[Federal Register: October 26, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 206)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 62394-62396]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26oc04-2]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. NM293, Special Conditions No. 25-276-SC]
Special Conditions: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-
1159, G-1159A, and G-1159B Series Airplanes; High Intensity Radiated
Fields (HIRF)
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Gulfstream
Aerospace Corporation Model G-1159, G-1159A, and G-1159B series
airplanes modified by Business Jet Technologies. These airplanes will
have novel and unusual design features when compared to the state of
technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport
category airplanes. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not
contain
[[Page 62395]]
adequate or appropriate safety standards for the protection of these
systems 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 provided by the existing airworthiness standards.
DATES: The effective date of these special conditions is October 18,
2004. Comments must be received on or before November 26, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Comments on these special conditions may be mailed in
duplicate to: Federal Aviation Administration, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Attn: Rules Docket (ANM-113), Docket No. NM293, 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. NM293.
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:
Comments Invited
The FAA has determined that notice and opportunity for prior public
comment is impracticable because these procedures would significantly
delay certification of and delivery of the affected airplanes. In
addition, 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 to 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
date on the postcard and mail it back to you.
Background
On December 19, 2003, Business Jet Technologies, Tulsa, Oklahoma,
applied to the FAA, Fort Worth Special Certification Office, for a
supplemental type certificate (STC) to modify certain Gulfstream
Aerospace Corporation Model G-1159, G-1159A, and G-1159B series
airplanes to include the installation of two Shadin ADC-7000 RVSM
capable air data computers. The avionics/electronics and electrical
systems installed in these airplanes have the potential to be
vulnerable to high-intensity radiated fields (HIRF) external to the
airplane. The subject Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation airplanes are T-
tail, low swept-wing, small transport category airplanes. This series
of airplanes operates with a 2-pilot crew and can hold up to 19
passengers.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.101, Business Jet Technologies
must show that the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-1159, G-
1159A, and G-1159B series airplanes, as changed, continue to meet the
applicable provisions of the regulations incorporated by reference in
Type Certificate No. A12EA, 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 certification basis for the modified Gulfstream Aerospace
Corporation Model G-1159 airplanes include:
Civil Air Regulations (CAR) 4b, dated December 31, 1953, including
Amendments 4b-1 thru 4b-14.
Special Regulation SR450A.
Special Conditions in ``Attachment A'' of FAA letter to Grumman
dated September 27, 1965.
14 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 25.1325 (effective February 1,
1965).
Section 25.175 (effective March 1, 1965), in lieu of CAR 4b.155(b).
Section 36.7(d)(3)(ii).
CAR 4b.450, cooling systems.
Part 25, dated February 1, 1965, as amended by Amendments No. 25-2
through 25-8, 25-10, 25-12, 25-16 thru 25-22, 25-24, and 25-26.
If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness
regulations (part 25, as amended) do not contain adequate or
appropriate safety standards for the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
Model G-1159, G-1159A, and G-1159B series airplanes, modified by
Business Jet Technologies, because of a novel or unusual design
feature, special conditions are prescribed under the provisions of
21.16.
In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, these Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-1159, G-
1159A, and G-1159B series airplanes must comply with the fuel vent and
exhaust emission requirements of part 34 and the noise certification
requirements of part 36.
Special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, are issued in
accordance with Sec. 11.38, and become part of the airplane's type
certification basis in accordance with Sec. 21.101.
Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which
they are issued. Should Business Jet Technologies 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 or similar 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 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-1159, G-
1159A, and G-1159B series airplanes will incorporate brand new
avionics/electronics and electrical systems that will perform critical
functions. These systems may be vulnerable to HIRF external to the
airplane. The current airworthiness standards of part 25 do not contain
adequate or appropriate safety standards for the protection of this
equipment from the adverse effects of HIRF. Accordingly, this system is
considered to be a novel or unusual design feature.
Discussion
There is no specific regulation that addresses protection
requirements for electrical and electronic systems from HIRF. Increased
power levels from ground-based radio transmitters and the growing use
of sensitive avionics/
[[Page 62396]]
electronics and electrical 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 the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-
1159, G-1159A, and G-1159B series airplanes. These special conditions
require that new avionics/electronics and electrical systems that
perform 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, and the advent of space and satellite communications
coupled with electronic command and control of the airplane, the
immunity of critical digital avionics/electronics and electrical
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
identified in the table below for the frequency ranges indicated. Both
peak and average field strength components from the table are to be
demonstrated.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Field strength
(volts per meter)
Frequency ---------------------
Peak Average
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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
2GHz-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
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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 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-1159, G-
1159A, and G-1159B series airplanes. Should Business Jet Technologies
apply at a later date for a supplemental type certificate to modify any
other model included on Type Certificate No. A12EA to incorporate the
same or similar novel or unusual design feature, these special
conditions would apply to that model as well as under the provisions of
Sec. 21.101.
Conclusion
This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features
on the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-1159, G-1159A, and G-
1159B series airplanes. 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 airplane.
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 Gulfstream Aerospace
Corporation Model G-1159, G-1159A, and G-1159B series airplanes
modified by Business Jet Technologies:
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 October 18, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-23861 Filed 10-25-04; 8:45 am]
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