27876 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 98 /Thursday, May 21, 1998 / Proposed Rules

(a) Incorporate an ice detection system in

accordance with the instructions in

Mitsubishi MU–2 Service Bulletin (SB) No.

217, Revision B, dated November 7, 1996,

and Test Instrumentation Inc. Document No.

MU2–6005, dated September 28, 1997.

Note 2: The Rosemount ice detection probe

(part number (P/N) 0871 HL1/HL2 or an

FAA-approved equivalent part number) may

be substituted for the Rosemount P/N

0871CT1 called out in Mitsubishi MU–2B SB

No. 217, Revision B, dated November 7,

1996, and Test Instrumentation Inc.

Document No. MU2–6005, dated September

28, 1997.

(b) Incorporate a pneumatic de-ice

monitoring system in accordance with the

instructions in Test Instrumentation, Inc.

Document No. MU2–5001, Rev. E., dated

May 21, 1997, and Mitsubishi MU–2 SB No.

232, dated July 2, 1997.

(c) Incorporate a trim-in-motion alerting

system and an automatic autopilot

disconnect system in accordance with the

instructions in Test Instrumentation, Inc.

Document No. MU2–1001, Rev. C, dated June

15, 1997, Test Instrumentation, Inc.

Document No. MU2–4001, Rev. C, dated June

30, 1997, and Mitsubishi MU–2 SB No. 231,

dated July 2, 1997.

(d) Incorporate an engine ignition unit

replacement in accordance with the

instructions in Mitsubishi MU–2B SB No.

074/74–001, dated October 9, 1991.

(e) Incorporate an auto-ignition (re-light)

system in accordance with the instructions in

Mitsubishi MU–2 SB No. 226B, Revision B,

dated October 27, 1997.

(f) Fabricate a placard with the following

words and install this placard within the

pilot’s clear view:

Prior to the first flight of the day, a negative

torque sensing (NTS) check and a Propeller

Feather Valve check must be performed in

accordance with the Normal Checklist

Procedures.

(g) Paragraph (f) of this AD can be

accomplished by the owner/operator holding

at least a private pilot certificate as

authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7), and must

be entered into the aircraft records showing

compliance with this AD in accordance with

section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation

Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).

(h) Special flight permits may be issued in

accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199

of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR

21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to

a location where the requirements of this AD

can be accomplished.

(i) An alternative method of compliance or

adjustment of the compliance time that

provides an equivalent level of safety may be

approved by the Manager, Small Airplane

Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas

City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be

forwarded through an appropriate FAA

Maintenance Inspector, who may add

comments and then send it to the Manager,

Small Airplane Directorate.

Note 3: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Small Airplane

Directorate.

(j) All persons affected by this directive

may obtain copies of the documents referred

to herein upon request to Mitsubishi Heavy

Industries America, Inc., 15303 Dallas

Parkway, suite 685, LB–77, Dallas, Texas; or

may examine these documents at the FAA,

Central Region, Office of the Regional

Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,

Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May

13, 1998.

Michael Gallagher,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft

Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–13517 Filed 5–20–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Parts 91 and 150

[Docket No. 2923]

Compatible Land Use Planning

Initiative

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Request for comments.

SUMMARY: The FAA is seeking new ideas

regarding how the agency can better

influence land use decisions around

airports. Noise contours around airports

will continue to shrink with the

elimination of noisier Stage 2 airplanes

by the year 2000. The FAA now seeks

to develop a process that will better

influence long-term land use planning

and zoning around airports. This notice

solicits suggestions about methods the

FAA can use to encourage and help

State and local governments achieve

and maintain land use compatibility

around airports.

DATES: Comments must be received on

or before June 22, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be

mailed in triplicate to: Federal Aviation

Administration, Office of the Chief

Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket (AGC–

200), Docket No. 29231, 800

Independence Avenue, SW.,

Washington, DC 20591. Comments may

also be sent electronically to the Rules

Docket by using the following Internet

address: 9-nprm-cmts@faa.dot.gov.

Comments must be marked Docket No.

