81 FR 78707 - Special Conditions: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI), Model 525 Helicopters; Crew Alerting System (CAS)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 217 (November 9, 2016)

Page Range		78707-78708
FR Document		2016-27088

These special conditions are issued for the BHTI Model 525 helicopter. This helicopter will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with the electronic CAS. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 217 (Wednesday, November 9, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 217 (Wednesday, November 9, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78707-78708]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27088]



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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 217 / Wednesday, November 9, 2016 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 78707]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 29

[Docket No. FAA-2016-6940; Notice No. 29-039-SW-SC]


Special Conditions: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI), Model 
525 Helicopters; Crew Alerting System (CAS)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions.

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

SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the BHTI Model 525 
helicopter. This helicopter will have a novel or unusual design feature 
associated with the electronic CAS. 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: These special conditions are effective December 9, 2016.

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: 

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.
    BHTI proposes that the Model 525 use a novel and unusual design 
feature, which is an electronic CAS. Section 29.1322 of Title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), prescribes discrete colored lights for 
warning, caution, and advisory alerts. In this regard, Sec.  29.1322 
lacks adequate airworthiness standards for alerting messages and 
displays that do not use discrete colored lights, that include non-
visual cues, that provide alerting information to the flightcrew, and 
that use integrated and multiple alerts concurrently.
    The Model 525 CAS will have more effective integrated visual, 
aural, tactile, and alert messaging that will require special 
airworthiness standards, known as special conditions, to address crew 
alerting of failures or malfunctions in critical systems. These special 
conditions will add requirements from the airworthiness standards in 
Sec.  25.1322 (Amendment 25-131) for advanced crew alerting systems in 
transport category aircraft.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17, BHTI must show that the Model 
525 meets the applicable provisions of part 29, as amended by 
Amendments 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.
    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: An advanced CAS system. The novel design 
includes the integration of audio and visual alerts, tactical sensors, 
and CAS message consolidation. The new technologies associated with 
integrated visual, aural, tactile, and alert messaging are more 
effective in alerting the flightcrew and aiding them in decision-making 
than the discrete colored lights for warning, caution, and advisory 
alerts prescribed in Sec.  29.1322 alone.

Discussion

    The current 14 CFR part 29 standards do not provide adequate 
standards for the advanced CAS system of the Bell Model 525 helicopter 
due to the complexity of the aircraft systems and the modes of the fly-
by-wire primary flight controls. The special condition will update 
definitions, define a prioritization scheme, expand color requirements, 
and address performance for flightcrew alerting to reflect changes in 
technology and functionality.

Comments

    A notice of proposed special conditions for the BHTI Model 525 
helicopter CAS was published in the Federal Register on June 3, 2016 
(81 FR 35654). We did not receive any comments.

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 helicopter. 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 Special Conditions

    Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issues the

[[Page 78708]]

following special conditions as part of the type certification basis 
for Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Model 525 helicopters.

Flightcrew Alerting

    (a) Flightcrew alerts must:
    (1) Provide the flightcrew with the information needed to:
    (i) Identify non-normal operation or aircraft system conditions, 
and
    (ii) Determine the appropriate actions, if any.
    (2) Be readily and easily detectable and intelligible by the 
flightcrew under all foreseeable operating conditions, including 
conditions where multiple alerts are provided.
    (3) Be removed when the alerting condition no longer exists.
    (b) Alerts must conform to the following prioritization hierarchy 
based on the urgency of flightcrew awareness and response.
    (1) Warning: For conditions that require immediate flightcrew 
awareness and immediate flightcrew response.
    (2) Caution: For conditions that require immediate flightcrew 
awareness and subsequent flightcrew response.
    (3) Advisory: For conditions that require flightcrew awareness and 
may require subsequent flightcrew response.
    (c) Warning and caution alerts must:
    (1) Be prioritized within each category, when necessary.
    (2) Provide timely attention-getting cues through at least two 
different senses by a combination of aural, visual, or tactile 
indications.
    (3) Permit each occurrence of the attention-getting cues required 
by paragraph (c)(2) of these special conditions to be acknowledged and 
suppressed, unless they are required to be continuous.
    (d) The alert function must be designed to minimize the effects of 
false and nuisance alerts. In particular, it must be designed to:
    (1) Prevent the presentation of an alert that is inappropriate or 
unnecessary.
    (2) Provide a means to suppress an attention-getting component of 
an alert caused by a failure of the alerting function that interferes 
with the flightcrew's ability to safely operate the helicopter. This 
means must not be readily available to the flightcrew so that it could 
be operated inadvertently or by habitual reflexive action. When an 
alert is suppressed, there must be a clear and unmistakable 
annunciation to the flightcrew that the alert has been suppressed.
    (e) Visual alert indications must:
    (1) Conform to the following color convention:
    (i) Red for warning alert indications.
    (ii) Amber or yellow for caution alert indications.
    (iii) Any color except red, amber, yellow, or green for advisory 
alert indications.
    (2) Use visual coding techniques, together with other alerting 
function elements in the cockpit, to distinguish between warning, 
caution, and advisory alert indications, if they are presented on 
monochromatic displays that are not capable of conforming to the color 
convention in paragraph (e)(1) of these special conditions.
    (f) Use of the colors red, amber, and yellow in the cockpit for 
functions other than flightcrew alerting must be limited and must not 
adversely affect flightcrew alerting.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 3, 2016.
Lance Gant,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-27088 Filed 11-8-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

