[Federal Register: June 14, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 113)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 32851-32853]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14jn04-4]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. NM279; Special Conditions No. 25-263-SC]
Special Conditions: Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream 200
(Galaxy) Airplanes; High-Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF)
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for Gulfstream Aerospace
LP Model Gulfstream 200 (Galaxy) airplanes modified by Gulfstream
Aerospace Corporation of Dallas, Texas. These modified airplanes will
have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of
technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport
category airplanes. The modification incorporates the installation of a
new electronic laser inertial reference system that performs critical
functions. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain
adequate or appropriate safety standards for the protection of this
system from the effects of high-intensity radiated fields (HIRF). These
special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the
Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety
equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.
DATES: The effective date of these special conditions is June 3, 2004.
Comments must be received on or before July 14, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Comments on these special conditions may be mailed in
duplicate to: Federal Aviation Administration, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Attention: Rules Docket (ANM-113), Docket No. NM279, 1601
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; or delivered in
duplicate to the Transport Airplane Directorate at the above address.
All comments must be marked: Docket No. NM279.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Connie Beane, FAA, Standardization
Branch, ANM-113, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone
(425) 227-2796; facsimile (425) 227-1232.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 32852]]
Comments Invited
The FAA has determined that the substance of these special
conditions has been subject to the public comment process in several
prior instances with no substantive comments received. The FAA
therefore finds that good cause exists for making these special
conditions effective upon issuance. However, the FAA invites interested
persons to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written
comments, data, or views. The most helpful comments reference a
specific portion of the special conditions, explain the reason for any
recommended change, and include supporting data. We ask that you send
us two copies of written comments.
We will file in the docket all comments we receive, as well as a
report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel
concerning these special conditions. The docket is available for public
inspection before and after the comment closing date. If you wish to
review the docket in person, go the address in the ADDRESSES section of
this preamble between 7:30 a.m., and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
We will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing
date for comments. We will consider comments filed late if it is
possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. We may change
these special conditions based on the comments we receive.
If you want the FAA to acknowledge receipt of your comments on
these special conditions, include with your comments a pre-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the docket number appears. We will stamp the
postcard and mail it back to you.
Background
On March 23, 2004, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation of Dallas,
Texas, applied for a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to modify
Model Gulfstream 200 (Galaxy) airplanes. These airplanes are low-wing,
pressurized transport category airplanes with two fuselage-mounted jet
engines. They are capable of seating up to 19 passengers, depending
upon the configuration. The modification incorporates the installation
of a new electronic laser inertial reference system, which interfaces
with the Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS), Flight Management
System (FMS), and Electronic Flight Instrumentation (EFIS), providing
attitude, heading and position data. This system has a potential to be
vulnerable to high-intensity radiated fields (HIRF) external to the
airplane.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
21.101, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation must show that the Model
Gulfstream 200 (Galaxy) airplanes, as changed, continue to meet the
applicable provisions of the regulations incorporated by reference in
Type Certificate No. A53NM, or the applicable regulations in effect on
the date of application for the change. The regulations incorporated by
reference in the type certificate are commonly referred to as the
``original type certification basis.''
The regulations incorporated by reference in Type Certificate No.
A53NM include 14 CFR part 25, as amended by Amendments 25-1 through 25-
82.
If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness
regulations (i.e., part 25, as amended) do not contain adequate or
appropriate safety standards for the modified Model Gulfstream 200
(Galaxy) airplanes, because of a novel or unusual design feature,
special conditions are prescribed under the provisions of Sec. 21.16.
In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, the Model Gulfstream 200 (Galaxy) airplanes must comply
with the fuel vent and exhaust emission requirements of 14 CFR part 34
and the noise certification requirements of 14 CFR part 36.
Special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, are issued in
accordance with Sec. 11.38 and become part of the type certification
basis in accordance with Sec. 21.101.
Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which
they are issued. Should Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation apply at a
later date for a supplemental type certificate to modify any other
model included on the same type certificate to incorporate the same
novel or unusual design feature, these special conditions would also
apply to the other model under the provisions of Sec. 21.101.
Novel or Unusual Design Features
The modified Model Gulfstream 200 (Galaxy) airplanes will
incorporate a new electronic laser inertial reference system that will
perform critical functions. This system may be vulnerable to high-
intensity radiated fields external to the airplane.
Discussion
There is no specific regulation that addresses requirements for
protection of electrical and electronic systems from HIRF. Increased
power levels from ground-based radio transmitters and the growing use
of sensitive electrical and electronic systems to command and control
airplanes have made it necessary to provide adequate protection.
To ensure that a level of safety is achieved equivalent to that
intended by the regulations incorporated by reference, special
conditions are needed for Model Gulfstream 200 (Galaxy) airplanes.
These special conditions require that installation of a new electronic
laser inertial reference system that performs critical functions be
designed and installed to preclude component damage and interruption of
function due to both the direct and indirect effects of HIRF.
High-Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF)
With the trend toward increased power levels from ground-based
transmitters, plus the advent of space and satellite communications
coupled with electronic command and control of the airplane, the
immunity of critical digital avionics systems to HIRF must be
established.
It is not possible to precisely define the HIRF to which the
airplane will be exposed in service. There is also uncertainty
concerning the effectiveness of airframe shielding for HIRF.
Furthermore, coupling of electromagnetic energy to cockpit-installed
equipment through the cockpit window apertures is undefined. Based on
surveys and analysis of existing HIRF emitters, an adequate level of
protection exists when compliance with the HIRF protection special
condition is shown with either paragraph 1 OR 2 below:
1. A minimum threat of 100 volts rms (root-mean-square) per meter
electric field strength from 10 KHz to 18 GHz.
a. The threat must be applied to the system elements and their
associated wiring harnesses without the benefit of airframe shielding.
b. Demonstration of this level of protection is established through
system tests and analysis.
2. A threat external to the airframe of the field strengths is
identified in the following table for the frequency ranges indicated.
Both peak and average field strength components from the Table are to
be demonstrated.
[[Page 32853]]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Field strength (volts
per meter)
Frequency -------------------------
Peak Average
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 kHz--100 kHz............................... 50 50
100 kHz--500 kHz.............................. 50 50
500 kHz--2 MHz................................ 50 50
2 MHz--30 MHz................................. 100 100
30 MHz--70 MHz................................ 50 50
70 MHz--100 MHz............................... 50 50
100 MHz--200 MHz.............................. 100 100
200 MHz--400 MHz.............................. 100 100
400 MHz--700 MHz.............................. 700 50
700 MHz--1 GHz................................ 700 100
1 GHz--2 GHz.................................. 2000 200
2 GHz--4 GHz.................................. 3000 200
4 GHz--6 GHz.................................. 3000 200
6 GHz--8 GHz.................................. 1000 200
8 GHz--12 GHz................................. 3000 300
12 GHz--18 GHz................................ 2000 200
18 GHz--40 GHz................................ 600 200
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The field strengths are expressed in terms of peak of the root-mean-
square (rms) over the complete modulation period.
The threat levels identified above are the result of an FAA review
of existing studies on the subject of HIRF, in light of the ongoing
work of the Electromagnetic Effects Harmonization Working Group of the
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee.
Applicability
As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the
Model Gulfstream 200 (Galaxy) airplanes. Should Gulfstream Aerospace
Corporation apply at a later date for a change to the type certificate
to include another model incorporating the same novel or unusual design
feature, these special conditions would apply to that model as well
under the provisions of Sec. 21.101.
Conclusion
This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features
on the Model Gulfstream 200 (Galaxy) airplanes modified by Gulfstream
Aerospace Corporation. It is not a rule of general applicability and
affects only the applicant who applied to the FAA for approval of these
features on the airplanes.
The substance of the special conditions for these airplanes has
been subjected to the notice and comment procedure in several prior
instances and has been derived without substantive change from those
previously issued. Because a delay would significantly affect the
certification of the airplane, which is imminent, the FAA has
determined that prior public notice and comment are unnecessary and
impracticable, and good cause exists for adopting these special
conditions immediately. The FAA is requesting comments to allow
interested persons to submit views that may not have been submitted in
response to the prior opportunities for comment described above.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25
Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
0
The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702, 44704.
The Special Conditions
0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the following special conditions are issued as part of
the supplemental type certification basis for the Model Gulfstream 200
(Galaxy) airplanes modified by Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation.
1. Protection from Unwanted Effects of High-Intensity Radiated
Fields (HIRF). Each electrical and electronic system that performs
critical functions must be designed and installed to ensure that the
operation and operational capability of these systems to perform
critical functions are not adversely affected when the airplane is
exposed to high-intensity radiated fields.
2. For the purpose of these special conditions, the following
definition applies: Critical Functions: Functions whose failure would
contribute to or cause a failure condition that would prevent the
continued safe flight and landing of the airplane.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 3, 2004.
Franklin Tiangsing,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-13308 Filed 6-10-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P