80_FR_12001 80 FR 11958 - Special Conditions: Bombardier Aerospace, Models BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11; Electronic Flight Control System: Lateral-Directional and Longitudinal Stability and Low-Energy Awareness

80 FR 11958 - Special Conditions: Bombardier Aerospace, Models BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11; Electronic Flight Control System: Lateral-Directional and Longitudinal Stability and Low-Energy Awareness

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 43 (March 5, 2015)

Page Range11958-11960
FR Document2015-05048

This action proposes special conditions for the Bombardier Aerospace Models BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 series airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. This design feature is a fly-by-wire electronic flight control system that provides an electronic interface between the pilot's flight controls and the flight control surfaces for both normal and failure states. The system generates the actual surface commands that provide for stability augmentation and control about all three airplane axes. 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.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 43 (Thursday, March 5, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 43 (Thursday, March 5, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11958-11960]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-05048]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0455; Notice No. 25-15-04-SC]


Special Conditions: Bombardier Aerospace, Models BD-500-1A10 and 
BD-500-1A11; Electronic Flight Control System: Lateral-Directional and 
Longitudinal Stability and Low-Energy Awareness

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action proposes special conditions for the Bombardier 
Aerospace Models BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 series airplanes. These 
airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to 
the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for 
transport category airplanes. This design feature is a fly-by-wire 
electronic flight control system that provides an electronic interface 
between the pilot's flight controls and the flight control surfaces for 
both normal and failure states. The system generates the actual surface 
commands that provide for stability augmentation and control about all 
three airplane axes. 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 April 20, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2015-0455 
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, Washington, 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 9 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://www.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: Joe Jacobsen, FAA, Airplane and Flight 
Crew Interface, ANM-111, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington, 98057-
3356; telephone 425-227-2011; facsimile 425-227-1320.

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.

[[Page 11959]]

    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 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 CSeries flight control system design incorporates normal load 
factor limiting on a full time basis that will prevent the pilot from 
inadvertently or intentionally exceeding the positive or negative 
airplane limit load factor. The FAA considers this feature to be novel 
and unusual in that the current regulations do not provide standards 
for maneuverability and controllability evaluations for such systems. 
Special conditions are needed to ensure adequate maneuverability and 
controllability when using this design feature.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) 21.17, Bombardier Aerospace must show that the CSeries airplanes 
meet the applicable provisions of 14 CFR part 25 as amended by 
Amendments 25-1 through 25-129.
    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 novel or 
unusual design feature, these 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 feature: Fly-by-wire electronic flight control system 
that provides an electronic interface between the pilot's flight 
controls and the flight control surfaces for both normal and failure 
states. The system generates the actual surface commands that provide 
for stability augmentation and control about all three airplane axes.

Discussion

    In the absence of positive lateral stability, the curve of lateral 
control surface deflections against sideslip angle should be in a 
conventional sense and reasonably in harmony with rudder deflection 
during steady heading sideslip maneuvers.
    Since conventional relationships between stick forces and control 
surface displacements do not apply to the ``load factor command'' 
flight control system on the CSeries airplanes, longitudinal stability 
characteristics should be evaluated by assessing the airplane handling 
qualities during simulator and flight test maneuvers appropriate to the 
operation of the airplane. This may be accomplished by using the 
Handling Qualities Rating Method presented in appendix 5 of Advisory 
Circular (AC) 25-7C, Flight Test Guide for Certification of Transport 
Category Airplanes, dated October 16, 2012, or an acceptable 
alternative method proposed by Bombardier Aerospace. Important 
considerations are as follows:
    (a) Adequate speed control without creating excessive pilot 
workload;
    (b) Acceptable high and low speed protection; and
    (c) Provision of adequate cues to the pilot of significant speed 
excursions beyond VMO/MMO and low speed awareness 
flight conditions.
    The airplane should provide adequate awareness cues to the pilot of 
a low energy (i.e., a low speed, low thrust, or low height) state to 
ensure that the airplane retains sufficient energy to recover when 
flight control laws provide neutral longitudinal stability 
significantly below the normal operating speeds. This may be 
accomplished as follows:
    (a) Adequate low speed/low thrust cues at low altitude may be 
provided by a strong positive static stability force gradient (1 pound 
per 6 knots applied through the sidestick); or
    (b) The low energy awareness may be provided by an appropriate 
warning with the following characteristics:
    i. It should be unique, unambiguous, and unmistakable.
    ii. It should be active at appropriate altitudes and in appropriate 
configurations (i.e., at low altitude, in the approach and landing 
configurations).
    iii. It should be sufficiently timely to allow recovery to a 
stabilized flight condition inside the normal flight envelope while 
maintaining the desired flight path and without entering the flight 
controls angle-of-attack protection mode.
    iv. It should not be triggered during normal operation, including 
operation in moderate turbulence, for recommended maneuvers at 
recommended speeds.
    v. It should not be cancelable by the pilot other than by achieving 
a higher energy state.
    vi. There should be an adequate hierarchy among the warnings so 
that the pilot is not confused and led to take inappropriate recovery 
action if multiple warnings occur.
    Global energy awareness and non-nuisance of low energy cues should 
be evaluated by simulator and flight tests in the whole take-off and 
landing altitude range for which certification is requested. This would 
include all relevant combinations of weight, center-of-gravity 
position, configuration, airbrakes position, and available thrust, 
including reduced and de-rated take-off thrust operations and engine 
failure cases. A sufficient number of tests should be conducted, 
allowing the level of energy awareness and the effects of energy 
management errors to be assessed.
    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.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
Bombardier BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11. 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, 
these special conditions would apply to that model as well.

