original unsafe condition no longer exists.
DATES: Comments must be received by February 14, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-311-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
Information pertaining to this proposed rule may be examined at the
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent
Airport, Wichita, Kansas.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: C. Dale Bleakney, Aerospace Engineer,
Flight Test Branch, ACE-117W, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Wichita
Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4135; fax
(316) 946-4407.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 99-NM-311-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 99-NM-311-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On September 5, 1995, the FAA issued AD 95-19-04, amendment 39-9365
(60 FR 47265, September 12, 1995), applicable to certain Learjet Model
35, 35A, 36, 36A, 55, 55B, and 55C airplanes. That AD requires
installation of a placard on the instrument panel in the cockpit to
advise the flightcrew that the Omega navigation system may be
inoperative at certain engine speeds. That AD also provides for an
optional installation of certain band reject filters, which eliminates
the need for the placard. That action was prompted by reports of loss
of certain navigation signals during extended over-water operation. The
requirements of that AD are intended to prevent excessive deviation
from the intended flight path due to loss of navigation signals, which
could result in a potentially low-fuel condition or a traffic conflict.
Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule
Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has received notification
that use of the Omega navigation system has been permanently
discontinued. Therefore, the FAA finds that the original unsafe
condition (harmonic interference from the generator, which interferes
with Omega navigation signals and could result in loss of navigation
signals and, potentially, a low-fuel condition or a traffic conflict)
no longer exists.
FAA's Conclusions
Since the unsafe condition no longer exists, the FAA has determined
that it is necessary to rescind AD 95-19-04 in order to prevent
operators from installing an unnecessary placard or unnecessary band
reject filters. (Installation of certain band reject filters is
provided in AD 95-19-04 as an optional alternative method of compliance
with that AD.)
This proposed action would rescind AD 95-19-04. Rescission of AD
95-19-04 would constitute only such action, and, if followed by a final
action, would not preclude the agency from issuing another notice in
the future, nor would it commit the agency to any course of action in
the future.
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Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 177 airplanes of U.S. registry are affected
by AD 95-19-04. The actions that are currently required by that AD take
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. The cost of required parts (local
manufacture of a placard) is negligible. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the currently required actions on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $10,620, or $60 per airplane. However, the adoption of
this proposed rescission would eliminate those costs.
Should an operator elect to remove the placard required by AD 95-
19-04, it would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to
accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of removal of the placard would be
approximately $60 per airplane.
Should an operator elect to remove the band reject filters that
were one option for compliance with AD 95-19-04, it would take
approximately 15 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of removing the band reject filters would be approximately $900
per airplane.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this 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) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-9365.
Learjet: Docket 99-NM-311-AD. Rescinds AD 95-19-04, Amendment 39-
9365.
Applicability: Model 35, 35A, 36, 36A, 55, 55B, and 55C
airplanes; equipped with Global Wulfsburg GNS 500, GNS-1000, and
GNS-X Flight Management Systems; certificated in any category.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 22, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-33734 Filed 12-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U