[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 27, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70849-70851]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-28408]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0999; Special Conditions No. 25-506-SC]
Special Conditions: Boeing Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER Series
Airplanes; Aircraft Electronic System Security Protection from
Unauthorized Internal Access.
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final special conditions.
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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 777-
200, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. These airplanes, as modified by
ARINC Aerospace Company, will have novel or unusual design features
associated with Class 3 Electronic Flight Bags (EFB) and wireless local
area data networks (LAN) associated with the EFB architecture and
existing airplane network 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: Effective Date: The effective date of these special conditions
is November 27, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Varun Khanna, FAA, Airplane and Flight
Crew Interface Branch, ANM-111, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1298; facsimile 425-227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On August 21, 2012, ARINC Aerospace Company applied for a change to
Type Certificate No. T00001SE Rev. 30 dated June 6, 2012 for
installation of Class 3 EFBs and related LANs in the Boeing Model 777-
200, -300, and -300ER Series Airplanes. The Boeing Model 777-200
airplanes are long-range, wide-body, twin-engine jet airplanes with a
maximum capacity of 440 passengers. The Boeing Model 777-300 and 777-
300ER series airplanes have a maximum capacity of 550 passengers. The
Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER series airplanes have fly-by-wire
controls, software-configurable avionics, and fiber-optic avionics
networks.
The proposed Class 3 EFB architecture is novel or unusual for
commercial transport airplanes by allowing connection to previously
isolated data networks connected to systems that perform functions
required for the safe operation of the airplane. This proposed data
network and design integration may result in security vulnerabilities
from intentional or unintentional corruption of data and systems
critical to the safety and maintenance of the airplane. The existing
regulations and guidance material did not anticipate this type of
system architecture or electronic access to aircraft systems.
Furthermore, regulations and current system safety assessment policy
and techniques do
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not address potential security vulnerabilities, which could be caused
by unauthorized access to aircraft data buses and servers.
Type Certification Basis
Under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.17, ARINC
Aerospace Company must show that the Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER
series airplanes meet the applicable provisions of 14 CFR part 25, as
amended by the following for each model airplane:
For Model 777-200 airplanes--Title 14 CFR part 25, as amended by
Amendment 25-1 through Amendment 25-82.
For Model 777-300 airplanes--Title 14 CFR part 25, as amended by
Amendment 25-1 through Amendment 25-86.
For Model 777-300ER airplanes--Title 14 CFR part 25, as amended by
Amendment 25-1 through Amendment 25-98.
In addition, the certification basis includes certain special
conditions, exemptions, or later amended sections of the applicable
part that are not relevant to these special conditions.
Special conditions, as defined in Sec. 11.19, are issued in
accordance with Sec. 11.38 and become part of the type certification
basis in accordance with Sec. 21.101.
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 Boeing Model 777-200, -300, and -
300ER series airplanes because of a novel or unusual design feature,
special conditions are prescribed under 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 proposed special conditions would also
apply to the other model under Sec. 21.101.
In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and
proposed special conditions, the Boeing Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER
series airplanes 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 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,
under Sec. 11.38, and they become part of the type-certification basis
under Sec. 21.17(a)(2).
Novel or Unusual Design Features
The Boeing Model 777-200, -300, -300ER series airplanes will
incorporate the following novel or unusual design features:
Multiple Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) and several connected
networks that will interface to existing aircraft systems. The proposed
network architecture is used for a diverse set of functions, providing
data connectivity between systems, including:
1. Flight-safety related control and navigation systems,
2. Operator business and administrative support (operator
information services),
3. Passenger information systems, and,
4. Access by systems internal to the airplane.
Discussion
The integrated network configurations in the Boeing Model 777-200,
-300, and -300ER series airplanes may allow increased connectivity with
external network sources and will have more interconnected networks and
systems, such as passenger entertainment and information services than
previous airplane models. This may allow the exploitation of network
security vulnerabilities and increased risks potentially resulting in
unsafe conditions for the airplanes and occupants. This potential
exploitation of security vulnerabilities may result in intentional or
unintentional destruction, disruption, degradation, or exploitation of
data and systems critical to the safety and maintenance of the
airplane. The existing regulations and guidance material did not
anticipate these types of system architectures. Furthermore, 14 CFR
regulations and current system safety assessment policy and techniques
do not address potential security vulnerabilities which could be
exploited by unauthorized access to airplane networks and servers.
Therefore, these special conditions are being issued to ensure that the
security (i.e., confidentiality, integrity, and availability) of
airplane systems is not compromised by unauthorized wired or wireless
electronic connections between airplane systems and the passenger
entertainment services.
For the reasons discussed above, 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.
Applicability
As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the
Boeing Model 777-200, -300, -300ER series airplanes. Should ARINC
Aerospace Company 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 Boeing Model 777-200, -300, -300ER series airplanes. 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, the FAA has determined
that prior public notice and comment are unnecessary, and good cause
exists for adopting these special conditions upon publication in the
Federal Register.
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 Boeing Model 777-200, -300, -300ER
series airplanes modified by ARINC Aerospace Company.
Aircraft Electronic System Security Protection from Unauthorized
Internal Access
1. The applicant must ensure that the design provides isolation
from, or airplane electronic system security protection against, access
by unauthorized sources internal to the airplane. The design must
prevent inadvertent and malicious changes to, and all adverse impacts
upon, airplane equipment, systems, networks, or other assets required
for safe flight and operations.
2. The applicant must establish appropriate procedures to allow the
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operator to ensure that continued airworthiness of the aircraft is
maintained, including all post STC modifications that may have an
impact on the approved electronic system security safeguards.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 15, 2013.
John Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-28408 Filed 11-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P