[[Page 11960]]

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 Proposed Special Conditions

0
Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes the following 
special conditions as part of the type certification basis for 
Bombardier Aerospace BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 series airplanes.
    1. Electronic Flight Control System: Lateral-Directional and 
Longitudinal Stability and Low-Energy Awareness. In lieu of the 
requirements of Sec. Sec.  25.171, 25.173, 25.175, and 25.177:
    (a) The airplane must be shown to have suitable static lateral, 
directional, and longitudinal stability in any condition normally 
encountered in service, including the effects of atmospheric 
disturbance. The showing of suitable static lateral, directional, and 
longitudinal stability must be based on the airplane handling 
qualities, including pilot workload and pilot compensation, for 
specific test procedures during the flight test evaluations.
    (b) The airplane must provide adequate awareness to the pilot of a 
low energy (low speed/low thrust/low height) state when fitted with 
flight control laws presenting neutral longitudinal stability 
significantly below the normal operating speeds. ``Adequate awareness'' 
means warning information must be provided to alert the crew of unsafe 
operating conditions and to enable them to take appropriate corrective 
action.
    (c) The static directional stability (as shown by the tendency to 
recover from a skid with the rudder free) must be positive for any 
landing gear and flap position and symmetrical power condition, at 
speeds from 1.13 VSR1, up to VFE, VLE, 
or VFC/MFC (as appropriate).
    (d) The static lateral stability (as shown by the tendency to raise 
the low wing in a sideslip with the aileron controls free), for any 
landing-gear and wing-flap position and symmetric-power condition, may 
not be negative at any airspeed (except that speeds higher than 
VFE need not be considered for wing-flaps-extended 
configurations nor speeds higher than VLE for landing-gear-
extended configurations) in the following airspeed ranges:
    i. From 1.13 VSR1 to VMO/MMO.
    ii. From VMO/MMO to VFC/
MFC, unless the divergence is--
    (1) Gradual;
    (2) Easily recognizable by the pilot; and
    (3) Easily controllable by the pilot.
    (e) In straight, steady sideslips over the range of sideslip angles 
appropriate to the operation of the airplane, but not less than those 
obtained with one half of the available rudder control movement (but 
not exceeding a rudder control force of 180 pounds), rudder control 
movements and forces must be substantially proportional to the angle of 
sideslip in a stable sense; and the factor of proportionality must lie 
between limits found necessary for safe operation. This requirement 
must be met for the configurations and speeds specified in paragraph 
(c) of this section.
    (f) For sideslip angles greater than those prescribed by paragraph 
(e) of this section, up to the angle at which full rudder control is 
used or a rudder control force of 180 pounds is obtained, the rudder 
control forces may not reverse, and increased rudder deflection must be 
needed for increased angles of sideslip. Compliance with this 
requirement must be shown using straight, steady sideslips, unless full 
lateral control input is achieved before reaching either full rudder 
control input or a rudder control force of 180 pounds; a straight, 
steady sideslip need not be maintained after achieving full lateral 
control input. This requirement must be met at all approved landing 
gear and wing-flap positions for the range of operating speeds and 
power conditions appropriate to each landing gear and wing-flap 
position with all engines operating.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 24, 2015.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-05048 Filed 3-4-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P



                                                    11958                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 43 / Thursday, March 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                    complies with the executive order to                    ■ 2. Amend § 791.8(a) to read as                      ADDRESSES:    Send comments identified
                                                    adhere to fundamental federalism                        follows:                                              by docket number FAA–2015–0455
                                                    principles. This proposed rule and IRPS                                                                       using any of the following methods:
                                                                                                            § 791.8 Promulgation of NCUA rules and                   • Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to
                                                    would not have a substantial direct
                                                                                                            regulations.
                                                    effect on the states, on the relationship                                                                     http://www.regulations.gov/ and follow
                                                    between the national government and                       (a) NCUA’s procedures for developing                the online instructions for sending your
                                                    the states, or on the distribution of                   regulations are governed by the                       comments electronically.
                                                    power and responsibilities among the                    Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C.                   • Mail: Send comments to Docket
                                                    various levels of government. NCUA has                  551 et seq.), the Regulatory Flexibility              Operations, M–30, U.S. Department of
                                                    determined that this proposed rule does                 Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), and NCUA’s                Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey
                                                    not constitute a policy that has                        policies for the promulgation of rules                Avenue SE., Room W12–140, West
                                                    federalism implications for purposes of                 and regulations as set forth in its                   Building Ground Floor, Washington,
                                                    the executive order.                                    Interpretive Ruling and Policy                        DC, 20590–0001.
                                                                                                            Statement 87–2, as amended by                            • Hand Delivery or Courier: Take
                                                    D. Assessment of Federal Regulations                    Interpretive Ruling and Policy                        comments to Docket Operations in
                                                    and Policies on Families                                Statements 03–2, 13–1, and 15–1.                      Room W12–140 of the West Building
                                                      NCUA has determined that this                         [FR Doc. 2015–03806 Filed 3–4–15; 8:45 am]            Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
                                                    proposed rule and IRPS will not affect                  BILLING CODE 7535–01–P                                Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9
                                                    family well-being within the meaning of                                                                       a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
                                                    Section 654 of the Treasury and General                                                                       Friday, except Federal holidays.
                                                    Government Appropriations Act, 1999,                    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                             • Fax: Fax comments to Docket
                                                    Public Law 105–277, 112 Stat. 2681                                                                            Operations at 202–493–2251.
                                                    (1998).                                                 Federal Aviation Administration                          Privacy: The FAA will post all
                                                                                                                                                                  comments it receives, without change,
                                                    List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 791                     14 CFR Part 25                                        to http://www.regulations.gov/,
                                                      Administrative practice and                           [Docket No. FAA–2015–0455; Notice No. 25–             including any personal information the
                                                    procedure, Credit unions, Sunshine Act.                 15–04–SC]                                             commenter provides. Using the search
                                                                                                                                                                  function of the docket Web site, anyone
                                                      By the National Credit Union                          Special Conditions: Bombardier
                                                    Administration Board on February 19, 2015.                                                                    can find and read the electronic form of
                                                                                                            Aerospace, Models BD–500–1A10 and                     all comments received into any FAA
                                                    Gerard Poliquin,                                        BD–500–1A11; Electronic Flight                        docket, including the name of the
                                                    Secretary of the Board.                                 Control System: Lateral-Directional                   individual sending the comment (or
                                                    ■ For the reasons discussed above, the                  and Longitudinal Stability and Low-                   signing the comment for an association,
                                                    Board proposes to amend IRPS 87–2 (as                   Energy Awareness                                      business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s
                                                    amended by IRPS 03–2 and IRPS 13–1)                     AGENCY: Federal Aviation                              complete Privacy Act Statement can be
                                                    by revising the second sentence of                      Administration (FAA), DOT.                            found in the Federal Register published
                                                    paragraph 2 of Section II and replacing                                                                       on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–19478),
                                                                                                            ACTION: Notice of proposed special
                                                    the last two sentences of paragraph 2 of                                                                      as well as at
                                                                                                            conditions.
                                                    Section II to read as follows:                                                                                http://DocketsInfo.dot.gov/.
                                                                                                            SUMMARY:    This action proposes special                 Docket: Background documents or
                                                    Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement                                                                      comments received may be read at
                                                    87–2
                                                                                                            conditions for the Bombardier
                                                                                                            Aerospace Models BD–500–1A10 and                      http://www.regulations.gov/ at any time.
                                                    II. Procedures for the Development of                   BD–500–1A11 series airplanes. These                   Follow the online instructions for
                                                    Regulations                                             airplanes will have a novel or unusual                accessing the docket or go to the Docket
                                                    *      *     *       *      *                           design feature when compared to the                   Operations in Room W12–140 of the
                                                       2. * * * NCUA will designate federally               state of technology envisioned in the                 West Building Ground Floor at 1200
                                                    insured credit unions with less than $100               airworthiness standards for transport                 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
                                                    million in assets as small entities. * * *              category airplanes. This design feature               DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
                                                    Every three years, the NCUA Board will                                                                        through Friday, except Federal holidays.
                                                    review and consider adjusting the asset
                                                                                                            is a fly-by-wire electronic flight control
                                                    threshold it uses to define small entities for          system that provides an electronic                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe
                                                    purposes of analyzing whether a regulation              interface between the pilot’s flight                  Jacobsen, FAA, Airplane and Flight
                                                    will have a significant economic impact on              controls and the flight control surfaces              Crew Interface, ANM–111, Transport
                                                    a substantial number of small entities.                 for both normal and failure states. The               Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
                                                    *    *      *   *     *                                 system generates the actual surface                   Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue
                                                      For the reasons discussed above, the                  commands that provide for stability                   SW., Renton, Washington, 98057–3356;
                                                    Board proposes to amend 12 CFR part                     augmentation and control about all                    telephone 425–227–2011; facsimile
                                                    791 as follows:                                         three airplane axes. The applicable                   425–227–1320.
                                                                                                            airworthiness regulations do not contain              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                    PART 791—RULES OF NCUA BOARD                            adequate or appropriate safety standards
                                                    PROCEDURES; PROMULGATION OF                             for this design feature. These proposed               Comments Invited
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                                                    NCUA RULES AND REGULATIONS;                             special conditions contain the                          We invite interested people to take
                                                    PUBLIC OBSERVATION OF NCUA                              additional safety standards that the                  part in this rulemaking by sending
                                                    BOARD MEETINGS                                          Administrator considers necessary to                  written comments, data, or views. The
                                                                                                            establish a level of safety equivalent to             most helpful comments reference a
                                                    ■ 1. The authority citation for part 791                that established by the existing                      specific portion of the special
                                                    continues to read as follows:                           airworthiness standards.                              conditions, explain the reason for any
                                                      Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1766, 1789 and 5                 DATES: Send your comments on or                       recommended change, and include
                                                    U.S.C 552b.                                             before April 20, 2015.                                supporting data.


