[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 190 (Friday, October 2, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50926-50928]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-23753]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. NM413 Special Conditions No. 25-09-09-SC]


Special Conditions: Boeing Model 747-8/-8F Airplanes, Systems and 
Data Networks Security--Protection of Airplane Systems and Data 
Networks From Unauthorized External Access

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions.

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SUMMARY: This action proposes special conditions for the Boeing Model 
747-8/-8F airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design 
features associated with the architecture and connectivity capabilities 
of the airplane's computer systems and networks, which may allow access 
to external computer systems and networks. Connectivity to external 
systems and networks may result in security vulnerabilities to the 
airplane's systems. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not 
contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design 
features. These proposed special conditions contain the additional 
safety standards that the Administrator

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considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that 
established by the existing airworthiness standards.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 2, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this proposal may be mailed in duplicate to: 
Federal Aviation Administration, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Attention: Rules Docket (ANM-113), Docket No. NM413, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; or delivered in duplicate to the 
Transport Airplane Directorate at the above address. All comments must 
be marked Docket No. NM413. Comments may be inspected in the Rules 
Docket weekdays, except Federal holidays, between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Will Struck, FAA, Airplane and Flight 
Crew Interface Branch, ANM-111, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-
2764; facsimile (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    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 proposed 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 notice 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 the 
proposed special conditions based on comments we receive.
    If you want the FAA to acknowledge receipt of your comments on this 
proposal, 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 November 4, 2005, The Boeing Company, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, WA 
98124, applied for an amendment to Type Certificate Number A20WE to 
include the new Model 747-8 passenger airplane and the new Model 747-8F 
freighter airplane. The Model 747-8 and the Model 747-8F are 
derivatives of the 747-400 and the 747-400F, respectively. Both the 
Model 747-8 and the Model 747-8F are four-engine jet transport 
airplanes that will have a maximum takeoff weight of 975,000 pounds and 
new General Electric GEnx -2B67 engines. The Model 747-8 will have 2 
flight crews and the capacity to carry 660 passengers. The Model 747-8F 
will have 2 flight crews and a zero passenger capacity, although Boeing 
has submitted a petition for exemption to allow the carriage of 
supernumeraries. The maximum takeoff weight will be 975,000 with up to 
eight supernumeraries for the 747-8F.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) 21.17, Boeing must show that the Model 747-8 and 747-8F (hereafter 
referred as 747-8/-8F) meet the applicable provisions of part 25, as 
amended by Amendments 25-1 through 25-120, except for Sec. Sec.  
25.809(a) and 25.812, which will remain at Amendment 25-115. These 
regulations will be incorporated into Type Certificate No. A20WE after 
type certification approval of the 747-8/-8F.
    In addition, the certification basis includes other regulations, 
special conditions and exemptions that are not relevant to these 
proposed special conditions.
    If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for the 747-8/-8F 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 747-8/-8F 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 Sec.  11.19, are issued under 
Sec.  11.38, and become part of the type certification basis under 
Sec.  21.101.
    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 or similar 
novel or unusual design feature, or should any other model already 
included on the same type certificate be modified to incorporate the 
same or similar novel or unusual design feature, the special conditions 
would also apply to the other model under Sec.  21.101.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The Boeing Model 747-8/-8F airplane will incorporate the following 
novel or unusual design features: Digital systems architecture composed 
of several connected networks. The proposed architecture and network 
configuration may be used for, or interfaced with, a diverse set of 
functions, including:
    1. Flight-safety related control, communication, and navigation 
systems (aircraft control domain),
    2. Airline business and administrative support (airline information 
domain),
    3. Passenger information and entertainment systems (passenger 
entertainment domain), and
    4. The capability to allow access to or by external network 
sources.

Discussion

    The proposed Model 747-8/-8F architecture and network configuration 
may allow increased connectivity to and access from external network 
sources and airline operations and maintenance networks to the aircraft 
control domain and airline information domain. The aircraft control 
domain and airline information domain perform functions required for 
the safe operation and maintenance of the airplane. Previously these 
domains had very limited connectivity with external network sources.
    The architecture and network configuration may allow the 
exploitation of network security vulnerabilities resulting in 
intentional or unintentional destruction, disruption, degradation, or 
exploitation of data, systems, and networks critical to the safety and 
maintenance of the airplane.
    The existing regulations and guidance material did not anticipate 
these types of airplane system architectures. Furthermore, 14 CFR 
regulations and current system safety assessment policy and techniques 
do not address potential security vulnerabilities, which could be 
exploited by unauthorized access to airplane networks, data buses, and 
servers. Therefore, these special conditions and a means of compliance 
are proposed to ensure that the security (i.e., confidentiality, 
integrity, and availability) of airplane systems is not compromised by 
unauthorized wired or wireless electronic connections.

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Applicability

    As discussed above, these proposed special conditions are 
applicable to Boeing Model 747-8/-8F airplanes. Should Boeing apply at 
a later date for a change to the type certificate to include another 
model incorporating the same novel or unusual design features, these 
proposed 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 
of the Boeing Model 747-8/-8F airplane. It is not a rule of general 
applicability.

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 Proposed Special Conditions

    Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes the 
following special conditions as part of the type certification basis 
for the Boeing Model 747-8/-8F airplane.
    1. The applicant must ensure electronic system security protection 
for the aircraft control domain and airline information domain from 
access by unauthorized sources external to the airplane, including 
those possibly caused by maintenance activity.
    2. The applicant must ensure that electronic system security 
threats from external sources are identified and assessed, and that 
effective electronic system security protection strategies are 
implemented to protect the airplane from all adverse impacts on safety, 
functionality, and continued airworthiness.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 23, 2009.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-23753 Filed 10-1-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P