[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 33 (Thursday, February 17, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9265-9266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-3556]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 33 / Thursday, February 17, 2011 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 9265]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. NM446 Special Conditions No. 25-11-05-SC]


Special Conditions: Gulfstream Model GVI Airplane; Electronic 
Flight Control System: Control Surface Position Awareness

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions.

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SUMMARY: This action proposes special conditions for the Gulfstream GVI 
airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features when 
compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness 
standards for transport category airplanes. These design features 
include an electronic flight control system. 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 
considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that 
established by the existing airworthiness standards.

DATES: We must receive your comments by April 4, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You must mail two copies of your comments to: Federal 
Aviation Administration, Transport Airplane Directorate, Attn: Rules 
Docket (ANM-113), Docket No. NM446, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington, 98057-3356. You may deliver two copies to the Transport 
Airplane Directorate at the above address. You must mark your comments: 
Docket No. NM446. You can inspect comments in the Rules Docket 
weekdays, except Federal holidays, between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Jacobsen, FAA, Airplane and 
Flightcrew Interface Branch, ANM-111, Transport Standards Staff, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington, 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-
2011; facsimile (425) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite interested people to take part in this rulemaking by 
sending 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 special conditions. You can inspect the docket 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 based on the comments we receive.
    If you want us to acknowledge receipt of your comments on this 
proposal, include with your comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard 
on which you have written the docket number. We will stamp the date on 
the postcard and mail it back to you.

Background

    On March 29, 2005, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (hereafter 
referred to as ``Gulfstream'') applied for an FAA type certificate for 
its new Gulfstream Model GVI passenger airplane. Gulfstream later 
applied for, and was granted, an extension of time for the type 
certificate, which changed the effective application date to September 
28, 2006. The Gulfstream Model GVI airplane will be an all-new, two-
engine jet transport airplane with an executive cabin interior. The 
maximum takeoff weight will be 99,600 pounds, with a maximum passenger 
count of 19 passengers.

Type Certification Basis

    Under provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
21.17, Gulfstream must show that the Gulfstream Model GVI airplane 
(hereafter referred to as ``the GVI'') meets the applicable provisions 
of 14 CFR part 25, as amended by Amendments 25-1 through 25-119, 25-
122, and 25-124. 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 GVI because of a novel 
or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed under the 
provisions of Sec.  21.16.
    In addition to complying with the applicable airworthiness 
regulations and special conditions, the GVI 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. The FAA must also issue a 
finding of regulatory adequacy pursuant to section 611 of Public Law 
92-574, the ``Noise Control Act of 1972.''
    The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in 
accordance with Sec.  11.38, and they become part of the type 
certification basis under Sec.  21.17(a)(2).
    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 novel or 
unusual design features, the special conditions would also apply to the 
other model under provisions of Sec.  21.101.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The GVI has an electronic flight control system and no direct 
coupling from the cockpit controller to the control surface, so the 
pilot may not be aware of the actual surface position utilized to 
fulfill the requested command. Some unusual flight conditions, such as 
those arising from atmospheric conditions, aircraft malfunctions, or 
engine failures, may result in full or near-full control surface 
deflection. Unless the flightcrew is made aware of excessive deflection 
or impending control surface limiting, piloted or auto-flight system 
control of the airplane might be inadvertently continued to a point 
that could cause a loss of aircraft control or other unsafe

[[Page 9266]]

stability or performance characteristic. Because electronic flight 
control system technology has outpaced existing regulations, a special 
condition is proposed to ensure control surface position awareness by 
the flightcrew.

Discussion of Proposed Special Condition

    This proposed special condition would require that suitable flight 
control position annunciation be provided to the flightcrew when a 
flight condition exists in which near-full surface authority (not crew-
commanded) is being utilized. The suitability of such an annunciation 
must take into account that some pilot-demanded maneuvers, such as a 
rapid roll, are necessarily associated with intended full performance, 
and which may saturate the control surface. Simple alerting systems 
which would annunciate either intended or unexpected control-limiting 
situations must be properly balanced between providing necessary crew 
awareness and avoiding undesirable nuisance warnings.
    This proposed special condition would establish a level of safety 
equivalent to that provided by a conventional flight control system and 
that contemplated in existing regulations.

Applicability

    As discussed above, this proposed special condition is applicable 
to the GVI. Should Gulfstream apply at a later date for a change to the 
type certificate to include another model incorporating the same novel 
or unusual design features, this proposed special condition would apply 
to that model as well.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
of the GVI. 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 Condition

    Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes the 
following special condition as part of the type certification basis for 
the GVI airplanes.
    In addition to compliance with Sec. Sec.  25.143, 25.671, 25.672, 
and 25.1322, the following special condition applies:
    When a flight condition exists where, without being commanded by 
the flightcrew, control surfaces are coming so close to their limits 
that return to the normal flight envelope and/or continuation of safe 
flight requires a specific flightcrew member action, a suitable flight 
control position annunciation must be provided to the flightcrew, 
unless other existing indications are found adequate or sufficient to 
prompt that action.

    Note:  The term ``suitable'' also indicates an appropriate 
balance between necessary operation and nuisance factors.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 8, 2011.
KC Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-3556 Filed 2-16-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P