82 FR 30798 - Special Conditions: Game Composites Ltd, GB1 Airplane; Acrobatic Category Aerodynamic Stability

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 126 (July 3, 2017)

Page Range		30798-30800
FR Document		2017-13991

This action proposes special conditions for the Game Composites Ltd. GB1 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with static stability. This airplane can perform at the highest level of aerobatic competition. To be competitive, the airplane is designed with its lateral and directional axes being decoupled from each other; providing more precise maneuvering. 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 the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 126 (Monday, July 3, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 126 (Monday, July 3, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30798-30800]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13991]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 23

[Docket No.FAA-2017-0651; Notice No. 23-17-02-SC]

Special Conditions: Game Composites Ltd, GB1 Airplane; Acrobatic
Category Aerodynamic Stability

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions.

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SUMMARY: This action proposes special conditions for the Game
Composites Ltd. GB1 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or
unusual design feature(s) associated with static stability. This
airplane can perform at the highest level of aerobatic competition. To
be competitive, the airplane is designed with its lateral and
directional axes being decoupled from each other; providing more
precise maneuvering. 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 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 August 2, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2017-0651
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 9 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://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: Mr. Ross Schaller, Federal Aviation
Administration, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service, 901 Locust; Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 329-
4162; facsimile (816) 329-4090.

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 ask
that you send us two copies of written comments.
We will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing
date for comments. We will consider comments filed late if it is
possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. We may change
these special conditions based on the comments we receive.

Background

On March 10, 2014, Game Composite Ltd. applied for a type
certificate for their new GB1 airplane. The GB1 is a

[[Page 30799]]

single-engine airplane with a two-place tandem canopy cockpit. It
features conventional landing gear, conventional low-wing planform, and
is mostly constructed of carbon composite materials. The engine is a
Lycoming AEIO-580-B1A, fitted with a model MTV-14-B-C/C190-130 4-blade
MT-propeller. The airplane will be approved for Day-VFR operations
(non-icing). The maximum takeoff weight is 2,200 pounds in acrobatic
category with a maximum operating altitude of 15,000 feet. The never
exceed speed (VNE) is 230 knots, the design cruise speed
(VC) is 200 knots, and the design maneuvering speed
(VA) is 175 knots.
Acrobatic airplanes previously type certified by the FAA did comply
with the stability provisions of part 23, subpart B. However, airplanes
like the GB1 are considered as ``unlimited'' acrobatic airplanes
because these airplanes can perform all the maneuvers listed in the
Aresti Catalog. Generally, the evolution of the ``unlimited'' types of
acrobatic airplanes, with very low mass, exceptional roll rates, and
very high G capabilities--in addition to power to mass ratios--are
unique to this type of airplane and have led to airplanes that cannot
comply with the stability provisions of the regulations. These
airplanes can be type certified in the acrobatic category only with an
appropriate set of special conditions and associated limitations.

Type Certification Basis

Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17, Game Composites Ltd. must
show the GB 1 meets the applicable provisions of part 23, as amended by
amendments 23-1 through 23-62 thereto.
If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness
regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 23) do not contain adequate or
appropriate safety standards for the GB1 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 FAA would apply these special
conditions to the other model under Sec. 21.101.
In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, the GB1 must comply with the fuel vent and exhaust emission
requirements of 14 CFR part 34 and the noise certification requirements
of 14 CFR part 36 and the FAA must issue a finding of regulatory
adequacy under Sec. 611 of Public Law 92-574, the ``Noise Control Act
of 1972.''.
The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in 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 GB1 airplane will incorporate the following novel or unusual
design features:
For acrobatic category airplanes with unlimited acrobatic
capability:
Relaxed longitudinal and decoupled lateral static stability
characteristics

Discussion

Sections 23.173 and 23.177 provide static stability criteria for
longitudinal, lateral, and directional axes requirements for an
airplane. However, these requirements are not adequate to address the
specific issues raised in the flight characteristics of an unlimited
aerobatic airplane. Therefore, the FAA has determined special
conditions are needed--after a flight-test evaluation--to address the
static stability characteristics of the GB1. Accordingly, these special
conditions are for the Game Composites Ltd. GB1 airplane's static
stability characteristics.

Applicability

As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the
GB1. Should Game Composites Ltd. 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 FAA would apply these special
conditions to that model as well.

Conclusion

This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features
on one model of airplane. It is not a rule of general applicability.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 23

Aircraft, Aviation safety, Signs and symbols.

The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702, 44704.

The Proposed Special Conditions

Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes the
following special condition as part of the type certification basis for
Game Composites GB1 airplanes.

0
1. Acrobatic Only Category Static Stability Requirements.
0
a. In place of 14 CFR 23.173, ``Static longitudinal stability,'' comply
with the following:

SC23.173 Static Longitudinal Stability

Under the conditions in 14 CFR 23.175 and with the airplane trimmed
as indicated, the characteristics of the elevator control forces and
the friction within the control system must be as follows:
(a) A pull must be required to obtain and maintain speeds below the
specified trim speed and a push required to obtain and maintain speeds
above the specified trim speed. This must be shown at any speed that
can be obtained, except that speeds requiring a control force in excess
of 40 pounds or speeds above the maximum allowable speed or below the
minimum speed for steady unstalled flight need not be considered.
(b) The stick force or position must vary with speed so any
substantial speed change results in a stick force or position clearly
perceptible to the pilot.
0
b. In place of 14 CFR 23.177, ``Static directional and lateral
stability,'' comply with the following:

SC23.177 Static Directional and Lateral Stability

(a) The static directional stability, as shown by the tendency to
recover from a wings level sideslip with the rudder free, must be
positive for any landing gear and flap position appropriate to the
takeoff, climb, cruise, approach, and landing configurations. This must
be shown with symmetrical power up to maximum continuous power and at
speeds from 1.2 VS1 to VO (maximum operating
maneuvering speed); the rudder pedal force must not reverse.
(b) In straight, steady slips at 1.2 VS1 for any landing
gear and flap positions and for any symmetrical power conditions up to
50 percent of maximum continuous power, the rudder control movements
and forces must increase steadily--but not necessarily in constant
proportion--as the angle of sideslip is increased is increased up to
the maximum appropriate for the type of airplane. The aileron control
movements and forces may increase steadily, but not necessarily in
constant proportion, as the angle of sideslip is increased up to the
maximum appropriate for the type of airplane. At larger slip angles, up
to the angle at which full rudder or aileron control is used or a
control force limit contained in 14 CFR 23.143 is reached, the aileron
and rudder control movements and forces must not reverse as the angle
of sideslip is increased. Rapid entry into--and recovery from--a
maximum

[[Page 30800]]

sideslip considered appropriate for the airplane must not result in
uncontrollable flight characteristics.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 26, 2017.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-13991 Filed 6-30-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 126 / Monday, July 3, 2017 / Proposed Rules 30799

