[Federal Register: September 11, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 175)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 53315-53316]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11se06-6]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. NM317; Special Conditions No. 25-328-SC]
Special Conditions: Airbus Model A380-800 Airplane, Flotation and
Ditching
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final special conditions.
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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Airbus A380-800
airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features when
compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness
standards for transport category airplanes. Many of these novel or
unusual design features are associated with the complex systems and the
configuration of the airplane, including its full-length double deck.
For these design features, the applicable airworthiness regulations do
not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards regarding
flotation and ditching. These proposed 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. Additional special conditions will be
issued for other novel or unusual design features of the Airbus Model
A380-800 airplane.
DATES: Effective Date: The effective date of these special conditions
is August 28, 2006.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Holly Thorson, FAA, International
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056;
telephone (425) 227-1357; facsimile (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Airbus applied for FAA certification/validation of the
provisionally-designated Model A3XX-100 in its letter AI/L 810.0223/98,
dated August 12, 1998, to the FAA. Application for certification by the
Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) of Europe had been made on January 16,
1998, reference AI/L 810.0019/98. In its letter to the FAA, Airbus
requested an extension to the 5-year period for type certification in
accordance with 14 CFR 21.17(c).
The request was for an extension to a 7-year period, using the date
of the initial application letter to the JAA as the reference date. The
reason given by Airbus for the request for extension is related to the
technical challenges, complexity, and the number of new and novel
features on the airplane. On November 12, 1998, the Manager, Aircraft
Engineering Division, AIR-100, granted Airbus' request for the 7-year
period, based on the date of application to the JAA.
In its letter AI/LE-A 828.0040/99 Issue 3, dated July 20, 2001,
Airbus stated that its target date for type certification of the Model
A380-800 had been moved from May 2005, to January 2006, to match the
delivery date of the first production airplane. In a subsequent letter
(AI/L 810.0223/98 issue 3, dated January 27, 2006), Airbus stated that
its target date for type certification is October 2, 2006. In
accordance with 14 CFR 21.17(d)(2), Airbus chose a new application date
of December 20, 1999, and requested that the 7-year certification
period which had already been approved be continued. The FAA has
reviewed the part 25 certification basis for the Model A380-800
airplane, and no changes are required based on the new application
date.
The Model A380-800 airplane will be an all-new, four-engine jet
transport airplane with a full double-deck, two-aisle cabin. The
maximum takeoff weight will be 1.235 million pounds with a typical
three-class layout of 555 passengers.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17, Airbus must show that the
Model A380-800 airplane meets the applicable provisions of 14 CFR part
25, as amended by Amendments 25-1 through 25-98. If the Administrator
finds that the applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain
adequate or appropriate safety standards for the Airbus A380-800
airplane because of novel or unusual design features, special
conditions are prescribed under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.16.
In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, the Airbus Model A380-800 airplane must comply with the
fuel vent and exhaust emission requirements of 14 CFR part 34 and the
noise
[[Page 53316]]
certification requirements of 14 CFR part 36. In addition, the FAA must
issue a finding of regulatory adequacy pursuant to section 611 of
Public Law 93-574, the ``Noise Control Act of 1972.''
Special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, are issued in
accordance with 14 CFR 11.38 and become part of the type certification
basis in accordance with 14 CFR 21.17(a)(2), Amendment 21-69, effective
September 16, 1991.
Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which
they are issued. Should the type certificate for that model be amended
later to include any other model that incorporates the same novel or
unusual design feature, the special conditions would also apply to the
other model under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.101.
Discussion of Novel or Unusual Design Features
While the main deck of the A380-800 airplane has five pairs of type
A exits, these are not sufficient for the total number of persons on
board the airplane. Therefore, the upper deck exits must also be used
as ditching exits. As a result, the upper deck exits are being equipped
with slide/rafts. With two decks, there is the possibility of
interference between the slides/rafts of the upper deck and the slide/
rafts or rafts of the main deck.
Since 14 CFR part 25 does not address the use of upper deck exits
as ditching exits, special conditions are necessary to ensure that
occupants can be safely evacuated from these exits following a ditching
event.
Discussion of Comments
Notice of Proposed Special Conditions No. 25-05-12-SC, pertaining
to flotation and ditching, were published in the Federal Register on
August 9, 2005 (70 FR 46115). Comments were received from the Airline
Pilots Association (ALPA) and an individual commenter.
Requested change 1: ALPA suggests that in general the special
conditions ``should evaluate the arrangement and utility of the slide/
rafts at each exit using a realistic range of aircraft configurations
and sea state.''
Regarding proposed Special Condition b., ALPA recommends that ``The
demonstration of the boarding of the upper deck slide/rafts should be
done using crewmembers from air carriers operating the aircraft. In
addition, these crewmembers should have had no training beyond that
which will be provided to regular line crewmembers.''
FAA response: Demonstrations of the slide/rafts will consider a
realistic range of airplane configurations and sea states. These
demonstrations and the associated crew training will be consistent with
current practice. The A380-800 is not novel with respect to those
matters. Therefore, we have made no change to the special conditions,
as proposed.
Requested change 2: In terms of proposed Special Condition c., an
individual commenter expressed concern about interference between the
M3 slide/raft and other slide/rafts. ALPA commented that preventing
such interference should not rely on crew procedures.
FAA response: Since the M3 exit will not be used as a ditching
exit, proposed Special Condition c. is not included in these Final
Special Conditions. Should this exit later be reinstated as a ditching
exit, appropriate requirements will be developed for its use.
Applicability
As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the
Airbus A380-800 airplane. Should Airbus apply at a later date for a
change to the type certificate to include another model incorporating
the same novel or unusual design features, 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
of the Airbus A380-800 airplane. It is not a rule of general
applicability.
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 type certification basis for the Airbus A380-800 airplane.
In addition to the requirements of Sec. Sec. 25.801, 25.807(i),
25.810, 25.1411, and 25.1415, the following special conditions apply:
a. For door sill heights that would be greater than six (6) feet
above the waterline during a ditching event, an assist means must be
provided from the airplane to the water.
b. Boarding of the upper deck slide/rafts must be demonstrated for
the rated and overload capacity of the slide/rafts from the
representative door sill heights associated with planned and unplanned
ditching. The boarding procedure must ensure that the occupants
boarding the slide/rafts remain on the slide/raft whether the occupants
enter the slide/raft or raft by walking, jumping or sliding. In
addition, the boarding procedure must not result in injury either to
occupants entering the slide/raft or to occupants already in the slide/
raft.
c. It must be demonstrated that the upper deck slide/rafts located
at doors U1 and U2 (just forward and just aft of the wing) can be
safely separated from the airplane. Safety considerations include
damage to the slide/rafts, injury to occupants of the slide/raft,
ejection of the occupants from the slide/raft into the water as a
result of the contact with the wing, and the slide/raft becoming
beached on the wing. Probable damage to the wing leading and trailing
edge flight control structure during a water landing must be considered
when assessing the damage caused to the slide/rafts or life rafts.
d. It must be demonstrated that when the upper deck slide/rafts are
separated from the airplane, they do not injure occupants of the slide/
raft, eject occupants of the slide/raft into the water, or damage the
slide/raft in a way that affects its seaworthiness.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 28, 2006
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-15012 Filed 9-8-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P