32720 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 115 /Tuesday, June 16, 1998 /Rules and Regulations

owner/operator must request approval for an

alternative method of compliance in

accordance with paragraph (d) 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 the unsafe condition has not

been eliminated, the request should include

specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated in the

body of this AD, unless already

accomplished.

To prevent failure of the main spar caused

by excessive movement of the main spar

fitting, which could result in loss of control

of the sailplane, accomplish the following:

(a) Within the next 6 calendar months after

the effective date of this AD, inspect the main

spar fitting for excessive tolerance, traces,

movement, etc., in accordance with

Sportflugzeugbau JUBI GmbH AS–K13

Service Bulletin No. 13, dated December 19,

1990.

(b) If any excessive tolerance, traces,

movement, etc., is found in the area of the

main spar fitting during the inspection

required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to

further flight, accomplish the following:

(1) Obtain a repair scheme from the

manufacturer through the FAA, Small

Airplane Directorate, at the address specified

in paragraph (d) of this AD; and

(2) Incorporate this scheme in accordance

with the instructions to the repair scheme.

(c) 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 sailplane

to a location where the requirements of this

AD can be accomplished.

(d) An alternative method of compliance or

adjustment of the compliance times that

provides an equivalent level of safety may be

approved by the Manager, Small Airplane

Directorate, FAA, 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 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Small Airplane

Directorate.

(e) Questions or technical information

related to Sportflugzeugbau JUBI GmbH AS–

K13 Service Bulletin No. 13, dated December

19, 1990, should be directed to Alexander

Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau, 6416

Poppenhausen, Wasserkuppe, Federal

Republic of Germany. This service

information may be examined at the FAA,

Central Region, Office of the Regional

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

Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

(f) The inspection required by this AD shall

be done in accordance with Sportflugzeugbau

JUBI GmbH AS–K13 Service Bulletin No. 13,

dated December 19, 1990. This incorporation

by reference was approved by the Director of

the Federal Register in accordance with 5

U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may

be obtained from Alexander Schleicher

Segelflugzeugbau, 6416 Poppenhausen,

Wasserkuppe, Federal Republic of Germany.

Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central

Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room

1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City,

Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal

Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite

700, Washington, DC.

Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed

in German AD 91–144, dated July 31, 1991.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on

August 1, 1998.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 8,

1998.

Michael Gallagher,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft

Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–15889 Filed 6–15–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–CE–133–AD; Amendment

39–10592; AD 98–13–04

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Glaser-Dirks

Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG–100

and DG–400 Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD) that

applies to all Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau

GmbH (Glaser-Dirks) Models DG–100

and DG–400 gliders. This AD requires

repetitively inspecting the airbrakes to

assure they retract at their outboard end

first, and repairing the airbrakes if they

do not retract at their outboard end first;

and repetitively inspecting the airbrake

torque tube in the fuselage for cracks or

deformations, and reinforcing or

replacing, as necessary, if cracks or

deformations are found in the airbrake

torque tube. This AD is the result of

mandatory continuing airworthiness

information (MCAI) issued by the

airworthiness authority for Germany.

The actions specified by this AD are

intended to prevent overloading of the

airbrake control system caused by free

play between the bellcrank and airbrake

plate, which could result in failure of

the operating lever of the airbrake

torque tube in the fuselage.

DATES: Effective August 2, 1998.

The incorporation by reference of

certain publications listed in the

regulations is approved by the Director

of the Federal Register as of August 2,

1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that

applies to this AD may be obtained from

DG-Flugzeugbau GmbH, Postfach 4120,

D–76625 Bruchsal 4, Germany;

telephone: +49 7257–89–0; facsimile:

+49 7257–8922. This information may

also be examined at the Federal

Aviation Administration (FAA), Central

Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 97–CE–

133–AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,

Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the

Office of the Federal Register, 800 North

Capitol Street, NW, suite 700,

Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.

Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, Small

Airplane Directorate, Aircraft

Certification Service, FAA, 1201

Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri

64106; telephone: (816) 426–6934;

facsimile: (816) 426–2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This

AD

A proposal to amend part 39 of the

Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR

part 39) to include an AD that would

apply to all Glaser-Dirks Models DG–

100 and DG–400 gliders airplanes was

published in the Federal Register as a

notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)

on April 1, 1998 (63 FR 15793). The

NPRM proposed to require repetitively

inspecting the airbrakes to assure they

retract at their outboard end first, and

repairing the airbrakes if they do not

retract at their outboard end first; and

repetitively inspecting the airbrake

torque tube in the fuselage for cracks or

deformations, and reinforcing or

replacing, as necessary, if cracks or

deformations are found in the airbrake

torque tube. Accomplishment of the

proposed action as specified in the

NPRM would be in accordance with DGFlugzeugbau Technical Note No. 301/

18, No. 323/9, and No. 826/34, dated

November 4, 1996.

The NPRM was the result of

mandatory continuing airworthiness

information (MCAI) issued by the

airworthiness authority for Germany.

