81_FR_33709 81 FR 33606 - Special Conditions: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI), Model 525 Helicopters; Interaction of Systems and Structures

81 FR 33606 - Special Conditions: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI), Model 525 Helicopters; Interaction of Systems and Structures

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 103 (May 27, 2016)

Page Range33606-33609
FR Document2016-12497

We propose special conditions for the BHTI Model 525 helicopter. This helicopter will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with fly-by-wire flight control system (FBW FCS) functions that affect the structural integrity of the rotorcraft. 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 81 Issue 103 (Friday, May 27, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 103 (Friday, May 27, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33606-33609]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-12497]


========================================================================
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. 81, No. 103 / Friday, May 27, 2016 / Proposed 
Rules

[[Page 33606]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 29

[Docket No. FAA-2016-6939; Notice No. 29-038-SC]


Special Conditions: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI), Model 
525 Helicopters; Interaction of Systems and Structures

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions.

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

SUMMARY: We propose special conditions for the BHTI Model 525 
helicopter. This helicopter will have a novel or unusual design feature 
associated with fly-by-wire flight control system (FBW FCS) functions 
that affect the structural integrity of the rotorcraft. 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 July 11, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2016-6939] 
using any of the following methods:
    [square] Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    [square] 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.
    [square] 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 8 a.m., and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    [square] 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: Martin R. Crane, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
[email protected].

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 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 December 15, 2011, BHTI applied for a type certificate for a new 
transport category helicopter designated as the Model 525. The aircraft 
is a medium twin engine rotorcraft. The design maximum takeoff weight 
is 20,000 pounds, with a maximum capacity of 16 passengers and a crew 
of 2.
    The BHTI Model 525 helicopter will be equipped with a FBW FCS. The 
control functions of the FBW FCS and its related systems affect the 
structural integrity of the rotorcraft. Current regulations do not take 
into account loads for the rotorcraft due to the effects of systems on 
structural performance including normal operation and failure 
conditions with strength levels related to probability of occurrence. 
Special conditions are needed to account for these features.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17, BHTI must show that the Model 
525 helicopter meets the applicable provisions of part 29, as amended 
by Amendment 29-1 through 29-55 thereto. The BHTI Model 525 
certification basis date is December 15, 2011, the date of application 
to the FAA.
    If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 29) do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for the BHTI Model 525 because of a novel 
or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed under the 
provisions of Sec.  21.16.
    Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which 
they are issued. Should the type certificate for that model be amended 
later to include any other model that incorporates the same or similar 
novel or unusual design feature, the special conditions would also 
apply to the other model under Sec.  21.101.
    In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special 
conditions, the BHTI Model 525 helicopter must comply with 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 BHTI Model 525 helicopter will incorporate the following novel 
or unusual design features: FBW FCS, and

[[Page 33607]]

its related systems (stability augmentation system, load alleviation 
system, flutter control system, and fuel management system), with 
control functions that affect the structural integrity of the 
rotorcraft. Current regulations are inadequate for considering the 
effects of these systems and their failures on structural performance. 
The general approach of accounting for the effect of system failures on 
structural performance would be extended to include any system where 
partial or complete failure, alone or in combination with any other 
system's partial or complete failure, would affect structural 
performance.

Discussion

    Active flight control systems are capable of providing automatic 
responses to inputs from sources other than the pilots. Active flight 
control systems have been expanded in function, effectiveness, and 
reliability to the point that FBW FCS systems are being installed on 
new rotorcraft. As a result of these advancements in flight control 
technology, 14 CFR part 29 does not provide a basis to achieve an 
acceptable level of safety for rotorcraft so equipped. Certification of 
these systems requires issuing special conditions under the provisions 
of Sec.  21.16.
    In the past, traditional rotorcraft flight control system designs 
have incorporated power-operated systems, stability or control 
augmentation with limited control authority, and autopilots that were 
certificated partly under Sec.  29.672 with guidance from Advisory 
Circular 29-2C, Section AC 29.672. These systems are integrated into 
the primary flight controls and are given sufficient control authority 
to maneuver the rotorcraft up to its structural design limits in 14 CFR 
part 29 subparts C and D. The FBW FCS advanced technology with its full 
authority necessitates additional requirements to account for the 
interaction of control systems and structures.
    The regulations defining the loads envelope in 14 CFR part 29 do 
not fully account for the effects of systems on structural performance. 
Automatic systems may be inoperative or they may operate in a degraded 
mode with less than full system authority and associated built-in 
protection features. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the 
structural factors of safety and operating margins such that the 
probability of structural failures due to application of loads during 
FBW FCS malfunctions is not greater than that found in rotorcraft 
equipped with traditional flight control systems. To achieve this 
objective and to ensure an acceptable level of safety, it is necessary 
to define the failure conditions and their associated frequency of 
occurrence.
    Traditional flight control systems provide two states, either fully 
functioning or completely inoperative. These conditions are readily 
apparent to the flight crew. Newer active flight control systems have 
failure modes that allow the system to function in a degraded mode 
without full authority and associated built-in protection features. As 
these degraded modes are not readily apparent to the flight crew, 
monitoring systems are required to provide an annunciation of degraded 
system capability.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
BHTI Model 525 helicopter. Should BHTI 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 one model of rotorcraft. It is not a rule of general applicability.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 29

