[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 159 (Thursday, August 18, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 48627]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16410]



[[Page 48627]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Policy Statement No. ANM-115-05-005]


Policy Statement on Acceptance of a Component Test Method To 
Demonstrate

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:  Notice of final policy.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces the 
availability of final policy on a component method for demonstrating 
that a seat with a replacement bottom cushion complies with Sec.  
25.562(c)(2). This policy addresses non-flotation monolithic (single 
layer) cushions.

DATES: This final policy was issued by the Transport Airplane 
Directorate on August 9, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael T. Thompson, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Transport Airplane Directorate, Transport Standards 
Staff, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
WA 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-1157; fax (425) 227-1232; e-mail; 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Disposition of Comments

    A notice of proposed policy; request for comments, was published in 
the Federal Register on April 11, 2005 (70 FR 18453). Three commenters 
responded to the request for comments.

Background

    Historically, substantiating changes to the bottom cushion of a 
seat certificated to Sec.  25.562 that could affect the lumbar load 
typically required a full-scale 14g downward dynamic test using the 
actual seat. Industry desired a quicker and less expensive method in 
lieu of full scale testing. As a result, the FAA funded a research 
project to develop a component test methodology for demonstrating that 
a replacement bottom cushion would not produce a higher lumbar load 
than a certificated bottom cushion for a seat certificated to Sec.  
25.562. This research resulted in an acceptable methodology that is 
documented in DOT/FAA/AR-05/5,I ``Development and Validation of an 
Aircraft Seat Cushion Component Test--Volume I,'' dated March 2005. 
This method provides a simplified means of demonstrating compliance 
with Sec.  25.562 and will streamline the seat certification process by 
reducing the costs and time associated with seat certification.
    Seat bottom cushion changes must be evaluated to determine that 
compliance with Sec.  25.562 is maintained when considering both the 
14g downward test and the 16g longitudinal test specified in the 
regulation. This policy addresses demonstrating compliance with the 
lumbar load criteria of Sec.  25.562(c)(2) that is determined in a 14g 
downward test.
    The final policy memorandum as well as the disposition of public 
comments received is available on the Internet at the following 
address: http://www.airweb.faa.gov/rgl. If you do not have access to 
the Internet, you can obtain a copy of the final policy memorandum by 
contacting the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 9, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-16410 Filed 8-17-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M