[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 1, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31456-31457]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-13436]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. NM446; Special Conditions No. 25-427-SC]
Special Conditions: Gulfstream Model GVI Airplane; Electronic
Flight Control System: Control Surface Position Awareness
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: July 1, 2011.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Jacobsen, FAA, Airplane and
Flightcrew 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.
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).
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 provisions of Sec. 21.101.
Novel or Unusual Design Features
The Gulfstream Model GVI airplane has an electronic flight control
system and no direct coupling from the cockpit controller to the
control surface, so the pilot may not be aware of the actual surface
position utilized to fulfill the requested command. Some unusual flight
conditions, such as those arising from atmospheric conditions, aircraft
malfunctions, or engine failures, may result in full or near-full
control surface deflection. Unless the flightcrew is made aware of
excessive deflection or impending control surface limiting, piloted or
auto-flight system control of the airplane might be inadvertently
continued to a point that could cause a loss of aircraft control or
other unsafe stability or performance characteristic. Because
electronic flight control system technology has outpaced existing
regulations, a special condition is proposed to ensure control surface
position awareness by the flightcrew.
Discussion
This special condition requires that suitable flight control
position annunciation be provided to the flightcrew when a flight
condition exists in which near-full surface authority (not crew-
commanded) is being utilized. The suitability of such an annunciation
must take into account that some pilot-demanded maneuvers, such as a
rapid roll, are necessarily associated with intended full performance,
and which may saturate the control surface. Simple alerting systems
which would annunciate either intended or unexpected control-limiting
situations must be properly balanced between providing necessary crew
awareness and avoiding undesirable nuisance warnings.
This special condition establishes a level of safety equivalent to
that provided by a conventional flight control system and that
contemplated in existing regulations.
Discussion of Comments
Notice of proposed special conditions No. 25-11-05-SC for
Gulfstream GVI airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
February 17, 2011 (76 FR 9265). One supportive comment was received and
these special conditions are adopted as proposed.
Applicability
As discussed above, this special condition is applicable to the
Gulfstream Model GVI airplane. Should Gulfstream apply at a later date
for a change to the type certificate to include another model
incorporating the same novel or unusual design features, this
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special condition would apply to that model as well.
Conclusion
This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features
of the GVI. 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 Condition
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the following special condition is issued as part of the
type certification basis for the Gulfstream GVI airplanes.
In addition to compliance with Sec. Sec. 25.143, 25.671, 25.672,
and 25.1322, the following special condition applies:
When a flight condition exists where, without being commanded by
the flightcrew, control surfaces are coming so close to their limits
that return to the normal flight envelope and/or continuation of safe
flight requires a specific flightcrew member action, a suitable flight
control position annunciation must be provided to the flightcrew,
unless other existing indications are found adequate or sufficient to
prompt that action.
Note: The term ``suitable'' also indicates an appropriate
balance between necessary operation and nuisance factors.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 20, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-13436 Filed 5-31-11; 8:45 am]
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