[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 238 (Monday, December 13, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 77569-77570]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-31177]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. NM437 Special Conditions No. 25-10-02-SC]
Special Conditions: Gulfstream Model GVI Airplane; Electronic
Flight Control System Mode Annunciation
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions.
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SUMMARY: This action proposes special conditions for the Gulfstream GVI
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. These design features
include an electronic flight control system. The applicable
airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety
standards for these design features. 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 January 27, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You must mail two copies of your comments to: Federal
Aviation Administration, Transport Airplane Directorate, Attn: Rules
Docket (ANM-113), Docket No. NM437, 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. NM437. 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: Joe Jacobsen, FAA, Airplane and Flight
Crew Interface Branch, ANM-111, Transport Standards Staff, Transport
Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2011; facsimile
(425) 227-1320.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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 29, 2005, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (hereafter
referred to as ``Gulfstream'') applied for an FAA type certificate for
its new Gulfstream Model GVI passenger airplane. Gulfstream later
applied for, and was granted, an extension of time for the type
certificate, which changed the effective application date to September
28, 2006. The Gulfstream Model GVI airplane will be an all-new, two-
engine jet transport airplane with an executive cabin interior. The
maximum takeoff weight will be 99,600 pounds, with a maximum passenger
count of 19 passengers.
Type Certification Basis
Under provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
21.17, Gulfstream must show that the Gulfstream Model GVI airplane
(hereafter referred to as ``the GVI'') meets the applicable provisions
of 14 CFR part 25, as amended by Amendments 25-1 through 25-119, 25-122
and 25-124. 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 GVI because of a novel
or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed under the
provisions of Sec. 21.16.
In addition to complying with the applicable airworthiness
regulations and special conditions, the GVI 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 must also issue a
finding of regulatory adequacy pursuant to section 611 of Public Law
92-574, the ``Noise Control Act of 1972.''
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. 21.17(a)(2).
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 features, the special conditions would also apply to the
other model under the provisions of Sec. 21.101.
Novel or Unusual Design Features
The GVI will have a fly-by-wire electronic flight control system.
This system provides an electronic interface between the pilot's flight
controls and
[[Page 77570]]
the flight control surfaces for both normal and failure states, and it
generates the actual surface commands that provide for stability
augmentation and control about all three airplane axes. Because
electronic flight control system technology has outpaced existing
regulations (primarily Sec. Sec. 25.671 and 25.672), a special
condition is proposed to ensure appropriate mode recognition by the
flight crew for events which significantly change the operating mode of
the electronic flight control system.
Discussion of Proposed Special Conditions
Some failures of this system may lead to a degraded operating mode
that does not merit a classic ``failure warning'' but in which flight
envelope protection is lost and the flight crew must fly the airplane
differently to avoid a stall or to avoid exceeding structural speed
limitations. In that case, mode awareness by the flight crew is
necessary to avoid confusion and protect safe flight. Therefore, these
special conditions for flight control system mode annunciation propose
suitable mode annunciation be provided to the flight crew for such
events.
Applicability
As discussed above, these proposed special conditions are
applicable to the GVI. Should Gulfstream 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 proposed special
conditions would apply to that model as well.
Conclusion
This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features
of the GVI. It is not a rule of general applicability.
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 the GVI airplanes.
If the design of the flight control system has multiple modes of
operation, a means must be provided to indicate to the flight crew
any mode that significantly changes or degrades the normal handling
or operational characteristics of the airplane.
Issued in Renton, Washington.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-31177 Filed 12-10-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P