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 43 / Thursday, March 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                            11959

                                                      We will consider all comments we                      FAA must issue a finding of regulatory                a strong positive static stability force
                                                    receive by the closing date for                         adequacy under § 611 of Public Law 92–                gradient (1 pound per 6 knots applied
                                                    comments. We may change these special                   574, the ‘‘Noise Control Act of 1972.’’               through the sidestick); or
                                                    conditions based on the comments we                       The FAA issues special conditions, as                  (b) The low energy awareness may be
                                                    receive.                                                defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance                provided by an appropriate warning
                                                                                                            with § 11.38, and they become part of                 with the following characteristics:
                                                    Background
                                                                                                            the type-certification basis under                       i. It should be unique, unambiguous,
                                                      On December 10, 2009, Bombardier                      § 21.17(a)(2).                                        and unmistakable.
                                                    Aerospace applied for a type certificate
                                                    for their new Models BD–500–1A10 and                    Novel or Unusual Design Features                         ii. It should be active at appropriate
                                                    BD–500–1A11 series airplanes (hereafter                    The CSeries airplanes will incorporate             altitudes and in appropriate
                                                    collectively referred to as ‘‘CSeries’’).               the following novel or unusual design                 configurations (i.e., at low altitude, in
                                                    The CSeries airplanes are swept-wing                    feature: Fly-by-wire electronic flight                the approach and landing
                                                    monoplanes with an aluminum alloy                       control system that provides an                       configurations).
                                                    fuselage, sized for 5-abreast seating.                  electronic interface between the pilot’s                 iii. It should be sufficiently timely to
                                                    Passenger capacity is designated as 110                 flight controls and the flight control                allow recovery to a stabilized flight
                                                    for the Model BD–500–1A10 and 125 for                   surfaces for both normal and failure                  condition inside the normal flight
                                                    the Model BD–500–1A11. Maximum                          states. The system generates the actual               envelope while maintaining the desired
                                                    takeoff weight is 131,000 pounds for the                surface commands that provide for                     flight path and without entering the
                                                    Model BD–500–1A10 and 144,000                           stability augmentation and control about              flight controls angle-of-attack protection
                                                    pounds for the Model BD–500–1A11.                       all three airplane axes.                              mode.
                                                      The CSeries flight control system                                                                              iv. It should not be triggered during
                                                    design incorporates normal load factor                  Discussion                                            normal operation, including operation
                                                    limiting on a full time basis that will                    In the absence of positive lateral                 in moderate turbulence, for
                                                    prevent the pilot from inadvertently or                 stability, the curve of lateral control               recommended maneuvers at
                                                    intentionally exceeding the positive or                 surface deflections against sideslip                  recommended speeds.
                                                    negative airplane limit load factor. The                angle should be in a conventional sense                  v. It should not be cancelable by the
                                                    FAA considers this feature to be novel                  and reasonably in harmony with rudder                 pilot other than by achieving a higher
                                                    and unusual in that the current                         deflection during steady heading                      energy state.
                                                    regulations do not provide standards for                sideslip maneuvers.                                      vi. There should be an adequate
                                                    maneuverability and controllability                        Since conventional relationships                   hierarchy among the warnings so that
                                                    evaluations for such systems. Special                   between stick forces and control surface              the pilot is not confused and led to take
                                                    conditions are needed to ensure                         displacements do not apply to the ‘‘load              inappropriate recovery action if
                                                    adequate maneuverability and                            factor command’’ flight control system                multiple warnings occur.
                                                    controllability when using this design                  on the CSeries airplanes, longitudinal
                                                                                                                                                                     Global energy awareness and non-
                                                    feature.                                                stability characteristics should be
                                                                                                                                                                  nuisance of low energy cues should be
                                                                                                            evaluated by assessing the airplane
                                                    Type Certification Basis                                                                                      evaluated by simulator and flight tests
