[Federal Register: March 16, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 49)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 11003-11004]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16mr09-2]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28689; Directorate Identifier 2006-SW-17-AD;
Amendment 39-15832; AD 2009-05-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Trimble or FreeFlight Systems 2101 I/O
Approach Plus Global Positioning System (GPS) Navigation Systems
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
the Trimble or FreeFlight Systems 2101 I/O Approach Plus global
positioning system (GPS) navigation system (2101 I/O Approach Plus
system) that requires a software upgrade for this system. This
amendment is prompted by an incident that led to the discovery of
several annunciation errors with the 2101 I/O Approach Plus system. The
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent a pilot from
making an unsafe decision based on erroneous information provided by
the 2101 I/O Approach Plus system, which could result in loss of
control of the aircraft.
DATES: Effective April 20, 2009.
ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD
from FreeFlight Systems, 3700 IH 35, Waco, Texas, USA, 76706, or by
calling (254) 662-0000 or on the Internet at http://
www.freeflightsystems.com.
Examining the Docket: You may examine the docket that contains this
AD, any comments, and other information on the Internet at http://
www.regulations.gov or at the Docket Operations office, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington,
DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sung-Hui Cavazos, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Special Certification Office,
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0190, telephone (817) 222-5142, fax (817) 222-
5785.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to
include an AD for the specified navigation system was published in the
Federal Register on July 13, 2007 (72 FR 38532). That action proposed
to require, within 180 days after the effective date of the AD for
aircraft approved for instrument flight rule (IFR) flight, or 270 days
after the effective date of the AD for aircraft approved for visual
flight rule (VFR) flight, upgrading the 2101 I/O Approach Plus system
software to correct several software errors.
Freeflight Systems issued Service Information Letter (SIL) 81440-
XX-00-17, dated November 7, 2005, when the manufacturer believed that
software version 241H would correct the erroneous information displays.
However, version 241H did not correct all the errors. Therefore,
FreeFlight Systems issued SIL 81440-XX-00-19, dated May 10, 2006, which
describes the release of new operating system software, version 241J,
``that makes communication between the Host and the GPS processors more
robust.'' Freeflight Systems subsequently issued Service Bulletin No.
SB 81440-XX-00-19, dated December 12, 2006, that contains the
instructions for obtaining and upgrading the software to version 241J.
Although the proposed AD included a Note referencing SIL 81440-XX-00-
17, this AD references the most recently available service information,
Service Bulletin No. SB 81440-XX-00-19, dated December 12, 2006.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
The commenter, FreeFlight Systems, states that ``the proposed AD
specifies 81440-13-XXXX as being applicable for this upgrade. The
81440-13-XXXX is a number assigned for an NVG (night vision goggles)
version of the 81440 that was never put into production so no units
exist that would require this upgrade. The 81440-13-XXXX was included
in error in the AD Worksheet identifying applicable systems provided to
the FAA by FreeFlight Systems.'' Therefore, part number (P/N) 81440-13-
XXXX (where XXXX is -241E, -241F, or 241G) should be removed from the
AD. The FAA concurs and has removed those P/Ns from the AD.
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither
increase the economic burden
[[Page 11004]]
on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 259 2101 I/O Approach
Plus systems installed on aircraft of U.S. registry, and the required
actions will take approximately 2 work hours per aircraft to accomplish
at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Required parts will cost
approximately $300 per aircraft. Based on these figures, we estimate
the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators to be $72,520,
assuming one 2101 I/O Approach Plus system is installed on each
aircraft, the manufacturer will provide all $300 in parts at no cost,
and the only costs for these parts will be $120 for shipping costs for
each unit.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a
substantial direct effect 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply
with this AD. See the AD docket to examine the economic evaluation.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
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
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to
read as follows:
2009-05-08 Trimble or Freeflight Systems: Amendment 39-15832. Docket
No. FAA-2007-28689; Directorate Identifier 2006-SW-17-AD.
Applicability
All aircraft with a Trimble or FreeFlight Systems 2101 I/O
Approach Plus global positioning system (GPS) navigation system
(2101 I/O Approach Plus system), part number 81440-xx-241E, 81440-
xx-241F, or 81440-xx-241G (xx indicates either the numbers 02, 03,
or 12), with software revision -241E, -241F, or 241G, installed,
certificated in any category.
Compliance
Required within 180 days after the effective date of this AD for
aircraft approved for instrument flight rule (IFR) flight, or 270
days after the effective date of this AD for aircraft approved for
visual flight rule (VFR) flight, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent a pilot from making an unsafe decision based on
erroneous information provided by the 2101 I/O Approach Plus system,
which could result in loss of control of the aircraft, accomplish
the following:
(a) Upgrade the system software of any Trimble or FreeFlight
Systems 2101 I/O Approach Plus GPS navigation system, part number
(P/N) 81440-xx-241E, 81440-XX-241F, or 81440-xx-241G (xx indicates
the numbers 02, 03, or 12), that currently has software revision -
241E, -241F, or -241G, to system software revision, P/N 81440-XX-
241J.
Note: Sections II and III of FreeFlight Systems Service Bulletin
No. SB 81440-XX-00-19, dated December 12, 2006, pertains to the
requirements of this AD.
(b) Upgrading the Trimble or FreeFlight Systems 2101 I/O
Approach Plus GPS Navigation System's software, to system software
revision, P/N 81440-xx-241J, is considered a terminating action for
the requirements of this AD.
(c) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Contact the Manager, Special Certification Office, FAA, ATTN: Sung-
Hui Cavazos, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate,
Special Certification Office, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0190,
telephone (817) 222-5142, fax (817) 222-5785, for information about
previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the aircraft to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished provided that the
aircraft is operated under VFR only.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on April 20, 2009.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 19, 2009.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-4942 Filed 3-13-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P