[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 3, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5239-5240]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-2195]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Proposed Notification Regarding Function and Reliability Testing 
for Turbofan-Powered Airplanes of 6,000 Pounds or Less Maximum 
Certificated Weight

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: All new certification projects for turbofan-powered airplanes 
of 6,000 pounds or less maximum certificated weight will be reviewed 
for possible issuance of special conditions to require function and 
reliability testing. The special condition, if required, would 
effectively require compliance with the requirements of 14 CFR part 21, 
section 21.35, paragraphs (b)(2) and (f), and would be issued under the 
procedural rules found in 14 CFR part 11. Such a special condition will 
not be applied to

[[Page 5240]]

any ongoing, active certification project with an established 
certification basis.

DATES: Send comments by March 4, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments to Mr. Steve Thompson, Small Airplane 
Directorate (ACE-112), Federal Aviation Administration, 901 Locust, 
Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may also be sent by 
electronic mail to [email protected]. Comments may be inspected 
at the above address between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays, except 
Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Steve Thompson, Small Airplane 
Directorate (ACE-112), Federal Aviation Administration, 901 Locust, 
Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 329-4126, fax 
(816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite your comments on this notice. Send any data or views 
about the subject of this notice, as desired. Identify comments with 
``Small Jets Function and Reliability Comments, ATTN: Steve Thompson.'' 
The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date listed 
above before issuing a final notice.

Background

    Before Amendment 3-4, Section 3.19 of Civil Air Regulation (CAR) 
part 3 required service tests of all airplanes type certificated on or 
after May 15, 1947. The purpose of these tests was to ``ascertain 
whether there is reasonable assurance that the airplane, its 
components, and equipment are reliable and function properly.''
    Amendment 3-4 to CAR part 3 became effective January 15, 1951, and 
deleted the service test requirement in Section 3.19 for airplanes of 
6,000 pounds maximum weight or less. The introductory text published in 
Amendment 3-4 explained that most of the significant changes in the 
amendment stemmed from ``the desire for simplification of the rules in 
this part with respect to the smaller airplanes, specifically those of 
6,000 pounds maximum weight or less, which would be expected to be used 
mainly as personal airplanes.'' The introductory material also stated 
the service test requirement was removed for airplanes of 6,000 pounds 
maximum weight or less because ``experience seems to indicate that this 
rule imposes a burden upon the manufacturers not commensurate with the 
safety gained.'' The requirement for function and reliability testing, 
and the exception for airplanes of 6,000 pounds or less maximum weight, 
is now found in 14 CFR part 21, section 21.35(b)(2).
    The decision to except airplanes of 6,000 pounds maximum weight or 
less from function and reliability testing was based on the state of 
technology envisaged in 1951. At that time, airplanes of 6,000 pounds 
maximum weight or less were expected to be used mainly as personal 
airplanes. The safety gained by requiring function and reliability 
testing for these airplanes did not warrant the associated added burden 
on the manufacturers. However, advances in technology have made 
possible creating turbofan-powered airplanes weighing less than 6,000 
pounds that have complexity and design features not envisaged in 1951. 
These airplanes may also incorporate turbine engines of a type not 
previously used in a type-certificated aircraft. Because of their 
capabilities, these airplanes are viable business and commercial 
transportation and are not expected to be used mainly as personal 
airplanes. Therefore, a special condition to require function and 
reliability testing for turbofan-powered airplanes weighing 6,000 
pounds or less may be needed to establish safety equivalent to that 
established by the existing airworthiness standards.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 13, 2004.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-2195 Filed 2-2-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P