[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 18, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27662-27665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-11828]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. NM428; Notice No. 25-99-11-SC]
Special Conditions: Boeing 747-468, Installation of a Medical
Lift
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action proposes special conditions for the Boeing 747-468
airplane. This airplane, as modified by Jet Aviation, will have a novel
or unusual design feature associated with the installation of a medical
lift. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate
or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. 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.
DATES: We must receive your comments by June 17, 2010.
ADDRESSES: You must mail two copies of your comments to: Federal
Aviation Administration, Transport Airplane Directorate, Attn: Rules
Docket (ANM-113), Docket No. NM428, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356. You may deliver two copies to the Transport
Airplane Directorate at the above address. You must mark your comments:
Docket No. NM428. You can inspect comments in the Rules Docket
weekdays, except Federal holidays, between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jayson Claar, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2194; facsimile
(425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 27663]]
Comments Invited
We invite interested people to take part in this rulemaking by
sending 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. You can inspect the docket 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 us to acknowledge receipt of your comments on this
proposal, include with your comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard
on which you have written the docket number. We will stamp the date on
the postcard and mail it back to you.
Background
On March 2, 2007, Jet Aviation Engineering Services L.P. (JAES), of
Teterboro, New Jersey, applied for a supplemental type certificate for
a reconfiguration of an aircraft interior in a 747-468. The Boeing
Model 747-468 airplane is FAA approved under Type Certificate A20WE as
a large transport-category airplane that is limited to 660 passengers
or fewer, depending on the interior configuration.
This modification includes the installation of a medical lift
between the main deck and upper deck. The lift allows the transport of
a single occupant between the decks during cruise or ramp operations.
The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or
appropriate safety standards for this design feature.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14
CFR) 21.101, JAES must show that the 747-468, as changed, continues to
meet the applicable provisions of the regulations incorporated by
reference in Type Certificate A20WE, or of 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 A20WE are as follows:
Part 36, as amended by Amendments 36-1 through 36-15, and
any later amendments in existence at the time of certification.
Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) 27, as amended
by Amendments 27-1 through 27-6 and any later amendments in existence
at the time of type certification.
Part 25, effective February 1, 1965, as amended by
Amendments 25-1 through 25-59, and the part 25 section-number
exceptions itemized in Type Certificate A20WE.
The following special conditions, exemptions, and equivalent safety
findings, which are part of the Model 747-300 certification basis, are
also part of the certification basis for the Model 747-400.
The special conditions include those enclosed with an FAA letter to
The Boeing Company dated February 20, 1970, and the following:
1. Special Condition 4A, revised to apply to airplanes with the
landing-gear load-evener system deleted, was recorded as an enclosure
to an FAA letter to The Boeing Company dated May 12, 1971.
2. Special Condition No. 25-61-NW-1, for occupancy not to exceed 32
passengers on the upper deck of airplanes with a spiral staircase, was
transmitted to The Boeing Company by FAA letter dated February 26,
1975.
3. Special Condition No. 25-71-NW-3, for occupancy not to exceed 45
passengers on the upper deck of airplanes with a straight-segmented
stairway, was transmitted to The Boeing Company by FAA letter dated
September 8, 1976.
4. Modification of Special Condition No. 25-71-NW-3, for occupancy
not to exceed 110 passengers on the upper deck of airplanes with a
straight-segmented stairway, was transmitted to The Boeing Company by
FAA letter dated August 3, 1981.
5. Special Condition No. 25-77-NW-4, modification of the autopilot
system to approve the airplane for use of the system under Category
IlIb landing conditions, was transmitted to The Boeing Company by FAA
letter dated July 8, 1977.
6. Special Condition No. 25-ANM-16, for use of an overhead crew-
rest area, occupancy not to exceed ten crewmembers, was transmitted to
The Boeing Company by FAA letter dated November 19, 1987. The FAA-
approved procedures required for compliance with paragraph 13 of the
special condition are located in Boeing Document D926U303, Appendix D.
7. Special Condition No. 25-ANM-24, applicable to flight-deck
displays and propulsion-control systems, was provided to Boeing on
December 22, 1988.
8. Special Condition No. 25-ANM-25, which established lightning-and
radio- frequency-energy protection requirements, was provided to Boeing
on December 22, 1988.
Exemptions From Part 25
Exemption no. 1013A, dated December 24, 1969: Exemption from
Section 25.471(b) to allow lateral displacement of the center of
gravity from the airplane centerline.
The following optional requirements, which are part of the Model
747-300 certification basis, apply also to the 747-400:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Requirement Section
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ditching provisions.......................................... 25.801
Ice-protection provisions.................................... 25.1419
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following equivalent-safety findings, previously made for
earlier models under the provisions of Sec. 21.21(b)(1), are also
applicable to the Model 747-400:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Requirement Section
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Width of aisle................................ 25.815.
Pilot-compartment view........................ 25.773.
Use of 1-g stall speed (nonstructural items).. Several (747-400 only).
Use of 1-g stall speed (structural items)..... Several (747-400 only).
Position-light distribution and intensities... 25.1389(b)(3) (747-400 only).
Fire-detection system......................... 25.1203 (See Note 1).
Pressure relief............................... 25.1103(d) (See Note 1).
Emergency-locator transmitter (ELT)........... 25.1415(d).
[[Page 27664]]
Emergency-exit marking........................ 25.811(f).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness
regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain adequate or
appropriate safety standards for the 747-468 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 747-468 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.
The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in
accordance with Sec. 11.38, and they become part of the type-
certification basis under Sec. 21.101.
Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which
they are issued. Should the applicant apply 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, the special conditions would also apply to the other model
under Sec. 21.101.
Novel or Unusual Design Features
The original aircraft configuration included a straight stairway
between the main deck and upper deck at FS 870. The stairway is
relocated in the new configuration, and the existing stairway is
replaced with an electrically powered medical lift using the opening in
the upper deck formerly occupied by the stairs. When the lift is not in
operation, the upper-deck opening is covered by floor panels. These
floor panels are opened up prior to operation of the lift and form a
protective fencing around the upper-deck opening.
The purpose of the medical lift is to move an occupant between the
master lounge in the upper deck and the medical room on the lower deck.
The lift platform is driven by two redundant electrical motors,
mounted to the rear wall, between the struts. A lifting gear-drive with
shafts and gear boxes is powered on the front and rear of the lift
platform. The spindles are supported at the lifting gear on the lower
support structure and with a strut support on the upper deck. The lift
platform is guided in lateral directions with the guiding rails mounted
on the struts.
Discussion
Due to the novel or unusual features associated with the
installation of this medical lift, the following special conditions are
considered necessary to provide a level of safety equal to that
established by the airworthiness regulations incorporated by reference
in the type-certificate.
Applicability
As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the
747-468. Should JAES apply at a later date for a supplemental type
certificate to modify any other model included on Type Certificate
A20WE, to incorporate the same novel or unusual design feature, the
special conditions would apply to that model as well.
Conclusion
This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features
on one model of airplanes. It is not a rule of general applicability
and it affects only the applicant who applied to the FAA for approval
of these features on the airplane.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25
Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702, 44704.
The Proposed Special Conditions
Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes the
following special conditions as part of the type-certification basis
for Boeing 747-468 airplanes modified by JAES.
1. A functional verification must be conducted to ensure the
adequacy of the lift design features that are supposed to prevent
injury to the lift occupant, lift operator, and lift observer.
2. The occupied lift must be designed to withstand the non-
emergency load conditions imposed by the aircraft according to loads
report SIE-327-301, revision D.
3. Occupancy or operation of the lift must not be permitted during
taxi, takeoff, landing (TTL), or turbulent conditions.
4. The lift must be stowed for TTL. The stowed position requires
the lift platform positioned at the main-deck level with the floor
panels closed.
5. A portable oxygen bottle must be present in the lift and easily
accessible to the occupant.
