80_FR_24308 80 FR 24225 - Special Conditions: L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, Boeing Model 747-8 Series Airplanes; Therapeutic Oxygen for Medical Use

80 FR 24225 - Special Conditions: L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, Boeing Model 747-8 Series Airplanes; Therapeutic Oxygen for Medical Use

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 83 (April 30, 2015)

Page Range24225-24226
FR Document2015-10103

This action proposes special conditions for the Boeing Model 747-8 series airplanes. This airplane, as modified by L-3 Communications Integrated Systems (L-3), 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 therapeutic oxygen for medical use installed in an executive-interior airplane. 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 83 (Thursday, April 30, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 83 (Thursday, April 30, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24225-24226]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10103]


========================================================================
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.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 83 / Thursday, April 30, 2015 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 24225]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0758; Notice No. 25-15-05-SC]


Special Conditions: L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, Boeing 
Model 747-8 Series Airplanes; Therapeutic Oxygen for Medical Use

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions.

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

SUMMARY: This action proposes special conditions for the Boeing Model 
747-8 series airplanes. This airplane, as modified by L-3 
Communications Integrated Systems (L-3), 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 therapeutic oxygen for medical use installed in an 
executive-interior airplane. 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 20, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2015-0758 
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/ 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 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: Robert Hettman, FAA, Propulsion and 
Mechanical Systems, ANM-112, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington, 98057-
3356; telephone 425-227-2683; 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.
    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 May 10, 2011, L-3 applied for a supplemental type certificate 
(STC) for therapeutic oxygen for medical use in the Boeing Model 747-8 
series airplanes equipped with executive interiors. The Boeing Model 
747-8 series airplane, which is a derivative of the Boeing Model 747-
400 airplane currently approved under Type Certificate No. A20WE, is a 
four-engine jet-transport airplane that will have a maximum takeoff 
weight of 970,000 lbs. The Model 747-8 airplane will have 153 seats 
approved for taxi, takeoff, and landing (19 crewmembers and 134 
passengers).
    Section 25.1445 includes standards for oxygen-distribution systems 
when oxygen is supplied to flightcrew and passengers. If a common 
source of supply is used, Sec.  25.1445(a)(2) requires a means to 
separately reserve the minimum supply required by the flightcrew. This 
requirement was included in Sec.  25.1445 when the regulations were 
codified, and was originally added to Civil Air Regulations 4b.831 at 
Amendment 4b-13, effective September 21, 1949.
    It is apparent that the regulation is intended to protect the 
flightcrew by ensuring that an adequate supply of oxygen is available 
to complete a descent and landing following a loss of cabin pressure. 
When the regulation was written, the only passenger-oxygen system 
designs were supplemental-oxygen systems intended to protect passengers 
from hypoxia in the event of a decompression. Existing passenger-oxygen 
systems did not include design features that would allow the flightcrew 
to control oxygen to passengers during flight. There are no similar 
requirements when oxygen is supplied from the same source to passengers 
for use during a decompression and for discretionary/first-aid use any 
time during the flight. In the proposed design, the passenger and 
therapeutic-oxygen systems use the same source of oxygen. The 
flightcrew-oxygen emergency system uses a dedicated source of oxygen 
independent from the passenger-oxygen system. An oxygen-duration chart 
and operation procedures will be incorporated into the ``Flight Crew 
Operating Manual'' and ``Flight Manual Supplement,'' as part of the 
STC, to provide information to the flightcrew to determine when to 
cease operation of the therapeutic system as a

[[Page 24226]]

means by which to reserve the minimum supply of supplemental passenger 
oxygen.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of Sec.  21.101, L-3 must show that the Boeing 
Model 747-8 series airplane, as changed, continues to meet the 
applicable provisions of the regulations listed in Type Certificate No. 
A20WE, or the applicable regulations in effect on the date of 
application for the change, except for earlier amendments as agreed 
upon by the FAA.
    If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations (i.e., Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 
25) do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for the 
Boeing Model 747-8 series airplane 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 applicant apply for an STC to modify any 
other model included on the same type certificate to incorporate 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 Boeing Model 747-8 series airplane 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 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.  21.101.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    L-3 is seeking certification of an interior modification to Boeing 
Model 747-8 series airplanes to include executive and medical-patient 
transport. As a part of the executive-interior installation, the 
airplane will be outfitted with a therapeutic-oxygen system. The 
therapeutic-oxygen system shares the same supply of oxygen with the 
existing passenger-oxygen system and consists of multiple constant-flow 
oxygen outlets located throughout the cabin. The flightcrew can turn 
the therapeutic-oxygen system on and off from the flight deck to allow 
use at any point during the flight, and to preserve a sufficient 
remaining oxygen reserve, in the event therapeutic oxygen is used for 
medical purposes, to accommodate the passengers in the event of an 
emergency-oxygen situation.
    The gaseous passenger-oxygen system will be modified to accommodate 
additional supply cylinders and several therapeutic-oxygen outlets 
located throughout the cabin. Each therapeutic outlet will provide a 
constant flow of oxygen at either 2 or 4 liters per minute. The 
flightcrew will be able to control the flow of therapeutic oxygen at 
any time during flight. Therapeutic-oxygen systems previously have been 
certified, and were generally considered an extension of the passenger-
oxygen system for the purpose of defining the applicable regulations. 
As a result, the applicable regulations included those that applied to 
oxygen systems in general, or supplemental-oxygen systems.

Discussion

    No specific regulations address the design and installation of 
oxygen systems used specifically for therapeutic applications. Existing 
requirements, such as Sec. Sec.  25.1309, 25.1441(b) and (c), 25.1451, 
and 24.1453, in the Boeing Model 747-8 airplane certification basis 
applicable to this STC project, provide some design standards 
appropriate for oxygen-system installations. However, additional design 
standards for systems supplementing the existing oxygen system are 
needed to complement the existing applicable requirements. The addition 
of equipment involved in this installation, and the unsafe conditions 
that can exist when the oxygen content of an enclosed area becomes too 
high because of system leaks, malfunction, or damage from external 
sources, make it necessary to ensure that adequate safety standards are 
applied to the design and installation of the oxygen system in Boeing 
Model 747-8 series airplanes. These potential hazards also necessitate 
development and application of appropriate additional design and 
installation standards.
    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 proposed special conditions are 
applicable to the Boeing Model 747-8 series airplanes. Should L-3 apply 
at a later date for a supplemental type certificate to modify any other 
model included on Type Certificate No. A20WE to incorporate the same 
novel or unusual design feature, these special conditions would apply 
to that model as well.
    Certification of these Boeing Model 747-8 series airplanes is 
currently scheduled for June 2015. Therefore, because a delay would 
significantly affect the applicant's installation of the system and the 
certification of the airplane, we are shortening the public-comment 
period to 20 days.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on one model series of airplanes. It is not a rule of general 
applicability, and affects only the applicant who applied to the FAA 
for approval of these features on the airplane.

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

    Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes the 
following special conditions as part of the type-certification basis 
for Boeing Model 747-8 series airplanes as modified by L-3 
Communications Integrated Systems.
    The distribution system for the therapeutic-oxygen system must be 
designed and installed as follows:
    When oxygen is supplied to passengers for both supplemental and 
therapeutic purposes, the distribution system must be designed for 
either--
    1. A source of supplemental supply for protection from hypoxia 
following a loss of cabin pressure, and a separate source for 
therapeutic purposes, or
    2. A common source of supply, with means to separately reserve the 
minimum supply required by the passengers for supplemental use 
following a loss of cabin pressure.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 17, 2015.
Victor Wicklund,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-10103 Filed 4-29-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

24225 Proposed Rules Federal Register Vol. 80, No. 83 Thursday, April 30, 2015 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER • Hand Delivery or Courier: Take Background contains notices to the public of the proposed comments to Docket Operations in On May 10, 2011, L–3 applied for a issuance of rules and regulations. The Room W12–140 of the West Building purpose of these notices is to give interested supplemental type certificate (STC) for Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey therapeutic oxygen for medical use in persons an opportunity to participate in the Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 rule making prior to the adoption of the final the Boeing Model 747–8 series airplanes rules. a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through equipped with executive interiors. The Friday, except Federal holidays. Boeing Model 747–8 series airplane, • Fax: Fax comments to Docket which is a derivative of the Boeing DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Operations at 202–493–2251. Model 747–400 airplane currently Privacy: The FAA will post all approved under Type Certificate No. Federal Aviation Administration A20WE, is a four-engine jet-transport comments it receives, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov/, airplane that will have a maximum 14 CFR Part 25 takeoff weight of 970,000 lbs. The including any personal information the [Docket No. FAA–2015–0758; Notice No. 25– commenter provides. Using the search Model 747–8 airplane will have 153 15–05–SC] function of the docket Web site, anyone seats approved for taxi, takeoff, and can find and read the electronic form of landing (19 crewmembers and 134 Special Conditions: L–3 all comments received into any FAA passengers). Communications Integrated Systems, docket, including the name of the Section 25.1445 includes standards Boeing Model 747–8 Series Airplanes; individual sending the comment (or for oxygen-distribution systems when Therapeutic Oxygen for Medical Use signing the comment for an association, oxygen is supplied to flightcrew and business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s passengers. If a common source of AGENCY: Federal Aviation supply is used, § 25.1445(a)(2) requires Administration (FAA), DOT. complete Privacy Act Statement can be found in the Federal Register published a means to separately reserve the ACTION: Notice of proposed special minimum supply required by the conditions. on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–19478), as well as at http://DocketsInfo.dot. flightcrew. This requirement was gov/. included in § 25.1445 when the SUMMARY: This action proposes special regulations were codified, and was conditions for the Boeing Model 747–8 Docket: Background documents or originally added to Civil Air Regulations series airplanes. This airplane, as comments received may be read at 4b.831 at Amendment 4b–13, effective modified by L–3 Communications http://www.regulations.gov/ at any time. September 21, 1949. Integrated Systems (L–3), will have a Follow the online instructions for It is apparent that the regulation is novel or unusual design feature when accessing the docket or go to Docket intended to protect the flightcrew by compared to the state of technology Operations in Room W12–140 of the ensuring that an adequate supply of envisioned in the airworthiness West Building Ground Floor at 1200 oxygen is available to complete a standards for transport-category New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, descent and landing following a loss of airplanes. This design feature is DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday cabin pressure. When the regulation was therapeutic oxygen for medical use through Friday, except Federal holidays. written, the only passenger-oxygen installed in an executive-interior system designs were supplemental- FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: airplane. The applicable airworthiness oxygen systems intended to protect Robert Hettman, FAA, Propulsion and regulations do not contain adequate or passengers from hypoxia in the event of Mechanical Systems, ANM–112, appropriate safety standards for this a decompression. Existing passenger- Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft design feature. These proposed special oxygen systems did not include design Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue conditions contain the additional safety features that would allow the flightcrew SW., Renton, Washington, 98057–3356; standards that the Administrator to control oxygen to passengers during telephone 425–227–2683; facsimile considers necessary to establish a level flight. There are no similar requirements 425–227–1320. of safety equivalent to that established when oxygen is supplied from the same by the existing airworthiness standards. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: source to passengers for use during a DATES: Send your comments on or Comments Invited decompression and for discretionary/ before May 20, 2015. first-aid use any time during the flight. ADDRESSES: Send comments identified We invite interested people to take In the proposed design, the passenger by docket number FAA–2015–0758 part in this rulemaking by sending and therapeutic-oxygen systems use the using any of the following methods: written comments, data, or views. The same source of oxygen. The flightcrew- • Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to most helpful comments reference a oxygen emergency system uses a http://www.regulations.gov/ and follow specific portion of the special dedicated source of oxygen independent rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS the online instructions for sending your conditions, explain the reason for any from the passenger-oxygen system. An comments electronically. recommended change, and include oxygen-duration chart and operation • Mail: Send comments to Docket supporting data. procedures will be incorporated into the Operations, M–30, U.S. Department of We will consider all comments we ‘‘Flight Crew Operating Manual’’ and Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey receive by the closing date for ‘‘Flight Manual Supplement,’’ as part of Avenue SE., Room W12–140, West comments. We may change these special the STC, to provide information to the Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC conditions based on the comments we flightcrew to determine when to cease 20590–0001. receive. operation of the therapeutic system as a VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:35 Apr 29, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\30APP1.SGM 30APP1

