80_FR_57473 80 FR 57289 - Special Conditions: Cirrus Design Corporation, SF50; Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) System

80 FR 57289 - Special Conditions: Cirrus Design Corporation, SF50; Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) System

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 184 (September 23, 2015)

Page Range57289-57291
FR Document2015-24156

These special conditions are issued for the Cirrus Design Corporation SF50 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with the use of an electronic engine control system instead of a traditional mechanical control system. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 184 (Wednesday, September 23, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 184 (Wednesday, September 23, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57289-57291]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24156]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 23

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3881; Special Conditions No. 23-267-SC]


Special Conditions: Cirrus Design Corporation, SF50; Full 
Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) System

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Cirrus Design 
Corporation SF50 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual 
design feature(s) associated with the use of an electronic engine 
control system instead of a traditional mechanical control system. The 
applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special 
conditions contain the additional safety standards that the 
Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety 
equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

DATES: The effective date of these special conditions is September 23, 
2015.
    We must receive your comments by October 23, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2015-3881 
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 of Courier: Take comments to Docket 
Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m., and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at 202-493-2251.
    Privacy: The FAA will post all comments it receives, without 
change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information 
the commenter provides. Using the search function of the docket Web 
site, anyone can find and read the electronic form of all comments 
received into any FAA docket, including the name of the individual 
sending the comment (or signing the comment for an association, 
business, labor union, etc.). DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement can 
be found in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 
19477-19478), as well as at http://DocketsInfo.dot.gov.
    Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at 
http://www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions 
for accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 
of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m., and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Pretz, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Small Airplane Directorate, ACE-111, 901 Locust, Room 
301, Kansas City, MO 64106; telephone (816) 329-3239; facsimile (816) 
329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has determined, in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) and 553(d)(3), that notice and opportunity for 
prior public comment hereon are unnecessary because the substance of 
these special conditions has been subject to the public comment process 
in several prior instances with no substantive comments received. The 
FAA therefore finds that good cause exists for making these special 
conditions effective upon issuance.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Special condition number              Company/airplane model
------------------------------------------------------------------------
23-237-SC                            Spectrum Aeronautical Model S-40.
23-246-SC                            Cirrus Design Corporation Model
                                      SF50.
23-253-SC                            Diamond Aircraft Industries Model
                                      DA-40NG.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comments Invited

    We invite interested people to take part in this rulemaking by 
sending written comments, data, or views. The most helpful comments 
reference a specific portion of the special conditions, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. We ask 
that you send us two copies of written comments.
    We will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing 
date for comments. We will consider comments filed late if it is 
possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. We may change 
these special conditions based on the comments we receive.

Background

    On September 9, 2008, Cirrus Design Corporation applied for a type 
certificate for their new Model SF50. On December 11, 2012, Cirrus 
Design Corporation requested to revise the SF50 part 23 certification 
basis to include amendment 23-62. The Cirrus Design Corporation SF50 is 
a low-wing, seven-seat, single-engine turbofan-powered airplane. It 
incorporates an Electronic Flight Information System (EFIS), 
pressurized cabin, retractable gear, and a V-tail. The turbofan engine 
is mounted on the upper fuselage/tail cone along the aircraft 
centerline. It is constructed largely of carbon and fiberglass 
composite materials. Like other Cirrus products, the SF50 includes an 
airframe ballistic parachute system.
    The model SF50 has a maximum operating altitude of 28,000 feet, 
where it cruises at speeds up to 300 knots true airspeed. Its maximum 
operating limit speed (VMO) will not exceed 0.62 Mach. The 
maximum takeoff weight will be at or below 6,000 pounds with a range at 
economy cruise of roughly 1,000 nautical miles. Cirrus intends for the 
SF50 to be certified for single-pilot operations under 14 CFR parts 91 
and 135 operating rules. The following operating conditions will be 
included:

 Day and Night VFR
 IFR
 Flight Into Known Icing

    The Cirrus Design Corporation SF50 airplane is equipped with a 
Williams International FJ33-5A turbofan engine, which uses an 
Electronic Engine Control

[[Page 57290]]

System (EEC, also commonly referred to as a FADEC) instead of a 
traditional mechanical control system. Even though the engine control 
system will be certificated as part of the engine, the installation of 
an engine with an electronic control system requires evaluation due to 
critical environmental effects and possible effects on or by other 
airplane systems. For example, indirect effects of lightning, radio 
interference with other airplane electronic systems, shared engine and 
airplane data and power sources.
    The regulatory requirements in part 23 for evaluating the 
installation of complex systems, including electronic systems and 
critical environmental effects, are contained in Sec. Sec.  23.1306, 
Electrical and electronic system lightning protection; 23.1308, High-
intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF) Protection; and 23.1309, Equipment, 
systems, and installations. However, when Sec.  23.1309 was developed, 
the use of electronic control systems for engines was not envisioned. 
The integral nature of these systems makes it necessary to ensure the 
airplane functions included in the EEC are properly evaluated and that 
the installation does not degrade the EEC reliability, both of which 
are approved under part 33. Sections 23.1306(a) and 23.1308(a) are 
applied to the EEC to ensure it remains equivalent to a mechanical 
system, which is not generally susceptible to the HIRF and lightning 
environments.
    In some cases, the airplane, which the engine is being installed 
in, will determine a higher classification than the engine controls are 
certificated for, requiring the EEC systems be analyzed at a higher 
classification. As of November 2005, EEC special conditions mandated 
the Sec.  23.1309 classification for loss of EEC control as 
catastrophic for any airplane. This is not to imply an engine failure 
is classified as catastrophic, but that the EEC must provide an 
equivalent reliability to mechanical engine controls. In addition, 
Sec. Sec.  23.1141, Powerplant controls: General, paragraph (e) and 
25.901, Powerplant--General--Installation, paragraph (b)(2), are 
applied to provide the fault tolerant design requirements of turbine 
engine mechanical controls to the EEC and ensure adequate inspection 
and maintenance interval of the EEC.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17, Cirrus Design Corporation 
must show that the SF50 meets the applicable provisions of part 23, as 
amended by amendments 23-1 through 23-62 thereto.
    If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 23) do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for the SF50 because of a novel or unusual 
design feature, special conditions are prescribed under the provisions 
of Sec.  21.16.
    In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special 
conditions, the SF50 must comply with the fuel vent and exhaust 
emission requirements of 14 CFR part 34 and the noise certification 
requirements of 14 CFR part 36 and the FAA must issue a finding of 
regulatory adequacy under Sec.  611 of Public Law 92-574, the ``Noise 
Control Act of 1972.''.
    The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in Sec.  11.19, under 
Sec.  11.38 and they become part of the type certification basis under 
Sec.  21.17(a)(2). Special conditions are initially applicable to the 
model for which they are issued. Should the type certificate for that 
model be amended later to include any other model that incorporates the 
same novel or unusual design feature, the special conditions would also 
apply to the other model.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The SF50 will incorporate the following novel or unusual design 
features:
    Electronic engine control system

Discussion

    As discussed in the summary section, the SF50 makes use of an 
electronic engine control system instead of a traditional mechanical 
control system, which is considered a novel design for this type of 
airplane. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain 
adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. 
Mandating a structured assessment to determine potential installation 
issues mitigates the concerns that the addition of an electronic engine 
control may produce failure conditions not previously considered.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
SF50. Should Cirrus Design Corporation apply at a later date for a 
change to the type certificate to include another model incorporating 
the same novel or unusual design feature, the special conditions would 
apply to that model as well.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on the model SF50 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.
    The substance of these special conditions has previously been 
subjected to the notice and comment period as identified above, and has 
been derived without substantive change from those previously issued. 
It is unlikely that prior public comment would result in a significant 
change from the substance contained herein. Therefore, notice and 
opportunity for prior public comment hereon are unnecessary and the FAA 
finds good cause, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) and 
553(d)(3), making these special conditions effective upon issuance. The 
FAA is requesting comments to allow interested persons to submit views 
that may not have been submitted in response to the prior opportunities 
for comment described above.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 23

    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Signs and symbols.

Citation

    The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113 and 44701; 14 CFR 21.16 and 
21.17; and 14 CFR 11.38 and 11.19.

The Special Conditions

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the following special conditions are issued as part of 
the type certification basis for Cirrus Design Corporation SF50 
airplane.

1. Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) System

    a. For electronic engine control system installations, it must be 
established that no single failure or malfunction or probable 
combinations of failures of Electronic Engine Control System (EEC) 
system components will have an effect on the system, as installed in 
the airplane, that causes the LOTC probability of the system to exceed 
those allowed in part 33 certification.
    b. Electronic engine control system installations must be evaluated 
for environmental and atmospheric conditions, including lightning. The 
EEC system lightning and HIRF effects that could result in LOTC must be 
evaluated in accordance with Sec. Sec.  23.1306(a) and 23.1308(a).
    c. The components of the installation must be constructed, 
arranged, and installed to ensure their continued safe

[[Page 57291]]

operation between normal inspections or overhauls.
    d. Functions incorporated into any electronic engine control that 
make it part of any equipment, systems, or installation whose functions 
are beyond that of basic engine control, and which may also introduce 
system failures and malfunctions, are not exempt from Sec.  23.1309 and 
must be shown to meet part 23 levels of safety as derived from Sec.  
23.1309. Part 33 certification data, if applicable, may be used to show 
compliance with any part 23 requirements. If part 33 data is used to 
substantiate compliance with part 23 requirements, then the applicant 
must be able to provide this data for showing or compliance.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on September 14, 2015.
Mel Johnson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-24156 Filed 9-22-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P



                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 184 / Wednesday, September 23, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                             57289