29231. Comments may be examined in

the Rules Docket in Room 915G on

weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00

p.m., except on Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Alan Trickey, Policy and Regulatory

Division, AEE–300, Federal Aviation

Administration, 800 Independence

Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591;

telephone, (202) 267–3496; facsimile,

(202) 267–5594; email,

alan.trickey@faa.dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Aircraft noise is a serious problem for

communities around airports. Federal,

state and local governments have spent

several billion dollars for the acquisition

of land, soundproofing, changes in

airport operations and airspace, and

processing of complaints. The airline

industry has expended billions more to

acquire quieter aircraft that reduce noise

exposure levels. Although this

collective effort has resulted in

significant progress, additional

measures are needed to maintain

current gains and prevent the

development of new noncompatible

land uses around airports.

The FAA has been actively engaged in

measures to solve the problem of aircraft

noise since the 1960’s. Specifically, the

FAA has issued regulations phasing out

noisier airplanes. The noisiest Stage 1

airplanes were phased out of

commercial operations in the United

States by 1988. The current phaseout

will eliminate large Stage 2 airplanes

from operations in the contiguous

United States by the year 2000. The

FAA provides grants to airport operators

willing to undertake noise abatement

measures such as the purchase of land

and soundproofing of residences.

Based on several studies, the FAA

expects noise contours at most airports

to continue to shrink for several years

into the 21st century due to the

elimination of noisier aircraft. After the

completion of the Stage 2 phaseout by

the year 2000, the FAA anticipates that

these contours could begin to expand

again at some airports primarily due to

increases in operations. It is essential for

local jurisdictions to plan ahead to

maintain the land use compatibility

already achieved near airports and to

control land uses to prevent new noisesensitive development within an agreed

upon protection zone.

The U.S. Constitution, gives

individual States the authority over land

use, though such authority is often

delegated to local governments. Some

airports are operated by the state or

municipal governments that have the

power to achieve appropriate land use

controls through zoning and other

authorities. But even when

governmental bodies are themselves

airport operators, the noise effects of

their airports often occur in areas

outside their jurisdictions. Land use

decisions generally reflect the needs of

the community, which include but are
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 98 /Thursday, May 21, 1998 / Proposed Rules 27877

1The Commission voted to issue the proposed

changes 2–0. Commissioners Mary Gall and Thomas

Moore voted in favor of issuing the proposed rule.

Chairman Ann Brown abstained.

not limited to considerations of aviation

noise.

The FAA is charged with the

responsibility to maintain a safe and

efficient national airspace system. The

FAA fosters compatible land use

planning both to facilitate access to

airports commensurate with the

demands of air commerce and to abate

the aviation noise effects in the airport

vicinity. Even though the Federal

government lacks the authority to zone

land, the FAA may use its influence to

encourage compatible land use in the

vicinity of an airport. The agency exerts

this influence through airport

development grant agreements,

environmental review requirements,

grants for airport noise compatibility

planning, and educational instruments

on compatible land use planning. The

FAA has issued guidelines for land use

compatibility around airports to assist

those responsible for determining land

use. These guidelines are primarily

contained in 14 CFR Part 150 and

related guidance.

In January 1995, an FAA-sponsored

Study Group on Compatible land Use,

which was composed of community,

airport, and aviation representatives,

produced a report with

recommendations for Federal initiatives

to promote compatible land use

planning and controls around airports.

The group’s recommendations included

the following concepts:

• Provide direct Federal funding

through the Airport Improvement

Program (AIP) to non-airport sponsors

who have land use planning

jurisdiction;

• Encourage cooperative agreements

between airport sponsors and

communities;

• Revise FAA regulations in Part 150

or supporting guidelines to recognize

and publicize successful land use

compatibility concepts, encourage more

effective public participation and

encourage innovative land-use control

techniques;

• Strengthen the linkage between Part

150 noise compatibility programs and

existing Federal programs that reinforce

land use planning, such as Federal

Housing Administration and

Department of Veterans Affairs policies

not to accept properties in high-noise

areas for mortgage insurance.

