[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 109 (Friday, June 6, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32639-32640]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-13243]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. FAA-2013-1038; Special Conditions No. 25-549-SC]
Special Conditions: Bombardier Aerospace, Models BD-500-1A10 and
BD-500-1A11 Series Airplanes; Flight Envelope Protection: High-Speed
Limiting
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final Special Conditions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Bombardier
Aerospace Models BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 series airplanes. These
airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with
an electronic flight control system that contains fly-by-wire control
laws, including envelope protections, for the overspeed protection and
roll-limiting function. 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: July 7, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Jacobsen, FAA, Airplane and Flight
Crew Interface Branch, ANM-111, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-2011; facsimile 425-227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On December 10, 2009, Bombardier Aerospace applied for a type
certificate for their new Models BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 series
airplanes (hereafter collectively referred to as ``CSeries''). The
CSeries airplanes are swept-wing monoplanes with an aluminum alloy
fuselage sized for 5-abreast seating. Passenger capacity is designated
as 110 for the Model BD-500-1A10 and 125 for the Model BD-500-1A11.
Maximum takeoff weight is 131,000 pounds for the Model BD-500-1A10 and
144,000 pounds for the Model BD-500-1A11.
The longitudinal control law design of the Bombardier CSeries
airplanes incorporates an overspeed protection system in the normal
mode. This mode prevents the pilot from inadvertently or intentionally
exceeding a speed approximately equivalent to the maximum speed for
stability characteristics (VFC) or attaining demonstrated
flight diving speed (VDF). Current Title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) part 25 standards did not envision a high-speed
limiter that might preclude or modify flying qualities assessments in
the overspeed region.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17, Bombardier Aerospace must
show that the CSeries airplanes meet the applicable provisions of part
25 as amended by Amendments 25-1 through 25-129 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 CSeries airplanes 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 or similar
novel or unusual design feature, the special conditions would also
apply to the other model under Sec. 21.101.
In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, the CSeries 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, 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 CSeries airplanes will incorporate the following novel or
unusual design features: An electronic flight control system that
contains fly-by-wire control laws, including envelope protections, for
the overspeed protection and roll-limiting function. Current part 25
requirements do not contain appropriate standards for high-speed
protection systems.
Discussion
The overspeed protection functionality includes multifunction
spoilers (MFS) that will automatically deploy as speed brakes once the
airspeed exceeds a small tolerance above maximum operating limit speed
(Vmo/Mmo); the MFS will retract automatically
when speed is subsequently reduced. Special conditions are necessary in
addition to the requirements of Sec. 25.143 for the operation of the
high-speed protection. The general intent is that the overspeed
protection does not impede normal maneuvering and speed control, and
that the overspeed protection does not restrict or prevent emergency
maneuvering.
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.
Discussion of Comments
Notice of proposed special conditions No. 25-13-38-SC for the
Bombardier CSeries airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
December 11, 2013 (78 FR 75284). We received one comment in favor of
the proposed special conditions as written.
Applicability
As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the
Models BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 series airplanes. Should Bombardier
Aerospace 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 two model series of airplanes. 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
[[Page 32640]]
certification basis for the Bombardier Aerospace Models BD-500-1A10 and
BD-500-1A11 series airplanes.
Flight Envelope Protection--High-Speed Limiting
0
1. In addition to Sec. 25.143, the following requirements apply:
Operation of the high-speed limiter during all routine and descent
procedure flight must not impede normal attainment of speeds up to
overspeed warning.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 22, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-13243 Filed 6-5-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P