78708 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 217 / Wednesday, November 9, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

following special conditions as part of (ii) Amber or yellow for caution alert The Director of the Federal Register
the type certification basis for Bell indications. approved the incorporation by reference
Helicopter Textron, Inc., Model 525 (iii) Any color except red, amber, of certain publications listed in this AD
helicopters. yellow, or green for advisory alert as of November 29, 2016.
indications. We must receive comments on this
Flightcrew Alerting (2) Use visual coding techniques, AD by December 27, 2016.
(a) Flightcrew alerts must: together with other alerting function ADDRESSES: You may send comments by
(1) Provide the flightcrew with the elements in the cockpit, to distinguish any of the following methods:
information needed to: between warning, caution, and advisory • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
(i) Identify non-normal operation or alert indications, if they are presented http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
aircraft system conditions, and on monochromatic displays that are not instructions for submitting comments.
(ii) Determine the appropriate actions, capable of conforming to the color • Fax: (202) 493–2251.
if any. convention in paragraph (e)(1) of these • Mail: U.S. Department of
(2) Be readily and easily detectable special conditions. Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
and intelligible by the flightcrew under (f) Use of the colors red, amber, and 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
all foreseeable operating conditions, yellow in the cockpit for functions other W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
including conditions where multiple than flightcrew alerting must be limited Washington, DC 20590.
alerts are provided. and must not adversely affect flightcrew • Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of
(3) Be removed when the alerting alerting. Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
condition no longer exists. 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November
(b) Alerts must conform to the W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
3, 2016.
following prioritization hierarchy based Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
Lance Gant,
on the urgency of flightcrew awareness and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
and response. Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft except Federal holidays.
Certification Service. For service information identified in
(1) Warning: For conditions that
require immediate flightcrew awareness [FR Doc. 2016–27088 Filed 11–8–16; 8:45 am] this AD, contact Diamond Aircraft
and immediate flightcrew response. BILLING CODE 4910–13–P Industries GmbH, N.A. Otto-Stra+e 5,
(2) Caution: For conditions that A–2700 Wiener Neustadt, Austria,
require immediate flightcrew awareness telephone: +43 2622 26700; fax: +43
and subsequent flightcrew response. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 2622 26780; email: office@diamond-
(3) Advisory: For conditions that air.at; Internet: http://
Federal Aviation Administration www.diamondaircraft.com. You may
require flightcrew awareness and may
require subsequent flightcrew response. view this referenced service information
14 CFR Part 39 at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate,
(c) Warning and caution alerts must:
(1) Be prioritized within each [Docket No. FAA–2016–9369; Directorate 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri
category, when necessary. Identifier 2016–CE–034–AD; Amendment 64106. For information on the
(2) Provide timely attention-getting 39–18710; AD 2016–23–03] availability of this material at the FAA,
cues through at least two different RIN 2120–AA64 call (816) 329–4148. It is also available
senses by a combination of aural, visual, on the Internet at http://
or tactile indications. Airworthiness Directives; Diamond www.regulations.gov by searching for
(3) Permit each occurrence of the Aircraft Industries GmbH Airplanes locating Docket No. FAA–2016–9369.
attention-getting cues required by
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Examining the AD Docket
paragraph (c)(2) of these special
conditions to be acknowledged and Administration (FAA), DOT. You may examine the AD docket on
suppressed, unless they are required to ACTION: Final rule; request for the Internet at http://
be continuous. comments. www.regulations.gov by searching for
(d) The alert function must be and locating Docket No. FAA–2016–
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 9369; or in person at the Docket
designed to minimize the effects of false
airworthiness directive (AD) for all Management Facility between 9 a.m.
and nuisance alerts. In particular, it
Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
must be designed to:
Model DA 40 NG airplanes. This AD except Federal holidays. The AD docket
(1) Prevent the presentation of an alert
results from mandatory continuing contains this AD, the regulatory
that is inappropriate or unnecessary.
airworthiness information (MCAI) evaluation, any comments received, and
(2) Provide a means to suppress an
issued by the aviation authority of other information. The street address for
attention-getting component of an alert
another country to identify and correct the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647–
caused by a failure of the alerting
an unsafe condition on an aviation 5527) is in the ADDRESSES section.
function that interferes with the
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe Comments will be available in the AD
flightcrew’s ability to safely operate the
condition as possible loss of engine docket shortly after receipt.
helicopter. This means must not be
power and emergency landing with
readily available to the flightcrew so FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
consequent damage to the airplane and Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
that it could be operated inadvertently
occupant injury caused by a Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust,
or by habitual reflexive action. When an
manufacturing quality deficiency in a Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106;
alert is suppressed, there must be a clear
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES

batch of V-clamps that could cause the telephone: (816) 329–4144; fax: (816)
and unmistakable annunciation to the
V-clamp to crack and fail. We are 329–4090; email: mike.kiesov@faa.gov.
flightcrew that the alert has been
issuing this AD to require actions to
suppressed. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
(e) Visual alert indications must: address the unsafe condition on these
(1) Conform to the following color products. Discussion
convention: DATES: This AD is effective November The European Aviation Safety Agency
(i) Red for warning alert indications. 29, 2016. (EASA), which is the Technical Agent

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Document Created: 2016-11-09 01:39:40
Document Modified: 2016-11-09 01:39:40

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.
Dates		These special conditions are effective December 9, 2016.
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]
FR Citation		81 FR 78707
CFR Associated		Aircraft; Aviation Safety and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

81 FR 78707 - Special Conditions: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI), Model 525 Helicopters; Crew Alerting System (CAS)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONFederal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 217 (November 9, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration