Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 244 / Friday, December 18, 2020 / Rules and Regulations 82307 

15357 (73 FR 6008, February 1, 2008), 

and 

■ b. Adding the following new AD: 

2020–26–03 Airbus Helicopters 

Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39– 

21358; Docket No. FAA–2020–0572; 

Product Identifier 2017–SW–056–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes 

effective January 22, 2021. 

(b) Affected ADs 

This AD replaces AD 2007–26–51, 

Amendment 39–15357 (73 FR 6008, February 

1, 2008) (AD 2007–26–51). 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters 

Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, 

EC135T1, EC135P2, EC135T2, EC135P2+, 

EC135T2+, EC135P3, and EC135T3 

helicopters, certificated in any category, all 

serial numbers. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 6700, Rotorcraft Flight Control. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by an accident 

involving the failure of a tail rotor control 

rod. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 

failure of a tail rotor control rod and 

subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. 

(f) Compliance 

You are responsible for performing each 

action required by this AD within the 

specified compliance time unless it has 

already been accomplished prior to that time. 

(g) Definitions 

(1) Group 1: Helicopters that, on the 

effective date of this AD, have a tail rotor 

control rod installed having part number (P/ 

N) L672M2005207. 

(2) Group 2: Helicopters that, on the 

effective date of this AD, do not have a tail 

rotor control rod installed having P/N 

L672M2005207. 

(h) Ball Pivot Inspection 

Within 50 hours time-in-service after the 

effective date of this AD: Inspect the ball 

pivot, P/N 92–201–00 and P/N 92–207–00, 

for damage and freedom of movement, in 

accordance with step 3.C.(3) or step 3.D.(3), 

as applicable, of the Accomplishment 

Instructions of the Appendix (watermarked 

as Appendix to SB EC135–67A–017 Revision 

4) to Airbus Helicopters Alert Service 

Bulletin ASB EC135–67A–017, Revision 4, 

dated April 3, 2017. For purposes of this 

inspection, damage to the ball pivot may be 

indicated by cracks, missing hardware, loose 

bearings, or play. 

(i) Corrective Action 

If, during the inspection required by 

paragraph (h) of this AD, there is any damage 

on any ball pivot or the ball pivot cannot be 

moved: Before further flight, replace the ball 

pivot in accordance with step 3.C.(3) or step 

3.D.(3), as applicable, of the Accomplishment 

Instructions of the Appendix (watermarked 

as Appendix to SB EC135–67A–017 Revision 

4) to Airbus Helicopters Alert Service 

Bulletin ASB EC135–67A–017, Revision 4, 

dated April 3, 2017, and the tail rotor control 

rod as required by paragraph (j) of this AD. 

(j) Tail Rotor Control Rod Replacement 

Group 1: Unless already done as required 

by paragraph (i) of this AD, within 50 hours 

time-in-service after the effective date of this 

AD, replace the tail rotor control rod having 

P/N L672M2005207 with a tail rotor control 

rod having P/N L672M2006101. 

Note 1 to paragraph (j): Guidance for 

replacing the tail rotor control rod can be 

found in Eurocopter Service Bulletin EC135– 

67–018, Revision 01, dated May 15, 2008. 

(k) Parts Installation Prohibition 

(1) Group 1: After modification of a 

helicopter as required by paragraphs (i) or (j) 

of this AD, no person may install on any 

helicopter a tail rotor control rod having P/ 

N L672M2005207. 

(2) Group 2: As of the effective date of this 

AD, no person may install on any helicopter 

a tail rotor control rod having P/N 

L672M2005207. 

(l) Credit for Previous Actions 

This paragraph provides credit for the 

inspection and ball pivot replacements 

required by paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD, 

if those actions were performed before the 

effective date of this AD using Eurocopter 

Alert Service Bulletin EC135–67A–017, 

Revision 03, dated July 26, 2010. 

(m) Special Flight Permit 

Special flight permits, as described in 14 

CFR 21.197 and 21.199, are not allowed. 

(n) No Reporting Requirement 

Although the Appendix (watermarked as 

Appendix to SB EC135–67A–017 Revision 4) 

to Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin 

ASB EC135–67A–017, Revision 4, dated 

April 3, 2017, specifies to contact the 

manufacturer, this AD does not include that 

requirement. 

