[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 53 (Friday, March 18, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14795-14796]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-6333]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. NM437; Special Conditions No. 25-422-SC]
Special Conditions: Gulfstream Model GVI Airplane; Electronic
Flight Control System Mode Annunciation.
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final special conditions.
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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued 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 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: Effective Date: April 18, 2011.
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 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2011; facsimile
(425) 227-1320.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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.
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.
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).
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 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 needed 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 Comments
Notice of proposed special conditions No. 25-10-02-SC for
Gulfstream GVI airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
December 13, 2010 (75 FR 77569). Only one comment was received.
Clarification of Conditions That Should Be Annunciated
The commenter, Gulfstream, requested that the special conditions be
revised to clarify the conditions in which the mode annunciation should
occur. Gulfstream suggested that additional annunciation should not be
required when transitioning from one normal operation mode to another
in response to flight crew actions, such as extending flaps or landing
gear.
We do not agree with the commenter's recommendation. The current
verbiage clearly states that the mode annunciation is only required
when ``normal handling or operational characteristics'' of the airplane
are significantly changed or degraded. In the scenario that Gulfstream
refers to, there would be no change to the ``normal handling or
operational characteristics.'' Therefore, no annunciation would be
required. No changes were made as a result of this comment and the
special conditions are adopted as proposed.
[[Page 14796]]
Applicability
As discussed above, these 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 on the same type certificate
incorporating 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 airplane model. 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 Special Conditions
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 Gulfstream 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, on March 9, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-6333 Filed 3-17-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P