[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 10 (Friday, January 15, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2433-2434]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-661]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 10 / Friday, January 15, 2010 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 2433]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. NM413; Special Conditions No. 25-401-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: Final special conditions.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued 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 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: Effective Date: February 16, 2010.

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:

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 two 
flight crew and the capacity to carry 660 passengers. The Model 747-8F 
will have two flight crew and a zero passenger capacity, although the 
FAA has issued a partial grant of exemption to Boeing for the carriage 
of up to six 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 
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 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 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

[[Page 2434]]

airplane networks, data bases, and servers. Therefore, these special 
conditions and a means of compliance are provided to ensure that the 
security (i.e., confidentiality, integrity, and availability) of 
airplane systems is not compromised by unauthorized wired or wireless 
electronic connections.

Discussion of Comments

    Notice of proposed special conditions No. 25-09-09-SC for the 
Boeing Model 747-8/-8F airplanes was published in the Federal Register 
on October 2, 2009 (74 FR 50926). No comments were received.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these 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 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.

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 type certification basis for the Boeing Model 747-8/-8F airplanes.
    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 January 5, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-661 Filed 1-14-10; 8:45 am]
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