[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 18, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2437-2439]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-798]
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Rules and Regulations
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 18, 2012 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 2437]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0015; Special Conditions No. 25-455-SC]
Special Conditions: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Model GVI
Airplane; Rechargeable Lithium Batteries and Rechargeable Lithium-
Battery Systems
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Gulfstream
Aerospace Corporation (GAC) Model GVI airplane. This airplane will have
a novel or unusual design feature associated with the installation of
rechargeable lithium batteries and rechargeable lithium-battery
systems. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain
adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. 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: The effective date of these special conditions is January 9,
2012. We must receive your comments by March 5, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2012-0015
using any of the following methods:
Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30, U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room
W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, Wahsington, DC, 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket
Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.
Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.
Privacy: The FAA will post all comments it receives, without
change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information
the commenter provides. Using the search function of the docket web
site, anyone can find and read the electronic form of all comments
received into any FAA docket, including the name of the individual
sending the comment (or signing the comment for an association,
business, labor union, etc.). DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement can
be found in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477-19478), as well as at http://DocketsInfo.dot.gov.
Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at
http://www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions
for accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140
of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nazih Khaouly, Airplane and Flight
Crew Interface Branch, ANM-111, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2432; facsimile (425) 227-
1320.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has determined that notice of, and
opportunity for prior public comment on, these special conditions are
impracticable because these procedures would significantly delay
issuance of the design approval and thus delivery of the affected
aircraft. In addition, the substance of these special conditions has
been subject to the public comment process in several prior instances
with no substantive comments received. The FAA therefore finds that
good cause exists for making these special conditions effective upon
issuance.
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 will consider all comments we receive by the closing date for
comments. We may change these special conditions based on the comments
we receive.
Background
On March 29, 2005, GAC applied for an FAA type certificate for its
new Model GVI passenger airplane (hereafter referred to as ``the
GVI''). On September 28, 2006, GAC re-applied for the GVI type
certificate to adhere to the application effectivity established by
Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.17(c), and on July
31, 2011, GAC requested an extension of application in accordance with
Sec. 21.17(d)(2). The FAA concurred with this request and established
a new effective application date of September 18, 2007. The GVI
airplane will be an all-new, two-engine jet transport airplane. The
maximum takeoff weight will be 99,600 pounds, with a maximum passenger
count of 19 passengers.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14
CFR) 21.17, GAC must show that the GVI meets the applicable provisions
of 14 CFR part 25, as amended by Amendments 25-1 through 25-120, 25-
122, 25-124, and 25-132 thereto. 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 feature, the special conditions would also apply to the
other model.
In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, the GVI must comply with
[[Page 2438]]
the fuel vent and exhaust emission requirements of 14 CFR part 34 and
the noise certification requirements of 14 CFR part 36; and the FAA
must issue a finding of regulatory adequacy under Sec. 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 incorporate the following novel or unusual design
features: Rechargeable lithium batteries and rechargeable lithium-
battery systems.
Discussion
The current regulations governing installation of batteries in
large, transport-category airplanes were derived from Civil Air
Regulations (CAR) Part 4b.625(d) as part of the re-codification of CAR
4b that established 14 CFR part 25 in February 1965. The new battery
requirements, Sec. 25.1353(c) (1) through (c)(4), basically reworded
the CAR requirements.
Increased use of nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries in small
airplanes resulted in increased incidents of battery fires and
failures, which led to additional rulemaking affecting large,
transport-category airplanes as well as small airplanes. On September
1, 1977, and March 1, 1978, respectively, the FAA issued Sec.
25.1353(c)(5) and (c)(6), governing Ni-Cd battery installations on
large, transport-category airplanes.
The proposed use of rechargeable lithium batteries and rechargeable
lithium-battery systems for equipment and systems on the GVI have
prompted the FAA to review the adequacy of these existing regulations.
