[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 235 (Wednesday, December 6, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76147-76149]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31085]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. NM179; Special Conditions No. 25-168-SC]
Special Conditions: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-
1159, G-1159A, and G-1159B Series Airplanes as Modified by Duncan
Aviation; High Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF)
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Gulfstream Model
G-1159, G-1159A, and G-1159B series airplanes modified by Duncan
Aviation. These modified airplanes will have a novel or unusual design
feature(s) associated with new avionics/electronics and electrical
systems that will perform critical functions. The applicable
airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety
standards for the protection of these systems from the effects of high-
intensity radiated fields (HIRF). These 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: The effective date of these special conditions is November 29,
2000. Comments must be received on or before January 22, 2001.
ADDRESSES: Comments on these special conditions may be mailed in
duplicate to: Federal Aviation Administration, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Attention: Rules Docket (ANM-114), Docket No. NM179, 1601
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; or delivered in
duplicate to the Transport Airplane Directorate at that address. All
comments must be marked: Docket No. NM179. Comments may be inspected in
the Rules Docket weekdays, except Federal holidays, between 7:30 a.m.
and 4:00 p.m.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information concerning the
certification program for Gulfstream Model G-1159, G-1159A, and G-1159B
series airplanes, contact: Meghan Gordon, Federal Aviation
Administration, Transport Airplane Directorate, Standardization Branch,
ANM-113, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone
(425) 227-2138; fax (425) 227-1149.
For information on the general subject of HIRF, contact: Massoud
Sadeghi, Federal Aviation Administration, Transport airplane
Directorate, Airplane and Flight Crew Interface Branch, ANM-111, 1601
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-
2117; fax (425) 227-1320.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has determined that notice and
opportunity for prior public comment hereon are impracticable because
these procedures would significantly delay issuance of the approval
design and thus delivery of the affected aircraft. In addition, the
substance of these special conditions has been subject to the public
comment process in several prior instances with no substantive comments
received. The FAA therefore finds that good cause exists for making
these special conditions effective upon issuance.
Comments Invited
Although these special conditions are being issued as final special
conditions without prior public notice, interested persons are invited
to submit such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.
Communications should identify the regulatory docket number and be
submitted in duplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered by the Administrator. The special conditions may be
changed in light of the comments received. All comments received will
be available in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons,
both before and after the closing date for comments. A report
summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel
concerning this rulemaking will be filed in the docket. Commenters
wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in
response to these special conditions must include a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to NM179.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the
commenter.
Background
On September 13, 2000, and on September 20, 2000, Duncan Aviation,
15745 South Airport Road, Battle Creek, Michigan 49015, submitted
applications to the FAA for two Supplemental Type Certificates (STC).
These STC's are for modifying Gulfstream Aerospace Model G-1159, G-
1159A, and G-1159B series airplanes to include:
The Collins FDS-2000 Flight Display System; and
Dual Collins AHS-3000A Altitude Heading Reference Systems.
The FDS-2000 system is a replacement of the existing electro-
mechanical Attitude Directional Indicator (ADI) and Horizontal
Situational Indicator (HSI) flight instruments. It also provides
additional functional capability and redundancy in the system.
The AHS-3000A system is a replacement for the existing electro-
mechanical vertical and directional gyros. It also provides additional
functional capability and redundancy in the system.
The avionics/electronics and electrical systems installed in the
Gulfstream Model G-1159, G-1159A, and G-1159B airplanes have the
potential to be vulnerable to high-intensity radiated fields (HIRF)
external to the airplane.
The subject Gulfstream airplanes are T-tail, low swept-wing small
transport category airplanes. The Model G-1159 airplane is powered by
two Rolls Royce SPEY RB (163) 511-8 series engines mounted on pylons
extending from the aft fuselage, and it has a maximum takeoff weight of
64,800 pounds. The Models G-1159A and G-1159B are slightly larger than
the Model G-1159. These models are powered by two Rolls Royce SPEY RB
(163-25) 511-8 series engines, and have a maximum takeoff
[[Page 76148]]
weight of 69,700 pounds. This series of airplanes operates with a 2-
pilot crew and can hold up to 19 passengers.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of 14 CFR Sec. 21.101, Duncan Aviation must
show that the Gulfstream Models G-1159, G-1159A, and G-1159B airplanes,
as modified, continue to meet the applicable provisions of the
regulations incorporated by reference in Type Certificate No. A12EA, or
the applicable regulations in effect on the date of application for the
modification. 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. A12EA are as follows:
1. For the Gulfstream Model G-1159 Airplane
CAR 4b dated December 31, 1953, including Amendments 4b-1
through 4b-14;
Special Regulations SR422B and SR450A;
Sec. 25.1325 (effective 2/1/65);
Sec. 25.175 (effective 3/1/65) in lieu of 4b.155(b);
Sec. 36.1(c)(2) for airplane serial numbers (S/N) 1
through 165 and 775 approved for a 62,000 lb. takeoff weight;
14 CFR Part 36, Appendix C, for airplane S/N 166 through
299, except 249, 252, and 775;
Special Conditions in Attachment A of FAA letter to
Grumman, dated 9/27/65;
Exemption No. 695A, CAR 4b.437, ``Fuel Jettisoning
System.''
2. For the Model G-1159A Airplane
14 CFR part 25 effective February 1, 1965, and Amendments
25-2 through 25-8, 25-10, 25-12, 25-16 through 25-22, 25-24, 25-26, 25-
27, 25-29 through 25-34, 25-37, 25-40 (as applicable to a new APU
installation);
Sec. 25.329 of Part 25 dated February 1, 1965 (as applied
to a new autopilot installation);
Sec. 25.581 (lightning protection) of Amendment 25-23;
Sec. 25.771, Amendment 25-4. (A lockable door is not
required between the pilot and passenger compartments.);
Sec. 25.994 (crashworthiness fuel system components);
Sec. 25.1309 of Amendment 25-41;
Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) 27 through
Amendment 2 (fuel venting emission);
14 CFR part 36 through Amendment 36-8 (noise
requirements);
Special Conditions contained in the FAA's letter to
Grumman, dated 9/27/65, applicable to the Gulfstream Model G-1159
airplane, are also applicable to the Gulfstream Model G-1159A airplane,
except that reference to ``4b.450'' in the ``Cooling Systems'' special
conditions is replaced by ``FAR 25.1043 contained in Part 25 of the
FAR, effective 2/1/65;''
Special Conditions pertaining to dynamic gust loads
contained in the enclosure to FAA AEA-212 letter, dated 7/22/80.
3. For the Model G-1159B
Fuselage, Empennage, Autopilot, and Noise:
--Car 4b, dated December 31, 1953, including Amendments 4b-1 through
4b-14;
--CAR 4b.450, Cooling Systems;
--Special Regulation SR450A;
--Sec. 25.175 (effective 3/1/65) in lieu of CAR 4b.155(b);
--Sec. 25.771, Amendment 25-4. [A lockable door is not required between
the pilot and passenger compartments.]
--Sec. 25.1325 (effective 2/1/65);
--Sec. 36.7(d)(3)(ii);
--Special Conditions in Attachment A of FAA letter to Grumman, dated 9/
27/65.
Wing Assembly, Landing Gear, Fuselage, and Empennage
Modifications:
--14 CFR part 25, effective February 1, 1965, Amendments 25-2 through
25-8, 25-10, 25-12, 25-16 through 25-22, 25-24, 25-26, except
Sec. 25.1203(b)(3), 25-27, 25-29 through 25-31,25-34, 25-37, 25-40 (as
applicable to a new APU installation);
--Sec. 25.581 (Lightning Protection) of Amendment 25-23;
--Sec. 25.771, Amendment 4 (A lockable door is not required between the
pilot and passenger compartments.);
--Sec. 25.994 (Crashworthiness Fuel System Components);
--25.1309 of Amendment 25-41;
--Sec. 25.1329 (effective 2/1/65);
--SFAR 27 through Amendment 2 (Fuel Venting Emissions);
--Special Conditions contained in the FAA's letter to Grumman, dated 9/
27/65, applicable to Gulfstream Model G-1159 airplane, are also
applicable to the Gulfstream Model G-1159B airplane;
--Special Conditions pertaining to dynamic gust loads, contained in the
enclosure to FAA letter AEA-212, dated 7/22/80, is applicable to the
Model G-1159B airplane.
The special conditions approved in this document will form an
additional part of the type certification basis for these airplanes.
If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness
regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 25 as amended) do not contain adequate
or appropriate safety standards for the Gulfstream Model G-1159, 11-
59A, and G-1159B airplanes modified by Duncan Aviation because of a
novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed
under the provisions of Sec. 21.16.
Special conditions, as appropriate, are issued in accordance with
Sec. 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 Duncan Aviation apply at a later date for a
supplemental type certificate to modify any other model already
included on the same type certificate to incorporate the same novel or
unusual design feature, these special conditions would also apply to
the other model under the provisions of Sec. 21.101(a)(1).
Novel or Unusual Design Features
The Gulfstream Model G-1159, G-1159A, and G-1159B airplanes
modified by Duncan Aviation will incorporate new avionics/electronics
and electrical systems that will perform critical functions. These
systems include a new flight display system and a new attitude heading
reference system. These systems 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 avionics/electronics and electrical 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 Gulfstream Model G-1159, G-1159A, and G-
1159B airplanes modified by Duncan Aviation. These special conditions
require that new avionics/electronics and electrical systems that
perform critical functions 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
[[Page 76149]]
the airplane, and the use of composite material in the airplane
structure, the immunity of critical avionics/electronics and electrical
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.
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, alternatively,
paragraph 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.
Or
2. A threat external to the airframe for both of the following
field strengths for the frequency ranges indicated. Both peak and
average field strength components from Table 1 are to be demonstrated.
Table 1
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Field Strength
(volts per
Frequency meter)
----------------
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
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The field strengths are expressed in terms of peak of the root-mean-
square (rms) over the complete modulation period.
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The threat levels identified in Table 1 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 the
Gulfstream Model G-1159, G-1159A, and G-1159B series airplanes modified
by Duncan Aviation. Should Duncan Aviation apply at a later date for a
supplemental type certificate to modify any other model included on
Type Certificate No. A12EA to incorporate the same novel or unusual
design feature, the special conditions would apply to that model as
well under the provisions of Sec. 21.101(a)(1).
Conclusion
This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features
on Gulfstream Model G-1159, G-1159A, and G-1159B airplanes modified by
Duncan Aviation. 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 airplane.
As stated previously, the substance of these special conditions has
been subjected to the notice and comment period in several prior
instances and has been derived without substantive change from those
previously issued. It is unlikely that prior public comment would
result in a significant change from the substance contained herein. For
this reason, and because a delay would significantly affect the
certification of the airplane, which is imminent, the FAA has
determined that prior public notice and comment are unnecessary and
impracticable, and good cause exists for adopting these special
conditions upon issuance. The FAA is requesting comments to allow
interested persons to submit views that may not have been submitted in
response to the prior opportunities for comment described above.
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 Gulfstream Aerospace Model G-1159, G-
1159A, and G-1159B airplanes modified by Duncan Aviation:
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 this special condition, 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 29, 2000.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-31085 Filed 12-5-00; 8:45 am]
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