    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 Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Model 525 helicopters:

Interaction of Systems and Structures

    For rotorcraft equipped with systems that affect structural 
performance, either directly or as a result of a failure or 
malfunction, the influence of these systems and their failure 
conditions must be taken into account when showing compliance with the 
requirements of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 29 
subparts C and D.
    The following criteria must be used for showing compliance with 
these special conditions for rotorcraft equipped with FCSs, autopilots, 
stability augmentation systems, load alleviation systems, flutter 
control systems, fuel management systems, and other systems that either 
directly or as a result of failure or malfunction affects structural 
performance. If these special conditions are used for other systems, it 
may be necessary to adapt the criteria to the specific system.
    (a) The criteria defined herein only address the direct structural 
consequences of the system responses and performance. They cannot be 
considered in isolation but should be included in the overall safety 
evaluation of the rotorcraft. These criteria may in some instances 
duplicate standards already established for this evaluation. These 
criteria are only applicable to structure whose failure could prevent 
continued safe flight and landing. Specific criteria that define 
acceptable limits on handling characteristics or stability requirements 
when operating in the system degraded or inoperative mode are not 
provided in these special conditions.
    (b) Depending upon the specific characteristics of the rotorcraft, 
additional studies may be required that go beyond the criteria provided 
in this special condition in order to demonstrate the capability of the 
rotorcraft to meet other realistic conditions such as alternative gust 
or maneuver descriptions for a rotorcraft equipped with a load 
alleviation system.
    (c) The following definitions are applicable to these special 
conditions:
    (1) Structural performance: Capability of the rotorcraft to meet 
the structural requirements of 14 CFR part 29.
    (2) Flight limitations: Limitations that can be applied to the 
rotorcraft flight conditions following an in-flight occurrence and that 
are included in the flight manual (e.g., speed limitations and 
avoidance of severe weather conditions).
    (3) Operational limitations: Limitations, including flight 
limitations, which can be applied to the rotorcraft operating 
conditions before dispatch (e.g., fuel, payload, and Master Minimum 
Equipment List limitations).
    (4) Probabilistic terms: The terms ``improbable'' and ``extremely 
improbable'' are the same as those used in Sec.  29.1309.
    (5) Failure condition: The term ``failure condition'' is the same 
as that used in Sec.  29.1309; however, these special conditions apply 
only to system failure conditions that affect the structural 
performance of the rotorcraft (e.g., system failure conditions that 
induce loads, change the response of the rotorcraft to inputs such as 
gusts or pilot actions, or lower flutter margins).

[[Page 33608]]

Effects of Systems on Structures

    (a) General. The following criteria will be used in determining the 
influence of a system and its failure conditions on the rotorcraft 
structure.
    (b) System fully operative. With the system fully operative, the 
following apply:
    (1) Limit loads must be derived in all normal operating 
configurations of the system from all the limit conditions specified in 
Subpart C (or defined by special condition or equivalent level of 
safety in lieu of those specified in Subpart C), taking into account 
any special behavior of such a system or associated functions or any 
effect on the structural performance of the rotorcraft that may occur 
up to the limit loads. In particular, any significant nonlinearity 
(rate of displacement of control surface, thresholds or any other 
system nonlinearities) must be accounted for in a realistic or 
conservative way when deriving limit loads from limit conditions.
    (2) The rotorcraft must meet the strength requirements of part 29 
(static strength, residual strength), using the specified factors to 
derive ultimate loads from the limit loads defined above. The effect of 
nonlinearities must be investigated beyond limit conditions to ensure 
the behavior of the system presents no anomaly compared to the behavior 
below limit conditions. However, conditions beyond limit conditions 
need not be considered when it can be shown that the rotorcraft has 
design features that will not allow it to exceed those limit 
conditions.
    (3) The rotorcraft must meet the flutter and divergence 
requirements of Sec.  29.629.
    (c) System in the failure condition. For all system failure 
conditions shown to be not extremely improbable, the following apply:
    (1) At the time of occurrence. Starting from 1-g level flight 
conditions, a realistic scenario, including pilot corrective actions, 
must be established to determine the loads occurring at the time of 
failure and immediately after the failure.
    (i) For static strength substantiation, these loads multiplied by 
an appropriate factor of safety that is related to the probability of 
occurrence of the failure are the ultimate loads that must be 
considered for design. The factor of safety is defined in Figure 1.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP27MY16.018

    (ii) For residual strength substantiation, the rotorcraft must be 
able to withstand two-thirds of the ultimate loads defined in paragraph 
(c)(1)(i) of these special conditions.
    (iii) Freedom from flutter and divergence must be shown under all 
conditions of operation including:
    (A) Airspeeds up to 1.11 VNE (power on and power off).
    (B) Main rotor speeds from 0.95 multiplied by the minimum permitted 
speed up to 1.05 multiplied by the maximum permitted speed (power on 
and power off).
    (C) The critical combinations of weight, center of gravity 
position, load factor, and altitude.
    (iv) For failure conditions that result in excursions beyond 
operating limitations, freedom from flutter and divergence must be 
shown to increased speeds, so that the margins intended by paragraph 
(c)(1)(iii) of these special conditions are maintained.
    (v) Failures of the system that result in forced structural 
vibrations (oscillatory failures) must not produce loads that could 
result in detrimental deformation of primary structure.
    (2) For the continuation of the flight. For the rotorcraft in the 
system failed state, and considering all appropriate reconfiguration 
and flight limitations, the following apply:
    (i) The loads derived from the following conditions (or defined by 
special conditions or equivalent level of safety in lieu of the 
following conditions) at speeds up to VNE (power on and 
power off) (or the speed limitation prescribed for the remainder of the 
flight) and at the minimum and maximum main rotor speeds, if 
applicable, must be determined:
    (A) The limit maneuvering conditions specified in Sec. Sec.  29.337 
and 29.339.
    (B) The limit gust conditions specified in Sec.  29.341.
    (C) The limit yaw maneuvering conditions specified in Sec.  29.351.
    (D) The limit unsymmetrical conditions specified in Sec.  29.427.
    (E) The limit ground loading conditions specified in Sec.  29.473.
    (ii) For static strength substantiation, each part of the structure 
must be able to withstand the loads in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of these 
special conditions multiplied by a factor of safety depending on the 
probability of being in this failure state. The factor of safety is 
defined in Figure 2.

[[Page 33609]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP27MY16.019

Qj = (Tj)(Pj)

Where:

Tj = Average time spent in failure condition j (in hours)
Pj = Probability of occurrence of failure mode j (per 
hour)

    Note:  If Pj is greater than 10-\3\ per 
flight hour, then a 1.5 factor of safety must be applied to all 
limit load conditions specified in Subpart C.

    (iii) For residual strength substantiation, the rotorcraft must be 
able to withstand two-thirds of the ultimate loads defined in paragraph 
(c)(2)(ii) of these special conditions.
    (iv) If the loads induced by the failure condition have a 
significant effect on fatigue or damage tolerance, then their effects 
must be taken into account.
    (v) Freedom from flutter and divergence must be shown up to 1.11 
VNE (power on and power off).
    (vi) Freedom from flutter and divergence must also be shown up to 
1.11 VNE (power on and power off) for all probable system 
failure conditions combined with any damage required or considered 
under Sec.  29.571(g) or Sec.  29.573(d)(3).
    (3) Consideration of certain failure conditions may be required by 
other sections of 14 CFR part 29 regardless of calculated system 
reliability. Where the failure analysis shows the probability of these 
failure conditions to be less than 10-\9\, criteria other 
than those specified in this paragraph may be used for structural 
substantiation to show continued safe flight and landing.
    (d) Failure indications. For system failure detection and 
indication, the following apply:
    (1) The system must be checked for failure conditions, not 
extremely improbable, that degrade the structural capability below the 
level required by 14 CFR part 29 or that significantly reduce the 
reliability of the remaining operational portion of the system. As far 
as reasonably practicable, the flight crew must be made aware of these 
failures before flight. Certain elements of the control system, such as 
mechanical and hydraulic components, may use special periodic 
inspections, and electronic components may use daily checks, in lieu of 
detection and indication systems to achieve the objective of this 
requirement. These other means of detecting failures before flight will 
become part of the certification maintenance requirements (CMRs) and 
must be limited to components that are not readily detectable by normal 
detection and indication systems, and where service history shows that 
inspections will provide an adequate level of safety.
    (2) The existence of any failure condition, shown to be not 
extremely improbable, during flight that could significantly affect the 
structural capability of the rotorcraft and for which the associated 
reduction in airworthiness can be minimized by suitable flight 
limitations, must be signaled to the flight crew. For example, failure 
conditions that result in a factor of safety between the rotorcraft 
strength and the loads of Subpart C below 1.25, or flutter and 
divergence margins below 1.11 VNE (power on and power off), 
must be signaled to the crew during flight.
    (e) Dispatch with known failure conditions. If the rotorcraft is to 
be dispatched in a known system failure condition that affects 
structural performance, or that affects the reliability of the 
remaining operational portion of the system to maintain structural 
performance, then the provisions of these special conditions must be 
met, including the provisions of paragraph (b) for the dispatched 
condition and paragraph (c) for subsequent failures. Expected 
operational limitations may be taken into account in establishing 
Pj as the probability of failure occurrence for determining 
the safety margin in Figure 1 of these special conditions. Flight 
limitations and expected operational limitations may be taken into 
account in establishing Qj as the combined probability of 
being in the dispatched failure condition and the subsequent failure 
condition for the safety margins in Figure 2 of these special 
conditions. These limitations must be such that the probability of 
being in this combined failure state and then subsequently encountering 
limit load conditions is extremely improbable. No reduction in these 
safety margins is allowed if the subsequent system failure rate is 
greater than 10-\3\ per hour.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 18, 2016.
Jorge Castillo,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-12497 Filed 5-26-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P



                                                 33606

                                                 Proposed Rules                                                                                                Federal Register
                                                                                                                                                               Vol. 81, No. 103

                                                                                                                                                               Friday, May 27, 2016



                                                 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER                    a.m., and 5 p.m., Monday through                      maximum takeoff weight is 20,000
                                                 contains notices to the public of the proposed          Friday, except Federal holidays.                      pounds, with a maximum capacity of 16
                                                 issuance of rules and regulations. The                     b Fax: Fax comments to Docket                      passengers and a crew of 2.
                                                 purpose of these notices is to give interested          Operations at 202–493–2251.                              The BHTI Model 525 helicopter will
                                                 persons an opportunity to participate in the               Privacy: The FAA will post all                     be equipped with a FBW FCS. The
                                                 rule making prior to the adoption of the final          comments it receives, without change,                 control functions of the FBW FCS and
                                                 rules.
                                                                                                         to http://www.regulations.gov, including              its related systems affect the structural
                                                                                                         any personal information the                          integrity of the rotorcraft. Current
                                                 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                            commenter provides. Using the search                  regulations do not take into account
                                                                                                         function of the docket Web site, anyone               loads for the rotorcraft due to the effects
                                                 Federal Aviation Administration                         can find and read the electronic form of              of systems on structural performance
                                                                                                         all comments received into any FAA                    including normal operation and failure
                                                 14 CFR Part 29                                          docket, including the name of the                     conditions with strength levels related
                                                                                                         individual sending the comment (or                    to probability of occurrence. Special
                                                 [Docket No. FAA–2016–6939; Notice No. 29–                                                                     conditions are needed to account for
                                                 038–SC]
                                                                                                         signing the comment for an association,
                                                                                                         business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s                   these features.
                                                 Special Conditions: Bell Helicopter                     complete Privacy Act Statement can be                 Type Certification Basis
                                                 Textron, Inc. (BHTI), Model 525                         found in the Federal Register published
                                                                                                         on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–19478),                   Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17,
                                                 Helicopters; Interaction of Systems                                                                           BHTI must show that the Model 525
                                                 and Structures                                          as well as at http://DocketsInfo.dot.gov.
                                                                                                            Docket: Background documents or                    helicopter meets the applicable
                                                 AGENCY: Federal Aviation                                comments received may be read at                      provisions of part 29, as amended by
                                                 Administration (FAA), DOT.                              http://www.regulations.gov at any time.               Amendment 29–1 through 29–55
                                                 ACTION: Notice of proposed special                      Follow the online instructions for                    thereto. The BHTI Model 525
                                                 conditions.                                             accessing the docket or go to the Docket              certification basis date is December 15,
                                                                                                         Operations in Room W12–140 of the                     2011, the date of application to the
                                                 SUMMARY:    We propose special                          West Building Ground Floor at 1200                    FAA.
                                                 conditions for the BHTI Model 525                       New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,                       If the Administrator finds that the
                                                 helicopter. This helicopter will have a                 DC, between 9 a.m., and 5 p.m., Monday                applicable airworthiness regulations
                                                 novel or unusual design feature                         through Friday, except Federal holidays.              (i.e., 14 CFR part 29) do not contain
                                                 associated with fly-by-wire flight                                                                            adequate or appropriate safety standards
                                                                                                         FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                 control system (FBW FCS) functions                                                                            for the BHTI Model 525 because of a
                                                                                                         Martin R. Crane, Aviation Safety                      novel or unusual design feature, special
                                                 that affect the structural integrity of the             Engineer, Safety Management Group,
                                                 rotorcraft. The applicable airworthiness                                                                      conditions are prescribed under the
                                                                                                         Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101                    provisions of § 21.16.
                                                 regulations do not contain adequate or                  Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177;
                                                 appropriate safety standards for this                                                                            Special conditions are initially
                                                                                                         telephone (817) 222–5110; email                       applicable to the model for which they
                                                 design feature. These proposed special                  martin.r.crane@faa.gov.
                                                 conditions contain the additional safety                                                                      are issued. Should the type certificate
                                                 standards that the Administrator                        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            for that model be amended later to
                                                 considers necessary to establish a level                                                                      include any other model that
                                                                                                         Comments Invited
                                                 of safety equivalent to that established                                                                      incorporates the same or similar novel
                                                 by the existing airworthiness standards.                   We invite interested people to take                or unusual design feature, the special
                                                                                                         part in this rulemaking by sending                    conditions would also apply to the other
                                                 DATES: Send your comments on or                         written comments, data, or views. The                 model under § 21.101.
                                                 before July 11, 2016.                                   most helpful comments reference a                        In addition to the applicable
                                                 ADDRESSES: Send comments identified                     specific portion of the special                       airworthiness regulations and special
                                                 by docket number FAA–2016–6939]                         conditions, explain the reason for any                conditions, the BHTI Model 525
                                                 using any of the following methods:                     recommended change, and include                       helicopter must comply with the noise
                                                   b Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to                  supporting data.                                      certification requirements of 14 CFR
                                                 http://www.regulations.gov and follow                      We will consider all comments we                   part 36, and the FAA must issue a
                                                 the online instructions for sending your                receive on or before the closing date for             finding of regulatory adequacy under
                                                 comments electronically.                                comments. We will consider comments                   § 611 of Public Law 92–574, the ‘‘Noise
                                                   b Mail: Send comments to Docket                       filed late if it is possible to do so                 Control Act of 1972.’’
                                                 Operations, M–30, U.S. Department of                    without incurring expense or delay. We                   The FAA issues special conditions, as
                                                 Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey                   may change these special conditions                   defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                 Avenue SE., Room W12–140, West                          based on the comments we receive.                     with § 11.38, and they become part of
                                                 Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC                                                                         the type-certification basis under
                                                 20590–0001.                                             Background
                                                                                                                                                               § 21.17(a)(2).
                                                   b Hand Delivery of Courier: Take                        On December 15, 2011, BHTI applied
                                                 comments to Docket Operations in                        for a type certificate for a new transport            Novel or Unusual Design Features
                                                 Room W12–140 of the West Building                       category helicopter designated as the                   The BHTI Model 525 helicopter will
                                                 Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey                         Model 525. The aircraft is a medium                   incorporate the following novel or
                                                 Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 8                   twin engine rotorcraft. The design                    unusual design features: FBW FCS, and


