[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 232 (Friday, December 3, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67705-67706]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31395]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. NM160, Special Conditions No. 25-153-SC]


Special Conditions: Dassault Aviation Falcon Model 20-C5/-D5/-E5/
-F5 Airplanes; High Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions.

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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Dassault Aviation 
Falcon Model 20-C5/-D5/-E5/-F5 airplanes, as modified by Garrett 
Aviation Services. The Model 20-C5/-D5/-E5/-F5 airplanes are equipped 
with a high-technology digital avionics system that performs critical 
functions. The applicable regulations do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for the protection of this system from the 
effects of high-intensity radiated fields (HIRF). These special 
conditions provide the additional safety standards that the 
Administrator considers necessary to ensure that the critical functions 
that this system performs are maintained when the airplane is exposed 
to HIRF.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 3, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Connie Beane, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, Standardization Branch, 
ANM-113, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington, 98055-4056; 
telephone (425) 227-2796; facsimile (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On November 8, 1998, Garrett Aviation Services applied for a 
supplemental type certificate (STC) to modify Dassault Aviation Falcon 
Model 20-C5/-D5/-E5/-F5 airplanes listed on Type Certificate A7EU.
    The Model 20-C5/-D5/-E5/-F5 series of low wing airplanes are 
pressurized airplanes with twin, Garrett TRE731-5AR turbofans that are 
configured for 8-10 passengers and a crew of 2. The airplane has a 
maximum takeoff weight of 29,000 pounds, a maximum landing weight of 
27,734 pounds, and a range of 1600 nautical miles. The overall length 
of the Falcon Model 20-C5/-D5/-E5/-F5 airplanes is 56 feet 3 inches, 
and the wing span is 53 feet, 6 inches.
    The modification incorporates the installation of flat panel 
displays for display of critical flight parameters (altitude, airspeed, 
and attitude) to the crew. These displays can be susceptible to 
disruption to both command/response signals as a result of electrical 
and magnetic interference. This disruption of signals could result in 
loss of all critical flight displays and annunciations or present 
misleading information to the pilot.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.101, Garrett Aviation Services 
must show that the Dassault Aviation Falcon Model 20-C5/-D5/-E5/-F5 
airplanes, as changed, continue to meet the applicable provisions of 
the regulations incorporated by reference in Type Certificate No. A7EU, 
or the applicable regulations in effect on the date of application for 
the change. The regulations incorporated by reference in the type 
certificate are commonly referred to as the ``original type 
certification basis.'' The regulations incorporated by reference in 
Type Certificate No. A7EU are as follows:
    The certification basis for the modified Dassault Aviation Falcon 
Model 20-C5/-D5/-E5/-F5 airplanes includes Civil Air Regulations (CAR) 
4b, effective December 31, 1953, Amendments 4b-1 through 4b-12, Special 
Regulation SR422B, and provisions of FAR amendment 25-4 in lieu of CAR 
4b.350(e) and (f).
    If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations (i.e., CAR 4b, as amended) do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for the Dassault Aviation Falcon Model 20-
C5/-D5/-E5/-F5 airplanes because of a novel or unusual design feature, 
special conditions are prescribed under the provisions of Sec. 21.16.
    In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special 
conditions, the Model 20-C5/-D5/-E5/-F5 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.
    Special conditions, as appropriate, are issued in accordance with 
14 CFR 11.49, 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).
    Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which 
they are issued. Should Garrett Aviation Services apply for a 
supplemental type certificate to modify any other model included on the 
same type certificate to incorporate the same novel or unusual design 
feature, the special conditions would also apply to the other model 
under the provisions of Sec. 21.101(a)(1).

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The modified Dassault Aviation Falcon Model 20-C5/-D5/-E5/-F5 
airplanes will incorporate the following new design feature: a new 
electronic flat panel display system, which was not available at the 
time of certification of these airplanes, that performs critical 
functions. This system may be vulnerable to HIRF external to the 
airplane.

