83 FR 26225 - Special Conditions: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI), Model 525 Helicopters; Control Margin Awareness
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 109 (June 6, 2018)
Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 109 (June 6, 2018)
| Page Range | 26225-26226 | |
| FR Document | 2018-12076 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 6, 2018)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 26225-26226] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-12076] ======================================================================== 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. 83, No. 109 / Wednesday, June 6, 2018 / Proposed Rules [[Page 26225]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 29 [Docket No. FAA-2017-1128; Notice No. 29-045-SC] Special Conditions: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI), Model 525 Helicopters; Control Margin Awareness AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This action proposes special conditions for the BHTI Model 525 helicopter. This helicopter will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with the fly-by-wire flight control system (FBW FCS) in the area of pilot awareness of the control margins remaining while maneuvering the helicopter. 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 23, 2018. ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number [FAA-2017-1128] using any of the following methods:Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for sending your comments electronically. Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Hand Delivery of Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 8 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 website, 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: George Harrum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-4087; 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 Model 525 is a medium twin-engine rotorcraft. The design maximum takeoff weight is 20,500 pounds, with a maximum capacity of 19 passengers and a crew of 2. The BHTI Model 525 helicopter will be equipped with a four-axis full authority digital FBW FCS that provides for aircraft control through pilot input and coupled flight director modes. The current 14 CFR part 29 regulations do not contain adequate standards for FBW FCS with respect to control margin awareness. The airworthiness standards for controllability and maneuverability of the rotorcraft are contained in Sec. 29.143. These controllability requirements are compatible with most FBW systems, while most of the maneuverability requirements are not affected by FBW systems, except for the control margins. One of the purposes of the rule is to ensure that control margins (at the rotor and the anti-torque system level) are sufficient in the defined flight envelope to avoid loss of control (that is, the rotorcraft has adequate control power for the pilot to exit potentially hazardous flight conditions). Implicit in this purpose is that the pilot is provided with sufficient awareness of proximity to control limits. Because Sec. 29.143 was written to address hydro-mechanical flight control systems, through which pilot awareness of control margins is provided by cyclic and pedal position relative to cockpit control stops, the rule is inadequate for certification of a FBW FCS, where there is no mechanical link between the inceptor and the receptor. Without a constant correlation between cockpit control and main or tail rotor actuator positions, the FCS may not provide tactile control margin feedback to the pilot through cockpit control position relative to the control position physical stop or limit, for all flight conditions. The proposed special conditions will require the minimum safety standard to ensure awareness of proximity to control limits at the main rotor and tail rotor is provided to pilots of the Bell Model 525 helicopter. 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 31, [[Page 26226]] 2013, the effective 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 section 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: A four-axis full authority digital FBW FCS. Pilot control inputs, through the mechanically linked cockpit controls (cyclic, collective, directional pedals), are transmitted electrically to each of the three Flight Control Computers (FCCs). The pilot control input signals are then processed and transmitted to the hydraulic flight control actuators which affect control of the main and tail rotors. Discussion The proposed special condition will require the minimum safety standard to ensure awareness of proximity to control limits at the main rotor and tail rotor is provided to pilots of the Bell Model 525 helicopter. The system design must provide the pilot with sufficient awareness of proximity to control limits, traditionally achieved through conventional flight controls by the pilot's inherent awareness of cyclic stick and pedal position relative to control stops. 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: Control Margin Awareness In addition to the existing Sec. 29.143 requirements, the following special condition applies: The system design must ensure that the flight crew is made suitably aware whenever the means of primary flight control approaches the limits of control authority. For the context of this special condition, the term ``suitable'' indicates an appropriate balance between nuisance and necessary operation. Issued in Ft. Worth, Texas, on May 24, 2018. Jorge Castillo, Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2018-12076 Filed 6-5-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
![26225
Proposed Rules Federal Register
Vol. 83, No. 109
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 8 twin-engine rotorcraft. The design
contains notices to the public of the proposed a.m., and 5 p.m., Monday through maximum takeoff weight is 20,500
issuance of rules and regulations. The Friday, except Federal holidays. pounds, with a maximum capacity of 19
purpose of these notices is to give interested • Fax: Fax comments to Docket passengers and a crew of 2.
persons an opportunity to participate in the Operations at 202–493–2251.
rule making prior to the adoption of the final The BHTI Model 525 helicopter will
Privacy: The FAA will post all be equipped with a four-axis full
rules.
comments it receives, without change, authority digital FBW FCS that provides
to http://www.regulations.gov, including for aircraft control through pilot input
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION any personal information the and coupled flight director modes. The
commenter provides. Using the search
current 14 CFR part 29 regulations do
Federal Aviation Administration function of the docket website, anyone
not contain adequate standards for FBW
can find and read the electronic form of
FCS with respect to control margin
14 CFR Part 29 all comments received into any FAA
awareness. The airworthiness standards
docket, including the name of the
[Docket No. FAA–2017–1128; Notice No. 29– for controllability and maneuverability
045–SC]
individual sending the comment (or
of the rotorcraft are contained in
signing the comment for an association,
§ 29.143. These controllability
Special Conditions: Bell Helicopter business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s
requirements are compatible with most
Textron, Inc. (BHTI), Model 525 complete Privacy Act Statement can be
FBW systems, while most of the
Helicopters; Control Margin found in the Federal Register published
maneuverability requirements are not
Awareness on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–19478),
as well as at http://DocketsInfo.dot.gov. affected by FBW systems, except for the
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Docket: Background documents or control margins. One of the purposes of
Administration (FAA), DOT. comments received may be read at the rule is to ensure that control margins
ACTION: Notice of proposed special http://www.regulations.gov at any time. (at the rotor and the anti-torque system
conditions. Follow the online instructions for level) are sufficient in the defined flight
accessing the docket or go to the Docket envelope to avoid loss of control (that is,
SUMMARY: This action proposes special Operations in Room W12–140 of the the rotorcraft has adequate control
conditions for the BHTI Model 525 West Building Ground Floor at 1200 power for the pilot to exit potentially
helicopter. This helicopter will have a New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, hazardous flight conditions). Implicit in
novel or unusual design feature DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday this purpose is that the pilot is provided
associated with the fly-by-wire flight through Friday, except Federal holidays. with sufficient awareness of proximity
control system (FBW FCS) in the area of to control limits. Because § 29.143 was
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
pilot awareness of the control margins written to address hydro-mechanical
George Harrum, Aerospace Engineer,
remaining while maneuvering the flight control systems, through which
FAA, Rotorcraft Standards Branch,
helicopter. The applicable airworthiness Policy and Innovation Division, 10101 pilot awareness of control margins is
regulations do not contain adequate or Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; provided by cyclic and pedal position
appropriate safety standards for this telephone (817) 222–4087; email relative to cockpit control stops, the rule
design feature. These proposed special George.Harrum@faa.gov. is inadequate for certification of a FBW
conditions contain the additional safety FCS, where there is no mechanical link
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
standards that the Administrator between the inceptor and the receptor.
considers necessary to establish a level Comments Invited Without a constant correlation between
of safety equivalent to that established cockpit control and main or tail rotor
We invite interested people to take
by the existing airworthiness standards. actuator positions, the FCS may not
part in this rulemaking by sending
DATES: Send your comments on or written comments, data, or views. The provide tactile control margin feedback
before July 23, 2018. most helpful comments reference a to the pilot through cockpit control
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified specific portion of the special position relative to the control position
by docket number [FAA–2017–1128] conditions, explain the reason for any physical stop or limit, for all flight
using any of the following methods: recommended change, and include conditions. The proposed special
• Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to supporting data. conditions will require the minimum
http://www.regulations.gov and follow We will consider all comments we safety standard to ensure awareness of
the online instructions for sending your receive on or before the closing date for proximity to control limits at the main
comments electronically. comments. We will consider comments rotor and tail rotor is provided to pilots
• Mail: Send comments to Docket filed late if it is possible to do so of the Bell Model 525 helicopter.
Operations, M–30, U.S. Department of without incurring expense or delay. We Type Certification Basis
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS
Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey may change these special conditions
Avenue SE, Room W12–140, West based on the comments we receive. Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17,
Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC BHTI must show that the Model 525
20590–0001. Background helicopter meets the applicable
• Hand Delivery of Courier: Take On December 15, 2011, BHTI applied provisions of part 29, as amended by
comments to Docket Operations in for a type certificate for a new transport Amendment 29–1 through 29–55
Room W12–140 of the West Building category helicopter designated as the thereto. The BHTI Model 525
Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Model 525. The Model 525 is a medium certification basis date is December 31,
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:21 Jun 05, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\06JNP1.SGM 06JNP1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_26334/page/1.svg)
![26226 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 109 / Wednesday, June 6, 2018 / Proposed Rules
2013, the effective date of application to type certificate to include another SUMMARY: This action proposes special
the FAA. model incorporating the same novel or conditions for the BHTI Model 525
If the Administrator finds that the unusual design feature, the special helicopter. This helicopter will have a
applicable airworthiness regulations conditions would apply to that model as novel or unusual design feature
(i.e., 14 CFR part 29) do not contain well. associated with fly-by-wire flight
adequate or appropriate safety standards control system (FBW FCS) flight
for the BHTI Model 525 because of a Conclusion
envelope protection. The applicable
novel or unusual design feature, special This action affects only certain novel airworthiness regulations do not contain
conditions are prescribed under the or unusual design features on one model adequate or appropriate safety standards
provisions of § 21.16. of rotorcraft. It is not a rule of general for this design feature. These proposed
Special conditions are initially applicability. special conditions contain the
applicable to the model for which they additional safety standards that the
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 29
are issued. Should the type certificate Administrator considers necessary to
for that model be amended later to Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting establish a level of safety equivalent to
include any other model that and recordkeeping requirements. that established by the existing
incorporates the same or similar novel The authority citation for these airworthiness standards.