                                                                                                            handling qualities during simulator and
                                                       Under the provisions of Title 14, Code                                                                     in the whole take-off and landing
                                                                                                            flight test maneuvers appropriate to the
                                                    of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.17,                                                                        altitude range for which certification is
                                                                                                            operation of the airplane. This may be
                                                    Bombardier Aerospace must show that                                                                           requested. This would include all
                                                                                                            accomplished by using the Handling
                                                    the CSeries airplanes meet the                                                                                relevant combinations of weight, center-
                                                                                                            Qualities Rating Method presented in
                                                    applicable provisions of 14 CFR part 25                                                                       of-gravity position, configuration,
                                                                                                            appendix 5 of Advisory Circular (AC)
                                                    as amended by Amendments 25–1                                                                                 airbrakes position, and available thrust,
                                                                                                            25–7C, Flight Test Guide for
                                                    through 25–129.                                                                                               including reduced and de-rated take-off
                                                                                                            Certification of Transport Category
                                                       If the Administrator finds that the                                                                        thrust operations and engine failure
                                                                                                            Airplanes, dated October 16, 2012, or an
                                                    applicable airworthiness regulations                                                                          cases. A sufficient number of tests
                                                                                                            acceptable alternative method proposed
                                                    (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain                                                                         should be conducted, allowing the level
                                                                                                            by Bombardier Aerospace. Important
                                                    adequate or appropriate safety standards                                                                      of energy awareness and the effects of
                                                                                                            considerations are as follows:
                                                    for the CSeries airplanes because of a                     (a) Adequate speed control without                 energy management errors to be
                                                    novel or unusual design feature, special                creating excessive pilot workload;                    assessed.
                                                    conditions are prescribed under the                        (b) Acceptable high and low speed                     These proposed special conditions
                                                    provisions of § 21.16.                                  protection; and                                       contain the additional safety standards
                                                       Special conditions are initially                        (c) Provision of adequate cues to the              that the Administrator considers
                                                    applicable to the model for which they                  pilot of significant speed excursions                 necessary to establish a level of safety
                                                    are issued. Should the type certificate                 beyond VMO/MMO and low speed                          equivalent to that established by the
                                                    for that model be amended later to                      awareness flight conditions.                          existing airworthiness standards.
                                                    include any other model that                               The airplane should provide adequate               Applicability
                                                    incorporates the same novel or unusual                  awareness cues to the pilot of a low
                                                    design feature, these special conditions                energy (i.e., a low speed, low thrust, or               As discussed above, these special
                                                    would also apply to the other model                     low height) state to ensure that the                  conditions are applicable to the
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                                                    under § 21.101.                                         airplane retains sufficient energy to                 Bombardier BD–500–1A10 and BD–
                                                       In addition to the applicable                        recover when flight control laws                      500–1A11. Should Bombardier
                                                    airworthiness regulations and special                   provide neutral longitudinal stability                Aerospace apply at a later date for a
                                                    conditions, the CSeries airplanes must                  significantly below the normal operating              change to the type certificate to include
                                                    comply with the fuel vent and exhaust                   speeds. This may be accomplished as                   another model incorporating the same
                                                    emission requirements of 14 CFR part                    follows:                                              novel or unusual design feature, these
                                                    34 and the noise certification                             (a) Adequate low speed/low thrust                  special conditions would apply to that
                                                    requirements of 14 CFR part 36, and the                 cues at low altitude may be provided by               model as well.