24226 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 83 / Thursday, April 30, 2015 / Proposed Rules means by which to reserve the passengers in the event of an Certification of these Boeing Model minimum supply of supplemental emergency-oxygen situation. 747–8 series airplanes is currently passenger oxygen. The gaseous passenger-oxygen system scheduled for June 2015. Therefore, will be modified to accommodate because a delay would significantly Type Certification Basis additional supply cylinders and several affect the applicant’s installation of the Under the provisions of § 21.101, L– therapeutic-oxygen outlets located system and the certification of the 3 must show that the Boeing Model throughout the cabin. Each therapeutic airplane, we are shortening the public- 747–8 series airplane, as changed, outlet will provide a constant flow of comment period to 20 days. continues to meet the applicable oxygen at either 2 or 4 liters per minute. The flightcrew will be able to control Conclusion provisions of the regulations listed in Type Certificate No. A20WE, or the the flow of therapeutic oxygen at any This action affects only certain novel applicable regulations in effect on the time during flight. Therapeutic-oxygen or unusual design features on one model date of application for the change, systems previously have been certified, series of airplanes. It is not a rule of except for earlier amendments as agreed and were generally considered an general applicability, and affects only upon by the FAA. extension of the passenger-oxygen the applicant who applied to the FAA If the Administrator finds that the system for the purpose of defining the for approval of these features on the applicable airworthiness regulations applicable regulations. As a result, the airplane. (i.e., Title 14, Code of Federal applicable regulations included those that applied to oxygen systems in List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25 Regulations (14 CFR) part 25) do not contain adequate or appropriate safety general, or supplemental-oxygen Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting standards for the Boeing Model 747–8 systems. and recordkeeping requirements. series airplane because of a novel or Discussion The authority citation for these unusual design feature, special special conditions is as follows: No specific regulations address the conditions are prescribed under the Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701, design and installation of oxygen provisions of § 21.16. 44702, 44704. systems used specifically for therapeutic Special conditions are initially applications. Existing requirements, The Proposed Special Conditions applicable to the model for which they such as §§ 25.1309, 25.1441(b) and (c), are issued. Should the applicant apply Accordingly, the Federal Aviation 25.1451, and 24.1453, in the Boeing for an STC to modify any other model Administration (FAA) proposes the Model 747–8 airplane certification basis included on the same type certificate to following special conditions as part of applicable to this STC project, provide incorporate the same novel or unusual the type-certification basis for Boeing some design standards appropriate for design feature, these special conditions Model 747–8 series airplanes as oxygen-system installations. However, would also apply to the other model modified by L–3 Communications additional design standards for systems under § 21.101. Integrated Systems. supplementing the existing oxygen In addition to the applicable The distribution system for the system are needed to complement the airworthiness regulations and special therapeutic-oxygen system must be existing applicable requirements. The conditions, the Boeing Model 747–8 designed and installed as follows: addition of equipment involved in this series airplane must comply with the When oxygen is supplied to installation, and the unsafe conditions fuel-vent and exhaust-emission passengers for both supplemental and that can exist when the oxygen content requirements of 14 CFR part 34; and the therapeutic purposes, the distribution of an enclosed area becomes too high noise-certification requirements of 14 system must be designed for either— because of system leaks, malfunction, or CFR part 36. 1. A source of supplemental supply damage from external sources, make it The FAA issues special conditions, as for protection from hypoxia following a necessary to ensure that adequate safety defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance loss of cabin pressure, and a separate standards are applied to the design and with § 11.38, and they become part of source for therapeutic purposes, or installation of the oxygen system in the type-certification basis under 2. A common source of supply, with Boeing Model 747–8 series airplanes. § 21.101. means to separately reserve the These potential hazards also necessitate minimum supply required by the Novel or Unusual Design Features development and application of passengers for supplemental use appropriate additional design and L–3 is seeking certification of an following a loss of cabin pressure. installation standards. interior modification to Boeing Model These proposed special conditions Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 17, 747–8 series airplanes to include contain the additional safety standards 2015. executive and medical-patient transport. that the Administrator considers Victor Wicklund, As a part of the executive-interior necessary to establish a level of safety Acting Manager, Transport Airplane installation, the airplane will be equivalent to that established by the Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. outfitted with a therapeutic-oxygen existing airworthiness standards. [FR Doc. 2015–10103 Filed 4–29–15; 8:45 am] system. The therapeutic-oxygen system BILLING CODE 4910–13–P shares the same supply of oxygen with Applicability the existing passenger-oxygen system As discussed above, these proposed and consists of multiple constant-flow special conditions are applicable to the DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS oxygen outlets located throughout the Boeing Model 747–8 series airplanes. cabin. The flightcrew can turn the Should L–3 apply at a later date for a 28 CFR Part 16 therapeutic-oxygen system on and off supplemental type certificate to modify from the flight deck to allow use at any any other model included on Type [CPCLO Order No. 005–2015] point during the flight, and to preserve Certificate No. A20WE to incorporate Privacy Act of 1974; Implementation; a sufficient remaining oxygen reserve, in the same novel or unusual design Correction the event therapeutic oxygen is used for feature, these special conditions would medical purposes, to accommodate the apply to that model as well. AGENCY: Department of Justice. VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:35 Apr 29, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\30APP1.SGM 30APP1


Document Created: 2018-02-21 10:14:50
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 10:14:50
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 May 20, 2015.
ContactRobert Hettman, FAA, Propulsion and Mechanical Systems, ANM-112, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington, 98057- 3356; telephone 425-227-2683; facsimile 425-227-1320.
FR Citation80 FR 24225 
CFR AssociatedAircraft; Aviation Safety and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements
2024 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR