[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 53 (Friday, March 18, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14801-14803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06072]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 53 / Friday, March 18, 2016 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 14801]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 23
[Docket No. FAA-2016-3462; Notice No. 23-16-01-SC]
Special Conditions: Cirrus Design Corporation, Model SF50; Whole
Airplane Parachute Recovery System
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions.
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SUMMARY: This action proposes special conditions for the Cirrus Design
Corporation (Cirrus), model SF50 airplane. This airplane will have a
novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with a whole airplane
parachute recovery system. The applicable airworthiness regulations do
not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design
feature. 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: Send your comments on or before May 2, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2016-3462
using any of the following methods:
[ballot] Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
[ballot] 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, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
[ballot] Hand Delivery of 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 9 a.m., and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
[ballot] 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: Mr. Bob Stegeman, Federal Aviation
Administration, Aircraft Certification Service, Small Airplane
Directorate, ACE-111, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106;
telephone (816) 329-4140; facsimile (816) 329-4090.
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 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.
Background
On September 9, 2008, Cirrus Design Corporation applied for a type
certificate for their new SF50 airplane. The SF50 is a seven seat (five
adults and two children), pressurized, retractable gear, carbon
composite, single engine jet airplane. The airplane will have a Maximum
Take-Off Weight of 6,000 pounds, a Maximum Operating Speed of 250 Knots
Calibrated Airspeed (KCAS), and a Maximum Operating Altitude of 28,000
feet.
Cirrus proposes the installation of a whole airplane ballistic
parachute system (BPS) called the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System
(CAPS). This installation couples the BPS with the automatic flight
controls. The CAPS will be installed as standard equipment on the SF50
airplane. Unlike the SR20 and SR22 airplanes CAPS, the SF50 CAPS is a
supplemental system and no credit for the system will be used to meet
part 23 requirements. The SF50 CAPS design will require some
performance enhancements over existing technology used in other CAPSs.
The system will consist of the recovery parachute, activation and
deployment systems, and autopilot functions. The SF50 CAPS will be
designed for a higher gross weight, maximum activation speed, and
maximum operating altitude.
Whole airplane parachute recovery systems are intended to save the
lives of the occupants in life-threatening situations for which normal
emergency procedures have been exhausted. Potential emergencies
include, but are not limited to--loss of power or thrust; loss of
airplane control; pilot disorientation; pilot incapacitation with a
passenger on board; mechanical or structural failure; icing; and
accidents resulting from pilot negligence or error. The recovery system
should prioritize protection from most probable hazards, but it is not
reasonable to expect it to protect occupants from every possible
situation.
This technology, which was originally developed for ultralight and
experimental aircraft, was first approved for general aviation
airplanes with a Supplemental Type Certificate for the Cessna model
150/152 airplanes. The FAA issued special conditions for these
airplanes to incorporate ballistic recovery systems on October 22, 1987
(Special Condition No. 23-ACE-33; Ballistic Recovery System, Inc.,
Modified Cessna 150/A150 Series Airplanes and 152/A152 Model Airplanes
to Incorporate the GARD-150 System; Docket No. 037CE) (FR Doc. 87-
26420, November 11, 1987). These special conditions were later modified
[[Page 14802]]
for the other general aviation airplanes (Special Condition No. 23-ACE-
76; Ballistic Recovery Systems, Modified for Small General Aviation
Airplanes; Docket No. 118CE) (FR Doc. 94-16233, August 5, 1994),
including the Cirrus Design Corporation SR20 airplanes (Special
Condition No. 23-ACE-88, Ballistic Recovery Systems Cirrus SR20
Installation, Docket No. 136CE) (FR Doc. 97-27504, October 15, 1997.
The previously FAA-approved BPS consists of a parachute packed in a
compartment within the airframe. A solid propellant rocket motor,
adjacent to the parachute pack, extracts the parachute. A mechanical
pull handle mounted within reach of the pilot and copilot or passenger
activates the system. At least two separate independent actions are
necessary to activate the system.
In addition to a normal BPS, the SF50 CAPS system will incorporate
an airbag to assist deployment and a system for sequencing deployment
and interfacing with the airplane's avionics. The avionics interface is
intended to bring the airplane within a valid deployment envelope speed
(67-160 KCAS).
