[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 207 (Friday, October 25, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65475-65477]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27171]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. NM236; Special Conditions No. 25-220-SC]


Special Conditions: Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 and CL-600-2A12 
Airplanes; 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 Bombardier Model CL-
600-1A11 and CL-600-2A12 airplanes modified by Gulfstream Aerospace 
Corporation. These modified airplanes will have a novel or unusual 
design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in 
the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. The 
modification incorporates the installation of a Rockwell Collins FDS-
2000 Electronic Display System that performs critical functions. The 
applicable airworthiness 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 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.

DATES: The effective date of these special conditions is October 11, 
2002. Comments must be received on or before November 25, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Comments on these special conditions may be mailed in 
duplicate to: Federal Aviation Administration, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Attention: Rules Docket (ANM-113), Docket No. NM236, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; or delivered in 
duplicate to the Transport Airplane Directorate at the above address. 
All comments must be marked: Docket No. NM236. Comments may be 
inspected in the Rules Docket weekdays, except Federal holidays, 
between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Connie Beane, FAA, Standardization 
Branch, ANM-113, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone 
(425) 227-2796; facsimile (425) 227-1100.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA has determined that notice and opportunity for prior public 
comment hereon are impracticable because these procedures would 
significantly delay certification, and thus delivery, of the affected 
airplane. 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; however, the FAA invites interested persons to participate in 
this rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. The 
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the special 
conditions, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include 
supporting data. We ask that you send us two copies of written 
comments.
    We will file in the docket all comments we receive, as well as a 
report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning these special conditions. The docket is available for public 
inspection before and after the comment closing date. If you wish to 
review the docket in person, go to the address in the ADDRESSES section 
of this preamble between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
    We will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing 
date for comments. We will consider comments filed late if it is 
possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. We may change 
these special conditions in light of the comments we receive.
    If you want the FAA to acknowledge receipt of your comments on this 
proposal, include with your comments a pre-addressed, stamped postcard 
on which the docket number appears. We will stamp the date on the 
postcard and mail it back to you.

Background

    On July 31, 2002, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Dallas, Texas, 
applied for a supplemental type certificate (STC) to modify Bombardier 
Model CL-600-1A11 and CL-600-2A12 airplanes. These airplanes are low-
wing, pressurized transport category airplanes with two fuselage-
mounted jet engines. They are capable of seating a maximum of 19 
passengers, depending upon the configuration. The modification 
incorporates the installation of a Rockwell Collins FDS-2000 five 
``tube'' Electronic Display System consisting of the following major 
components:
    [sbull] Five (5) AFD-2000A Adaptive Flight Displays: Pilot 
Electronic Attitude Indicator (EADI), Pilot Electronic Horizontal 
Situation Indicator (EHSI), Multi-Function Display (MFD), Copilot EADI, 
Copilot EHSI.
    [sbull] Three (3) DCP-2000 Display Control Panels: Pilot, MFD, 
Copilot.
    [sbull] Two (2) DCU-2000 Data Concentrator Units.
    This system has a potential to be vulnerable to high-intensity 
radiated fields (HIRF) external to the airplane.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.101, Amendment 21-69, effective 
September 16, 1991, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation must show that 
Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 and CL-600-2A12 airplanes, as modified to 
include installation of the Rockwell Collins FDS-2000 Electronic 
Display System, continue to meet the applicable provisions of the 
regulations incorporated by reference in Type Certificate No. A21EA or 
the applicable regulations in effect on the date of application for the 
change. Subsequent changes have been made to Sec.  21.101 as

[[Page 65476]]

part of Amendment 21-77, but those changes do not become effective 
until June 10, 2003. The regulations incorporated by reference in the 
type certificate are commonly referred to as the ``original type 
certification basis.'' The specific regulations included in the 
certification basis for Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 and CL-600--A12 
airplanes include 14 CFR part 25, dated February 1, 1965, including 
amendments 25-1 through 25-37, and sections 25.675(a), 25.685(a), 
25.733(c), 25.775(e), 25.787(c), 25.815, 25.841(b), 25.951(a), 
25.979(d) and (e), 25.1041, 25.1143(e), 25.1303(a), 25.1322, 
25.1385(c), 25.1557(b), and 25.1583(a) of Amendment 25-38; sections 
25.901(b) and (c), 25.903(c) and (e), 25.933(a), 25.943, 25.959, 
25.1091(a) and (d), 25.1145(c), 25.1199(b) and (c), 25.1207, 25.1549, 
and 25.1585(a)(9) of Amendment 25-40; and section 25.1309 of Amendment 
25-41; section 25.1353(c) of Amendment 25-42; section 25.571 and 
25.629(d)(4)(v) of Amendment 25-45; and sections 25.351 and 25.603 of 
Amendment 25-46.
    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 Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 
and CL-600-2A12 airplanes because of a novel or unusual design feature, 
special conditions are prescribed under the provisions of Sec.  21.16.
    Special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, are issued in 
accordance with Sec.  11.38 and become part of the airplane's type 
certification basis in accordance with Sec.  21.101(b)(2), Amendment 
21-69, effective September 16, 1991.
    Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which 
they are issued. Should Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation 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 also 
apply to the other model under the provisions of Sec.  21.101(a)(1), 
Amendment 21-69, effective September 16, 1991.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    As noted earlier, Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 and CL-600-2A12 
airplanes modified by Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation will incorporate 
the Rockwell Collins FDS-2000 Electronic Display System that will 
perform critical functions. This system may be vulnerable to high-
intensity radiated fields external to the airplane. The current 
airworthiness standards of part 25 do not contain safety standards 
adequate or appropriate to protect this equipment from the adverse 
effects of HIRF. Accordingly, this system is considered to be a novel 
or unusual design feature.

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 such protection.
    To ensure that a level of safety is achieved that is equivalent to 
that intended by the regulations which are incorporated by reference, 
special conditions are needed for Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 and CL-
600-2A12 airplanes modified by Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation. These 
special conditions will require that the Rockwell Collins FDS-2000 
Electronic Display System, which perform critical functions, be 
designed and installed to preclude component damage and interruption of 
function due to the direct and indirect effects of HIRF.

High-Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF)

    With the trend toward increased power levels from ground-based 
transmitters and the advent of space and satellite communications, 
coupled with electronic command and control of the airplane, the 
immunity of critical digital 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 2 below:
    1. A minimum threat of 100 volts rms (root mean square) 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 field strengths 
indicated in the table below for the frequency ranges indicated. Both 
peak and average field strength components from the table are to be 
demonstrated.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Field strength
                                                      (volts per meter)
                     Frequency                     ---------------------
                                                       Peak     Average
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
1GHz-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 of the root-mean-
  square (rms) over the complete modulation period.

    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 Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 and CL-600-2A12 airplanes 
modified by Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to incorporate the 
Rockwell Collins FDS-2000 Electronic Display System. Should Gulfstream 
Aerospace Corporation apply at a later date for a supplemental type 
certificate to modify any other model included on Type Certificate 
A21EA 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), Amendment 21-69, effective September 
16, 1991.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain design features on Bombardier 
Model CL-600-1A11 and CL-600-A12 airplanes modified by Gulfstream 
Aerospace Corporation to incorporate a Rockwell Collins FDS-2000 
Electronic Display System. It is not a rule of general applicability 
and affects only the applicant which applied to the FAA for approval of 
these features on the airplanes.

[[Page 65477]]

    The substance of the special conditions for these airplanes has 
been subjected to the notice and comment procedure in several prior 
instances and has been derived without substantive change from those 
previously issued. 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 supplemental type certification basis for Bombardier Model CL-600-
1A11 and CL-600-2A12 airplanes as modified by Gulfstream Aerospace 
Corporation.
    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 external to the airplane.
    2. For the purpose of these special conditions, the following 
definition applies: Critical Functions: Functions whose failure would 
contribute to or cause a failure that would prevent the continued safe 
flight and landing of the airplane.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 11, 2002.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-27171 Filed 10-24-02; 8:45 am]
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