[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 1, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31456-31457]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-13436]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. NM446; Special Conditions No. 25-427-SC]


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions.

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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued 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 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: July 1, 2011.

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: 

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 Gulfstream Model GVI airplane 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 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

    This special condition requires 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 special condition establishes a level of safety equivalent to 
that provided by a conventional flight control system and that 
contemplated in existing regulations.

Discussion of Comments

    Notice of proposed special conditions No. 25-11-05-SC for 
Gulfstream GVI airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
February 17, 2011 (76 FR 9265). One supportive comment was received and 
these special conditions are adopted as proposed.

Applicability

    As discussed above, this special condition is applicable to the 
Gulfstream Model GVI airplane. 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

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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 Special Condition

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the following special condition is issued as part of the 
type certification basis for the Gulfstream 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 May 20, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-13436 Filed 5-31-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P