(o) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Strategic Policy 

Rotorcraft, FAA, may approve AMOCs for 

this AD. Send your proposal to: David 

Hatfield, Aviation Safety Engineer, Aircraft 

Systems Section, Technical Innovation 

Policy Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., 

Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817–222– 

5116; email 9-ASW-FTW-AMOC-Requests@

faa.gov. 

(2) For operations conducted under a 14 

CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 

14 CFR part 91, subpart K, the FAA suggests 

that you notify your principal inspector, or 

lacking a principal inspector, the manager of 

the local flight standards district office or 

certificate holding district office, before 

operating any aircraft complying with this 

AD through an AMOC. 

(p) Related Information 

(1) The subject of this AD is addressed in 

European Aviation Safety Agency (now 

European Union Aviation Safety Agency) 

(EASA) AD No. 2010–0227R1, dated April 7, 

2017. This EASA AD may be found in the AD 

docket on the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for and 

locating Docket No. FAA–2020–0572. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N 

Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; 

telephone 972–641–0000 or 800–232–0323; 

fax 972–641–3775; or at https://

www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/ 

technical-support.html. You may view a copy 

of the service information at the FAA, Office 

of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 

10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N–321, Fort 

Worth, TX 76177. 

(q) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference of 

the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service 

Bulletin ASB EC135–67A–017, Revision 4, 

dated April 3, 2017. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N 

Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; 

telephone 972–641–0000 or 800–232–0323; 

fax 972–641–3775; or at https://

www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/ 

technical-support.html. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 

Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., 

Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 817–222–5110. 

(5) You may view this service information 

that is incorporated by reference at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, 

email fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https:// 

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued on December 8, 2020. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2020–27808 Filed 12–17–20; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2020–0574; Product 

Identifier 2019–CE–015–AD; Amendment 

39–21340; AD 2020–24–10] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Aerostar 

Aircraft Corporation Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
82308 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 244 / Friday, December 18, 2020 / Rules and Regulations 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Aerostar Aircraft Corporation (Aerostar) 

Model PA–60–601P (Aerostar 601P), 

PA–60–602P (Aerostar 602P), and PA– 

60–700P (Aerostar 700P) airplanes. This 

AD was prompted by reports of 

corrosion on the elevator and aileron 

balance tubes. This AD requires 

repetitively inspecting the elevator and 

aileron balance tubes for corrosion and 

rust and replacing the tube. The FAA is 

issuing this AD to address the unsafe 

condition on these products. 

DATES: This AD is effective January 22, 

2021. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of January 22, 2021. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this final rule, contact 

Aerostar Aircraft Corporation, 2265 

West Aerostar Way, Hayden Lake, ID 

83835; telephone: (208) 762–0338; fax: 

(208) 762–8349; internet: https://

aerostaraircraft.com. You may review 

this referenced service information at 

the FAA, Airworthiness Products 

Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 

Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. 

For information on the availability of 

this material at the FAA, call (816) 329– 

4148. It is also available on the internet 

at https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2020–0574. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2020– 

0574; or in person at Docket Operations 

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

The AD docket contains this final rule, 

any comments received, and other 

information. The address for Docket 

Operations is U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington, DC 20590. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

David Herron, Aerospace Engineer, 

Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, 2200 S 216th 

St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 

(206) 231–3544; email: david.herron@

faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

The FAA issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 by adding an AD that would 

apply to all Aerostar Model PA–60– 

601P (Aerostar 601P), PA–60–602P 

(Aerostar 602P), and PA–60–700P 

(Aerostar 700P) airplanes. The NPRM 

published in the Federal Register on 

June 26, 2020 (85 FR 38338). The NPRM 

was prompted by reports of corrosion on 

the elevator and aileron balance tubes, 

which may be hidden by rubber boots. 

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 

require repetitively inspecting the 

elevator and aileron balance tubes for 

corrosion (pitting and flaking) and rust 

(discoloration) and replacing the tube. 

The FAA is issuing this AD to detect 

corrosion on the elevator and aileron 

balance tubes. The unsafe condition, if 

not addressed, could result in failure of 

the aileron and elevator balance tubes, 

jamming of the aileron and/or elevator 

balance tubes, and loss of control of the 

airplane. 

Comments 

The FAA gave the public the 

opportunity to participate in developing 

this final rule. The FAA received 

comments from three commenters. The 

commenters were Yankee Aviation 

Services, Inc. and two individuals. The 

following presents the comments 

received on the NPRM and the FAA’s 

response to each comment. 

Request To Withdraw NPRM 

An individual commenter requested 

that the NPRM be withdrawn. The 

commenter stated there is insufficient 

data supporting the unsafe condition 

and questioned the motive for the 

proposed AD, as Aerostar would benefit 

financially from the sale of parts needed 

to comply with the proposed 

requirements. The commenter observed 

that Aerostar’s service information did 

not provide details concerning the 

number, source, or content of the 

reported events of corrosion and the 

degree to which the unsafe condition is 

present in the fleet of Aerostar 

airplanes. The commenter further stated 

that the service information and the 

traditional diligence of the Aerostar 

owner community are sufficient to 

address the unsafe condition. 

The FAA disagrees. The FAA issues 

an AD after finding that an unsafe 

condition exists or is likely to develop 

in aircraft of a particular type design. 

For this AD, the FAA reviewed the 

reports received from Aerostar and the 

effects that failure of these tubes could 

have on an airplane. Aerostar initially 

discovered corrosion on the elevator 

and aileron balance tubes while 

conducting maintenance on an airplane. 

This discovery prompted Aerostar to 

inspect the other four airplanes in its 

facility, which resulted in the 

identification of three additional 

incidents of corrosion on elevator and 

aileron balance tubes. The FAA’s 

analysis of this data determined an 

unsafe condition exists and warrants 

corrective action through an AD. To the 

extent Aerostar has issued service 

information on this issue, while an 

operator may incorporate into its 

maintenance program the inspections in 

the manufacturer’s service bulletin, not 

all operators are required to do so. In 

order for these inspections to become 

mandatory, and to correct the unsafe 

condition identified in the NPRM, the 

FAA must issue an AD. 

The FAA did not change this AD 

based on this comment. 

Request To Remove Requirement To 

Replace All Tubes 

All three commenters requested that 

the FAA remove the proposed 

requirement to replace the elevator and 

aileron balance tubes even if no 

corrosion and rust is found during the 

inspection. Two commenters noted that 

requiring the replacement of parts found 

to be airworthy does not promote safety 

and instead subjects owners to 

unnecessary expenses. Yankee Aviation 

Services, Inc., stated the new tubes are 

the same as those being replaced and do 

not have corrosion proofing. 

The FAA disagrees. The FAA 

determined that the root cause of the 

rust and corrosion on the elevator and 

aileron balance tubes is likely a 

deficient corrosion protection 

specification in the initial design and 

manufacture of these tubes. The 

commenter is not correct that the new 

tubes are the same as those being 

replaced. The existing balance tubes are 

part number (P/N) 26003–003, Revision 

L or earlier, while the new replacement 

balance tubes are P/N 26003–003, 

Revision M or later, as specified in the 

service information. The Revision M 

and later balance tubes have been 

manufactured with corrosion protection 

(Zinc Chromate primer) that was not 

applied on the earlier versions of the 

tubes. The FAA did not change this AD 

based on these comments. 

Request To Allow Part Repair Instead 

of Replacement 

Yankee Aviation Services, Inc., 

requested the FAA revise the proposed 

AD to allow the repair of tubes with rust 

instead of replacement. The commenter 

stated that a tube with light rust and a 

wall thickness of 0.049 inch could be 

repaired by being wire brushed and 

painted with an epoxy paint. 

The FAA disagrees. Repairing the 

tubes without replacement would not 

address the root cause of the rust and 


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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 244 / Friday, December 18, 2020 / Rules and Regulations 82309 

corrosion, which the FAA determined is 

likely a deficient corrosion protection 

specification in the initial design and 

manufacture of these tubes. The 

Revision M or later balance tubes have 

been manufactured with corrosion 

protection (Zinc Chromate primer) that 

was not applied on the earlier versions 

of the tubes. The commenter’s request 

would allow the tubes to remain 

installed on the airplane without this 

additional corrosion protection. The 

FAA did not change this AD based on 

this comment. 