Our review indicates that the existing regulations do not adequately
address several failure, operational, and maintenance characteristics
of rechargeable lithium batteries and rechargeable lithium-battery
systems that could affect the safety and reliability of the GVI
rechargeable lithium batteries and rechargeable lithium-battery-system
installations.
At present, commercial aviation has limited experience with the use
of rechargeable lithium batteries and rechargeable lithium-battery
systems in aviation applications. However, other users of this
technology, ranging from wireless telephone manufacturers to the
electric vehicle industry, have noted safety problems with lithium
batteries. These problems include overcharging, over-discharging, and
cell-component flammability.
1. Overcharging
In general, lithium batteries are significantly more susceptible
than their Ni-Cd or lead-acid counterparts to internal failures that
can result in self-sustaining increases in temperature and pressure
(i.e., thermal runaway). This is especially true for overcharging,
which causes heating and destabilization of the components of the
lithium-battery cell, which can lead to the formation, by plating, of
highly unstable metallic lithium. The metallic lithium can ignite,
resulting in a self-sustaining fire or explosion. The severity of
thermal runaway due to overcharging increases with increased battery
capacity due to the higher amount of electrolyte in large batteries.
2. Over-Discharging
Discharge of some versions of the lithium-battery cell, beyond a
certain voltage (typically 2.4 volts), can cause corrosion of the
electrodes in the cell, resulting in loss of battery capacity that
cannot be reversed by recharging. This loss of capacity may not be
detected by the simple voltage measurements commonly available to
flight crewmembers as a means of checking battery status, a problem
shared with Ni-Cd batteries.
3. Flammability of Cell Components
Unlike Ni-Cd and lead-acid cells, some types of lithium-battery
cells use flammable liquid electrolytes. The electrolyte can serve as a
source of fuel for an external fire if the cell container is breached.
The problems that lithium-battery users experience raise concerns
about the use of these batteries in commercial aviation. The intent of
these special conditions is to establish appropriate airworthiness
standards for lithium-battery installations in the GVI, and to ensure,
as required by Sec. Sec. 25.601 and 25.1309, that these battery
installations will not result in an unsafe condition.
To address these concerns, these special conditions adopt the
following requirements:
Those sections of Sec. 25.1353 that are applicable to
lithium batteries.
The flammable-fluid fire-protection requirements of Sec.
25.863. In the past, this rule was not applied to batteries in
transport-category airplanes because the electrolytes in lead-acid and
Ni-Cd batteries are not considered flammable.
New requirements to address hazards of overcharging and
over-discharging that are unique to rechargeable lithium batteries.
Section 25.1529, Instructions for Continued Airworthiness,
must include maintenance requirements to ensure that batteries used as
spares are maintained in an appropriate state of charge, and installed
lithium batteries are sufficiently charged at appropriate intervals.
These instructions must also describe proper repairs, if allowed, and
battery part-number configuration control.
In issuing these special conditions, the FAA requires that:
(1) All characteristics of the lithium batteries and their
installation that could affect safe operation of the GVI are addressed,
and
(2) Appropriate Instructions for Continued Airworthiness, which
include maintenance requirements, are established to ensure the
availability of electrical power from the batteries when needed.
The intent of these proposed special conditions is to establish
appropriate airworthiness standards for rechargeable lithium-battery
and rechargeable lithium-battery system installations in the GVI and to
ensure, as required by Sec. Sec. 25.1309 and 25.601, that these
battery installations are not hazardous or unreliable.
Applicability
As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the
GVI. Should GAC apply at a later date for a change to the type
certificate to include another model 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 the GVI. It is not a rule of general applicability.
The substance of these special conditions has been subjected to the
notice and comment period in several prior instances and has been
derived without substantive change from those previously issued. It is
unlikely that prior public comment would result in a significant change
from the substance contained herein. Therefore, because a delay would
significantly affect the certification of the airplane, which is
imminent, the FAA has determined that prior public notice and comment
are unnecessary and impracticable, and good cause exists for adopting
these special conditions upon issuance. The FAA is requesting comments
to allow interested persons to submit views that may not have been
submitted in response to the prior opportunities for comment described
above.
[[Page 2439]]
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 the GVI.
In lieu of the requirements of Sec. 25.1353(c)(1) through (c)(4)
at amendment 25-42, lithium batteries and battery installations on the
GVI must be designed and installed as follows:
(1) Safe lithium battery-cell temperatures and pressures must be
maintained during any charging or discharging condition, and during any
failure of the battery-charging or battery-monitoring system not shown
to be extremely remote. The lithium-battery installation must preclude
explosion in the event of those failures.
(2) Design of lithium batteries must preclude the occurrence of
self-sustaining, uncontrolled increases in temperature or pressure.
(3) No explosive or toxic gases emitted by any lithium battery in
normal operation, or as the result of any failure of the battery-
charging or battery-monitoring system, or battery installation which is
not shown to be extremely remote, may accumulate in hazardous
quantities within the airplane.
(4) Installations of lithium batteries must meet the requirements
of 14 CFR 25.863(a) through (d).
(5) No corrosive fluids or gases that may escape from any lithium
battery may damage surrounding structure or any adjacent systems,
equipment, or electrical wiring of the airplane in such a way as to
cause a major or more-severe failure condition, as determined in
accordance with 14 CFR 25.1309(b).
(6) Each lithium-battery installation must have provisions to
prevent any hazardous effect on structure or essential systems caused
by the maximum amount of heat the battery can generate during a short
circuit of the battery or of its individual cells.
(7) Lithium-battery installations must have a system to control
automatically the charging rate of the battery to prevent battery
overheating or overcharging, and
(i) A battery-temperature-sensing and over-temperature-warning
system with a means to automatically disconnect the battery from its
charging source in the event of an over-temperature condition or,
(ii) A battery-failure sensing-and-warning system with a means to
automatically disconnect the battery from its charging source in the
event of battery failure.
(8) Any lithium-battery installation, the function of which is
required for safe operation of the airplane, must incorporate a
monitoring-and-warning feature that will provide an indication to the
appropriate flight crewmembers whenever the state-of-charge of the
batteries has fallen below levels considered acceptable for dispatch of
the airplane.
(9) The instructions for continued airworthiness required by Sec.
25.1529 (and Sec. 26.11) must contain maintenance steps to assure that
the lithium batteries are sufficiently charged at appropriate intervals
specified by the battery manufacturer. The instructions for continued
airworthiness must also contain procedures to ensure the integrity of
lithium batteries in spares storage to prevent the replacement of
batteries, the function of which are required for safe operation of the
airplane, with batteries that have experienced degraded charge-
retention ability or other damage due to prolonged storage at a low
state-of-charge. Precautions should be included in the continued-
airworthiness maintenance instructions to prevent mishandling of
lithium batteries, which could result in a short circuit or other
unintentional damage that could result in personal injury or property
damage.
GAC must show compliance with the requirements of these special
conditions by test and/or analysis. The aircraft certification office,
or its designees, will find compliance in coordination with the FAA
Transport Standards Staff.
Note 1: The term ``sufficiently charged'' means that the
battery retains enough of a charge, expressed in ampere-hours, to
ensure that the battery cells are not damaged. A battery cell may be
damaged by reducing the battery's charge below a point where the
battery's ability to charge and retain a full charge is reduced.
This reduced charging and charge-retention capability would be
greater than the reduction that may result from normal operational
degradation.
Note 2: These special conditions are not intended to replace
Sec. 25.1353(c) in the certification basis of the GVI. These
special conditions apply only to lithium batteries and rechargeable
lithium-battery-system installations. The requirements of Sec.
25.1353(c) remain in effect for batteries and battery installations
on the GVI that do not use lithium batteries.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 9, 2012.
K.C. Yanamura,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-798 Filed 1-17-12; 8:45 am]
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