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.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

16433 

Vol. 87, No. 56 

Wednesday, March 23, 2022 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2022–0288; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2021–00913–G] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Alexander 

Schleicher GmbH & Co. 

Segelflugzeugbau Gliders 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a 

new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. 

Segelflugzeugbau Model ASW–15 

gliders. This proposed AD was 

prompted by 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 identifies the unsafe 

condition as wing root damage. This 

proposed AD would require repetitively 

inspecting the wing root ribs for cracks, 

looseness, and damage and replacing 

any root rib with a crack, a loose rib or 

lift pin bushing, or any damage. The 

FAA is proposing this AD to address the 

unsafe condition on these products. 

DATES: The FAA must receive comments 

on this proposed AD by May 9, 2022. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail 

address above between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this NPRM, contact Alexander 

Schleicher GmbH & Co. 

Segelflugzeugbau, AlexanderSchleicher-Str. 1, Poppenhausen, 

Germany D–36163; phone: +49 (0) 

06658 89–0; email: info@alexanderschleicher.de; website: https://

www.alexander-schleicher.de. You may 

view this service information at the 

FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, 

Kansas City, MO 64106. For information 

on the availability of this material at the 

FAA, call (817) 222–5110. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0288; 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 

NPRM, the MCAI, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

street address for Docket Operations is 

listed above. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim 

Rutherford, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, 

International Validation Branch, FAA, 

901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 

64106; phone: (816) 329–4165; email: 

jim.rutherford@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

The FAA invites you to send any 

written relevant data, views, or 

arguments about this proposal. Send 

your comments to an address listed 

under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0288; Project Identifier 

MCAI–2021–00913–G’’ at the beginning 

of your comments. The most helpful 

comments reference a specific portion of 

the proposal, explain the reason for any 

recommended change, and include 

supporting data. The FAA will consider 

all comments received by the closing 

date and may amend this proposal 

because of those comments. 

Except for Confidential Business 

Information (CBI) as described in the 

following paragraph, and other 

information as described in 14 CFR 

11.35, the FAA will post all comments 

received, without change, to https://

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information you provide. The 

agency will also post a report 

summarizing each substantive verbal 

contact received about this NPRM. 

Confidential Business Information 

CBI is commercial or financial 

information that is both customarily and 

actually treated as private by its owner. 

Under the Freedom of Information Act 

(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt 

from public disclosure. If your 

comments responsive to this NPRM 

contain commercial or financial 

information that is customarily treated 

as private, that you actually treat as 

private, and that is relevant or 

responsive to this NPRM, it is important 

that you clearly designate the submitted 

comments as CBI. Please mark each 

page of your submission containing CBI 

as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such 

marked submissions as confidential 

under the FOIA, and they will not be 

placed in the public docket of this 

NPRM. Submissions containing CBI 

should be sent to Jim Rutherford, 

Aviation Safety Engineer, General 

Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, 

International Validation Branch, FAA, 

901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 

64106. Any commentary that the FAA 

receives which is not specifically 

designated as CBI will be placed in the 

public docket for this rulemaking. 

Background 

The European Union Aviation Safety 

Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 

Agent for the Member States of the 

European Union, has issued EASA AD 

2021–0187, dated August 9, 2021 

(referred to after this as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to 

address an unsafe condition on certain 

Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. 

Segelflugzeugbau Model ASW 15 

gliders. The MCAI states: 

Occurrences were reported of finding wing 

root rib damage. Investigation is ongoing to 

determine the root cause of the damage. 

This condition, if not detected and 

corrected, could reduce the structural 

integrity of the wing assembly of the 

sailplane. 

To address this potential unsafe condition, 

Schleicher issued the TN [technical note] to 

provide inspection instructions. 

For the reasons described above, this 

[EASA] AD requires repetitive inspections of 

each affected part and, depending on 

findings, replacement. This [EASA] AD also 

introduces restrictions for installation of an 

affected part. 


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16434 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 56 / Wednesday, March 23, 2022 / Proposed Rules 

You may examine the MCAI in the 

AD docket at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2022– 

0288. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

The FAA reviewed Alexander 

Schleicher GmbH & Co. 

Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15 Technical 

Note No. 29, dated June 28, 2021. This 

service information specifies inspecting 

the root ribs at the wings. 

The FAA also reviewed Alexander 

Schleicher GmbH & Co. 

Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15 Repair 

instruction exchange of wing root ribs 

according to TN 29, dated June 28, 2021. 

This service information specifies 

procedures for replacing the root ribs. 

In addition, the FAA reviewed 

Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. 

Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15 Maintenance 

Instruction G, Issue 1, dated June 28, 

2021. This service information specifies 

procedures for inspecting the root ribs at 

the wings for damage. 

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 ADDRESSES. 

FAA’s Determination 

This product has been approved by 

the aviation authority of another 

country and is approved for operation in 

the United States. Pursuant to the FAA’s 

bilateral agreement with this State of 

Design Authority, it has notified the 

FAA of the unsafe condition described 

in the MCAI and service information 

referenced above. The FAA is issuing 

this NPRM after determining the unsafe 

condition described previously is likely 

to exist or develop on other products of 

the same type design. 

Proposed AD Requirements in This 

NPRM 

This proposed AD would require 

accomplishing the actions specified in 

the service information already 

described. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD, if 

adopted as proposed, would affect 20 

gliders of U.S. registry. 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to comply with this proposed AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Inspect root ribs ...................... 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 ................. Not Applicable ........................ $85 $1,700 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to do any necessary replacements 

that would be required based on the 

results of the proposed inspection. The 

agency has no way of determining the 

number of gliders that might need these 

replacements: 

ON-CONDITION COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Replace all four root ribs ............................. 8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680 ............................................ $1,000 $1,680 

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 

The FAA determined that this 

proposed AD would not have federalism 

implications under Executive Order 

13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed regulation: 

(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory 

action’’ under Executive Order 12866, 

(2) Would not affect intrastate 

aviation in Alaska, and 

(3) Would 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 Proposed Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA proposes to amend 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: 

Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. 

Segelflugzeugbau: Docket No. FAA– 

2022–0288; Project Identifier MCAI– 

2021–00913–G. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

The FAA must receive comments on this 

airworthiness directive (AD) by May 9, 2022. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 56 / Wednesday, March 23, 2022 / Proposed Rules 16435 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Alexander Schleicher 

GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau Model ASW– 

15 gliders, all serial numbers, certificated in 

any category. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) 

Code 5712, Wing, Rib/Bulkhead. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by 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 wing root 

rib damage. The FAA is issuing this AD to 

detect and correct damaged root ribs. The 

unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 

result in reduced structural integrity of the 

wing assembly, which could lead to loss of 

control of the glider. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Action 

(1) Within 30 days after the effective date 

of this AD and thereafter at intervals not to 

exceed 12 months, inspect all wing root ribs 

(4 places) for cracks, looseness, and damage 

in accordance with the Action section in 

Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. 

Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15 Maintenance 

Instruction G, Issue 1, dated June 28, 2021. 

If there is a crack in any root rib, a loose rib 

or lift pin bushing, or any damage, before 

further flight, replace the root rib in 

accordance with Action paragraph (B) in 

Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. 

Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15 Technical Note 

No. 29, dated June 28, 2021, and steps 1 

through 7 in Alexander Schleicher GmbH & 

Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15 Repair 

instruction exchange of wing root ribs 

according to TN 29, dated June 28, 2021. 

(2) Replacing all four wing root ribs is 

terminating action for the repetitive 

inspections required by this AD. 

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, International Validation 

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 (i)(1) of this AD and 

email to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@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. 

(i) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Jim Rutherford, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft 

Section, International Validation Branch, 

FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 

MO 64106; phone: (816) 329–4165; email: 

jim.rutherford@faa.gov. 

(2) Refer to MCAI European Union 

Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021– 

0187, dated August 9, 2021, for related 

information. You may examine the EASA AD 

in the AD docket at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for and 

locating Docket No. FAA–2022–0288. 

(3) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Alexander Schleicher GmbH 

& Co. Segelflugzeugbau, AlexanderSchleicher-Str. 1, Poppenhausen, Germany 

D–36163 ; phone: +49 (0) 06658 89–0; email: 

info@alexander-schleicher.de; website: 

https://www.alexander-schleicher.de. You 

may view this service information at the 

FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, 

Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on 

the availability of this material at the FAA, 

call (817) 222–5110. 

Issued on March 15, 2022. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2022–05873 Filed 3–22–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2022–0167; Airspace 

Docket No. 22–AGL–14] 

RIN 2120–AA66 

Proposed Establishment of Class D 

Airspace; Chicago/Romeoville, IL 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: This action proposes to 

establish Class D airspace at Chicago/ 

Romeoville, IL. The FAA is proposing 

this action to support the establishment 

of an air traffic control tower at Lewis 

University Airport, Chicago/Romeoville, 

IL. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before May 9, 2022. 

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this 

proposal to the U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington, DC 20590; telephone (202) 

366–9826, or (800) 647–5527. You must 

identify FAA Docket No. FAA–2022– 

0167/Airspace Docket No. 22–AGL–14 

at the beginning of your comments. You 

may also submit comments through the 

internet at https://www.regulations.gov. 

You may review the public docket 

containing the proposal, any comments 

received, and any final disposition in 

person in the Dockets Office between 

9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except federal holidays. 

FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace 

Designations and Reporting Points, and 

subsequent amendments can be viewed 

online at https://www.faa.gov/air_

traffic/publications/. For further 

information, you can contact the 

Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation 

Administration, 800 Independence 

Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; 

telephone: (202) 267–8783. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Jeffrey Claypool, Federal Aviation 

Administration, Operations Support 

Group, Central Service Center, 10101 

Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 

76177; telephone (817) 222–5711. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Authority for This Rulemaking 

The FAA’s authority to issue rules 

regarding aviation safety is found in 

Title 49 of the United States Code. 

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. This rulemaking is 

promulgated under the authority 

described in Subtitle VII, Part A, 

Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that 

section, the FAA is charged with 

prescribing regulations to assign the use 

of airspace necessary to ensure the 

safety of aircraft and the efficient use of 

airspace. This regulation is within the 

scope of that authority as it would 

establish Class D airspace at Lewis 

University Airport, Chicago/Romeoville, 

IL, to support instrument flight rule 

operations at this airport. 

Comments Invited 

Interested parties are invited to 

participate in this proposed rulemaking 

by submitting such written data, views, 

or arguments, as they may desire. 

Comments that provide the factual basis 

supporting the views and suggestions 

presented are particularly helpful in 

developing reasoned regulatory 

decisions on the proposal. Comments 

are specifically invited on the overall 

regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 

environmental, and energy-related 

aspects of the proposal. 

Communications should identify both 

docket numbers and be submitted in 

triplicate to the address listed above. 

Commenters wishing the FAA to 

acknowledge receipt of their comments 

on this notice must submit with those 

comments a self-addressed, stamped 


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