6. Occupancy of the lift must be limited to a single occupant
secured in one of two possible configurations:
a. The occupant must be secured to a medical stretcher that is
attached to the lift platform. The occupied stretcher must be designed
to withstand the non-emergency load conditions defined in loads report
SIE-327-301, revision D.
b. The occupant must be secured to a wheelchair that is attached to
the lift platform.
7. Control panels must be located on both main and upper decks,
connected with full duplex audio communications. On both operator
control units, an emergency shut-off switch must be installed. In an
emergency, this switch must immediately interrupt the main power supply
to the motors. Lift operation must be stopped until the emergency shut-
off switch is reset. As soon as one of the operators commands operation
in a direction, the ``Up'' and ``Down'' option buttons must be disabled
and the stop button enabled. Before one of the operators is able to
change the lift-travel direction again, the lift must first be stopped.
8. Lift operation must require a trained operator at the main-deck
control panel and a trained observer at the upper-deck control panel.
9. Sensors must be installed to detect the following conditions,
and to prevent the start or continuation of lift travel if any
conditions are not met:
a. Upper-deck seat, located on the left side of the aircraft and
just forward of the master-bath bulkhead, is in its most forward,
outboard position.
b. Upper-deck master-bedroom/lavatory port bulkhead is opened and
secured.
c. Upper-deck shower door is closed and secured.
d. Upper-deck master-lavatory door is opened and secured.
e. Upper-deck floor panels are opened and configured to form the
protective fencing.
f. Main-deck inboard doors are closed and secured. The doors must
be lockable only from the outside of the lift. This ensures that the
operator has control of this area and that nobody is located under the
lift.
g. Aircraft seat-belt-fasten signs must not be illuminated.
10. Sensors must be installed to detect the following conditions
during
[[Page 27665]]
operation, and to prevent continued lift travel if any of these
conditions occur:
a. Over-temperature of lift motors and/or power-frequency
converter.
b. Presence of smoke at motors and in electrical-control cabinet.
c. Over-current at the lift motors.
d. Asynchronous operation of the spindles.
11. A built-in fire extinguisher must be installed in the motor and
electrical-control cabinet. This fire extinguisher must be designed to
discharge automatically upon the occurrence of a fire.
12. The lift must have the provision for manual operation in the
event of a malfunction such as a loss of power to the lift and/or
associated systems.
13. A separate battery backup system must provide lighting for the
lift-control system, lift control/sensors, communication system, and
lift lights for a minimum of 10 minutes in the event of loss of power
to the lift and/or associated systems.
14. Lift placards must be installed near or adjacent the control
panels identified in special condition 7. The placards must be stated
as follows:
a. THIS LIFT IS APPROVED FOR MOVING ONLY A SINGLE OCCUPANT BETWEEN
THE MAIN AND UPPER DECKS AND ONLY WHEN SECURED TO EITHER AN APPROVED
MEDICAL STRETCHER OR WHEELCHAIR. NO OTHER USES OF THIS LIFT ARE
APPROVED.
b. DO NOT OPERATE LIFT DURING TAXI, TAKEOFF, LANDING, OR
TURBULENCE.
c. AN APPROVED MEDICAL STRETCHER OR WHEELCHAIR MUST BE PROPERLY
SECURED TO THE LIFT PLATFORM BEFORE OPERATING THIS LIFT.
d. THE LIFT MUST BE STOWED FOR TAXI, TAKEOFF, AND LANDING. THE
STOWED POSITION REQUIRES THE LIFT PLATFORM POSITIONED AT THE MAIN-DECK
LEVEL WITH THE FLOOR PANELS CLOSED.
15. Instructions on how to:
a. Configure the lift for operation.
b. Operate the lift.
c. Stow the lift for non-operation such as during TTL and
turbulence.
d. Operate the mechanical-override features in the event of a
malfunction such as a loss of power to the lift and/or associated
systems.
16. Training and related manuals must include:
a. Limitations and procedures for normal lift operation.
b. Backup and override procedure for evacuating the lift and
returning it to TTL configuration.
17. Special conditions nos. 3. 4, and 14 must be documented in the
Limitations section of the AFM.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 12, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-11828 Filed 5-17-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P