Conclusion 

The FAA reviewed the relevant data, 

considered the comments received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting this AD 

as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is 

issuing this AD to address the unsafe 

condition on these products. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR part 51 

The FAA reviewed Aerostar Service 

Bulletin SB600–138, dated August 30, 

2018. The service bulletin contains 

procedures for repetitively inspecting 

the elevator and aileron balance tubes 

for corrosion (pitting and flaking) and 

rust (discoloration) and replacing the 

tubes at a specified time and repetitively 

if necessary. This service information is 

reasonably available because the 

interested parties have access to it 

through their normal course of business 

or by the means identified in the 

ADDRESSES section. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

Service Information 

This AD does not require completing 

the reply card and returning it to 

Aerostar as specified in Step 13 of Part 

II of the service information. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD 

affects 404 airplanes of U.S. registry. 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to comply with this AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Inspect elevator and aileron balance 

tubes.

1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 per 

inspection cycle.

Not Applicable ...... $85 per inspection 

cycle..

$34,340 per inspection cycle. 

Replace elevator and aileron balance 

tubes.

8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680 .. $1,187 ................... $1,867 ................... $754,268. 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to do any necessary replacements 

that are required based on the results of 

the repetitive inspections, assuming 

separate replacement intervals. The 

FAA has no way of determining the 

number of airplanes that might need 

these replacements: 

ON-CONDITION COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Replace elevator balance tube ..................................... 8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680 ........................... $594 $1,274 

Replace aileron balance tube ....................................... 8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680 ........................... 594 1,274 

Authority for This Rulemaking 

Title 49 of the United States Code 

specifies the FAA’s authority to issue 

rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, 

section 106, describes the authority of 

the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: 

Aviation Programs, describes in more 

detail the scope of the Agency’s 

authority. 

The FAA is issuing this rulemaking 

under the authority described in 

Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 

44701: General requirements. Under 

that section, Congress charges the FAA 

with promoting safe flight of civil 

aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 

regulations for practices, methods, and 

procedures the Administrator finds 

necessary for safety in air commerce. 

This regulation is within the scope of 

that authority because it addresses an 

unsafe condition that is likely to exist or 

develop on products identified in this 

rulemaking action. 

Regulatory Findings 

This AD will not have federalism 

implications under Executive Order 

13132. This AD will not have a 

substantial direct effect 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. 

For the reasons discussed above, I 

certify that this AD: 

(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory 

action’’ under Executive Order 12866, 

(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation 

in Alaska, and 

(3) 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. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

The Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA amends 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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive: 

2020–24–10 Aerostar Aircraft Corporation: 

Amendment 39–21340; Docket No. 

FAA–2020–0574; Product Identifier 

2019–CE–015–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective January 22, 2021. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
82310 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 244 / Friday, December 18, 2020 / Rules and Regulations 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Aerostar Aircraft 

Corporation Model PA–60–601P (Aerostar 

601P), PA–60–602P (Aerostar 602P), and PA– 

60–700P (Aerostar 700P) airplanes, all serial 

numbers, certificated in any category. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 27; Flight Controls. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports of 

corrosion on the elevator and aileron balance 

tubes. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect 

corrosion on the elevator and aileron balance 

tubes. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 

could result in failure of the aileron and 

elevator balance tubes, jamming of the 

aileron and/or elevator balance tubes, and 

loss of control of the airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Repetitive Inspections 

Within 10 hours time-in-service after the 

effective date of this AD, inspect the elevator 

and aileron balance tubes for corrosion 

(pitting and flaking) and rust (discoloration) 

by following steps 1. through 3. of Part I 

(Inspection) of the Instructions in Aerostar 

Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin SB600– 

138, dated August 30, 2018 (Aerostar SB600– 

138). For each tube replaced as required by 

paragraph (h) of this AD, using a borescope, 

repeat the inspection within 10 years after 

replacing the tube and thereafter as follows: 

(1) At intervals not to exceed 10 years as 

long as no rust is found. 

(2) At intervals not to exceed 2 years if 

only rust is found (without any signs of 

corrosion). 

(h) Replacements 

At the following compliance times, replace 

each elevator and aileron balance tube by 

following Part II (Replacement) of the 

Instructions in Aerostar SB600–138, except 

you are not required to report information to 

the manufacturer: 

(1) Before further flight if corrosion or rust 

is found (inside or outside the tubes) during 

the initial inspection required by paragraph 

(g) of this AD. 

(2) At the next 100-hour inspection or at 

the next annual inspection, whichever occurs 

first, if no corrosion and no rust is found 

(inside or outside the tubes) during the initial 

inspection required by paragraph (g) of this 

AD. 

(3) Before further flight if corrosion is 

found (inside or outside the tubes) during 

any repetitive inspection required by 

paragraph (g) of this AD. 

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, 

FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs 

for this AD, if requested using the procedures 

found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 

14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 

principal inspector or local Flight Standards 

District Office, as appropriate. If sending 

information directly to the manager of the 

certification office, send it to the attention of 

the person identified in paragraph (j) of this 

AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANMSeattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. 

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, 

notify your appropriate principal inspector, 

or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 

of the local flight standards district office/ 

certificate holding district office. 

(j) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact David Herron, Aerospace Engineer, 

Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, 2200 S 216th St, 

Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (206) 231– 

3544; email: david.herron@faa.gov. 

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference of 

the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Aerostar Aircraft Corporation Service 

Bulletin SB600–138, dated August 30, 2018. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Aerostar Aircraft 

Corporation, 2265 West Aerostar Way, 

Hayden Lake, ID 83835; telephone: (208) 

762–0338; fax: (208) 762–8349; internet: 

https://aerostaraircraft.com. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, 

Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information 

on the availability of this material at the 

FAA, call (816) 329–4148. 

(5) You may view this service information 

that is incorporated by reference at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, 

email: fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: 

https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ 

ibr-locations.html. 

Issued on December 15, 2020. 

Gaetano A. Sciortino, 

Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, 

Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2020–27894 Filed 12–17–20; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 95 

[Docket No. 31345; Amdt. No. 556] 

IFR Altitudes; Miscellaneous 

Amendments 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts 

miscellaneous amendments to the 

required IFR (instrument flight rules) 

altitudes and changeover points for 

certain Federal airways, jet routes, or 

direct routes for which a minimum or 

maximum en route authorized IFR 

altitude is prescribed. This regulatory 

action is needed because of changes 

occurring in the National Airspace 

System. These changes are designed to 

provide for the safe and efficient use of 

the navigable airspace under instrument 

conditions in the affected areas. 

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, December 

31, 2020. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Thomas J. Nichols, Flight Procedures 

and Airspace Group, Flight 

Technologies and Procedures Division, 

Flight Standards Service, Federal 

Aviation Administration. Mailing 

Address: FAA Mike Monroney 

Aeronautical Center, Flight Procedures 

and Airspace Group, 6500 South 

MacArthur Blvd., Registry Bldg. 29, 

Room 104, Oklahoma City, OK 73125. 

Telephone: (405) 954–4164. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 

amendment to part 95 of the Federal 

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 95) 

amends, suspends, or revokes IFR 

altitudes governing the operation of all 

aircraft in flight over a specified route 

or any portion of that route, as well as 

the changeover points (COPs) for 

Federal airways, jet routes, or direct 

routes as prescribed in part 95. 

The Rule 

The specified IFR altitudes, when 

used in conjunction with the prescribed 

changeover points for those routes, 

ensure navigation aid coverage that is 

adequate for safe flight operations and 

free of frequency interference. The 

reasons and circumstances that create 

the need for this amendment involve 

matters of flight safety and operational 

efficiency in the National Airspace 

System, are related to published 

aeronautical charts that are essential to 

the user, and provide for the safe and 

efficient use of the navigable airspace. 

In addition, those various reasons or 

circumstances require making this 

amendment effective before the next 

scheduled charting and publication date 

of the flight information to assure its 

timely availability to the user. The 

effective date of this amendment reflects 

those considerations. In view of the 

close and immediate relationship 

between these regulatory changes and 

safety in air commerce, I find that notice 

and public procedure before adopting 

this amendment are impracticable and 

contrary to the public interest and that 


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