                                            VerDate Sep<11>2014   15:22 May 26, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00001   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\27MYP1.SGM   27MYP1


                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 103 / Friday, May 27, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                            33607

                                                 its related systems (stability                          traditional flight control systems. To                alleviation systems, flutter control
                                                 augmentation system, load alleviation                   achieve this objective and to ensure an               systems, fuel management systems, and
                                                 system, flutter control system, and fuel                acceptable level of safety, it is necessary           other systems that either directly or as
                                                 management system), with control                        to define the failure conditions and their            a result of failure or malfunction affects
                                                 functions that affect the structural                    associated frequency of occurrence.                   structural performance. If these special
                                                 integrity of the rotorcraft. Current                       Traditional flight control systems                 conditions are used for other systems, it
                                                 regulations are inadequate for                          provide two states, either fully                      may be necessary to adapt the criteria to
                                                 considering the effects of these systems                functioning or completely inoperative.                the specific system.
                                                 and their failures on structural                        These conditions are readily apparent to                 (a) The criteria defined herein only
                                                 performance. The general approach of                    the flight crew. Newer active flight                  address the direct structural
                                                 accounting for the effect of system                     control systems have failure modes that               consequences of the system responses
                                                 failures on structural performance                      allow the system to function in a                     and performance. They cannot be
                                                 would be extended to include any                        degraded mode without full authority                  considered in isolation but should be
                                                 system where partial or complete                        and associated built-in protection                    included in the overall safety evaluation
                                                 failure, alone or in combination with                   features. As these degraded modes are                 of the rotorcraft. These criteria may in
                                                 any other system’s partial or complete                  not readily apparent to the flight crew,              some instances duplicate standards
                                                 failure, would affect structural                        monitoring systems are required to                    already established for this evaluation.
                                                 performance.                                            provide an annunciation of degraded                   These criteria are only applicable to
                                                 Discussion                                              system capability.                                    structure whose failure could prevent
                                                                                                         Applicability                                         continued safe flight and landing.
                                                    Active flight control systems are                                                                          Specific criteria that define acceptable
                                                 capable of providing automatic                            As discussed above, these special                   limits on handling characteristics or
                                                 responses to inputs from sources other                  conditions are applicable to the BHTI                 stability requirements when operating
                                                 than the pilots. Active flight control                  Model 525 helicopter. Should BHTI                     in the system degraded or inoperative
                                                 systems have been expanded in                           apply at a later date for a change to the             mode are not provided in these special
                                                 function, effectiveness, and reliability to             type certificate to include another                   conditions.
                                                 the point that FBW FCS systems are                      model incorporating the same novel or                    (b) Depending upon the specific
                                                 being installed on new rotorcraft. As a                 unusual design feature, the special                   characteristics of the rotorcraft,
                                                 result of these advancements in flight                  conditions would apply to that model as               additional studies may be required that
                                                 control technology, 14 CFR part 29 does                 well.                                                 go beyond the criteria provided in this
                                                 not provide a basis to achieve an
                                                                                                         Conclusion                                            special condition in order to
                                                 acceptable level of safety for rotorcraft
                                                                                                                                                               demonstrate the capability of the
                                                 so equipped. Certification of these                       This action affects only certain novel
                                                 systems requires issuing special                                                                              rotorcraft to meet other realistic
                                                                                                         or unusual design features on one model
                                                 conditions under the provisions of                                                                            conditions such as alternative gust or
                                                                                                         of rotorcraft. It is not a rule of general
                                                 § 21.16.                                                                                                      maneuver descriptions for a rotorcraft
                                                                                                         applicability.
                                                    In the past, traditional rotorcraft flight                                                                 equipped with a load alleviation system.
                                                 control system designs have                             List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 29                       (c) The following definitions are
                                                 incorporated power-operated systems,                      Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting                applicable to these special conditions:
                                                 stability or control augmentation with                  and recordkeeping requirements.                          (1) Structural performance: Capability
                                                 limited control authority, and autopilots                 The authority citation for these                    of the rotorcraft to meet the structural
                                                 that were certificated partly under                     special conditions is as follows:                     requirements of 14 CFR part 29.
                                                 § 29.672 with guidance from Advisory                                                                             (2) Flight limitations: Limitations that
                                                                                                           Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701,          can be applied to the rotorcraft flight
                                                 Circular 29–2C, Section AC 29.672.                      44702, 44704.
                                                 These systems are integrated into the                                                                         conditions following an in-flight
                                                 primary flight controls and are given                   The Proposed Special Conditions                       occurrence and that are included in the
                                                 sufficient control authority to maneuver                  Accordingly, the Federal Aviation                   flight manual (e.g., speed limitations
                                                 the rotorcraft up to its structural design              Administration (FAA) proposes the                     and avoidance of severe weather
                                                 limits in 14 CFR part 29 subparts C and                 following special conditions as part of               conditions).
                                                 D. The FBW FCS advanced technology                      the type certification basis for Bell                    (3) Operational limitations:
                                                 with its full authority necessitates                    Helicopter Textron, Inc., Model 525                   Limitations, including flight limitations,
                                                 additional requirements to account for                  helicopters:                                          which can be applied to the rotorcraft
                                                 the interaction of control systems and                                                                        operating conditions before dispatch
                                                 structures.                                             Interaction of Systems and Structures                 (e.g., fuel, payload, and Master
                                                    The regulations defining the loads                     For rotorcraft equipped with systems                Minimum Equipment List limitations).
                                                 envelope in 14 CFR part 29 do not fully                 that affect structural performance, either               (4) Probabilistic terms: The terms
                                                 account for the effects of systems on                   directly or as a result of a failure or               ‘‘improbable’’ and ‘‘extremely
                                                 structural performance. Automatic                       malfunction, the influence of these                   improbable’’ are the same as those used
                                                 systems may be inoperative or they may                  systems and their failure conditions                  in § 29.1309.
                                                 operate in a degraded mode with less                    must be taken into account when                          (5) Failure condition: The term
                                                 than full system authority and                          showing compliance with the                           ‘‘failure condition’’ is the same as that
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                                                 associated built-in protection features.                requirements of Title 14, Code of                     used in § 29.1309; however, these
                                                 Therefore, it is necessary to determine                 Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 29                  special conditions apply only to system
                                                 the structural factors of safety and                    subparts C and D.                                     failure conditions that affect the
                                                 operating margins such that the                           The following criteria must be used                 structural performance of the rotorcraft
                                                 probability of structural failures due to               for showing compliance with these                     (e.g., system failure conditions that
                                                 application of loads during FBW FCS                     special conditions for rotorcraft                     induce loads, change the response of the
                                                 malfunctions is not greater than that                   equipped with FCSs, autopilots,                       rotorcraft to inputs such as gusts or pilot
                                                 found in rotorcraft equipped with                       stability augmentation systems, load                  actions, or lower flutter margins).


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                                                 33608                     Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 103 / Friday, May 27, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                 Effects of Systems on Structures                        thresholds or any other system                           (3) The rotorcraft must meet the
                                                    (a) General. The following criteria                  nonlinearities) must be accounted for in              flutter and divergence requirements of
                                                 will be used in determining the                         a realistic or conservative way when                  § 29.629.
                                                 influence of a system and its failure                   deriving limit loads from limit                          (c) System in the failure condition.
                                                 conditions on the rotorcraft structure.                 conditions.                                           For all system failure conditions shown
                                                    (b) System fully operative. With the                                                                       to be not extremely improbable, the
                                                                                                            (2) The rotorcraft must meet the
                                                 system fully operative, the following                                                                         following apply:
                                                                                                         strength requirements of part 29 (static
                                                 apply:                                                                                                           (1) At the time of occurrence. Starting
                                                                                                         strength, residual strength), using the
                                                    (1) Limit loads must be derived in all                                                                     from 1-g level flight conditions, a
                                                                                                         specified factors to derive ultimate loads            realistic scenario, including pilot
                                                 normal operating configurations of the
                                                 system from all the limit conditions                    from the limit loads defined above. The               corrective actions, must be established
                                                 specified in Subpart C (or defined by                   effect of nonlinearities must be                      to determine the loads occurring at the
                                                 special condition or equivalent level of                investigated beyond limit conditions to               time of failure and immediately after the
                                                 safety in lieu of those specified in                    ensure the behavior of the system                     failure.
                                                 Subpart C), taking into account any                     presents no anomaly compared to the                      (i) For static strength substantiation,
                                                 special behavior of such a system or                    behavior below limit conditions.                      these loads multiplied by an appropriate
                                                 associated functions or any effect on the               However, conditions beyond limit                      factor of safety that is related to the
                                                 structural performance of the rotorcraft                conditions need not be considered when                probability of occurrence of the failure
                                                 that may occur up to the limit loads. In                it can be shown that the rotorcraft has               are the ultimate loads that must be
                                                 particular, any significant nonlinearity                design features that will not allow it to             considered for design. The factor of
                                                 (rate of displacement of control surface,               exceed those limit conditions.                        safety is defined in Figure 1.




                                                    (ii) For residual strength                           divergence must be shown to increased                 of the flight) and at the minimum and
                                                 substantiation, the rotorcraft must be                  speeds, so that the margins intended by               maximum main rotor speeds, if
                                                 able to withstand two-thirds of the                     paragraph (c)(1)(iii) of these special                applicable, must be determined:
                                                 ultimate loads defined in paragraph                     conditions are maintained.                               (A) The limit maneuvering conditions
                                                 (c)(1)(i) of these special conditions.                    (v) Failures of the system that result              specified in §§ 29.337 and 29.339.
                                                    (iii) Freedom from flutter and                       in forced structural vibrations                          (B) The limit gust conditions specified
                                                 divergence must be shown under all                      (oscillatory failures) must not produce               in § 29.341.
                                                 conditions of operation including:                      loads that could result in detrimental                   (C) The limit yaw maneuvering
                                                    (A) Airspeeds up to 1.11 VNE (power                  deformation of primary structure.                     conditions specified in § 29.351.
                                                 on and power off).                                        (2) For the continuation of the flight.                (D) The limit unsymmetrical
                                                    (B) Main rotor speeds from 0.95                      For the rotorcraft in the system failed               conditions specified in § 29.427.
                                                 multiplied by the minimum permitted                     state, and considering all appropriate                   (E) The limit ground loading
                                                 speed up to 1.05 multiplied by the                      reconfiguration and flight limitations,               conditions specified in § 29.473.
                                                 maximum permitted speed (power on                       the following apply:                                     (ii) For static strength substantiation,
                                                 and power off).                                           (i) The loads derived from the                      each part of the structure must be able
                                                    (C) The critical combinations of                     following conditions (or defined by                   to withstand the loads in paragraph
                                                 weight, center of gravity position, load                special conditions or equivalent level of             (c)(2)(i) of these special conditions
                                                 factor, and altitude.                                   safety in lieu of the following                       multiplied by a factor of safety
                                                    (iv) For failure conditions that result              conditions) at speeds up to VNE (power                depending on the probability of being in
                                                 in excursions beyond operating                          on and power off) (or the speed                       this failure state. The factor of safety is
                                                 limitations, freedom from flutter and                   limitation prescribed for the remainder               defined in Figure 2.
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                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 103 / Friday, May 27, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                                 33609