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                                                    11960                   Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 43 / Thursday, March 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                    Conclusion                                              extended configurations) in the                       DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                                      This action affects only certain novel                following airspeed ranges:
                                                    or unusual design features on two                                                                             Federal Aviation Administration
                                                                                                               i. From 1.13 VSR1 to VMO/MMO.
                                                    model series of airplanes. It is not a rule                ii. From VMO/MMO to VFC/MFC, unless
                                                    of general applicability.                                                                                     14 CFR Part 39
                                                                                                            the divergence is—
                                                                                                                                                                  [Docket No. FAA–2015–0251; Directorate
                                                    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25                         (1) Gradual;                                       Identifier 2014–NM–200–AD]
                                                      Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting                     (2) Easily recognizable by the pilot;              RIN 2120–AA64
                                                    and recordkeeping requirements.                         and
                                                      The authority citation for these                         (3) Easily controllable by the pilot.              Airworthiness Directives; Airbus
                                                    special conditions is as follows:                                                                             Airplanes
                                                                                                               (e) In straight, steady sideslips over
                                                      Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701,
                                                                                                            the range of sideslip angles appropriate              AGENCY: Federal Aviation
                                                    44702, 44704.
                                                                                                            to the operation of the airplane, but not             Administration (FAA), DOT.
                                                    The Proposed Special Conditions                         less than those obtained with one half                ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
                                                    ■  Accordingly, the Federal Aviation                    of the available rudder control                       (NPRM).
                                                    Administration proposes the following                   movement (but not exceeding a rudder
                                                                                                            control force of 180 pounds), rudder                  SUMMARY:    We propose to adopt a new
                                                    special conditions as part of the type                                                                        airworthiness directive (AD) for all
                                                    certification basis for Bombardier                      control movements and forces must be
                                                                                                                                                                  Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and
                                                    Aerospace BD–500–1A10 and BD–500–                       substantially proportional to the angle
                                                                                                                                                                  A321 series airplanes. This proposed
                                                    1A11 series airplanes.                                  of sideslip in a stable sense; and the
                                                                                                                                                                  AD was prompted by a determination
                                                       1. Electronic Flight Control System:                 factor of proportionality must lie                    that, in specific flight conditions, the
                                                    Lateral-Directional and Longitudinal                    between limits found necessary for safe               allowable load limits on the vertical tail
                                                    Stability and Low-Energy Awareness. In                  operation. This requirement must be                   plane could be reached and possibly
                                                    lieu of the requirements of §§ 25.171,                  met for the configurations and speeds                 exceeded. Exceeding allowable load
                                                    25.173, 25.175, and 25.177:                             specified in paragraph (c) of this                    could result in detachment of the
                                                       (a) The airplane must be shown to                    section.                                              vertical tail plane. This proposed AD
                                                    have suitable static lateral, directional,
                                                                                                               (f) For sideslip angles greater than               would require modification of the pin
                                                    and longitudinal stability in any
                                                                                                            those prescribed by paragraph (e) of this             programming flight warning computer
                                                    condition normally encountered in
                                                                                                            section, up to the angle at which full                (FWC) to activate the stop rudder input
                                                    service, including the effects of
                                                                                                            rudder control is used or a rudder                    warning (SRIW) logic; and an inspection
                                                    atmospheric disturbance. The showing
                                                                                                            control force of 180 pounds is obtained,              to determine the part numbers of the
                                                    of suitable static lateral, directional, and
                                                                                                            the rudder control forces may not                     FWC and the flight augmentation
                                                    longitudinal stability must be based on
                                                                                                            reverse, and increased rudder deflection              computer (FAC), and replacement of the
                                                    the airplane handling qualities,
                                                                                                            must be needed for increased angles of                FWC and FAC if necessary. We are
                                                    including pilot workload and pilot
                                                                                                            sideslip. Compliance with this                        proposing this AD to prevent
                                                    compensation, for specific test
                                                                                                            requirement must be shown using                       detachment of the vertical tail plane and
                                                    procedures during the flight test
                                                                                                                                                                  consequent loss of control of the
                                                    evaluations.                                            straight, steady sideslips, unless full
                                                       (b) The airplane must provide                                                                              airplane.
                                                                                                            lateral control input is achieved before
                                                    adequate awareness to the pilot of a low                reaching either full rudder control input             DATES:  We must receive comments on
                                                    energy (low speed/low thrust/low                        or a rudder control force of 180 pounds;              this proposed AD by April 20, 2015.
                                                    height) state when fitted with flight                   a straight, steady sideslip need not be               ADDRESSES: You may send comments,
                                                    control laws presenting neutral                         maintained after achieving full lateral               using the procedures found in 14 CFR
                                                    longitudinal stability significantly                    control input. This requirement must be               11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following
                                                    below the normal operating speeds.                      met at all approved landing gear and                  methods:
                                                    ‘‘Adequate awareness’’ means warning                    wing-flap positions for the range of                    • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
                                                    information must be provided to alert                   operating speeds and power conditions                 http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
                                                    the crew of unsafe operating conditions                 appropriate to each landing gear and                  instructions for submitting comments.
                                                    and to enable them to take appropriate                                                                          • Fax: 202–493–2251.
                                                                                                            wing-flap position with all engines
                                                    corrective action.                                                                                              • Mail: U.S. Department of
                                                       (c) The static directional stability (as             operating.                                            Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
                                                    shown by the tendency to recover from                     Issued in Renton, Washington, on February           30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
                                                    a skid with the rudder free) must be                    24, 2015.                                             W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
                                                    positive for any landing gear and flap                  Jeffrey E. Duven,                                     Washington, DC 20590.
                                                    position and symmetrical power                          Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,                • Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of
                                                    condition, at speeds from 1.13 VSR1, up                 Aircraft Certification Service.                       Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
                                                    to VFE, VLE, or VFC/MFC (as appropriate).               [FR Doc. 2015–05048 Filed 3–4–15; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                                  30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
                                                       (d) The static lateral stability (as                                                                       W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
                                                                                                            BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                                    shown by the tendency to raise the low                                                                        Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and
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                                                    wing in a sideslip with the aileron                                                                           5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
                                                    controls free), for any landing-gear and                                                                      Federal holidays.
                                                    wing-flap position and symmetric-                                                                               For service information identified in
                                                    power condition, may not be negative at                                                                       this proposed AD, contact Airbus,
                                                    any airspeed (except that speeds higher                                                                       Airworthiness Office—EIAS, 1 Rond
                                                    than VFE need not be considered for                                                                           Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac
                                                    wing-flaps-extended configurations nor                                                                        Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36
                                                    speeds higher than VLE for landing-gear-                                                                      96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email


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Document Created: 2015-12-18 12:09:37
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 12:09:37
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionNotice of proposed special conditions.
DatesSend your comments on or before April 20, 2015.
ContactJoe Jacobsen, FAA, Airplane and Flight Crew Interface, ANM-111, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington, 98057- 3356; telephone 425-227-2011; facsimile 425-227-1320.
FR Citation80 FR 11958 
CFR AssociatedAircraft; Aviation Safety and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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