[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 202 (Tuesday, October 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56059-56060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28038]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee; Transport Airplane and 
Engine Issues--New Tasks

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of new task assignments for the Aviation Rulemaking 
Advisory Committee (ARAC).

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SUMMARY: Notice is given of new tasks assigned to and accepted by the 
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC). This notice informs the 
public of the activities of ARAC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Stewart R. Miller, Transport Standards Staff (ANM-110), Federal 
Aviation Administration, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, WA 98055-4056; 
phone (425) 227-1255; fax (425) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The FAA has established an Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee 
to provide advice and recommendations to the FAA Administrator, through 
the Associate Administrator for Regulation and Certification, on the 
full range of the FAA's rulemaking activities with respect to aviation-
related issues. This includes obtaining advice and recommendations on 
the FAA's commitment to harmonize its Federal Aviation Regulations 
(FAR) and practices with its trading partners in Europe and Canada.
    One area ARAC deals with is Transport Airplane and Engine Issues. 
These issues involve the airworthiness standards for transport category 
airplanes and engines in 14 CFR parts 25, 33, and 35 and parallel 
provisions in 14 CFR parts 121 and 135.

The Tasks

    This notice is to inform the public that the FAA has asked ARAC to 
provide advice and recommendation on the following harmonization tasks:

Task 11: Safety and Failure Analysis

    1. JAR-E requires a summary listing of all failures which result in 
major or hazardous effects and an estimate of the probability of 
occurrence of these major and hazardous effects. Part 33 requires an 
assessment of failures which lead to four specified hazards.
    2. JAR requires a list of assumptions and the substantiation of 
those assumptions. Most of the JAR-E assumptions are covered by other 
Part 33 paragraphs.
    3. JAR-E includes a unique hazard, ``toxic bleed air''.
    4. While both regulations require analysis to examine malfunctions 
and single and multiple failures. Part 33 also requires an examination 
of improper operation.
    The FAA expects ARAC to submit its recommendation(s) resulting from 
this task by January 31, 2000.

[[Page 56060]]

Task 12: Endurance Test Requirements Study

    Review and evaluate the feasibility and adequacy of harmonizing: 
(1) FAR 33.87 and JAR-E 740 endurance test requirements, including 
thrust reverser operation during endurance testing, in consideration of 
changes in engine technology; and (2) FAR 33.88 and JAR-E 700 
overtemperature/excess operating conditions. The Aviation Rulemaking 
Advisory Committee (ARAC) is specifically tasked to study these issues 
and document findings in the form of a report.
    The FAA expects ARAC to submit the report by December 31, 1999.
    The report must include industry-provided data for an FAA economic 
analysis. This data should include the effects on small operators and 
small businesses. The report also should include industry-provided data 
regarding the record-keeping burden on the public.

Task 13: Fatigue Pressure Test/Analysis

    JAR-E 640(b)(2) requires fatigue pressure testing of major engine 
casings. The FAR's do not have a specific requirement for fatigue 
pressure tests of major engine casings.
    The FAA expects ARAC to submit its recommendation(s) resulting from 
this task by January 31, 1999.

Task 14: Overtorque

    JAR-E 820 requires testing at maximum over-torque in combination 
with maximum turbine-entry and the most critical oil-inlet temperatures 
for the power turbine to validate transient overtorque values. The FAA 
does not have a specific requirement. Note: The 33.87 endurance test 
includes requirements that can be used to satisfy JAR-E requirements.
    The FAA expects ARAC to submit its recommendation(s) resulting from 
this task by January 31, 1999.

Task 15: Compressor/Fan and Turbine Shafts

    1. JAR-E 850 establishes probability limits for shaft failures 
based on the consequences of the failure. If the consequences of a 
shaft failure are not readily predictable, a test is required to 
determine the consequences. FAR 33.27(c)(2)(vi) requires all shaft 
failures, regardless of failure probability, to be considered when 
determining rotor integrity requirements.
    2. ACJ E 850 provides guidance to determine the likelihood of a 
failure at a given location on a shaft and also provides guidance for 
conducting tests to determine the dynamic characteristics and fatigue 
capability of the shaft. The FAR's do not provide any guidance 
material.
    The FAA expects ARAC to submit its recommendation(s) resulting from 
this task by January 31, 2000.

Task 16: Electrical and Electronic Engine Control Systems

    1. Advisory material exists for JAR-E (AMJ 20X-1). Advisory 
material does not exist for Part 33, which has caused difficulty during 
certification programs.
    2. AMJ 20X-1 clearly defines the engine/airframe substantiation 
responsibilities, while FAR material does not define these 
requirements.
    3. JAR-E states that an electronic control system ``should provide 
for the aircraft at least the equivalent safety, and the related 
reliability level, as achieved by Engines/Propellers equipped with 
hydromechanical control and protection systems.'' Part 33 does not 
state a desired reliability level. Part 33 states that failures must 
not result in unsafe conditions.
    The FAA expects ARAC to submit its recommendation(s) resulting from 
this task by January 31, 2000.
    For the above tasks the working group is to review airworthiness, 
safety, cost, and other relevant factors related to the specified 
difference, and reach consensus on harmonization of current Part 33/
JAR-E regulations and guidance material.
    The FAA requests that ARAC draft appropriate regulatory documents 
with supporting economic and other required analyses, and any other 
related guidance material or collateral documents to support its 
recommendations. If the resulting recommendation(s) are one or more 
notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published by the FAA, the FAA may 
ask ARAC to recommend disposition of any substantive comments the FAA 
receives.

Working Group Activity

    The Engine Harmonization Working Group is expected to comply with 
the procedures adopted by ARAC. As part of the procedures, the working 
group is expected to:
    1. Recommend a work plan for completion of the tasks, including the 
rationale supporting such a plan, for consideration at the meeting of 
ARAC to consider transport airplane and engine issues held following 
publication of this notice.
    2. Give a detailed conceptual presentation of the proposed 
recommendations, prior to proceeding with the work stated in item 3 
below.
    3. Draft appropriate regulatory documents with supporting economic 
and other required analyses, and/or any other related guidance material 
or collateral documents the working group determines to be appropriate; 
or, if new or revised requirements or compliance methods are not 
recommended, a draft report stating the rationale for not making such 
recommendations. If the resulting recommendation is one or more notices 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published by the FAA, the FAA may ask 
ARAC to recommend disposition of any substantive comments the FAA 
receives.
    4. Provide a status report at each meeting of ARAC held to consider 
transport airplane and engine issues.
    The Secretary of Transportation has determined that the formation 
and use of ARAC are necessary and in the public interest in connection 
with the performance of duties imposed on the FAA by law.
    Meetings of ARAC will be open to the public. Meetings of the Engine 
Harmonization Working Group will not be open to the public, except to 
the extent that individuals with an interest and expertise are selected 
to participate. No public announcement of working group meetings will 
be made.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 13, 1998.
Joseph A. Hawkins,
Executive Director, Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee.
[FR Doc. 98-28038 Filed 10-19-98; 8:45 am]
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