[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 33 (Tuesday, February 19, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11554-11555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-03657]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1216; Special Conditions No. 25-479-SC]


Special Conditions: Embraer S.A., Model EMB-550 Airplane, Limit 
Pilot Forces for Sidestick Control

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions.

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SUMMARY: These special conditions for the Embraer S.A. Model EMB-550 
airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature, 
specifically sidestick controllers designed to be operated with only 
one hand. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain 
adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. 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: March 21, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Martin, FAA, Airframe and Cabin 
Safety Branch, ANM-115, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington, 98057-
3356; telephone 425-227-1178; facsimile 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On May 14, 2009, Embraer S.A. applied for a type certificate for 
their new Model EMB-550 airplane. The Model EMB-550 airplane is the 
first of a new family of jet airplanes designed for corporate flight, 
fractional, charter, and private owner operations. The aircraft has a 
conventional configuration with low wing and T-tail empennage. The 
primary structure is metal with composite empennage and control 
surfaces. The Model EMB-550 airplane is designed for 8 passengers, with 
a maximum of 12 passengers. It is equipped with two Honeywell HTF7500-E 
medium bypass ratio turbofan engines mounted on aft fuselage pylons. 
Each engine produces approximately 6,540 pounds of thrust for normal 
takeoff. The primary flight controls consist of hydraulically powered 
fly-by-wire elevators, ailerons, and rudder, controlled by the pilot or 
copilot sidestick.
    Current regulations reference pilot effort loads for the cockpit 
pitch and roll controls that are based on a two-handed effort. The 
cockpit roll and pitch controls for the Model EMB-550 airplane are 
designed for one-handed operation.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) 21.17, Embraer S.A. must show that the Model EMB-550 airplane 
meets the applicable provisions of part 25, as amended by Amendments 
25-1 through 25-127 thereto.
    If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations 14 CFR part 25 do not contain adequate or appropriate 
safety standards for the Model EMB-550 airplane 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 or similar 
novel or unusual design feature, the special conditions would also 
apply to the other model under Sec.  21.101.
    In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special 
conditions, the Model EMB-550 airplane 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 Embraer S.A. Model EMB-550 airplane will incorporate the 
following novel or unusual design features: The Model EMB-550 airplane 
is equipped with a sidestick controller instead of a conventional wheel 
or control stick. This kind of controller is designed to be operated 
using only one hand. The requirement of 14 CFR 25.397(c), which defines 
limit pilot forces and torques for conventional wheel or stick 
controls, is not appropriate for a sidestick controller. Therefore, a 
special condition is necessary to specify the appropriate loading 
conditions for this kind of controller.

Discussion

    The Embraer S.A. Model EMB-550 airplane is equipped with a 
sidestick controller instead of a conventional wheel or control stick. 
This kind of controller is designed to be operated using only one hand. 
The requirement of 14 CFR 25.397(c), which defines limit pilot forces 
and torques for conventional wheel or stick controls, is not 
appropriate for a sidestick controller, because pilot forces are 
applied to sidestick controllers with only the wrist, not arms. 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.

Discussion of Comments

    Notice of proposed special conditions No. 25-12-13-SC for the 
Embraer S.A. Model EMB-550 airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on November 20, 2012, (77 FR 69571). No comments were 
received, and the special conditions are adopted as proposed.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
Model EMB-550 airplane. Should Embraer S.A. 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

[[Page 11555]]

of airplanes. It is not a rule of general applicability.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25

    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.


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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 Embraer S.A. Model EMB-550 airplanes.

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1. Limit Pilot Forces for Sidestick Control.
    In lieu of the pilot forces specified in Sec.  25.397(c):
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(a) The limit pilot forces are:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Pitch                                 Roll
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nose up 200 pounds force (lbf).......  Nose left 100 lbf
Nose down 200 lbf....................  Nose right 100 lbf
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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(b) For all other components of the sidestick control assembly, 
excluding the internal components of the electrical sensor assemblies, 
to avoid damage as a result of an in-flight jam.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Pitch                                Roll
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nose up 125 lbf.......................  Nose left 50 lbf
Nose down 125 lbf.....................  Nose right 50 lbf
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 12, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-03657 Filed 2-15-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P