[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 208 (Friday, October 26, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54057-54059]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-22661]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
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. 83, No. 208 / Friday, October 26, 2018 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 54057]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 23
[Docket No. FAA-2018-0918; Notice No. 23-18-03-SC]
Special Conditions: Innovative Solutions & Support, Inc.; Textron
Aviation, Inc. Model B200-Series Airplanes; Autothrust Functions
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions.
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SUMMARY: This action proposes special conditions for Textron Aviation,
Inc. B200-series airplanes. These airplanes as modified by Innovative
Solutions & Support, Inc., will have a novel or unusual design feature
associated with an autothrust system. The applicable airworthiness
regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for
this design feature. These proposed special conditions contain the
additional safety standards the Administrator considers necessary to
establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the
existing airworthiness standards.
DATES: Send your comments on or before December 10, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2018-0918
using any of the following methods:
[ssquf] Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
[ssquf] 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.
[ssquf] Hand Delivery of 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 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
[ssquf] Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at 202-493-2251.
Privacy: The FAA will post all comments it receives, without
change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information
the commenter provides. Using the search function of the docket
website, 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: Jeff Pretz, AIR-691, Regulations &
Policy Section, Small Airplane Standards Branch, Policy & Innovation
Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation
Administration, 901 Locust; Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone
(816) 329-3239; facsimile (816) 329-4090; email [email protected].
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 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.
Background
On December 14, 2017, Innovative Solutions & Support, Inc.
(Innovative Solutions), applied for a supplemental type certificate for
installation of an autothrust system (ATS)--also known as an
autothrottle system--in Textron Aviation, Inc., (Textron) B200-series
airplanes. The B200-series airplanes are powered by two Pratt & Whitney
PT6A turbo-propeller engines--depending on airplane model--that can
carry thirteen passengers, including two-flightcrew members. These
airplanes have a service ceiling up to 35,000-feet and a maximum
takeoff weight of up to 12,500 pounds in the normal category. These
airplanes are approved for single-pilot operation.
The installation of an ATS in Textron B200-series airplanes is
intended to reduce pilot workload. The ATS is useable in all phases of
flight except below decision height on approach. The system includes a
torque and airspeed mode along with monitors to prevent the system from
exceeding critical engine or airspeed limits. Throttle movement is
provided by a stepper motor acting through a linear actuator, which
acts as a link between the stepper motor and throttle. The liner
actuator can be overridden by pilot movement of the throttle and
automatically disengages upon disagreement in the expected throttle
position versus its actual position.
Section 23.1329, amendment 23-49, only contained requirements for
automatic pilot systems that act on the airplane flight controls.
Autothrust systems are automatic systems that act on the thrust
controls. These systems provide enhanced automation and safety, but may
also introduce pilot confusion, countering the safety benefit. 14 CFR
25.1329, amendment 25-119, addresses these concerns. Therefore, these
proposed special conditions are based on Sec. 25.1329 and provide
additional requirements to standardize the pilot interface and system
behavior and enhance pilot awareness of system active and armed modes.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of Sec. 21.101, Innovative Solutions must
show that B200-series airplanes, as changed, continue to meet the
applicable provisions of the regulations incorporated by reference in
Type Certificate (TC) No. A24CE \1\ or the
[[Page 54058]]
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 TC
No. A24CE are as follows: 14 CFR part 23, amendments 23-1 through 23-9,
plus various later part 23 amendments--depending on the model and
serial number of the airplane--as noted on Type Certification Data
Sheet A24CE.
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\1\ See http://rgl.faa.gov/.
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If the Administrator finds the applicable airworthiness regulations
(i.e., 14 CFR part 23) do not contain adequate or appropriate safety
standards for B200-series airplanes 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(s) 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 or similar novel or unusual design
feature, the FAA would apply these special conditions to the other
model under Sec. 21.101.
In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, B200-series airplanes 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
Textron B200-series airplanes will incorporate the following novel
or unusual design features:
Autothrust system, which provides commands to two linear actuators,
one attached to each throttle lever, that automatically control thrust
on each engine. The autothrust system can be operated in either Torque
Control Mode or Airspeed Mode.
Discussion
The current part 23 airworthiness regulations do not contain
appropriate safety standards for an ATS installation; hence, the need
for special conditions. However, part 25 regulations contain
appropriate airworthiness standards; therefore, these proposed special
conditions are derived from 14 CFR 25.1329, amendment 25-119. Sections
23.143, amendment 23-50, and 23.1309, amendment 23-62, would be used
instead of the corresponding part 25 regulations referenced in Sec.
25.1329.
Applicability
As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to
Textron B200-series airplanes. Should Innovative Solutions apply at a
later date for a supplemental type certificate to modify any other
model included on TC No. A24CE to incorporate the same novel or unusual
design feature, the FAA would apply these special conditions to that
model as well.
Conclusion
This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features
on one model series of airplanes. It is not a rule of general
applicability and it affects only the applicant who applied to the FAA
for approval of these features on the airplane.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 23
Aircraft, Aviation safety, Signs and symbols.
The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40113, 44701-44702, 44704,
Pub. L. 113-53, 127 Stat. 584 (49 U.S.C. 44704) note.
The Proposed Special Conditions
0
Accordingly, the FAA proposes the following special conditions as part
of the type certification basis for Textron Aviation, Inc., B200-series
airplanes as modified by Innovative Solutions & Support, Inc.
1. Autothrottle System
In addition to the requirements of Sec. Sec. 23.143, 23.1309, and
23.1329, the following apply:
(a) Quick disengagement controls for the autothrust functions must
be provided for each pilot. The autothrust quick disengagement controls
must be located on the thrust control levers. Quick disengagement
controls must be readily accessible to each pilot while operating the
thrust control levers.
(b) The effects of a failure of the system to disengage the
autothrust functions when manually commanded by the pilot must be
assessed in accordance with the requirements of Sec. 23.1309.
(c) Engagement or switching of the flight guidance system, a mode,
or a sensor may not cause the autothrust system to affect a transient
response that alters the airplane's flight path any greater than a
minor transient, as defined in paragraph (1)(l)(1) of this section.
(d) Under normal conditions, the disengagement of any automatic
control function of a flight guidance system may not cause a transient
response of the airplane's flight path any greater than a minor
transient.
(e) Under rare normal and non-normal conditions, disengagement of
any automatic control function of a flight guidance system may not
result in a transient any greater than a significant transient, as
defined in paragraph (1)(l)(2) of this section.
(f) The function and direction of motion of each command reference
control, such as heading select or vertical speed, must be plainly
indicated on, or adjacent to, each control if necessary to prevent
inappropriate use or confusion.
(g) Under any condition of flight appropriate to its use, the
flight guidance system may not produce hazardous loads on the airplane,
nor create hazardous deviations in the flight path. This applies to
both fault-free operation and in the event of a malfunction, and
assumes the pilot begins corrective action within a reasonable period
of time.
(h) When the flight guidance system is in use, a means must be
provided to avoid excursions beyond an acceptable margin from the speed
range of the normal flight envelope. If the airplane experiences an
excursion outside this range, a means must be provided to prevent the
flight guidance system from providing guidance or control to an unsafe
speed.
(i) The flight guidance system functions, controls, indications,
and alerts must be designed to minimize flight crew errors and
confusion concerning the behavior and operation of the flight guidance
system. Means must be provided to indicate the current mode of
operation, including any armed modes, transitions, and reversions.
Selector switch position is not an acceptable means of indication. The
controls and indications must be grouped and presented in a logical and
consistent manner. The indications must be visible to each pilot under
all expected lighting conditions.
(j) Following disengagement of the autothrust function, a caution
(visual and auditory) must be provided to each pilot.
(k) During autothrust operation, it must be possible for the
flightcrew to move the thrust levers without requiring excessive force.
The autothrust may not create a potential hazard when the flightcrew
applies an override force to the thrust levers.
(l) For purposes of this section, a transient is a disturbance in
the control or flight path of the airplane that is not
[[Page 54059]]
consistent with response to flight crew inputs or environmental
conditions.
(1) A minor transient would not significantly reduce safety margins
and would involve flightcrew actions that are well within their
capabilities. A minor transient may involve a slight increase in flight
crew workload or some physical discomfort to passengers or cabin crew.
(2) A significant transient may lead to a significant reduction in
safety margins, an increase in flight crew workload, discomfort to the
flightcrew, or physical distress to the passengers or cabin crew,
possibly including non-fatal injuries. Significant transients do not
require, in order to remain within or recover to the normal flight
envelope, any of the following:
(i) Exceptional piloting skill, alertness, or strength.
(ii) Forces applied by the pilot that are greater than those
specified in Sec. 23.143(c).
(iii) Accelerations or attitudes in the airplane that might result
in further hazard to secured or non-secured occupants.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 10, 2018.
Jacqueline Jambor,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-22661 Filed 10-25-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P