[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 117 (Wednesday, June 18, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36449-36451]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-15401]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 117 / Wednesday, June 18, 2003 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 36449]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. NM257; Special Conditions No. 25-238-SC]


Special Conditions: Boeing Model 747SP Series; 747-100 Series; 
and 747-200B, -200C, and -200F Series Airplanes; High-Intensity Fields 
(HIRF)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for Boeing Model 747SP 
series; 747-100 series; and 747-200B, -200C, and -200F series 
airplanes. These 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 airplane 
modification includes the installation of an Electronic Flight 
Instrument System (EFIS), which 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.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of these special conditions is June 
10, 2003. Comments must be received on or before July 18, 2003.

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. NM257, 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. NM257.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Dunn, FAA, Airplane and Flight 
Crew Branch, ANM-111, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 227-2799; facsimile (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA has determined that notice and opportunity for public 
comment in accordance with 14 CFR 11.38 are unnecessary, because the 
FAA has provided previous opportunities to comment on substantially 
identical special conditions and has fully considered and addressed all 
the substantive comments received. Based on a review of the comment 
history and the comment resolution, the FAA is satisfied that new 
comments are unlikely. 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 based on the comments we receive.
    If you want the FAA to acknowledge receipt of your comments on 
these special conditions, 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 May 1, 2002, J.R.G Design submitted an application to the New 
York Aircraft Certification Office for a Supplemental Type Certificate 
(STC). The Boeing Model 747SP series; 747-100 series; and 747-200B, -
200C, and -200F series airplanes are being modified for use by a head 
of state; they are non N-registered airplanes operating under part 91. 
This project involves replacing round dial displays in the cockpit with 
four EFIS displays. The EFIS upgrade is for multiple airplane 
installations. These systems may be vulnerable to HIRF external to the 
airplane.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17, J.R.G Design, Inc. must show 
that Boeing Model 747SP series; 747-100 series; and 747-200B, -200C, 
and -200F series airplanes meet the applicable provisions in effect on 
the date of application for the supplemental type certificate or 
applicable provisions of 14 CFR part 25, as amended by Amendments 21-1 
through 25-106, for areas affected by the change to the greatest extent 
feasible. If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations (i.e., part 25 as amended) do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for Boeing Model 747SP series; 747-100 
series; and 747-200 series 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, Boeing Model 747SP series; 747-100 series; and 747-200B, -
200C, and -200F series airplanes 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, 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 defined in 14 CFR 11.19, are issued in 
accordance with Sec.  11.38 and become part of the type

[[Page 36450]]

certification basis in accordance with Sec.  21.101(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, 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, Boeing Model 747SP series; 747-100 series; and 
747-200B, -200C, and -200F series airplanes will incorporate four EFIS 
displays (two for each pilot) that will perform critical functions. 
These systems may be vulnerable to HIRF external to the airplane. The 
current airworthiness standards of part 25 do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for the protection of this equipment from 
the adverse effects of HIRF. Accordingly, these systems are considered 
to be novel or unusual designs.

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 Boeing Model 747SP series; 747-100 series; 
and 747-200B, -200C, and -200F series airplanes. These special 
conditions require that avionic/electronic 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 and the advent of space and satellite communications, 
coupled with electronic command and control of the airplane, the 
immunity of critical avionic/electronic 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 
identified 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 MHzs-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-6GHz........................................       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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note.--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 
Boeing Model 747SP series; 747-110 series; and 747-200B, -200C, and -
200F series airplanes. Should J.R.G. Design apply at a later date for a 
type certificate change for these airplane models incorporating the 
same novel or unusual design feature, these special conditions would 
apply to those airplanes as well, under the provisions of Sec.  
21.101(a)(1), Amendment 21-69, effective September 16, 1991.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on Boeing Model 747SP series; 747-100 series; and 747-200B, -200C, and 
-200F series airplanes. 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 airplane. The FAA has determined that notice and 
opportunity for public comment are unnecessary, because the FAA has 
provided previous opportunities to comment on substantially identical 
special conditions and has fully considered and addressed all the 
substantive comments received. The FAA is satisfied that new comments 
are unlikely and finds, therefore, that good cause exists for making 
these special conditions effective upon issuance.

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 Boeing Model 747SP series; 747-100 
series; and 747-200B, -200C, and -200F series airplanes.
    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.


[[Page 36451]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington on June 10, 2003.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-15401 Filed 6-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M