                                                  (b) The adjustments displayed in                        • Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to                Special con-
                                                paragraph (a) of this section apply to                  http://www.regulations.gov and follow                 dition num-          Company/airplane model
                                                acts occurring after the date of                        the online instructions for sending your                   ber
                                                publication in the Federal Register.                    comments electronically.                              23–237–SC         Spectrum Aeronautical Model
                                                PART 796—POST-EMPLOYMENT                                  • Mail: Send comments to Docket                                         S–40.
                                                                                                        Operations, M–30, U.S. Department of                  23–246–SC         Cirrus Design Corporation
                                                RESTRICTIONS FOR CERTAIN NCUA                                                                                                     Model SF50.
                                                EXAMINERS                                               Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey
                                                                                                        Avenue SE., Room W12–140, West                        23–253–SC         Diamond Aircraft Industries
                                                                                                                                                                                  Model DA–40NG.
                                                ■ 7. The authority citation for part 796                Building Ground Floor, Washington,
                                                continues to read as follows:                           DC, 20590–0001.
                                                                                                                                                              Comments Invited
                                                    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1786(w).                         • Hand Delivery of Courier: Take
                                                                                                                                                                 We invite interested people to take
                                                ■ 8. In § 796.5, paragraph (a)(2) is                    comments to Docket Operations in
                                                                                                                                                              part in this rulemaking by sending
                                                revised to read as follows:                             Room W12–140 of the West Building
                                                                                                                                                              written comments, data, or views. The
                                                                                                        Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey                       most helpful comments reference a
                                                § 796.5 What are the penalties for violating            Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9
                                                these special post-employment                                                                                 specific portion of the special
                                                                                                        a.m., and 5 p.m., Monday through                      conditions, explain the reason for any
                                                restrictions?
                                                                                                        Friday, except Federal holidays.                      recommended change, and include
                                                  (a) * * *
                                                  (2) Assessed a civil monetary penalty                   • Fax: Fax comments to Docket                       supporting data. We ask that you send
                                                up to the amount specified in                           Operations at 202–493–2251.                           us two copies of written comments.
                                                § 747.1001 of this chapter.                               Privacy: The FAA will post all                         We will consider all comments we
                                                *     *    *     *     *                                comments it receives, without change,                 receive on or before the closing date for
                                                                                                                                                              comments. We will consider comments
                                                [FR Doc. 2015–24157 Filed 9–22–15; 8:45 am]             to http://regulations.gov, including any
                                                                                                                                                              filed late if it is possible to do so
                                                BILLING CODE 7535–01–P                                  personal information the commenter
                                                                                                                                                              without incurring expense or delay. We
                                                                                                        provides. Using the search function of
                                                                                                                                                              may change these special conditions
                                                                                                        the docket Web site, anyone can find                  based on the comments we receive.
                                                DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                            and read the electronic form of all
                                                                                                        comments received into any FAA                        Background
                                                Federal Aviation Administration                         docket, including the name of the                        On September 9, 2008, Cirrus Design
                                                                                                        individual sending the comment (or                    Corporation applied for a type
                                                14 CFR Part 23                                          signing the comment for an association,               certificate for their new Model SF50. On
                                                [Docket No. FAA–2015–3881; Special                      business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s                   December 11, 2012, Cirrus Design
                                                Conditions No. 23–267–SC]                               complete Privacy Act Statement can be                 Corporation requested to revise the
                                                                                                        found in the Federal Register published               SF50 part 23 certification basis to
                                                Special Conditions: Cirrus Design                       on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–19478),                include amendment 23–62. The Cirrus
                                                Corporation, SF50; Full Authority                       as well as at http://DocketsInfo.dot.gov.             Design Corporation SF50 is a low-wing,
                                                Digital Engine Control (FADEC)                                                                                seven-seat, single-engine turbofan-
                                                System                                                    Docket: Background documents or
                                                                                                        comments received may be read at                      powered airplane. It incorporates an
                                                AGENCY:  Federal Aviation                               http://www.regulations.gov at any time.               Electronic Flight Information System
                                                Administration (FAA), DOT.                              Follow the online instructions for                    (EFIS), pressurized cabin, retractable
                                                ACTION: Final special conditions; request                                                                     gear, and a V-tail. The turbofan engine
                                                                                                        accessing the docket or go to the Docket
                                                for comments.                                                                                                 is mounted on the upper fuselage/tail
                                                                                                        Operations in Room W12–140 of the
                                                                                                                                                              cone along the aircraft centerline. It is
                                                SUMMARY:   These special conditions are                 West Building Ground Floor at 1200
                                                                                                                                                              constructed largely of carbon and
                                                issued for the Cirrus Design Corporation                New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,                    fiberglass composite materials. Like
                                                SF50 airplane. This airplane will have                  DC, between 9 a.m., and 5 p.m., Monday                other Cirrus products, the SF50 includes
                                                a novel or unusual design feature(s)                    through Friday, except Federal holidays.              an airframe ballistic parachute system.
                                                associated with the use of an electronic                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:   Jeff                  The model SF50 has a maximum
                                                engine control system instead of a                      Pretz, Federal Aviation Administration,               operating altitude of 28,000 feet, where
                                                traditional mechanical control system.                  Small Airplane Directorate, ACE–111,                  it cruises at speeds up to 300 knots true
                                                The applicable airworthiness                            901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO                 airspeed. Its maximum operating limit
                                                regulations do not contain adequate or                  64106; telephone (816) 329–3239;                      speed (VMO) will not exceed 0.62 Mach.
                                                appropriate safety standards for this                   facsimile (816) 329–4090.                             The maximum takeoff weight will be at
                                                design feature. These special conditions                                                                      or below 6,000 pounds with a range at
                                                contain the additional safety standards                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:    The FAA                 economy cruise of roughly 1,000
                                                that the Administrator considers                        has determined, in accordance with 5                  nautical miles. Cirrus intends for the
                                                necessary to establish a level of safety                U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) and 553(d)(3), that               SF50 to be certified for single-pilot
                                                equivalent to that established by the                   notice and opportunity for prior public               operations under 14 CFR parts 91 and
                                                existing airworthiness standards.                       comment hereon are unnecessary                        135 operating rules. The following
                                                DATES: The effective date of these                      because the substance of these special                operating conditions will be included:
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                                                special conditions is September 23,                     conditions has been subject to the                    • Day and Night VFR
                                                2015.                                                   public comment process in several prior               • IFR
                                                   We must receive your comments by                     instances with no substantive comments                • Flight Into Known Icing
                                                October 23, 2015.                                       received. The FAA therefore finds that                   The Cirrus Design Corporation SF50
                                                ADDRESSES: Send comments identified                     good cause exists for making these                    airplane is equipped with a Williams
                                                by docket number FAA–2015–3881                          special conditions effective upon                     International FJ33–5A turbofan engine,
                                                using any of the following methods:                     issuance.                                             which uses an Electronic Engine Control


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                                                57290        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 184 / Wednesday, September 23, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                System (EEC, also commonly referred to                     If the Administrator finds that the                applicant who applied to the FAA for
                                                as a FADEC) instead of a traditional                    applicable airworthiness regulations                  approval of these features on the
                                                mechanical control system. Even though                  (i.e., 14 CFR part 23) do not contain                 airplane.
                                                the engine control system will be                       adequate or appropriate safety standards                 The substance of these special
                                                certificated as part of the engine, the                 for the SF50 because of a novel or                    conditions has previously been
                                                installation of an engine with an                       unusual design feature, special                       subjected to the notice and comment
                                                electronic control system requires                      conditions are prescribed under the                   period as identified above, and has been
                                                evaluation due to critical environmental                provisions of § 21.16.                                derived without substantive change
                                                effects and possible effects on or by                      In addition to the applicable                      from those previously issued. It is
                                                other airplane systems. For example,                    airworthiness regulations and special                 unlikely that prior public comment
                                                indirect effects of lightning, radio                    conditions, the SF50 must comply with                 would result in a significant change
                                                interference with other airplane                        the fuel vent and exhaust emission                    from the substance contained herein.
                                                electronic systems, shared engine and                   requirements of 14 CFR part 34 and the                Therefore, notice and opportunity for
                                                airplane data and power sources.                        noise certification requirements of 14                prior public comment hereon are
                                                   The regulatory requirements in part                  CFR part 36 and the FAA must issue a                  unnecessary and the FAA finds good
                                                23 for evaluating the installation of                   finding of regulatory adequacy under                  cause, in accordance with 5 U.S.C.
                                                complex systems, including electronic                   § 611 of Public Law 92–574, the ‘‘Noise               553(b)(3)(B) and 553(d)(3), making these
                                                systems and critical environmental                      Control Act of 1972.’’.                               special conditions effective upon
                                                effects, are contained in §§ 23.1306,                      The FAA issues special conditions, as              issuance. The FAA is requesting
                                                Electrical and electronic system                        defined in § 11.19, under § 11.38 and                 comments to allow interested persons to
                                                lightning protection; 23.1308, High-                    they become part of the type                          submit views that may not have been
                                                intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF)                        certification basis under § 21.17(a)(2).              submitted in response to the prior
                                                Protection; and 23.1309, Equipment,                     Special conditions are initially                      opportunities for comment described
                                                systems, and installations. However,                    applicable to the model for which they                above.
                                                when § 23.1309 was developed, the use                   are issued. Should the type certificate
                                                                                                        for that model be amended later to                    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 23
                                                of electronic control systems for engines
                                                was not envisioned. The integral nature                 include any other model that                            Aircraft, Aviation safety, Signs and
                                                of these systems makes it necessary to                  incorporates the same novel or unusual                symbols.
                                                ensure the airplane functions included                  design feature, the special conditions
                                                                                                        would also apply to the other model.                  Citation
                                                in the EEC are properly evaluated and
                                                that the installation does not degrade                  Novel or Unusual Design Features                        The authority citation for these
                                                the EEC reliability, both of which are                                                                        special conditions is as follows:
                                                approved under part 33. Sections                          The SF50 will incorporate the
                                                                                                        following novel or unusual design                       Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113 and
                                                23.1306(a) and 23.1308(a) are applied to                                                                      44701; 14 CFR 21.16 and 21.17; and 14 CFR
                                                the EEC to ensure it remains equivalent                 features:                                             11.38 and 11.19.
                                                to a mechanical system, which is not                      Electronic engine control system
                                                                                                                                                              The Special Conditions
                                                generally susceptible to the HIRF and                   Discussion
                                                lightning environments.                                    As discussed in the summary section,                 Accordingly, pursuant to the
                                                   In some cases, the airplane, which the               the SF50 makes use of an electronic                   authority delegated to me by the
                                                engine is being installed in, will                      engine control system instead of a                    Administrator, the following special
                                                determine a higher classification than                  traditional mechanical control system,                conditions are issued as part of the type
                                                the engine controls are certificated for,               which is considered a novel design for                certification basis for Cirrus Design
                                                requiring the EEC systems be analyzed                   this type of airplane. The applicable                 Corporation SF50 airplane.
                                                at a higher classification. As of                       airworthiness regulations do not contain              1. Full Authority Digital Engine Control
                                                November 2005, EEC special conditions                   adequate or appropriate safety standards              (FADEC) System
                                                mandated the § 23.1309 classification                   for this design feature. Mandating a
                                                for loss of EEC control as catastrophic                 structured assessment to determine                      a. For electronic engine control
                                                for any airplane. This is not to imply an               potential installation issues mitigates               system installations, it must be
                                                engine failure is classified as                         the concerns that the addition of an                  established that no single failure or
                                                catastrophic, but that the EEC must                     electronic engine control may produce                 malfunction or probable combinations
                                                provide an equivalent reliability to                    failure conditions not previously                     of failures of Electronic Engine Control
                                                mechanical engine controls. In addition,                considered.                                           System (EEC) system components will
                                                §§ 23.1141, Powerplant controls:                                                                              have an effect on the system, as
                                                General, paragraph (e) and 25.901,                      Applicability                                         installed in the airplane, that causes the
                                                Powerplant—General—Installation,                           As discussed above, these special                  LOTC probability of the system to
                                                paragraph (b)(2), are applied to provide                conditions are applicable to the SF50.                exceed those allowed in part 33
                                                the fault tolerant design requirements of               Should Cirrus Design Corporation apply                certification.
                                                turbine engine mechanical controls to                   at a later date for a change to the type                b. Electronic engine control system
                                                the EEC and ensure adequate inspection                  certificate to include another model                  installations must be evaluated for
                                                and maintenance interval of the EEC.                    incorporating the same novel or unusual               environmental and atmospheric
                                                                                                        design feature, the special conditions                conditions, including lightning. The
                                                Type Certification Basis
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                                                                                                        would apply to that model as well.                    EEC system lightning and HIRF effects
                                                  Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17,                                                                       that could result in LOTC must be
                                                Cirrus Design Corporation must show                     Conclusion                                            evaluated in accordance with
                                                that the SF50 meets the applicable                        This action affects only certain novel              §§ 23.1306(a) and 23.1308(a).
                                                provisions of part 23, as amended by                    or unusual design features on the model                 c. The components of the installation
                                                amendments 23–1 through 23–62                           SF50 airplanes. It is not a rule of general           must be constructed, arranged, and
                                                thereto.                                                applicability and affects only the                    installed to ensure their continued safe


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                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 184 / Wednesday, September 23, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                        57291

                                                operation between normal inspections                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            section 611 of Public Law 92–574, the
                                                or overhauls.                                                                                                 ‘‘Noise Control Act of 1972.’’
                                                  d. Functions incorporated into any                    Background
                                                                                                                                                                 The FAA issues special conditions, as
                                                electronic engine control that make it                     On October 11, 2006, Honda Aircraft                defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance
                                                part of any equipment, systems, or                      Company applied for a type certificate                with § 11.38, and they become part of
                                                installation whose functions are beyond                 for their new Model HA–420. On                        the type-certification basis under
                                                that of basic engine control, and which                 October 10, 2013, Honda Aircraft                      § 21.17(a)(2).
                                                may also introduce system failures and                  Company requested an extension with                      Special conditions are initially
                                                malfunctions, are not exempt from                       an effective application date of October              applicable to the model for which they
                                                § 23.1309 and must be shown to meet                     1, 2013. This extension changed the                   are issued. Should the type certificate
                                                part 23 levels of safety as derived from                type certification basis to amendment                 for that model be amended later to
                                                § 23.1309. Part 33 certification data, if               23–62.                                                include any other model that
                                                applicable, may be used to show                            The HA–420 is a four to five                       incorporates the same or similar novel
                                                compliance with any part 23                             passenger (depending on configuration),               or unusual design feature, the special
                                                requirements. If part 33 data is used to                two crew, lightweight business jet with               conditions would also apply to the other
                                                substantiate compliance with part 23                    a 43,000-foot service ceiling and a                   model under § 21.101.
                                                requirements, then the applicant must                   maximum takeoff weight of 9963
                                                be able to provide this data for showing                pounds. The airplane is powered by two                Novel or Unusual Design Features
                                                or compliance.                                          GE-Honda Aero Engines (GHAE) HF–                        The HA–420 will incorporate the
                                                  Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on                    120 turbofan engines.                                 following novel or unusual design
                                                September 14, 2015.                                        The current regulatory requirements                feature: The installation of Li-ion
                                                Mel Johnson,                                            for part 23 airplanes do not contain                  batteries.
                                                Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,             adequate requirements for the                           The current regulatory requirements
                                                Aircraft Certification Service.                         application of Li-ion batteries in                    for part 23 airplanes do not contain
                                                [FR Doc. 2015–24156 Filed 9–22–15; 8:45 am]             airborne applications. This type of                   adequate requirements for the
                                                BILLING CODE 4910–13–P                                  battery possesses certain failure,                    application of Li-ion batteries in
                                                                                                        operational characteristics, and                      airborne applications. This type of
                                                                                                        maintenance requirements that differ                  battery possesses certain failure,
                                                DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                            significantly from that of the nickel                 operational characteristics, and
                                                                                                        cadmium and lead acid rechargeable                    maintenance requirements that differ
                                                Federal Aviation Administration                         batteries currently approved in other                 significantly from that of the nickel
                                                                                                        normal, utility, acrobatic, and commuter              cadmium and lead acid rechargeable
                                                14 CFR Part 23                                          category airplanes. Therefore, the FAA                batteries currently approved in other
                                                [Docket No.FAA–2015–0721; Notice No. 23–                is proposing this special condition to                normal, utility, acrobatic, and commuter
                                                269–SC]                                                 require that (1) all characteristics of the           category airplanes.
                                                                                                        rechargeable lithium batteries and their
                                                Special Conditions: Honda Aircraft                      installation that could affect safe                   Discussion
                                                Company, Model HA–420 HondaJet,                         operation of the HA–420 are addressed,                   The applicable parts 21 and 23
                                                Lithium-ion Batteries                                   and (2) appropriate Instructions for                  airworthiness regulations governing the
                                                AGENCY:  Federal Aviation                               Continued Airworthiness which include                 installation of batteries in general
                                                Administration (FAA), DOT.                              maintenance requirements are                          aviation airplanes, including § 23.1353,
                                                ACTION: Final special conditions.                       established to ensure the availability of             were derived from Civil Air Regulations
                                                                                                        electrical power from the batteries when              (CAR 3) as part of the recodification that
                                                SUMMARY:   These special conditions are                 needed.                                               established 14 CFR part 23. The battery
                                                issued for the Honda Aircraft Company,                                                                        requirements, which are identified in
                                                Model HA–420 airplane. This airplane                    Type Certification Basis
                                                                                                                                                              § 23.1353, were a rewording of the CAR
                                                will have a novel or unusual design                        Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17,              requirements that did not add any
                                                feature associated with the installation                Honda Aircraft Company must show                      substantive technical requirements. An
                                                of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. The                  that the HA–420 meets the applicable                  increase in incidents involving battery
                                                applicable airworthiness regulations do                 provisions of part 23, as amended by                  fires and failures that accompanied the
                                                not contain adequate or appropriate                     Amendments 23–1 through 23–62                         increased use of Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-
                                                safety standards for this design feature.               thereto.                                              Cad) batteries in aircraft resulted in
                                                These special conditions contain the                       If the Administrator finds that the                rulemaking activities on the battery
                                                additional safety standards that the                    applicable airworthiness regulations                  requirements for transport category
                                                Administrator considers necessary to                    (i.e., 14 CFR part 23) do not contain                 airplanes. These regulations were
                                                establish a level of safety equivalent to               adequate or appropriate safety standards              incorporated into § 23.1353(f) and (g),
                                                that established by the existing                        for the HA–420 because of a novel or                  which apply only to Ni-Cad battery
                                                airworthiness standards.                                unusual design feature, special                       installations.
                                                DATES: These special conditions are                     conditions are prescribed under the                      The use of Li-ion batteries on the HA–
                                                effective September 23, 2015.                           provisions of § 21.16.                                420 airplane has prompted the FAA to
                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Les                       In addition to the applicable                      review the adequacy of the existing
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                Lyne, Policies & Procedures Branch,                     airworthiness regulations and special                 battery regulations with respect to that
                                                ACE–114, Federal Aviation                               conditions, the HA–420 must comply                    chemistry. As the result of this review,
                                                Administration, Small Airplane                          with the fuel vent and exhaust emission               the FAA has determined that the
                                                Directorate, Aircraft Certification                     requirements of 14 CFR part 34 and the                existing regulations do not adequately
                                                Service, 901 Locust; Kansas City,                       noise certification requirements of 14                address several failure, operational, and
                                                Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 329–                    CFR part 36, and the FAA must issue a                 maintenance characteristics of Li-ion
                                                4171; facsimile (816) 329–4090.                         finding of regulatory adequacy under                  batteries that could affect safety of the


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Document Created: 2015-12-15 09:44:32
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 09:44:32
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal special conditions; request for comments.
DatesThe effective date of these special conditions is September 23, 2015.
ContactJeff Pretz, Federal Aviation Administration, Small Airplane Directorate, ACE-111, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; telephone (816) 329-3239; facsimile (816) 329-4090.
FR Citation80 FR 57289 
CFR AssociatedAircraft; Aviation Safety and Signs and Symbols

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