                                                 Qj = (Tj)(Pj)                                           of the control system, such as                        establishing Qj as the combined
                                                 Where:                                                  mechanical and hydraulic components,                  probability of being in the dispatched
                                                 Tj = Average time spent in failure condition            may use special periodic inspections,                 failure condition and the subsequent
                                                      j (in hours)                                       and electronic components may use                     failure condition for the safety margins
                                                 Pj = Probability of occurrence of failure mode          daily checks, in lieu of detection and                in Figure 2 of these special conditions.
                                                      j (per hour)                                       indication systems to achieve the                     These limitations must be such that the
                                                   Note: If Pj is greater than 10¥3 per flight           objective of this requirement. These                  probability of being in this combined
                                                 hour, then a 1.5 factor of safety must be               other means of detecting failures before              failure state and then subsequently
                                                 applied to all limit load conditions specified          flight will become part of the                        encountering limit load conditions is
                                                 in Subpart C.                                           certification maintenance requirements                extremely improbable. No reduction in
                                                    (iii) For residual strength                          (CMRs) and must be limited to                         these safety margins is allowed if the
                                                 substantiation, the rotorcraft must be                  components that are not readily                       subsequent system failure rate is greater
                                                 able to withstand two-thirds of the                     detectable by normal detection and                    than 10¥3 per hour.
                                                 ultimate loads defined in paragraph                     indication systems, and where service                   Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 18,
                                                 (c)(2)(ii) of these special conditions.                 history shows that inspections will                   2016.
                                                    (iv) If the loads induced by the failure             provide an adequate level of safety.                  Jorge Castillo,
                                                 condition have a significant effect on                     (2) The existence of any failure
                                                                                                                                                               Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,
                                                 fatigue or damage tolerance, then their                 condition, shown to be not extremely                  Aircraft Certification Service.
                                                 effects must be taken into account.                     improbable, during flight that could
                                                                                                                                                               [FR Doc. 2016–12497 Filed 5–26–16; 8:45 am]
                                                    (v) Freedom from flutter and                         significantly affect the structural
                                                                                                                                                               BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                                 divergence must be shown up to 1.11                     capability of the rotorcraft and for
                                                 VNE (power on and power off).                           which the associated reduction in
                                                    (vi) Freedom from flutter and                        airworthiness can be minimized by                     DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                                 divergence must also be shown up to                     suitable flight limitations, must be
                                                 1.11 VNE (power on and power off) for                   signaled to the flight crew. For example,             Federal Aviation Administration
                                                 all probable system failure conditions                  failure conditions that result in a factor
                                                 combined with any damage required or                    of safety between the rotorcraft strength             14 CFR Part 39
                                                 considered under § 29.571(g) or                         and the loads of Subpart C below 1.25,
                                                                                                                                                               [Docket No. FAA–2016–0733; Directorate
                                                 § 29.573(d)(3).                                         or flutter and divergence margins below               Identifier 2015–SW–040–AD]
                                                    (3) Consideration of certain failure                 1.11 VNE (power on and power off),
                                                 conditions may be required by other                     must be signaled to the crew during                   RIN 2120–AA64
                                                 sections of 14 CFR part 29 regardless of                flight.
                                                 calculated system reliability. Where the                   (e) Dispatch with known failure                    Airworthiness Directives; Robinson
                                                 failure analysis shows the probability of               conditions. If the rotorcraft is to be                Helicopter Company Helicopters
                                                 these failure conditions to be less than                dispatched in a known system failure                  AGENCY: Federal Aviation
                                                 10¥9, criteria other than those specified               condition that affects structural                     Administration (FAA), DOT.
                                                 in this paragraph may be used for                       performance, or that affects the                      ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
                                                 structural substantiation to show                       reliability of the remaining operational              (NPRM).
                                                 continued safe flight and landing.                      portion of the system to maintain
                                                    (d) Failure indications. For system                  structural performance, then the                      SUMMARY:   We propose to adopt a new
                                                 failure detection and indication, the                   provisions of these special conditions                airworthiness directive (AD) for
                                                 following apply:                                        must be met, including the provisions of              Robinson Helicopter Company
                                                    (1) The system must be checked for                   paragraph (b) for the dispatched                      (Robinson) Model R44, R44 II, and R66
                                                 failure conditions, not extremely                       condition and paragraph (c) for                       helicopters. This proposed AD would
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                                                 improbable, that degrade the structural                 subsequent failures. Expected                         require a visual inspection of the main
                                                 capability below the level required by                  operational limitations may be taken                  rotor blade (MRB) and either removing
                                                 14 CFR part 29 or that significantly                    into account in establishing Pj as the                or altering it. This proposed AD is
                                                 reduce the reliability of the remaining                 probability of failure occurrence for                 prompted by a report that a fatigue crack
                                                 operational portion of the system. As far               determining the safety margin in Figure               was found at an MRB’s trailing edge and
                                                 as reasonably practicable, the flight                   1 of these special conditions. Flight                 a determination that some MRBs may
                                                 crew must be made aware of these                        limitations and expected operational                  have reduced blade thickness due to
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                                                 failures before flight. Certain elements                limitations may be taken into account in              blending out corrosion. The proposed


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Document Created: 2018-02-07 15:10:19
Document Modified: 2018-02-07 15:10:19
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 July 11, 2016.
ContactMartin R. Crane, Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 33606 
CFR AssociatedAircraft; Aviation Safety and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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