Interested persons have been 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

After careful review of all available

information related to the subject

presented above, the FAA has

determined that air safety and the

public interest require the adoption of

the rule as proposed except for minor

editorial corrections. The FAA has

determined that these minor corrections
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 115 /Tuesday, June 16, 1998 /Rules and Regulations 32721

will not change the meaning of the AD

and will not add any additional burden

upon the public than was already

proposed.

Compliance Time of This AD

Although the problems identified

with the airbrake control system will

only be unsafe during flight, this

condition is not a result of the number

of times the glider is operated. The

chance of this situation occurring is the

same for a glider with 10 hours time-inservice (TIS) as it is for a glider with 500

hours TIS. For this reason, the FAA has

determined that a compliance based on

calendar time should be utilized in this

AD in order to assure that the unsafe

condition is addressed on all gliders in

a reasonable time period.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 45 gliders in

the U.S. registry will be affected by this

AD, that it will take approximately 4

workhours per glider to accomplish this

inspections, and that the average labor

rate is approximately $60 an hour.

Based on these figures, the total cost

impact of this AD on U.S. operators is

estimated to be $10,800, or $240 per

glider.

These figures are based only on the

initial inspections and do not take into

account the costs of any repetitive

inspections or reinforcements and

modifications that will be needed based

on the results of this inspections. The

FAA has no way of determining the

number of repetitive inspections each

owner/operator of the affected airplanes

will incur, or the number of airbrake

control systems that will require

modification, reinforcement, or repair.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will

not have substantial direct effects 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, in

accordance with Executive Order 12612,

it is determined that this final rule does

not have sufficient federalism

implications to warrant the preparation

of a Federalism Assessment.

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, pursuant to 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. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding a new airworthiness directive

(AD) to read as follows:

98–13–04 Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau

GMBH: Amendment 39–10592; Docket

No. 97–CE–133–AD.

Applicability: Models DG–100 and DG–400

gliders, all serial numbers, certificated in any

category.

Note 1: This AD applies to each glider

identified in the preceding applicability

provision, regardless of whether it has been

modified, altered, or repaired in the area

subject to the requirements of this AD. For

gliders 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 (d) 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 the unsafe condition has not

been eliminated, the request should include

specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated in the

body of this AD, unless already

accomplished.

To prevent overloading of the airbrake

control system caused by free play between

the bellcrank and airbrake plate, which could

result in failure of the operating lever of the

airbrake torque tube in the fuselage,

accomplish the following:

(a) Within the next 3 calendar months after

the effective date of this AD, and thereafter

at intervals not to exceed 12 calendar

months, inspect the airbrakes to assure they

retract at their outboard end first in

accordance with DG-Flugzeugbau GmbH

Working instructions No. 1 for Technical

Notes No. 301/18, 323/9, and 826/34, dated

November 4, 1996. If the airbrakes do not

retract at their outboard end first, prior to

further flight, repair the airbrakes in

accordance with the above-referenced

working instructions.

(b) Within the next 30 calendar days after

the effective date of this AD, and thereafter

at intervals not to exceed 12 calendar

months, inspect the airbrake torque tube in

the fuselage for cracks or deformations in

accordance with DG-Flugzeugbau GmbH

Working instructions No. 2 for Technical

Notes No. 301/18, 323/9, and 826/34, dated

November 4, 1996. If cracks or deformations

are found in the airbrake torque tube, prior

to further flight, reinforce or replace, as

necessary, in accordance with the abovereferenced working instructions.

(c) 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 glider to a

location where the requirements of this AD

can be accomplished.

(d) An alternative method of compliance or

adjustment of the initial or repetitive

compliance times that provides an equivalent

level of safety may be approved by the

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA,

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 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Small Airplane

Directorate.

(e) Questions or technical information

related to service information referenced in

this AD should be directed to DGFlugzeugbau GmbH, Postfach 4120, D–76625

Bruchsal 4, Germany; telephone: +49 7257–

89–0; facsimile: +49 7257–8922. This service

information may be examined at the FAA,

Central Region, Office of the Regional

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

Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

(f) The inspections, repair, reinforcement,

and replacement required by this AD shall be

done in accordance with DG-Flugzeugbau

Working Instruction No. 1 and No. 2 for

Technical Notes No. 301/18, No. 323/9, and

No. 826/34, dated November 4, 1996. This

incorporation by reference was approved by

the Director of the Federal Register in

accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR

part 51. Copies may be obtained from DGFlugzeugbau GmbH, Postfach 4120, D–76625

Bruchsal 4, Germany. Copies may be

inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office

of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E.

12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the

Office of the Federal Register, 800 North

Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington,

DC.

Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed

in German AD 97–011, dated January 30,

1997.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on

August 2, 1998.
32722 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 115 /Tuesday, June 16, 1998 /Rules and Regulations

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 8,

1998.

