[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 67 (Friday, April 6, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18186-18187]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8513]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 23

[Docket No. CE164; Special Conditions No. 23-106-SC]


Special Conditions: Ayres Corporation, Model LM 200, 
``Loadmaster'' Cargo and Baggage Compartment Fire Protection

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions.

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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Ayres Corporation 
Model LM 200 ``Loadmaster'' airplane. This airplane will have a novel 
or unusual design feature(s) associated with all-cargo and combination 
cargo/passenger (COMBI) interior configurations. The applicable 
airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety 
standards for this design feature. These 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.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 7, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Les Taylor, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Aircraft Certification Service, Small Airplane 
Directorate, ACE-111, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; 816-329-4134, fax 816-329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On April 16, 1996, Ayres Corporation, Post Office Box 3090, Albany, 
Georgia 31708, applied for a commuter category, all-cargo type 
certificate for their new Model LM 200 airplane. In May 1997, they 
reapplied for passenger and COMBI interior configurations. The Model LM 
200 airplane is a nine-passenger, twin-engine airplane. The LM 200 will 
have all-cargo and COMBI versions.
    The Model LM 200 all-cargo and COMBI airplanes are considered a 
novel design and were not considered when those airworthiness standards 
were promulgated. The FAA has determined that the existing regulations 
do not provide adequate or appropriate safety standards for cargo and 
baggage compartment fire protection in these versions of the LM 200. In 
order to provide a level of safety that is equivalent to that afforded 
to occupants of the passenger version, additional airworthiness 
standards, in the form of additional special conditions, are necessary.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of 14 CFR part 21, Sec. 21.17, Ayres 
Corporation must show that the Model LM 200 meets the applicable 
provisions of 14 CFR part 23 as amended by Amendments 23-1 through 23-
53, effective April 30, 1998, and any exemptions, equivalent level of 
safety findings and special conditions.
    If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations (i.e., part 23) do not contain adequate or appropriate 
safety standards for the Model LM 200 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 LM 200 must comply with the part 23 fuel vent and 
exhaust emission requirements of 14 CFR part 34, and the part 23 noise 
certification requirements of 14 CFR part 36; and the FAA must issue a 
finding of regulatory adequacy pursuant to Sec. 611 of Public Law 92-
574, the ``Noise Control Act of 1972.''
    Special conditions, as appropriate, as defined in Sec. 11.19, are 
issued in accordance with Sec. 11.38, and become part of the type 
certification basis in accordance with Sec. 21.17(a)(2).
    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 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 Model LM 200 will incorporate the following novel or unusual 
design features: an all-cargo and a COMBI interior configuration.

Discussion of Comments

    Notice of proposed special conditions No. 23-01-01-SC for the Ayres 
Corporation Model LM 200 ``Loadmaster'' airplanes was published on 
January 22, 2001 (66 FR 6492). No comments were received, and the 
special conditions are adopted as proposed.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
Model LM 200 airplane. Should Ayres Corporation 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 under the provisions of 
Sec. 21.101(a)(1).

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on one model of airplane. 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 23

    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Signs and symbols.

Citation

    The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113 and 44701; 14 CFR 21.16 and 
21.17; and 14 CFR 11.28 and 11 49.

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 the Ayres Corporation Model LM 200 
airplane applicable to the all-cargo and COMBI interior configurations.
    In addition to the part 23 regulations required by the 
certification basis of the airplane, the following are also required 
for cargo or baggage compartments:
    (a) Flight tests must demonstrate means to exclude hazardous 
quantities of smoke, flames, or extinguishing agent from any 
compartment occupied by crew or passengers.
    (b) Cargo compartments shall have either fire or smoke detection 
provisions, or both, unless the compartment location is such that a 
fire can be easily detected by the pilots while seated at their duty 
stations. The cargo and baggage fire protection must be in accordance 
with Sec. 23.855 as well as the following:
    1. The detection system must provide a visual indication to the 
flight crew within one minute after the start of a fire.
    2. The system must be capable of detecting a fire at a temperature 
significantly below that at which the structural integrity of the 
airplane is substantially decreased.

[[Page 18187]]

    3. There must be means to allow the crew to check the functioning 
of each fire detector circuit while in flight.
    4. The detection system effectiveness must be shown for all 
approved operating configurations and conditions.
    (c) The flight crew must have means to shut off the ventilating 
airflow to or within the compartment, from the pilot's station, on an 
all-cargo configuration.
    (d) Passenger and COMBI configurations where the cargo or baggage 
compartment are not accessible to the flightcrew, must have an 
approved, built-in fire extinguishing system. The built-in fire 
extinguishing system shall be controllable from the pilot's station. 
There must be means to control ventilation and drafts within an 
inaccessible cargo or baggage compartment so the extinguishing agent 
can control any fire that may start in the compartment. The built-in 
fire extinguishing system must be installed so that no extinguishing 
agent likely to enter the personnel compartments will be hazardous to 
the occupants. The discharge of the fire extinguishing system must not 
cause structural damage. The capacity of the extinguishing system must 
be adequate for any fire likely to occur in the compartment where used. 
Consideration must be given to the volume of the compartment and the 
ventilation rate.
    (e) In addition to the fire extinguishers required by Sec. 23.851, 
a hand fire extinguisher must be readily accessible for use in each 
cargo and baggage compartment that is accessible to crewmembers in 
flight. Hazardous quantities of smoke, flames or extinguishing agent 
must not enter any compartment occupied by crew or passengers, when the 
access to that compartment is used.
    (f) Protective breathing equipment must be installed for 
crewmembers in each crewmember compartment. Protective breathing 
equipment must:
    1. Be designed to protect the flightcrew from smoke, carbon dioxide 
and other harmful gases at the pilot's station and while combating 
fires in cargo or baggage compartments.
    2. Have masks that cover the eyes, nose and mouth; or masks that 
cover the nose and mouth plus accessory equipment to cover the eyes.
    3. Allow the flightcrew to use the radio equipment and to 
communicate with each other while at their assigned stations.
    4. Not cause any appreciable adverse effect on vision and must 
allow corrective glasses to be worn.
    5. Supply protective oxygen of 15 minutes duration per crewmember 
at a pressure altitude of 8,000 feet with a respiratory minute volume 
of 30 liters per minute BTPD (BTPD refers to body temperature 
conditions (that is 37  deg.C at ambient pressure, dry)). If a demand 
oxygen system is used, a supply of 300 liters of free oxygen at 70 
deg.F. and 760 mm. Hg. pressure is considered to be adequate to meet 
the 15-minute-duration requirement at the prescribed altitude and 
minute volume. If a continuous flow protective breathing system is used 
(including a mask with a standard rebreather bag), a flow rate of 60 
liters per minute at 8,000 feet (45 liters per minute at sea level) and 
a supply of 600 liters of free oxygen at 70  deg.F and 760 mm. Hg. 
pressure is considered to be adequate to meet the 15-minute-duration 
requirement at the prescribed altitude and minute volume.
    6. Be free from hazards in itself, in its method of operation, and 
in its effect upon other components.
    7. Have a means to allow the crew to readily determine, during 
flight, the quantity of oxygen available in each source of supply.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on March 28, 2001.
Michael Gallagher,
 Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-8513 Filed 4-5-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P