Discussion

    There is no specific regulation that addresses protection 
requirements for electrical and electronic systems from HIRF. Increased 
power levels from ground-based radio transmitters and the growing use 
of sensitive electrical and electronic systems to command and control 
airplanes have made it necessary to provide adequate protection.
    To ensure that a level of safety is achieved equivalent to that 
intended by the regulations incorporated by reference, special 
conditions are needed for the Dassault Aviation Falcon Model 20-C5/-D5/
-E5/-F5 airplanes, which require that new electrical and electronic 
systems that perform critical functions, such as the flat panel 
displays for display of critical flight parameters (altitude, airspeed, 
and attitude) to the crew, be designed and installed to preclude 
component damage and interruption of function due to both the direct 
and indirect effects of HIRF.

High-Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF)

    With the trend toward increased power levels from ground-based 
transmitters, plus the advent of space and satellite communications 
coupled with electronic command and control of the airplane, the 
immunity of critical digital avionics systems to HIRF must be 
established.
    It is not possible to precisely define the HIRF to which the 
airplane will be exposed in service. There is also uncertainty 
concerning the effectiveness of airframe shielding for HIRF.

[[Page 67706]]

Furthermore, coupling of electromagnetic energy to cockpit-installed 
equipment through the cockpit window apertures is undefined. Based on 
surveys and analysis of existing HIRF emitters, an adequate level of 
protection exists when compliance with the HIRF protection special 
condition is shown with either paragraph 1 or 2 below:
    1. A minimum threat of 100 volts rms per meter electric field 
strength from 10 kHz to 18 GHz.
    a. The threat must be applied to the system elements and their 
associated wiring harnesses without the benefit of airframe shielding.
    b. Demonstration of this level of protection is established through 
system tests and analysis.
    2. A threat external to the airframe of the following field 
strengths for the frequency ranges indicated.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Field Strength
                                                      (volts per meter)
                     Frequency                     ---------------------
                                                       Peak     Average
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10 kHz-100 kHz....................................         50         50
100 kHz-500 kHz...................................         50         50
500 kHz-2 MHz.....................................         50         50
2 MHz-30 MHz......................................        100        100
30 MHz-70 MHz.....................................         50         50
70 MHz-100 MHz....................................         50         50
100 MHz-200 MHz...................................        100        100
200 MHz-400 MHz...................................        100        100
400 MHz-700 MHz...................................        700         50
700 MHz-1 GHz.....................................        700        100
1 GHz-2 GHz.......................................       2000        200
2 GHz-4 GHz.......................................       3000        200
4 GHz-6 GHz.......................................       3000        200
6 GHz-8 GHz.......................................       1000        200
8 GHz-12 GHz......................................       3000        300
12 GHz-18 GHz.....................................       2000        200
18 GHz-40 GHz.....................................        600        200
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  The field strengths are expressed in terms of peak root-mean-square
(rms) values.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The threat levels identified above are the result of an FAA review 
of existing studies on the subject of HIRF, in light of the ongoing 
work of the Electromagnetic Effects Harmonization Working Group of the 
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to 
Dassault Aviation Falcon Model 20-C5/-D5/-E5/-F5 airplanes modified by 
Garrett Aviation Services. Should Garrett Aviation Services apply at a 
later date for a supplemental type certificate to modify any other 
model included on the same type certificate to incorporate the same 
novel or unusual design feature, these special conditions would apply 
to that model as well under the provisions of Sec. 21.101(a)(1).

Discussion of Comments

    Notice of proposed special conditions No. 25-99-07-SC was published 
in the Federal Register on August 12, 1999 (64 FR 43946). No comments 
were received.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on Dassault Aviation Falcon Model 20-C5/-D5/-E5/-F5 airplanes modified 
by Garrett Aviation Services. It is not a rule of general 
applicability, and it affects only the applicant who applied to the FAA 
for approval of these features on the airplane.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25

    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, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the following special conditions are issued as part of 
the type certification basis for Dassault Aviation Falcon Model 20-C5/-
D5/-E5/-F5 airplanes modified by Garrett Aviation Services.
    1. Protection from Unwanted Effects of High-Intensity Radiated 
Fields (HIRF). Each electrical and electronic system that performs 
critical functions must be designed and installed to ensure that the 
operation and operational capability of these systems to perform 
critical functions are not adversely affected when the airplane is 
exposed to high intensity radiated fields.
    2. For the purpose of these special conditions, the following 
definition applies:
    Critical Functions. Functions whose failure would contribute to or 
cause a failure condition that would prevent the continued safe flight 
and landing of the airplane.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 17, 1999.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service, ANM-100.
[FR Doc. 99-31395 Filed 12-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P