The SF50 CAPS is a non-required system that differs from other BPS
in that it will interact with the flight control system and other
airplane systems. The baseline special conditions must incorporate the
required level of safety for the normal BPS as well as the aspect that
interfaces with the airplane. Since it is a non required system,
additional latitude exists to evaluate and substantiate the system so
it will present no additional hazards.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17, Cirrus Design Corporation
must show that the SF50 meets the applicable provisions of part 23, as
amended by amendments 23-1 through 23-62 thereto.
If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness
regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 23) do not contain adequate or
appropriate safety standards for the SF50 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 SF50 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 SF50 will incorporate the following novel or unusual design
features: A whole-airplane parachute recovery system that is a
supplemental safety system and unlike any previously approved BPS, will
add enhancements that assist deployment and autopilot functions that
work to bring the airplane into an acceptable deployment envelope.
Discussion
This system is a non-required system that will interact with the
flight control system. These special conditions must incorporate the
required level of safety for the normal ballistic parachute system as
established by Special Condition 23-ACE-76 in addition to the aspect
that interfaces with the airplane.
The FAA revised Sec. 23.1309, Equipment, systems, and
installations, in amendment 23-62 (76 FR 75736, December 2, 2011) to
address two different types of equipment and systems installed in the
airplane. This system operates at the limit of the normal operating
envelope and challenges normal expectations of such a supplemental
system. Amendment 23-62 preamble states: Section 23.1309 lists the
qualifiers ``under the airplane operating and environmental
conditions''.
Section 23.1309, amendment 23-62 preamble also describes two
actions for the applicant. First, the applicant must consider the full
normal operating envelope of the airplane, as defined by the Airplane
Flight Manual, with any modification to that envelope associated with
abnormal or emergency procedures and any anticipated flightcrew action.
Second, the applicant must consider the anticipated external and
internal airplane environmental conditions, as well as any additional
conditions where equipment and systems are assumed to ``perform as
intended''.
Section 23.1309(a)(2) requires analysis of any installed equipment
or system with potential failure conditions that are catastrophic,
hazardous, major, or minor, to determine their impact on the safe
operation of the airplane. The applicant must show that they do not
adversely affect proper functioning of the equipment, systems, or
installations covered by Sec. 23.1309 and do not otherwise adversely
influence the safety of the airplane or its occupants.
Section 23.1309(a)(2) does not mandate that non-required equipment
and systems function properly during all airplane operations once in
service, provided all potential failure conditions have no effect on
the safe operation of the airplane. The equipment or system must
function in the manner expected by the manufacturer's operating manual
for the equipment or system. An applicant's statement of intended
function must be sufficiently detailed so the FAA can evaluate whether
the system is appropriate for its intended function(s).
To incorporate the intent of amendment 23-62, the FAA proposes
issuing these special conditions to include previous BPS special
conditions, address the interaction CAPS with other airplane systems,
and that it is a non-required system. The system must function within
specified manufacturer's limits while operated within the manufacturers
recommended envelope. Since it is a non-required system, the means of
substantiation have been altered to reflect the bounds of the operating
envelope, the means of analysis that can be substantiated with
overlapping lower-level testing/analysis, and relieve in-flight
deployment to avoid unnecessary expense and the inherent danger in
performing this test.
All special condition requirements must meet two fundamental
criteria:
The installed system must not introduce unacceptable
hazards prior to or after activation.
The applicant must show that the system does not adversely
affect proper functioning of the equipment, systems, or installations
covered by Sec. 23.1309 and do not otherwise adversely influence the
safety of the airplane or its occupants.
The applicant does not have to prove or demonstrate that the system
works in flight.
Applicability
As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the
SF50. Should Cirrus 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.
[[Page 14803]]
Conclusion
This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features
on one model of airplane. It is not a rule of general applicability.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 23
Aircraft, Aviation safety, Signs and symbols.
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
0
Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes the
following special conditions as part of the type certification basis
for Cirrus SF50 airplanes.
1. Whole Airplane Parachute Recovery System With Flight Control and
Deployment Augmentation.
(a) System Validation.
(1) The applicant must demonstrate by test, or analysis supported
by test, that the system will not cause an unacceptable hazard or
otherwise exceed the system deployment design loads for the critical
flight conditions.
(2) The recovery system activation envelope must include speeds at
or near VS up to at least Vo. The applicant must
satisfactorily demonstrate by test, or by analysis supported by test,
the logic and automatic control interface that allow the recovery
system activation over this speed range.
