[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 82 (Monday, April 29, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21012-21013]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-10497]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Proposed Policy Statement Numbers ANE-2001-35.13-R0 and ANE-2001-
35.31-R0]


Policy for Propeller Level Failure Effects; Policy for Bird 
Strike, Lightning, and Centrifugal Load Testing for Composite Propeller 
Blades

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed policy statements; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces the 
availability of proposed policy for propeller-level failure effects and 
proposed policy for bird strike, lightning, and centrifugal load 
testing for composite propeller blades.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 14, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed policy to the individual 
identified under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jay Turnberg, FAA, Engine and 
Propeller Standards Staff, ANE-110, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: [email protected]; telephone: (781) 
238-7116; fax: (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The proposed policy statements are available on the Internet at the 
following address: http://www.faa.gov/certification/aircraft/enginedraftpolicyby.htm. If you do not have access to the Internet, you 
may request a copy of the proposed policies by contacting the 
individual listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. The FAA 
invites interested parties to comment on the proposed policies. 
Comments should identify the subject of the proposed policy and be 
submitted to the individual identified under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing 
date before issuing the final policies.

Background

    Many new propeller certification programs include composite blades 
and spinners and electronic controls. Part 35 of Title 14 of the Code 
of Federal Regulations (14 CFR part 35) does not have explicit safety 
standards for the substantiation of propellers with composite blades 
and spinners for bird strike, lightning strike, and centrifugal loads, 
nor does it address electronic controls and safety assessment. The 
safety standards for these design features and analyses have been 
incorporated into the propeller certification basis by issuing special 
conditions. Until rulemaking is finalized to incorporate these 
standards into part 35, individual propeller certifications that 
contain these novel or unusual design features must continue to be 
addressed with special conditions.
    Proposed Policy Statement Number ANE-2001-35.13-R0 would provide 
guidance for the development of those special conditions with regard to 
propeller level failure effects. Proposed Policy Statement Number ANE-
2001-

[[Page 21013]]

35.31-R0 would provide guidance for structurally substantiating 
propellers with composite blades and spinners for bird strike, 
lightning strike, and centrifugal loads. The proposed policies would 
not establish new requirements.

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701-44702, 44704.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 17, 2002.
Francis Favara,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-10497 Filed 4-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P