Michael Gallagher,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft

Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–15894 Filed 6–15–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 98–AAL–2]

Revision of Class E Airspace; Homer,

AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This rule modifies Class E

airspace at Homer, AK. The

modification of the Localizer (LOC)/

Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)

instrument approach to Runway (RWY)

21at Homer, AK, made this action

necessary. The intended effect of this

action is to provide adequate controlled

airspace for Instrument Flight Rules

(IFR) operations at Homer, AK.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, August 13,

1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robert van Haastert, Operations Branch,

AAL–538, Federal Aviation

Administration, 222 West 7th Avenue,

Box 14, Anchorage, AK 99513–7587;

telephone number (907) 271–5863; fax:

(907) 271–2850; email:

Robert.van.Haastert@faa.dot.gov.

Internet address: http://

www.alaska.faa.gov/at or at address

http://162.58.28.41/at.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

On March 16, 1998, a proposal to

amend part 71 of the Federal Aviation

Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to revise

Class E airspace at Homer, AK, was

published in the Federal Register (63

FR 13016). The proposal was necessary

due to the modifications to the LOC/

DME instrument approach to RWY 21 at

Homer, AK.

Interested parties were invited to

participate in this rulemaking

proceeding by submitting written

comments on the proposal to the FAA.

No public comments to the proposal

were received. However, the coordinates

for Homer Airport changed when the

runway thresholds were relocated to

provide standard runway safety areas.

The new coordinates for the airport

reference point at Homer Airport, AK,

are 59°38′44′′ N., 151°28′36′′ W. The

Federal Aviation Administration has

determined that these changes are

editorial in nature and will not increase

the scope of this rule. Except for the

non-substantive change just discussed,

the rule is adopted as written.

The coordinates for this airspace

docket are based on North American

Datum 83. The area will be depicted on

aeronautical charts for pilot reference.

The Class E airspace areas designated as

surface areas for an airport are

published in paragraph 6002 and the

Class E airspace areas designated as

700/1200 foot transition areas are

published in paragraph 6005 of FAA

Order 7400.9E, Airspace Designations

and Reporting Points, dated September

10, 1997, and effective September 16,

1997, which is incorporated by

reference in 14 CFR 71.1 (62 FR 52491;

October 8, 1997). The Class E airspace

designations listed in this document

will be revised and published

subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

This amendment to 14 CFR part 71

revises the Class E airspace at Homer,

AK. The modification of the LOC/DME

instrument approach to RWY 21 has

made this action necessary. The

intended effect of this proposal is to

provide adequate controlled airspace for

IFR operations at Homer, AK.

The FAA has determined that these

proposed regulations only involve an

established body of technical

regulations for which frequent and

routine amendments are necessary to

keep them operationally current. It,

therefore—(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) does not warrant

preparation of a regulatory evaluation as

the anticipated impact is so minimal.

Since this is a routine matter that will

only affect air traffic procedures and air

navigation, it is certified that this rule,

when promulgated, will not have a

significant economic impact on a

substantial number of small entities

under the criteria of the Regulatory

Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

Airspace, Incorporation by reference,

Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

In consideration of the foregoing, the

Federal Aviation Administration

amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

PART 71— DESIGNATION OF CLASS

A, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND

CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS;

AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING

POINTS

1. The authority citation for 14 CFR

part 71 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113,

40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959–

1963 Comp., p. 389.

§ 71.1 [Amended]

2. The incorporation by reference in

14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation

Administration Order 7400.9E, Airspace

Designations and Reporting Points,

dated September 10, 1997, and effective

September 16, 1997, is amended as

follows:

Paragraph 6002 The Class E airspace areas

listed below are designated as a surface area

for an airport.

* * * * *

AAL AK E2 Homer, AK [Revised]

Homer Airport, AK

(Lat. 59°38′44′′ N., long. 151°28′36′′ W.)

Kachemak NDB

(Lat. 59°38′29′′ N., long. 151°30′01′′ W.)

Homer Localizer

(Lat. 59°39′07′′ N., long. 151°27′31′′ W.)

Within a 4.2 mile radius of the Homer

Airport and within 1.9 miles either side of

the Homer localizer northeast backcourse

extending from the localizer to 7.2 miles

northeast of the Homer localizer, and within

2.4 miles north and 4.2 miles south of the

Kachemak NDB 235° radial extending from

the Kachemak NDB to 8.3 miles southwest

the Kachemak NDB. This Class E airspace

area is effective during the specific dates and

times established in advance by a Notice to

Airmen. The effective date and time will

thereafter be continuously published in the

Supplement Alaska (Airport/Facility

Directory).

* * * * *

Paragraph 6005 Class E airspace extending

upward from 700 feet or more above the

surface of the earth.

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Homer, AK [Revised]

Homer Airport, AK

(Lat. 59°38′44′′ N., long. 151°28′36′′ W.)

Kachemak NDB

(Lat. 59°38′29′′ N., long. 151°30′01′′ W.)

Homer Localizer

(Lat. 59°39′07′′ N., long. 151°27′31′′ W.)

That airspace extending upward from 700

feet above the surface within a 6.7 mile

radius of the Homer Airport and within 4

miles either side of the Homer localizer

northeast backcourse extending from

localizer to 12 miles northeast of the Homer

localizer, and within 8 miles north and 4.2

miles south of the Kachemak NDB 235° radial

extending from the Kachemak NDB to 16

miles southwest of the Kachemak NDB.

* * * * *