Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 199 / Friday, October 13, 2000 / Rules and Regulations 60845

conduct any further review needed to

make its recommendations.

(2) The PRB must make a written

recommendation to the appointing

authority about each senior executive’s

annual summary rating.

(3) PRB members may not take part in

any PRB deliberations involving their

own appraisals.

§ 430.311 Training and evaluation.

(a) To assure that agency performance

management systems are effectively

implemented, agencies must provide

appropriate information and training to

supervisors and senior executives on

performance management, including

planning and appraising performance.

(b) Agencies must periodically

evaluate the effectiveness of their

performance management system(s) and

implement improvements as needed.

(c) Agencies must maintain all

performance-related records for no less

than 5 years from the date the annual

summary rating is issued, as required in

§ 293.404(b)(1) of this chapter.

§ 430.312 OPM review of agency systems.

(a) Agencies must submit proposed

SES performance management systems

to OPM for approval.

(b) OPM will review agency systems

for compliance with the requirements of

law, OPM regulations, and OPM

performance management policy.

(c) If OPM finds that an agency system

does not meet the requirements and

intent of subchapter II of chapter 43 of

title 5, United States Code, or of this

subpart, it will direct the agency to take

corrective action, and the agency must

comply.

[FR Doc. 00–26337 Filed 10–12–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6325–01–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99–CE–91–AD; Amendment 39–

11922; AD 2000–20–11]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; LET

Aeronautical Works Model L–13

‘‘Blanik’’ Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD) that

applies to all LET Aeronautical Works

(LET) Model L–13 ‘‘Blanik’’ sailplanes.

This AD requires you to inspect the tailfuselage hinge for strength requirements

and damage, and also requires you to

replace any hinge with damage or that

does not meet strength requirements.

This AD is the result of mandatory

continuing airworthiness information

(MCAI) issued by the airworthiness

authority for the Czech Republic. The

actions specified by this AD are

intended to detect and correct any tailfuselage hinge that is damaged or has

inadequate material characteristics. Any

tail-fuselage hinge with damage or

inadequate material characteristics

could fail and result in loss of

controlled flight.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on

November 27, 2000.

The Director of the Federal Register

approved the incorporation by reference

of certain publications listed in the

regulations as of November 27, 2000.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service

information referenced in this AD from

LET Aeronautical Works, Kunovice 686

04, Czech Republic; telephone: +420

632 55 44 96; facsimile: +420 632 56 41

13. You may examine this information

at the Federal Aviation Administration

(FAA), Central Region, Office of the

Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules

Docket No. 99–CE–91–AD, 901 Locust,

Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106;

or at the Office of the Federal Register,

800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700,

Washington, DC 20001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,

Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust,

Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106;

telephone: (816) 329–4144; facsimile:

(816) 329–4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

What events have caused this AD?

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA),

which is the airworthiness authority for

the Czech Republic, recently notified

the FAA that an unsafe condition may

exist on all LET Model L–13 ‘‘Blanik’’

sailplanes. The CAA reports an incident

involving one of the affected sailplanes

where the tail-fuselage attachment

fitting was damaged. Further analysis

reveals that the material characteristics

of the tail-fuselage attachment fitting

were inadequate.

What are the consequences if the

condition is not corrected? The tailfuselage attachment fitting is a primary

structural element within the

empennage. Failure of this part, if not

detected and corrected, could result in

loss of controlled flight.

Has FAA taken any action to this

point? We issued a proposal to amend

part 39 of the Federal Aviation

Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include

an AD that would apply to all LET

Model L–13 ‘‘Blanik’’ sailplanes. This

proposal was published in the Federal

Register as a notice of proposed

rulemaking (NPRM) on August 9, 2000

(65 FR 48648). The NPRM proposed to

require you to inspect the tail-fuselage

hinge for strength requirements and

damage, and would require you to

replace any hinge with damage or that

does not meet strength requirements.

Was the public invited to comment?

Interested persons were afforded an

opportunity to participate in the making

of this amendment. No comments were

received on the proposed rule or the

FAA’s determination of the cost to the

public.

The FAA’s Determination

What is FAA’s Final Determination on

this Issue? After careful review of all

available information related to the

subject presented above, we have

determined that air safety and the

public interest require the adoption of

the rule as proposed except for minor

editorial corrections. We determined

that these minor corrections:

• Will not change the meaning of the

AD; and

• Will not add any additional burden

upon the public than was already

proposed.

Cost Impact

How many sailplanes does this AD

impact? We estimate that this AD affects

140 sailplanes in the U.S. registry.

What is the cost impact of the

inspection for the affected sailplanes on

the U.S. Register? We estimate that it

will take approximately 4 workhours

per sailplane to accomplish the

inspection, at an average labor rate of

$60 an hour. Based on the cost factors

presented above, we estimate the total

cost impact of the inspection on U.S.

operators to be $33,600, or $240 per

sailplane.

What is the cost impact of the

replacement for the affected sailplanes

on the U.S. Register? We estimate that

it will take approximately 16 workhours

per sailplane to accomplish the

replacement (as necessary), at an

average labor rate of $60 an hour. The

manufacturer will provide the

replacement attachment fittings at no

cost. Based on the cost factors presented

above, we estimate the total labor cost

impact of the replacement on U.S.

operators to be $960 per sailplane.

Regulatory Impact

Does this AD impact various entities?

The regulations adopted herein will not

60846 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 199 / Friday, October 13, 2000 / Rules and Regulations

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. Therefore, it is

determined that this final rule does not

have federalism implications under

Executive Order 13132.

Does this AD involve a significant rule

or regulatory action? For the reasons

discussed above, I certify that this

action (1) is not a ‘‘significant regulatory

action’’ under Executive Order 12866;

(2) is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under DOT

Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44

FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A copy of the final

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, Incorporation by Reference,

Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority

delegated to me by the Administrator,

the Federal Aviation Administration

amends 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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. FAA amends Section 39.13 by

adding a new AD to read as follows:

2000–20–11 LET Aeronautical Works:

Amendment 39–11922; Docket No. 99–

CE–91–AD.

(a) What sailplanes are affected by this

AD? This AD applies to Model L–13 ‘‘Blanik’’

sailplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in

any category.

(b) Who must comply with this AD?

Anyone who wishes to operate any of the

above sailplanes on the U.S. Register must

comply with this AD.

(c) What problem does this AD address?

The actions specified by this AD are intended

to prevent the tail-fuselage hinge failing and

consequent loss of controlled flight.

(d) What actions must I accomplish to

address this problem? To address this

problem, you must accomplish the following:

Actions Compliance times Procedures

(1) Inspect the tail-fuselage attachment fitting,

part number (P/N) A 102 021N, for damage

and material hardness.

Within 60 days after November 27, 2000 (the

effective date of this AD).

Follow the procedures in Mandatory Bulletin

No. L13/085a, dated November 17, 1999.

(2) If the tail-fuselage attachment fitting is damaged or the material does not meet the hardness requirements specified in the service

bulletin, you must replace the tail-fuselage attachment fitting.

Before further flight after the inspection .......... You must notify LET Aeronautical Works and

request they send the replacement part with

installation instructions.

(3) Do not install, on any sailplane, a P/N A

102 021N attachment fitting that has not

passed the inspection requirements specified

in paragraph (d)(1) of this AD.

As of November 27, 2000 (the effective date

of this AD).

Inspect any attachment fitting in accordance

with the previously referenced service bulletin.

(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other

way? You may use an alternative method of

compliance or adjust the compliance time if:

(1) Your alternative method of compliance

provides an equivalent level of safety; and

(2) The Manager, Small Airplane

Directorate, approves your alternative.

Submit your request through an FAA

Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may

add comments and then send it to the

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 901

Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri

64106.

Note 1: This AD applies to each sailplane

identified in paragraph (a) of this AD,

regardless of whether it has been modified,

altered, or repaired in the area subject to the

requirements of this AD. For sailplanes that

have been modified, altered, or repaired so

that the performance of the requirements of

this AD is affected, the owner/operator must

request approval for an alternative method of

compliance in accordance with paragraph (e)

of this AD. The request should include an

assessment of the effect of the modification,

alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition

addressed by this AD; and, if you have not

eliminated the unsafe condition, specific

actions you propose to address it.

(f) Where can I get information about any

already-approved alternative methods of

compliance? Contact Mike Kiesov, Aerospace

Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate,

901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri

64106; telephone: (816) 329–4144; facsimile:

(816) 329–4090.

(g) What if I need to fly the sailplane to

another location to comply with this AD? The

FAA can issue a special flight permit under

sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and

21.199) to operate your sailplane to a location

where you can accomplish the requirements

of this AD.

(h) Are any service bulletins incorporated

into this AD by reference? Actions required

by this AD must be done in accourdance with

LET Mandatory Bulletin No. L13/085a, dated

November 17, 1999. The Director of the

Federal Register approved this incorporation

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

part 51. You can get copies from LET

Aeronautical Works, Kunovice 686 04, Czech

Republic; telephone: +420 632 55 44 96;

facsimile: +420 632 611 26. You can look at

copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of

the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506,

Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the

Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street,

NW, suite 700, Washington, DC 20001.

(i) When does this amendment become

effective ? This amendment becomes effective

on November 27, 2000.

Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed

in Czech Republic AD Number CAA–AD–T–

112/1999, dated November 18, 1999.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on

September 28, 2000.

Michael Gallagher,

Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft

Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 00–25548 Filed 10–12–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000–CE–15–AD; Amendment

39–11925; AD 2000–20–14]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon

Aircraft Company Beech Models A36

and B36TC Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD) that

applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft

Corporation (Raytheon) Beech Models