or unusual design feature, the special special conditions is as follows: DATES: Send your comments on or
conditions would also apply to the other before July 23, 2018.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701,
model under § 21.101. 44702, 44704. ADDRESSES: Send comments identified
In addition to the applicable
The Proposed Special Conditions by docket number [FAA–2017–1127]
airworthiness regulations and special
using any of the following methods:
conditions, the BHTI Model 525 Accordingly, the Federal Aviation • Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to
helicopter must comply with the noise Administration (FAA) proposes the http://www.regulations.gov and follow
certification requirements of 14 CFR following special conditions as part of the online instructions for sending your
part 36, and the FAA must issue a the type certification basis for Bell comments electronically.
finding of regulatory adequacy under Helicopter Textron, Inc., Model 525 • Mail: Send comments to Docket
section 611 of Public Law 92–574, the helicopters: Operations, M–30, U.S. Department of
‘‘Noise Control Act of 1972.’’ Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey
The FAA issues special conditions, as Control Margin Awareness
Avenue SE., Room W12–140, West
defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance In addition to the existing § 29.143 Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC
with § 11.38, and they become part of requirements, the following special 20590–0001.
the type-certification basis under condition applies: The system design • Hand Delivery of Courier: Take
§ 21.17(a)(2). must ensure that the flight crew is made comments to Docket Operations in
Novel or Unusual Design Features suitably aware whenever the means of Room W12–140 of the West Building
primary flight control approaches the Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
The BHTI Model 525 helicopter will
limits of control authority. For the Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 8
incorporate the following novel or
context of this special condition, the a.m., and 5 p.m., Monday through
unusual design features: A four-axis full
term ‘‘suitable’’ indicates an appropriate Friday, except Federal holidays.
authority digital FBW FCS. Pilot control
inputs, through the mechanically linked
balance between nuisance and • Fax: Fax comments to Docket
necessary operation. Operations at 202–493–2251.
cockpit controls (cyclic, collective,
Issued in Ft. Worth, Texas, on May 24, Privacy: The FAA will post all
directional pedals), are transmitted
2018. comments it receives, without change,
electrically to each of the three Flight
Jorge Castillo, to http://www.regulations.gov, including
Control Computers (FCCs). The pilot
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Standards any personal information the
control input signals are then processed
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, commenter provides. Using the search
and transmitted to the hydraulic flight
Aircraft Certification Service. function of the docket website, anyone
control actuators which affect control of
[FR Doc. 2018–12076 Filed 6–5–18; 8:45 am] can find and read the electronic form of
the main and tail rotors.
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
all comments received into any FAA
Discussion docket, including the name of the
The proposed special condition will individual sending the comment (or
require the minimum safety standard to DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION signing the comment for an association,
ensure awareness of proximity to business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s
control limits at the main rotor and tail Federal Aviation Administration complete Privacy Act Statement can be
rotor is provided to pilots of the Bell found in the Federal Register published
Model 525 helicopter. The system 14 CFR Part 29 on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–19478),
design must provide the pilot with as well as at http://DocketsInfo.dot.gov.
sufficient awareness of proximity to [Docket No.FAA–2017–1127; Notice No. 29– Docket: Background documents or
control limits, traditionally achieved 044–SC] comments received may be read at
through conventional flight controls by http://www.regulations.gov at any time.
Special Conditions: Bell Helicopter Follow the online instructions for
the pilot’s inherent awareness of cyclic
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS
Textron, Inc. (BHTI), Model 525 accessing the docket or go to the Docket
stick and pedal position relative to
Helicopters; Flight Envelope Operations in Room W12–140 of the
control stops.
Protection West Building Ground Floor at 1200
Applicability New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington,
AGENCY: Federal Aviation
As discussed above, these special Administration (FAA), DOT. DC, between 9 a.m., and 5 p.m., Monday
conditions are applicable to the BHTI through Friday, except Federal holidays.
ACTION: Notice of proposed special
Model 525 helicopter. Should BHTI FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
conditions.
apply at a later date for a change to the George Harrum, Aerospace Engineer,
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:21 Jun 05, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\06JNP1.SGM 06JNP1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_26334/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-06-06 00:53:45
Document Modified: 2018-06-06 00:53:45
| 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 July 23, 2018. | |
| Contact | George Harrum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-4087; email [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 26225 | |
| CFR Associated | Aircraft; Aviation Safety and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements |
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