[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 4, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 295-297]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-8241]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-23478; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-175-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Galaxy 
and Model Gulfstream 200 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Galaxy and Model Gulfstream 200 
airplanes. This proposed AD would require revising the Limitations 
section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) by incorporating revised 
takeoff performance tables. This proposed AD results from a correction 
of the power setting logic and table limits in the performance model by 
the engine manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to ensure that the 
flightcrew is provided

[[Page 296]]

with correct information to ensure a safe takeoff at certain altitudes.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 3, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Mail 
Station D-25, Savannah, Georgia 31402-2206, for service information 
identified in this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Borfitz, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2677; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2005-
23478; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-175-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System 
receives them.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Administration of Israel (CAAI), which is the 
airworthiness authority for Israel, notified us that an unsafe 
condition may exist on Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Galaxy and Model 
Gulfstream 200 airplanes. The CAAI advises that the engine manufacturer 
has corrected the power setting logic and table limits in the 
performance model. This correction was necessary to bring the model in 
line with the control software currently installed in the Full 
Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC). The new power setting logic 
sets lower takeoff and automatic performance reserve (APR) N1 values. 
This applies to elevations of 6,000 feet and higher when outside air 
temperature (OAT) is below standard day conditions, as defined by the 
Instrumentation, Systems, and Automations Society (ISA). This 
correction is intended to ensure that the flightcrew is provided with 
correct information to ensure a safe takeoff at certain altitudes.

Relevant Service Information

    Gulfstream Aerospace LP has issued Temporary Revision (TR) 7, dated 
August 18, 2003, to the Gulfstream 200 Airplane Flight Manual. The TR 
describes procedures for incorporating revised takeoff performance 
tables to prevent reduced balanced field length and single engine climb 
performance. Accomplishing the actions specified in the TR is intended 
to adequately address the unsafe condition. The CAAI mandated the 
service information and issued Israeli airworthiness directive 72-03-
05-09, dated September 22, 2003, to ensure the continued airworthiness 
of these airplanes in Israel.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    These airplane models are manufactured in Israel and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec.  21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the 
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAAI has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. We have examined the CAAI's findings, 
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to 
issue an AD for airplanes of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require 
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information 
described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 82 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The proposed AFM revision would take about 1 work hour per airplane, at 
an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $5,330, or $65 
per airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

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    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed 
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
    3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the 
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

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


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Formerly Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.): 
Docket No. FAA-2005-23478; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-175-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by February 
3, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Galaxy 
and Model Gulfstream 200 airplanes, certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from an engine performance modification done 
by the engine manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to ensure that 
the flightcrew is provided with correct information to ensure a safe 
takeoff at certain altitudes.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision

    (f) Within 50 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: 
Revise the Limitations section of the Gulfstream 200 AFM, to include 
the information in Gulfstream Temporary Revision (TR) 7, dated 
August 18, 2003, as specified in the TR. The TR includes procedures 
for incorporating revised takeoff performance tables. Thereafter, 
operate the airplane according to the limitations and procedures in 
the TR. This may be done by inserting a copy of Gulfstream TR 7 in 
the AFM. When the TR has been included in the general revisions of 
the AFM, the general revisions may be inserted in the AFM, provided 
the relevant information in the general revision is identical to 
that in Gulfstream TR 7.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (h) Israeli airworthiness directive 72-03-05-09, dated September 
22, 2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 20, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E5-8241 Filed 1-3-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P