single-engine airplane with a two-place § 611 of Public Law 92–574, the ‘‘Noise ■ a. In place of 14 CFR 23.173, ‘‘Static
tandem canopy cockpit. It features Control Act of 1972.’’. longitudinal stability,’’ comply with the
conventional landing gear, conventional The FAA issues special conditions, as following:
low-wing planform, and is mostly defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance SC23.173 Static Longitudinal Stability
constructed of carbon composite with § 11.38, and they become part of
materials. The engine is a Lycoming the type-certification basis under Under the conditions in 14 CFR
AEIO–580–B1A, fitted with a model § 21.17(a)(2). 23.175 and with the airplane trimmed as
MTV–14–B–C/C190–130 4–blade MT- indicated, the characteristics of the
propeller. The airplane will be approved Novel or Unusual Design Features elevator control forces and the friction
for Day-VFR operations (non-icing). The The GB1 airplane will incorporate the within the control system must be as
maximum takeoff weight is 2,200 following novel or unusual design follows:
pounds in acrobatic category with a (a) A pull must be required to obtain
features:
maximum operating altitude of 15,000 and maintain speeds below the
For acrobatic category airplanes with specified trim speed and a push
feet. The never exceed speed (VNE) is unlimited acrobatic capability:
230 knots, the design cruise speed (VC) required to obtain and maintain speeds
Relaxed longitudinal and decoupled above the specified trim speed. This
is 200 knots, and the design
lateral static stability characteristics must be shown at any speed that can be
maneuvering speed (VA) is 175 knots.
Acrobatic airplanes previously type Discussion obtained, except that speeds requiring a
certified by the FAA did comply with control force in excess of 40 pounds or
the stability provisions of part 23, Sections 23.173 and 23.177 provide speeds above the maximum allowable
subpart B. However, airplanes like the static stability criteria for longitudinal, speed or below the minimum speed for
GB1 are considered as ‘‘unlimited’’ lateral, and directional axes steady unstalled flight need not be
acrobatic airplanes because these requirements for an airplane. However, considered.
airplanes can perform all the maneuvers these requirements are not adequate to (b) The stick force or position must
listed in the Aresti Catalog. Generally, address the specific issues raised in the vary with speed so any substantial
the evolution of the ‘‘unlimited’’ types flight characteristics of an unlimited speed change results in a stick force or
of acrobatic airplanes, with very low aerobatic airplane. Therefore, the FAA position clearly perceptible to the pilot.
mass, exceptional roll rates, and very has determined special conditions are ■ b. In place of 14 CFR 23.177, ‘‘Static
high G capabilities—in addition to needed—after a flight-test evaluation— directional and lateral stability,’’
power to mass ratios—are unique to this to address the static stability comply with the following:
type of airplane and have led to characteristics of the GB1. Accordingly,
these special conditions are for the SC23.177 Static Directional and
airplanes that cannot comply with the Lateral Stability
stability provisions of the regulations. Game Composites Ltd. GB1 airplane’s
These airplanes can be type certified in static stability characteristics. (a) The static directional stability, as
the acrobatic category only with an shown by the tendency to recover from
Applicability a wings level sideslip with the rudder
appropriate set of special conditions
and associated limitations. As discussed above, these special free, must be positive for any landing
conditions are applicable to the GB1. gear and flap position appropriate to the
Type Certification Basis Should Game Composites Ltd. apply at takeoff, climb, cruise, approach, and
Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17, a later date for a change to the type landing configurations. This must be
Game Composites Ltd. must show the certificate to include another model shown with symmetrical power up to
GB 1 meets the applicable provisions of incorporating the same novel or unusual maximum continuous power and at
part 23, as amended by amendments design feature the FAA would apply speeds from 1.2 VS1 to VO (maximum
23–1 through 23–62 thereto. these special conditions to that model as operating maneuvering speed); the
If the Administrator finds that the well. rudder pedal force must not reverse.
applicable airworthiness regulations (b) In straight, steady slips at 1.2 VS1
Conclusion for any landing gear and flap positions
(i.e., 14 CFR part 23) do not contain
adequate or appropriate safety standards This action affects only certain novel and for any symmetrical power
for the GB1 because of a novel or or unusual design features on one model conditions up to 50 percent of
unusual design feature, special of airplane. It is not a rule of general maximum continuous power, the rudder
conditions are prescribed under the applicability. control movements and forces must
provisions of § 21.16. increase steadily—but not necessarily in
Special conditions are initially List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 23 constant proportion—as the angle of
applicable to the model for which they Aircraft, Aviation safety, Signs and sideslip is increased is increased up to
are issued. Should the type certificate symbols. the maximum appropriate for the type
for that model be amended later to of airplane. The aileron control
The authority citation for these
include any other model that movements and forces may increase
special conditions is as follows:
incorporates the same or similar novel steadily, but not necessarily in constant
or unusual design feature, the FAA Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40113, proportion, as the angle of sideslip is
would apply these special conditions to 44701, 44702, 44704. increased up to the maximum
the other model under § 21.101. appropriate for the type of airplane. At
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS

The Proposed Special Conditions
In addition to the applicable larger slip angles, up to the angle at
airworthiness regulations and special Accordingly, the Federal Aviation which full rudder or aileron control is
conditions, the GB1 must comply with Administration (FAA) proposes the used or a control force limit contained
the fuel vent and exhaust emission following special condition as part of in 14 CFR 23.143 is reached, the aileron
requirements of 14 CFR part 34 and the the type certification basis for Game and rudder control movements and
noise certification requirements of 14 Composites GB1 airplanes. forces must not reverse as the angle of
CFR part 36 and the FAA must issue a ■ 1. Acrobatic Only Category Static sideslip is increased. Rapid entry into—
finding of regulatory adequacy under Stability Requirements. and recovery from—a maximum

VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:50 Jun 30, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\03JYP1.SGM 03JYP1

Document Created: 2018-11-14 10:19:58
Document Modified: 2018-11-14 10:19:58

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		Proposed Rules
Action		Notice of proposed special conditions.
Dates		Send your comments on or before August 2, 2017.
Contact		Mr. Ross Schaller, Federal Aviation Administration, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 901 Locust; Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 329- 4162; facsimile (816) 329-4090.
FR Citation		82 FR 30798
CFR Associated		Aircraft; Aviation Safety and Signs and Symbols

82 FR 30798 - Special Conditions: Game Composites Ltd, GB1 Airplane; Acrobatic Category Aerodynamic Stability

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONFederal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 126 (July 3, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration