81 FR 67097 - Special Conditions: Embraer S.A., Model ERJ 190-300 Series Airplanes; Electronic Flight Control System: Control Surface Position Awareness, Multiple Modes of Operation
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 190 (September 30, 2016)
Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 190 (September 30, 2016)
| Page Range | 67097-67098 | |
| FR Document | 2016-23665 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 190 (Friday, September 30, 2016)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 67097-67098] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-23665] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 25 [Docket No. FAA-2016-9225; Special Conditions No. 25-639-SC] Special Conditions: Embraer S.A., Model ERJ 190-300 Series Airplanes; Electronic Flight Control System: Control Surface Position Awareness, Multiple Modes of Operation AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Embraer S.A. Model ERJ 190-300 series airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. This design feature is a fly-by-wire electronic flight control system (EFCS) and no direct coupling from the flight deck controller to the control surface. As a result, the pilot is not aware of the actual control surface position. 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: This action is effective on Embraer S.A. on September 30, 2016. We must receive your comments by November 14, 2016. ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2016-9225 using any of the following methods:Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/and follow the online instructions for sending your comments electronically. Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at 202-493-2251. Privacy: The FAA will post all comments it receives, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov/, including any personal information the commenter provides. Using the search function of the docket Web site, anyone can find and read the electronic form of all comments received into any FAA docket, including the name of the individual sending the comment (or signing the comment for an association, business, labor union, etc.). DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement can be found in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-19478), as well as at http://DocketsInfo.dot.gov/. Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at http://www.regulations.gov/ at any time. Follow the online instructions for accessing the docket or go to Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Jacobsen, FAA, Airplane and Flightcrew Interface Branch, ANM-111, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-2011; facsimile 425-227-1149. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 publication in the Federal Register. Comments Invited We invite interested people to take part in this rulemaking by sending written comments, data, or views. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the special conditions, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. We will consider all comments we receive by the closing date for comments. We may change these special conditions based on the comments we receive. Background On September 13, 2013, Embraer S.A. applied for an amendment to Type Certificate (TC) No. A57NM to include the new Model ERJ 190-300 series airplanes. The ERJ 190-300, which is a derivative of the ERJ 190-100 STD currently approved under TC No. A57NM, is a 97-114 passenger transport category airplane with two Pratt & Whitney Model PW1900G engines, a new wing design with a high aspect ratio and raked wingtip, and digital fly-by-wire EFCS with closed loop control for all surfaces and with full envelope protection. The EFCS technology has outpaced the current airworthiness standards; therefore, the FAA required special conditions to ensure appropriate mode recognition by the flightcrew for events that significantly change the operating mode of the EFCS. Type Certification Basis Under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.101, Embraer S.A. must show that the ERJ 190-300 meets the applicable provisions of the regulations listed in Type Certificate No. A57NM or the applicable regulations in effect on the date of application for the change, except for earlier amendments as agreed upon by the FAA. Embraer S.A. must show that the ERJ 190-300 meets the applicable provisions of 14 CFR part 25, as amended by Amendments 25-1 through 25-137. If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for the ERJ 190-300 because of a novel [[Page 67098]] or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed under the provisions of Sec. 21.16. Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which they are issued. Should the type certificate for that model be amended later to include any other model that incorporates the same novel or unusual design features, or should any other model already included on the same type certificate be modified to incorporate the same novel or unusual design feature, these special conditions would also apply to the other model under Sec. 21.101. In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special conditions, the ERJ 190-300 must comply with the fuel vent and exhaust emission requirements of 14 CFR part 34 and the noise-certification requirements of 14 CFR part 36. The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance with Sec. 11.38, and they become part of the type certification basis under Sec. 21.101. Novel or Unusual Design Features The ERJ 190-300 will incorporate the following novel or unusual design features: A fly-by-wire EFCS and no direct coupling from the flight deck controller to the control surface. Discussion As a result of the EFCS and lack of direct coupling from the flight deck controller to the control surface, the pilot is not aware of the actual control surface position. Some unusual flight conditions, arising from atmospheric conditions and/or airplane or engine failures, may result in full or nearly full surface deflection. Unless the flightcrew is made aware of excessive deflection or impending control surface limiting, piloted or auto-flight system control of the airplane might be inadvertently continued in such a manner to cause loss of control or other unsafe stability or performance characteristics. The airworthiness standards do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for the conditions that result from the EFCS and lack of direct coupling from the flight deck controller to the control surface. To establish a level of safety equivalent to that established in the regulations, these special conditions are established. These special conditions require that the flightcrew receive a suitable flight control position annunciation when a flight condition exists in which nearly full surface authority (not crew-commanded) is being used. Suitability of such a display must take into account that some pilot- demanded maneuvers (e.g., rapid roll) are necessarily associated with intended full performance, which may saturate the surface. Therefore, simple alerting systems function in both intended and unexpected control-limiting situations. As a result, they must be properly balanced between providing necessary crew awareness and being a potential nuisance to the flightcrew. A monitoring system that compares airplane motion and surface deflection with pilot inputs could help reduce nuisance alerting. These special conditions also address flight control system mode annunciation. Suitable mode annunciation must be provided to the flightcrew for events that significantly change the operating mode of the system but do not merit the classic ``failure warning.'' 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. Applicability As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the ERJ 190-300 series airplanes. Should Embraer S.A. apply at a later date for a change to the type certificate to include another model incorporating the same novel or unusual design feature, these special conditions would apply to that model as well. Conclusion This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features on one model of airplanes. It is not a rule of general applicability. The substance of these special conditions has been subjected to the notice and comment period in several prior instances 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, because a delay would significantly affect the certification of the airplane, the FAA has determined that prior public notice and comment are unnecessary and impracticable, and good cause exists for adopting these special conditions upon publication in the Federal Register. 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 25 Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. 0 The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702, 44704. 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 the Embraer S.A. Model ERJ 190-300 series airplanes. 1. In addition to the requirements of 14 CFR 25.143, 25.671, and 25.672, the following requirements apply: a. The system design must ensure that the flightcrew is made suitably aware whenever the primary control means nears the limit of control authority. Note: The term ``suitably aware'' indicates annunciations provided to the flightcrew are appropriately balanced between nuisance and that necessary for crew awareness. b. If the design of the flight control system has multiple modes of operation, a means must be provided to indicate to the flightcrew any mode that significantly changes or degrades the normal handling or operational characteristics of the airplane. Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 23, 2016. Michael Kaszycki, Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2016-23665 Filed 9-29-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 190 / Friday, September 30, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 67097
the occupants 10 seconds after its appropriate safety standards for this SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
deployment. design feature. These special conditions substance of these special conditions
i. To comply with HIRF and lightning contain the additional safety standards has been subject to the public comment
requirements, the inflatable restraint that the Administrator considers process in several prior instances with
system is considered a critical system necessary to establish a level of safety no substantive comments received. The
since its deployment could have a equivalent to that established by the FAA therefore finds that good cause
hazardous affect on the airplane. existing airworthiness standards. exists for making these special
j. It must be shown that the inflatable DATES: This action is effective on conditions effective upon publication in
restraints will not release hazardous Embraer S.A. on September 30, 2016. the Federal Register.
quantities of gas or particulate matter We must receive your comments by
into the cabin. Comments Invited
November 14, 2016.
k. The inflatable restraint system We invite interested people to take
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified
installation must be protected from the part in this rulemaking by sending
by docket number FAA–2016–9225
effects of fire such that no hazard to written comments, data, or views. The
using any of the following methods:
occupants will result. most helpful comments reference a
• Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to
l. There must be a means to verify the specific portion of the special
http://www.regulations.gov/and follow
integrity of the inflatable restraint conditions, explain the reason for any
the online instructions for sending your
activation system before each flight or it recommended change, and include
comments electronically.
must be demonstrated to reliably supporting data.
• Mail: Send comments to Docket
operate between inspection intervals. We will consider all comments we
m. A life limit must be established for Operations, M–30, U.S. Department of
receive by the closing date for
appropriate system components. Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey
comments. We may change these special
n. Qualification testing of the internal Avenue SE., Room W12–140, West
conditions based on the comments we
firing mechanism must be performed at Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC
receive.
vibration levels appropriate for a general 20590–0001.
aviation airplane. • Hand Delivery or Courier: Take Background
comments to Docket Operations in On September 13, 2013, Embraer S.A.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on Room W12–140 of the West Building
September 22, 2016. applied for an amendment to Type
Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Certificate (TC) No. A57NM to include
Pat Mullen, Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,
the new Model ERJ 190–300 series
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through airplanes. The ERJ 190–300, which is a
Aircraft Certification Service. Friday, except Federal holidays. derivative of the ERJ 190–100 STD
[FR Doc. 2016–23564 Filed 9–29–16; 8:45 am] • Fax: Fax comments to Docket currently approved under TC No.
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P Operations at 202–493–2251. A57NM, is a 97–114 passenger transport
Privacy: The FAA will post all
category airplane with two Pratt &
comments it receives, without change,
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Whitney Model PW1900G engines, a
to http://www.regulations.gov/,
new wing design with a high aspect
including any personal information the
Federal Aviation Administration ratio and raked wingtip, and digital fly-
commenter provides. Using the search
by-wire EFCS with closed loop control
function of the docket Web site, anyone
14 CFR Part 25 for all surfaces and with full envelope
can find and read the electronic form of
protection.
[Docket No. FAA–2016–9225; Special all comments received into any FAA The EFCS technology has outpaced
Conditions No. 25–639–SC] docket, including the name of the the current airworthiness standards;
individual sending the comment (or therefore, the FAA required special
Special Conditions: Embraer S.A., signing the comment for an association,
Model ERJ 190–300 Series Airplanes; conditions to ensure appropriate mode
business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s recognition by the flightcrew for events
Electronic Flight Control System: complete Privacy Act Statement can be
Control Surface Position Awareness, that significantly change the operating
found in the Federal Register published mode of the EFCS.
Multiple Modes of Operation on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–19478),
AGENCY: Federal Aviation as well as at http://DocketsInfo Type Certification Basis
Administration (FAA), DOT. .dot.gov/. Under the provisions of Title 14, Code
Docket: Background documents or of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.101,
ACTION: Final special conditions; request
comments received may be read at Embraer S.A. must show that the ERJ
for comments.
http://www.regulations.gov/ at any time. 190–300 meets the applicable
SUMMARY: These special conditions are Follow the online instructions for provisions of the regulations listed in
issued for the Embraer S.A. Model ERJ accessing the docket or go to Docket Type Certificate No. A57NM or the
190–300 series airplanes. These Operations in Room W12–140 of the applicable regulations in effect on the
airplanes will have a novel or unusual West Building Ground Floor at 1200 date of application for the change,
design feature when compared to the New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, except for earlier amendments as agreed
state of technology envisioned in the DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday upon by the FAA. Embraer S.A. must
airworthiness standards for transport through Friday, except Federal holidays. show that the ERJ 190–300 meets the
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
category airplanes. This design feature FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe applicable provisions of 14 CFR part 25,
is a fly-by-wire electronic flight control Jacobsen, FAA, Airplane and Flightcrew as amended by Amendments 25–1
system (EFCS) and no direct coupling Interface Branch, ANM–111, Transport through 25–137.
from the flight deck controller to the Airplane Directorate, Aircraft If the Administrator finds that the
control surface. As a result, the pilot is Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue applicable airworthiness regulations
not aware of the actual control surface SW., Renton, Washington 98057–3356; (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain
position. The applicable airworthiness telephone 425–227–2011; facsimile adequate or appropriate safety standards
regulations do not contain adequate or 425–227–1149. for the ERJ 190–300 because of a novel
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![67098 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 190 / Friday, September 30, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
or unusual design feature, special must take into account that some pilot- List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25
conditions are prescribed under the demanded maneuvers (e.g., rapid roll) Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting
provisions of § 21.16. are necessarily associated with intended and recordkeeping requirements.
Special conditions are initially full performance, which may saturate
applicable to the model for which they ■ The authority citation for these
the surface. Therefore, simple alerting
are issued. Should the type certificate special conditions is as follows:
systems function in both intended and
for that model be amended later to unexpected control-limiting situations. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701,
include any other model that As a result, they must be properly 44702, 44704.
incorporates the same novel or unusual balanced between providing necessary The Special Conditions
design features, or should any other crew awareness and being a potential
model already included on the same Accordingly, pursuant to the
nuisance to the flightcrew. A monitoring
type certificate be modified to authority delegated to me by the
system that compares airplane motion
incorporate the same novel or unusual Administrator, the following special
and surface deflection with pilot inputs
design feature, these special conditions conditions are issued as part of the type
could help reduce nuisance alerting.
would also apply to the other model certification basis for the Embraer S.A.
under § 21.101. These special conditions also address Model ERJ 190–300 series airplanes.
In addition to the applicable flight control system mode 1. In addition to the requirements of
airworthiness regulations and special annunciation. Suitable mode 14 CFR 25.143, 25.671, and 25.672, the
conditions, the ERJ 190–300 must annunciation must be provided to the following requirements apply:
comply with the fuel vent and exhaust flightcrew for events that significantly a. The system design must ensure that
emission requirements of 14 CFR part change the operating mode of the the flightcrew is made suitably aware
34 and the noise-certification system but do not merit the classic whenever the primary control means
requirements of 14 CFR part 36. ‘‘failure warning.’’ nears the limit of control authority.
The FAA issues special conditions, as These special conditions contain the Note: The term ‘‘suitably aware’’ indicates
defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance additional safety standards that the annunciations provided to the flightcrew are
with § 11.38, and they become part of Administrator considers necessary to appropriately balanced between nuisance
the type certification basis under establish a level of safety equivalent to and that necessary for crew awareness.
§ 21.101. that established by the existing b. If the design of the flight control
Novel or Unusual Design Features airworthiness standards. system has multiple modes of operation,
The ERJ 190–300 will incorporate the a means must be provided to indicate to
Applicability
following novel or unusual design the flightcrew any mode that
features: A fly-by-wire EFCS and no As discussed above, these special significantly changes or degrades the
direct coupling from the flight deck conditions are applicable to the ERJ normal handling or operational
controller to the control surface. 190–300 series airplanes. Should characteristics of the airplane.
Embraer S.A. apply at a later date for a Issued in Renton, Washington, on
Discussion change to the type certificate to include September 23, 2016.
As a result of the EFCS and lack of another model incorporating the same Michael Kaszycki,
direct coupling from the flight deck novel or unusual design feature, these Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane
controller to the control surface, the special conditions would apply to that Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
pilot is not aware of the actual control model as well. [FR Doc. 2016–23665 Filed 9–29–16; 8:45 am]
surface position. Some unusual flight BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
conditions, arising from atmospheric Conclusion
conditions and/or airplane or engine This action affects only certain novel
failures, may result in full or nearly full or unusual design features on one model DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
surface deflection. Unless the flightcrew of airplanes. It is not a rule of general
is made aware of excessive deflection or Federal Aviation Administration
applicability.
impending control surface limiting,
piloted or auto-flight system control of The substance of these special 14 CFR Part 39
the airplane might be inadvertently conditions has been subjected to the
notice and comment period in several [Docket No. FAA–2016–5307; Directorate
continued in such a manner to cause Identifier 2016–NE–08–AD; Amendment 39–
loss of control or other unsafe stability prior instances and has been derived 18658; AD 2016–19–09]
or performance characteristics. The without substantive change from those
previously issued. It is unlikely that RIN 2120–AA64
airworthiness standards do not contain
adequate or appropriate safety standards prior public comment would result in a
significant change from the substance Airworthiness Directives; General
for the conditions that result from the Electric Company Turbofan Engines
EFCS and lack of direct coupling from contained herein. Therefore, because a
the flight deck controller to the control delay would significantly affect the AGENCY: Federal Aviation
surface. certification of the airplane, the FAA Administration (FAA), DOT.
To establish a level of safety has determined that prior public notice ACTION: Final rule.
equivalent to that established in the and comment are unnecessary and
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
regulations, these special conditions are impracticable, and good cause exists for SUMMARY: We are adopting a new
established. These special conditions adopting these special conditions upon airworthiness directive (AD) for all
require that the flightcrew receive a publication in the Federal Register. The General Electric Company (GE) GE90–
suitable flight control position FAA is requesting comments to allow 76B, GE90–77B, GE90–85B, GE90–90B,
annunciation when a flight condition interested persons to submit views that and GE90–94B turbofan engines with
exists in which nearly full surface may not have been submitted in high-pressure compressor (HPC) stage
authority (not crew-commanded) is response to the prior opportunities for 8–10 spool, part numbers (P/Ns)
being used. Suitability of such a display comment described above. 1694M80G04, 1844M90G01, or
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Document Created: 2018-02-09 13:33:48
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 13:33:48
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Rules and Regulations | |
| Action | Final special conditions; request for comments. | |
| Dates | This action is effective on Embraer S.A. on September 30, 2016. We must receive your comments by November 14, 2016. | |
| Contact | Joe Jacobsen, FAA, Airplane and Flightcrew Interface Branch, ANM-111, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-2011; facsimile 425-227-1149. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 67097 | |
| CFR Associated | Aircraft; Aviation Safety and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements |
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