The FAA has implemented portions

of these recommendations. These ideas

are presented here only to stimulate

thought for addition ideas.

Request for Comments

The FAA is soliciting comments on

any concepts that might serve to

promote compatible land use planning

by state and local authorities and to

discourage development of

noncompatible land uses around

airports. The FAA is particularly

interested in bold, innovative, and

creative options that could be

implemented quickly to discourage

development of noncompatible land

uses, as well as long-term solutions.

Comments that provide a factual basis

for the suggestions are particularly

helpful. The more specific the

suggestions for FAA action, the better.

Ultimately, any process should achieve

long-term cost avoidance for all levels of

government.

The FAA will review information

from public comments and other

sources to identify methods that might

assist State and local governments in

achieving and maintaining land use

compatibility around airports.Further

action would depend on the nature and

scope of the methods identified.

Communications should identify the

notice docket number and be submitted

in triplicate using one of the media

specified in the ADDRESSES paragraph

above. All communications will be filed

in the docket. The docket is available for

public inspection both before and after

the closing date for receipt of comments.

The FAA will acknowledge receipt of

a comment if the commenter includes a

self-addressed, stamped postcard with

the comment. The postcard should be

marked ‘‘Comments to Docket No.

[29231].’’ When the comment is

received by the FAA, the postcard will

be dated, time stamped, and returned to

the commenter.

Issued in Washington, D.C. on May 15,

1998.

James D. Erickson,

Director of Environment and Energy.

[FR Doc. 98–13577 Filed 5–20–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–M

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY

COMMISSION

16 CFR Parts 1615 and 1616

Proposed Technical Changes;

Standard for the Flammability of

Children’s Sleepwear: Sizes 0 Through

6X; Standard for the Flammability of

Children’s Sleepwear: Sizes 7 Through

14

AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety

Commission.

ACTION: Proposed technical changes.

SUMMARY: The Commission proposes to

amend the flammability standards for

children’s sleepwear in sizes 0 through

6X and 7 through 14 to make several

technical changes that would correct the

definition of ‘‘tight-fitting garment.’’ 1

The proposed changes will clarify the

points where garment measurements

should be made.

DATES: Written comments concerning

this proposed amendment are due no

later than August 4, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be

mailed to the Office of the Secretary,

Consumer Product Safety Commission,

Washington, D.C. 20207, telephone:

(301) 504–0800 or delivered to the

Office of the Secretary, room 501, 4330

East-West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland

20814. Comments should be submitted

in five copies and captioned

‘‘Sleepwear.’’ Comments may also be

filed by telefacsimile to (301) 504–0127

or by email to cpsc-os@cpsc.gov

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Margaret Neily, Project Manager,

Directorate for Engineering Sciences,

Consumer Product Safety Commission,

Washington, D.C. 20207; telephone

(301) 504–0550, extension 2354.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

In 1971, the Secretary of Commerce

issued a flammability standard for

children’s sleepwear in sizes 0 through

6X, which became effective in 1972.

That standard, issued under Section 4 of

the Flammable Fabrics Act (‘‘FFA’’), 15

U.S.C. 1193, prescribes tests for

children’s sleepwear garments and

fabrics intended for use in children’s

sleepwear. The flammability standard

for children’s sleepwear in sizes 0

through 6X is codified at 16 CFR Part

1615.

In 1973, responsibility for

administration and enforcement of the

FFA was transferred to the Consumer

Product Safety Commission by

provisions of section 30(b) of the

Consumer Product Safety Act. 15 U.S.C.

2079(b). In 1974, the Commission issued

a flammability standard for children’s

sleepwear in sizes 7 through 14, to

become effective in 1975. The tests in

that standard are substantially the same

as those in the standard for children’s

sleepwear in sizes 0 through 6X. The

flammability standard for children’s

sleepwear in sizes 7 through 14 is

codified at 16 CFR Part 1616.

Both standards require that test

specimens must self-extinguish when

exposed to a small open-flame ignition

source. Self-extinguishing fabrics and

garments are those that stop burning

when removed from an ignition source.