(b) Occupant Restraint.
Each seat in the airplane must be equipped with an approved
restraint system, which will protect the occupants from serious head
and upper torso injuries during a recovery system deployment and ground
impact at the critical load conditions.
(c) Parachute Performance.
(1) A 1.5 factor of safety applied to the limit load must be used
for all components of the recovery system as well as the attachment
structure, the cabin structure surrounding the occupants, and any
interconnecting structure of the airplane. Limit loads are defined as
the parachute deployment forces developed within the operational
envelope of the system. Lower factors of safety for airplane weight and
velocity may be used, so that when combined in the energy equation,
represent a 1.5 factor of safety of the energy equation.
(2) Stitching must be of a type that will not ravel when broken.
(3) The applicant must show via test, or analysis supported by
test, that with the recovery parachute deployed and the airplane
structure damaged, the airplane impact during touchdown will result in
an occupant environment in which serious injury to the occupants is
improbable.
(4) The applicant must show via test, or analysis supported by
test, that with the recovery parachute deployed, the airplane can
impact the ground in various adverse weather conditions, including
winds up to 15 knots, without endangering the airplane occupants at and
after touchdown.
(d) System Function and Operations.
(1) The installation design and location of the extraction device
must consider fire hazards associated with the activation of the
parachute system and reduce this potential as much as possible without
compromising function of the extraction device.
(2) A system safety analysis will be conducted on the recovery
system that will consider the effects of annunciated and un-annunciated
failures. This analysis will address both losses of function as well as
malfunction (including un-commanded system activation). The applicant
must show that they do not adversely affect proper functioning of the
equipment, systems, or installations covered by Sec. 23.1309, and do
not otherwise adversely influence the safety of the airplane or its
occupants. It must be shown that reliable and functional deployment in
the adverse weather conditions that the airplane is approved for have
been considered. For example, if the airplane is certified for flight
in icing conditions, and flight test in icing reveals that ice may
cover the deployment area, then the possible adverse effects of ice or
an ice layer covering the parachute deployment area should be analyzed.
(3) The recovery system must be designed to safeguard against
inadvertent activation. Two separate and intentional actions will be
required to activate the system.
(4) It must be demonstrated that the system can be activated
without difficulty by occupants of various sizes, from a 10th
percentile female to a 90th percentile male, while sitting in the pilot
or copilot seat.
(5) The system must be labeled for identification, function, and
operating limitations.
(6) The airplane must be equipped with ASTM F 2316-06 conforming
placards suitable to draw attention of first responders. Section 11 of
ASTM F 2316-06, specifies that the airplane should be marked with a
``danger'' placard placed adjacent to the exit point of each rocket/
parachute, an ``identifying'' placard attached to each rocket, and
``warning'' placard(s) applied where occupant(s) enter the airplane or
where rescue personnel can readily see the placard(s).
(e) Design and Construction.
(1) All components of the system must be protected against
deterioration due to weathering, corrosion, and abrasion.
(2) Adequate provisions must be made for ventilation and drainage
of the system compartments and associated structure to ensure the sound
condition of the system.
(f) Materials and workmanship.
(1) The suitability and durability of materials used for parts, the
failure of which could adversely affect safety, must--
i. Be established by experience or tests;
ii. Meet approved specifications that ensure their having the
strength and other properties assumed in the design data; and
iii. Take into account the effects of environmental conditions,
such as temperature and humidity, expected in service.
(2) Workmanship must be of a high standard.
(3) The parachute(s) must be identified with a data panel that
defines the Manufacturer, Date of Manufacture, Part Number, and Serial
Number.
(g) Systems Maintenance and Inspection.
(1) Instructions for continued airworthiness must be prepared for
the system that meet the requirements of Sec. 23.1529.
(2) Adequate means must be provided to permit the close examination
of the system components to ensure proper functioning, alignment,
lubrication, and adjustment during the required inspection of the
system.
(h) Operating Limitations.
(1) Operating limitations must be prescribed to ensure proper
operation of the system. A detailed discussion of the system, including
operation, limitations, and deployment envelope must be included in the
Airplane Flight Manual.
(2) Operating limitations must be prescribed for inspecting and
overhauling the system components at approved intervals.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 10, 2016.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-06072 Filed 3-17-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P