[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 117 (Monday, June 18, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36123-36125]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14787]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0625; Special Conditions No. 25-465-SC]


Special Conditions: Gulfstream Aerospace LP (GALP), Model 
Gulfstream G280 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 LP, Model Gulfstream G280 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 or by external computer systems and 
networks. Connectivity to, or access 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

[[Page 36124]]

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 June 7, 2012. 
We must receive your comments by August 2, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2012-0625 
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://govDocketsInfo.govdot.govgov/.
    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 
comments. We may change these special conditions based on the comments 
we receive.

Background

    On March 30, 2006, Gulfstream Aerospace LP (hereafter referred to 
as ``GALP'') applied for a type certificate for their new Model 
Gulfstream G280 (hereafter referred to as ``Model G280'') airplane. The 
Model G280 is a two-engine jet transport airplane with a maximum 
takeoff weight of 39,600 pounds and an emergency exit arrangement to 
support a maximum of 19 passengers. Although the Model G280 design 
includes occupancy provisions for pilot and copilot only (no 
passengers), GALP requested issuance of these special conditions to 
support efficient design and certification of passenger cabin interiors 
through the supplemental type certification process.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) 21.17, GALP must show that the Model G280 meets the applicable 
provisions of part 25, as amended by Amendments 25-1 through 25-120, 
thereto, and Amendment 25-122. 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 Model G280 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 type certificate for that model be amended 
later to include any other model that incorporates 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 Model G280 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; and the FAA must issue a finding of 
regulatory adequacy under 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).

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The Model G280 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, display, 
monitoring, and navigation systems (aircraft control functions);
    2. Airline business and administrative support (airline information 
services);
    3. Passenger information and entertainment systems (passenger 
entertainment services); and,
    4. The capability to allow access to or by systems external to the 
airplane.

Discussion

    The Model G280 architecture and network configuration may allow 
increased connectivity to, or access by, external airplane sources, 
airline operations, and maintenance systems to the aircraft control 
functions and airline information services. The aircraft control 
functions and airline information services perform functions required 
for the safe operation and maintenance of the airplane. Previously 
these functions and services 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.

[[Page 36125]]

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 
Model G280. Should GALP apply at a later date for a change to the type 
certificate to include another model incorporating the same novel or 
unusual design feature, the 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.
    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 Aerospace LP, Model 
Gulfstream G280 airplanes.
    1. Airplane Electronic System Security Protection from Unauthorized 
External Access. The applicant must ensure airplane electronic system 
security protection from access to or 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 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 7, 2012.
Michael J. Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-14787 Filed 6-15-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P