[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 250 (Thursday, December 30, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78298-78300]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-28556]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. NM296; Special Conditions No. 25-278-SC]


Special Conditions: Dassault Aviation Model Falcon Fan Jet, 
Falcon Fan Jet Series D, -Series E, -Series F airplanes; and Mystere-
Falcon Model 20-C5, -20-D5, -20-E5, -20-F5, and -200 Series 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 Dassault Aviation 
Model Falcon Fan Jet, Falcon Fan Jet series D, -series E, -series F 
airplanes; and Mystere-Falcon Model 20-C5, -20-D5, -20-E5, -20-F5, and 
-200 series airplanes modified by Premier Air Center. These airplanes 
will have novel and unusual design features when compared to the state 
of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport 
category airplanes. The modification incorporates the installation of a 
Universal EFI-890 Electronic Flight Display System, the Collins 
Attitude-Heading Reference System, and a Computer Instruments 
Corporation (CIC) Air Data System. The applicable airworthiness 
regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for 
the protection of these systems 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 December 20, 
2004. Comments must be received on or before January 31, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Comments on these special conditions may be mailed in 
duplicate to: Federal Aviation Administration, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Attn: Rules Docket (ANM-113), Docket No. NM296, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, Washington, 98055-4056; or delivered in duplicate 
to the Transport Airplane Directorate at the above address. Comments 
must be marked: Docket No. NM296.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Dunn, FAA, Airplane and Flight 
Crew Interface 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 prior public 
comment is impracticable because these procedures would significantly 
delay certification of the airplanes and thus delivery of the affected 
aircraft. 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, we invite interested persons to participate in this 
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. The most 
helpful comments reference a specific portion of the

[[Page 78299]]

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 received.
    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 13, 2004, Premier Air Center, 18 Terminal Drive, East Alton, 
Illinois, 62024, applied for a supplemental type certificate (STC) to 
modify Dassault Aviation Model Falcon Fan Jet, Falcon Fan Jet series D, 
-series E, -series F airplanes; and Mystere-Falcon Model 20-C5, -20-D5, 
-20-E5, -20-F5, and -200 series airplanes. These models are currently 
approved under Type Certificate No. A7EU. These Dassault airplane 
models are transport category airplanes powered by two turbofan engines 
with maximum takeoff weights of up to 29,000 pounds. These airplanes 
operate with a 2-pilot crew and can seat up to 10 passengers. The 
modification incorporates the installation of a Universal EFI-890 
Electronic Flight Display System, the Collins Attitude-Heading 
Reference System, and a Computer Instruments Corporation (CIC) Air Data 
System. The avionics/electronics and electrical systems installed in 
these airplanes have the potential to be vulnerable to high-intensity 
radiated fields (HIRF) external to the airplanes.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.101, Premier Air Center must show 
that the Dassault Aviation Model Falcon Fan Jet, Falcon Fan Jet series 
D, -series E, -series F airplanes; and Mystere-Falcon Model 20-C5, -20-
D5, -20-E5, -20-F5, and -200 series airplanes, as changed, continue to 
meet the applicable provisions of the regulations incorporated by 
reference in Type Certificate No. A7EU, or the applicable regulations 
in effect on the date of application for the change. The regulations 
incorporated by reference in the type certificate are commonly referred 
to as the ``original type certification basis.'' The certification 
basis for the Dassault Aviation Model Falcon-Fan Jet, Falcon Fan Jet 
series D, -series E, -series F airplanes includes the applicable 
paragraphs of CAR 4b, as amended by Amendments 4b-1 through 4b-12, 
Special Regulation SR-422B, and 14 CFR part 25 as amended by Amendments 
25-1 through 25-4, in lieu of CAR 4b.350(e) and (f). The certification 
basis for the Dassault Aviation Mystere-Falcon Model 200 series 
airplanes includes the applicable paragraphs of CAR 4b, as amended by 
Amendments 4b-1 through 4b-12, Special Regulation SR-422B and 14 CFR 
part 25 as amended by Amendments 25-1 through 25-46. The certification 
basis for the Dassault Aviation Mystere-Falcon Model 20-C5, -20-D5, -
20-E5, -20-F5 series airplanes includes the applicable paragraphs of 
CAR 4b, as amended by Amendments 4b-1 through 4b-12, Special Regulation 
SR-422B, and 14 CFR part 25 as amended by Amendments 25-1 through 25-
56; Sec.  25.904 and Appendix 1 as amended by Amendment 25-62; SFAR 27 
as amended by Amendments 27-1 through 27-6; and 14 CFR part 36 as 
amended by Amendments 36-1 through 36-15. In addition, the 
certification basis includes certain later amended sections of the 
applicable part 25 regulations that are not relevant to these special 
conditions.
    If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations (i.e., part 25, as amended) do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for modified Model Falcon Fan Jet, Falcon 
Fan Jet series D, -series E, -series F airplanes; and Mystere-Falcon 
Model 20-C5, -20-D5, -20-E5, -20-F5, and -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, the Dassault Aviation Model Falcon Fan Jet, Falcon Fan Jet 
series D, -series E, -series F airplanes; and Mystere-Falcon Model 20-
C5, -20-D5, -20-E5, -20-F5, and -200 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.
    Special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, are issued in 
accordance with Sec.  11.38, and become part of the type certification 
basis in accordance with Sec.  21.101.
    Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which 
they are issued. Should Premier Air Center apply at a later date for a 
supplemental type certificate to modify any other model included on 
Type Certificate No. A7EU 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.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    As noted earlier, the Dassault Model Falcon Fan Jet, Falcon Fan Jet 
series D, -series E, -series F airplanes; and Mystere-Falcon Model 20-
C5, -20-D5, -20-E5, -20-F5, and -200 series airplanes modified by 
Premier Air Center will incorporate electronic displays and advanced 
heading reference systems that will perform critical functions. These 
systems may be vulnerable to high-intensity radiated fields 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, this 
system is considered to be a novel or unusual design feature.

Discussion

    There is no specific regulation that addresses protection 
requirements for electronic and electrical 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 the Model Falcon Fan Jet, Falcon Fan Jet 
series D, -series E, -series F airplanes; and Mystere-Falcon Model 20-
C5, -20-D5, -20-E5, -20-F5, and -200 series airplanes modified by 
Premier Air Center. These special conditions require that new avionics/
electronics 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.

[[Page 78300]]

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 is shown with either HIRF protection 
special condition 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 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
1 GHz-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 the 
Dassault Aviation Model Falcon Fan Jet, Falcon Fan Jet series D, -
series E, -series F airplanes; and Mystere-Falcon Model 20-C5, -20-D5, 
-20-E5, -20-F5, and -200 series airplanes. Should Premier Air Center 
apply at a later date for a supplemental type certificate to modify any 
other model included on Type Certificate No. A7EU to incorporate the 
same or similar novel or unusual design feature, these special 
conditions would apply to that model as well under the provisions of 
Sec.  21.101.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on the Dassault Aviation Model Falcon Fan Jet, Falcon Fan Jet series D, 
-series E, -series F airplanes; and Mystere-Falcon Model -20-C5, -20-
D5, -20-E5, -20-F5, and -200 series airplanes modified by Premier Air 
Center. It is not a rule of general applicability and affects only the 
applicant who applied to the FAA for approval of these features on the 
airplane.
    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.


0
The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:

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

The Special Conditions

0
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 the Dassault Model Falcon 
Fan Jet, Falcon Fan Jet series D, -series E, -series F airplanes; and 
Mystere-Falcon Model 20-C5, -20-D5, -20-E5, -20-F5, and -200 series 
airplanes modified by Premier Air Center.
    1. Protection from Unwanted Effects of High-Intensity Radiated 
Fields (HIRF). Each electronic and electrical 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 20, 2004.
Kevin Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-28556 Filed 12-29-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P