[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 183 (Thursday, September 20, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 58301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23105]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 183 / Thursday, September 20, 2012 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 58301]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 33
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0941; Amendment No. 33-33]
RIN 2120-AF57
Technical Amendment; Airworthiness Standards: Aircraft Engines;
Correction
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Technical amendment; correction.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is correcting a technical amendment published on July
5, 2012 (77 FR 39623). In that technical amendment, the FAA clarified
aircraft engine vibration test requirements in the airworthiness
standards. The technical amendment was in response to inquiries from
applicants requesting FAA engine type certifications and aftermarket
certifications, such as supplemental type certificates, parts
manufacturing approvals, and repairs. We revised the regulation to
clarify that engine surveys require an engine test. Representatives of
industry suggested that our technical amendment was in fact, a
substantive change in the regulation, not a clarification. The FAA is
correcting our prior action in response to that industry claim. This
document amends the FAA's regulations to reverse the changes to Sec.
33.83(a) amendment 33-33 and restore Sec. 33.83(a) to its previous
amendment 33-17.
DATES: This corrective action becomes effective September 20, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical questions concerning
this action, contact Dorina Mihail, Federal Aviation Administration,
Engine and Propeller Directorate, Standards Staff, ANE-110, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803-5229; (781)
238-7153; facsimile: (781) 238-7199; email: dorina.mihail@faa.gov.
For legal questions concerning this action, contact Vincent
Bennett, Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Regional Counsel,
ANE-7, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803-
5299; telephone (781) 238-7044; fax (781) 238-7055; email
vincent.bennett@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On July 5, 2012, the FAA published a Technical Amendment entitled,
``Airworthiness Standards: Aircraft Engine'' (77 FR 39623). In that
technical amendment, the FAA intended to clarify vibration test
requirements in Sec. 33.83 of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 33.
By letter dated August 3, 2012, the Modification and Replacement Parts
Association (MARPA) asserts that the rule appears to be a substantive
change that should have been open to public comment. The MARPA further
asserts that had the rule been open for comment, it and others would
have commented that the technical amendment undermines the existing
regulatory system, rather than improving it, and that it imposes
unnecessary burdens on the applicant and the government with no
commensurate safety benefit. We do not agree with MARPA's assertion
that the rule change was substantive. However, in the interest of
transparency in the rulemaking process, we are changing the language of
Sec. 33.83(a) amendment 33-33 back to the language in Sec. 33.83(a)
of the previous amendment 33-17.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 33
Aircraft, Aviation safety.
The Correcting Amendment
In consideration of the following, the Federal Aviation
Administration corrects part 33 of Title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations as follows:
PART 33--AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS: AIRCRAFT ENGINES
0
1. The authority citation for part 33 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701-44702, 44704.
0
2. Revise Sec. 33.83(a) to read as follows:
Sec. 33.83 Vibration test.
(a) Each engine must undergo vibration surveys to establish that
the vibration characteristics of those components that may be subject
to mechanically or aerodynamically induced vibratory excitations are
acceptable throughout the declared flight envelope. The engine surveys
shall be based upon an appropriate combination of experience, analysis,
and component test and shall address, as a minimum, blades, vanes,
rotor discs, spacers, and rotor shafts.
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on September 13, 2012.
Lirio Liu,
Acting Director, Office of Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 2012-23105 Filed 9-19-12; 8:45 am]
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