[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 203 (Thursday, October 20, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65103-65105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27196]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1141; Special Conditions No. 25-451-SC]


Special Conditions: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Model GIV-X 
Airplane; Aircraft Electronic System Security Protection From 
Unauthorized External Access

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Gulfstream 
Aerospace Corporation Model GIV-X 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 by external computer systems and 
networks. Connectivity by 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: The effective date of these special conditions is October 13, 
2011. We must receive your comments by December 5, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2011-1141 
using any of the following methods:
     Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/ and follow the online instructions for sending 
your comments electronically.
     Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30, U.S. 
Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room 
W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery or by Courier: Take comments to Docket 
Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at 202-493-2251.
    Privacy: The FAA will post all comments it receives, without 
change, to http://www.regulations.gov/, including any personal 
information the commenter provides. Using the search function of the 
docket Web site, anyone can find and read the electronic form of all 
comments received into any FAA docket, including the name of the 
individual sending the comment (or signing the comment for an 
association, business, labor union, etc.). DOT's complete Privacy Act 
Statement can be found in the Federal Register published on April 11, 
2000 (65 FR 19477-19478), as well as at http://DocketsInfo.dot.gov/.
    Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at 
http://www.regulations.gov/ at any time. Follow the online instructions 
for accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 
of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Varun Khanna, FAA, Airplane and Flight 
Crew Interface Branch, ANM-111, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1298; facsimile 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has determined that notice of, and 
opportunity for prior public comment on, these special conditions are 
impracticable because these procedures would significantly delay 
issuance of the design approval and thus delivery of the affected 
aircraft. In addition, the substance of these special conditions has 
been subject to the public comment process in several prior instances 
with no substantive comments received. The FAA therefore finds that 
good cause exists for making these special conditions effective upon 
issuance.

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 will consider all comments we receive by the closing date for

[[Page 65104]]

comments. We may change these special conditions based on the comments 
we receive.

Background

    On April 21, 2011, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (hereafter 
referred to as ``Gulfstream'') applied for a supplemental type 
certificate to install a new interior design configuration in the 
Gulfstream Model GIV-X passenger airplane. The Gulfstream Model GIV-X 
is a two-engine jet transport airplane with a maximum takeoff weight of 
47,600 pounds and an interior configuration for a maximum of 19 
passengers.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) 21.101, Gulfstream must show that the Gulfstream Model GIV-X 
airplane (hereafter referred to as the ``GIV-X''), as changed, 
continues to meet the applicable provisions of the regulations 
incorporated by reference in Type Certificate No. A12EA or the 
applicable regulations in effect on the date of application for the 
change. The regulations incorporated by reference in the type 
certificate are commonly referred to as the ``original type 
certification basis.'' The regulations incorporated by reference in 
Type Certificate No. A12EA are as follows:
    14 CFR part 25, effective February 1, 1965, including Amendments 
25-1 through 25-56, except for the following sections which are limited 
to showing compliance with the amendments indicated: Part 25 effective 
February 1, 1965, Sec. Sec.  25.109, 25.571, and 25.813; part 25 
Amendment 25-22, Sec.  25.571; and part 25 Amendment 25-15, Sec.  
25.807(c)(2). In addition, the certification basis includes certain 
special conditions, exemptions, and equivalent safety findings 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 GIV-X because of a novel or 
unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed under the 
provisions of Sec.  21.16.
    Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which 
they are issued. Should the applicant apply for a supplemental type 
certificate to modify any other model included on the same type 
certificate to incorporate the same novel or unusual design feature, 
the special conditions would also apply to the other model.
    In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special 
conditions, the GIV-X 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 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.  21.101.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The GIV-X 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 sources.

Discussion

    The GIV-X architecture and network configuration may allow 
increased connectivity to, and access by, external airplane sources, 
airline operations, and maintenance systems 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 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 systems, data buses, and servers. 
Therefore, these special conditions are issued to ensure that the 
security (i.e., confidentiality, integrity, and availability) of 
airplane systems is not compromised by unauthorized wired or wireless 
electronic connections.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
Gulfstream Model GIV-X. Should Gulfstream apply at a later date for a 
supplemental type certificate to modify any other model included on the 
Type Certificate No. A12EA to incorporate the same novel or unusual 
design features, these special conditions would apply to that model as 
well.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on one model of airplane. It is not a rule of general applicability and 
affects only the applicant who applied to the FAA for approval of these 
features on the airplane.
    The substance of these special conditions has been subjected to the 
notice and comment period in several prior instances and has been 
derived without substantive change from those previously issued. It is 
unlikely that prior public comment would result in a significant change 
from the substance contained herein. Therefore, because a delay would 
significantly affect the certification of the airplane, which is 
imminent, the FAA has determined that prior public notice and comment 
are unnecessary and impracticable, and good cause exists for adopting 
these special conditions upon issuance. The FAA is requesting comments 
to allow interested persons to submit views that may not have been 
submitted in response to the prior opportunities for comment described 
above.

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 Conditions

    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 Gulfstream Model GIV-X airplanes.
    1. The applicant must ensure airplane electronic system security 
protection 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 are identified and assessed, and that effective electronic 
system security protection strategies are implemented to

[[Page 65105]]

protect the airplane from all adverse impacts on safety, functionality, 
and continued airworthiness.
    3. The applicant must establish appropriate procedures to allow the 
operator to ensure that continued airworthiness of the aircraft is 
maintained, including all post Type Certification modifications that 
may have an impact on the approved electronic system security 
safeguards.

Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-27196 Filed 10-19-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P