[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 19 (Friday, January 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-1927]


[Federal Register: January 28, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 27

[Docket No. 93-ASW-5; Special Condition 27-ASW-2]


Special Condition: Agusta Aerospace Corporation (Agusta) Model 
A109C Helicopter, Electronic Flight Instrument System

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final special condition.

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SUMMARY: This special condition is issued for the Agusta Model A109C 
helicopter. This helicopter will have a novel or unusual design feature 
associated with the Electronic Flight Instrument System. This special 
condition contains additional safety standards that the Administrator 
considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that 
provided by the applicable airworthiness standards.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 28, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Robert McCallister, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Policy and 
Procedures Group, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0112; telephone (817) 222-
5121.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On July 21, 1993, Agusta Aerospace Corporation, Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania, applied for a Supplemental Type Certificate for 
installation of an Electronic Flight Instrument System in the Agusta 
Model A109C helicopter. This model is a 7 passenger, 2 engine, 5,997 
pound normal category helicopter.

Type Certification Basis

    The certification basis established for the Agusta Model A109C 
helicopter includes: Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Sec. 21.29; part 
27 effective February 1, 1965, Amendments 27-1 through 27-8; FAR part 
29 dated February 1, 1965, paragraph 29.903(b), for Category ``A'' 
engine isolation; and equivalent safety in lieu of compliance shown 
for: FAR 27.1189 (regarding shut-off means); FAR 27.927(c) as amended 
by Amendment 27-12; and Airworthiness Criteria for Helicopter 
Instrument Flight, eligible for day and night Instrument Flight Rules 
(IFR) operations, with one or two pilots, when Agusta Kit No. 109-0810-
22, Revision E or later approved revision, is incorporated, and the 
helicopter is operated in accordance with the Model A109C Rotorcraft 
Flight Manual.
    If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for 
this helicopter because of a novel or unusual design feature, special 
conditions are prescribed under the provisions of Sec. 21.16 to 
establish a level of safety equivalent to that established in the 
regulations.
    Special conditions, as appropriate, are issued in accordance with 
FAR Sec. 11.49 after public notice, as required by Secs. 11.28 and 
11.29(b), and become part of the type certification basis in accordance 
with Sec. 21.101(b)(2) for changes to the type certificates.

Novel or Unusual Design Feature

    The Agusta Model A109C helicopter was identified as incorporating 
one or possibly more electrical, electronic, or combination of 
electrical electronic (electrical/electronic) systems that will be 
performing functions critical to the continued safe flight and landing 
of the helicopter. The Electronic Flight Instrument System performs the 
attitude display function. The display of attitude, altitude, and 
airspeed to the pilot is critical to the continued safe flight and 
landing of the helicopter for IFR operations in Instrument 
Meteorological Conditions.
    If it is determined that these helicopters will incorporate other 
electrical/electronic systems performing critical functions, those 
systems also will be required to comply with the requirements of this 
special condition.

Discussion of Comments

    Notice of Proposed Special Condition No. SC-93-5-SW was published 
in the Federal Register on November 17, 1993, (58 FR 60569). No 
comments were received. Therefore, the special condition is adopted as 
proposed.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain unusual or novel design features 
on one model of helicopter. It is not a rule of general applicability 
and affects only the applicant who applied to the FAA for approval of 
these features on the affected helicopter.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 27

    Aircraft, Air transportation, Aviation safety, Rotorcraft, Safety.

PART 27--[AMENDED]

    The authority citation for this special condition is as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 1344, 1348(c), 1352, 1354(a), 1355, 1421 
through 1431, 1502, 1651(b)(2); 42 U.S.C. 1857f-10, 4321 et seq.; 
E.O. 11514; 49 U.S.C. 106(g).

The Special Condition

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the following special condition is issued as part of the 
type certification basis for the Agusta Model A109C helicopter: 
Protection for Electrical and Electronic Systems From High Intensity 
Radiated Fields.
    Each system that performs critical functions must be designed and 
installed to ensure that the operation and operational capabilities of 
these critical functions are not adversely affected when the helicopter 
is exposed to high intensity radiated fields external to the 
helicopter.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 19, 1994.
Sanida McRae,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 94-1927 Filed 1-27-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M