[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 225 (Wednesday, November 21, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58740-58742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-25362]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0781; Special Conditions No. 25-737-SC]


Special Conditions: Garmin International, Textron Aviation Inc. 
Model 560XL; Airplane 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 Textron Aviation 
(Textron) Model 560XL, formerly known as, prior to July 29, 2015, the 
Cessna Model 560XL. This airplane, as modified by Garmin International 
(Garmin), will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to 
the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for 
transport category airplanes. This design feature is Garmin G5000 
avionics that allow external connection to previously isolated data 
networks, which are connected to systems that perform

[[Page 58741]]

functions required for the safe operation of the airplane. This feature 
creates a potential for unauthorized persons to access the aircraft-
control domain and airline information-services domain, and presents 
security vulnerabilities related to the introduction of computer 
viruses and worms, user errors, and intentional sabotage of airplane 
electronic assets (networks, systems, and databases). 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: This action is effective on Garmin on November 21, 2018. Send 
comments on or before January 7, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket no. FAA-2018-0781 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 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.
     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 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).
    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 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, Airplane and Flightcrew 
Interface Section, AIR-671, Transport Standards Branch, Policy and 
Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, Washington 98198; 
telephone and fax 206-231-3159; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The substance of these special conditions 
has been published in the Federal Register for public comment in 
several prior instances with no substantive comments received. The FAA 
therefore finds it unnecessary to delay the effective date and finds 
that good cause exists for making these special conditions effective 
upon publication in the Federal Register.

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 21, 2017, Garmin applied for a supplemental type 
certificate to install Garmin G5000 avionics connected to the aircraft-
control domain and airline information-services domain in Textron Model 
560XL airplanes. This is a twin-engine, turbofan airplane with seating 
for 12 passengers and two crew members, and a maximum takeoff weight of 
20,200 pounds.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) 21.101, Garmin must show that the Textron Model 560XL airplane, as 
changed, continues to meet the applicable provisions of the regulations 
listed in Type Certificate No. A22CE, or the applicable regulations in 
effect on the date of application for the change, except for earlier 
amendments as agreed upon by the FAA.
    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 Textron Model 560XL 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 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, 
these special conditions would also apply to the other model under 
Sec.  21.101.
    In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special 
conditions, the Textron Model 560XL 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.
    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 Textron Model 560XL airplane, as modified by Garmin, will 
incorporate the following novel or unusual design features:
    Garmin G5000 avionics that allow external connection to previously 
isolated data networks, which are connected to systems that perform 
functions required for the safe operation of the airplane.

Discussion

    The Textron Model 560XL airplane architecture and network 
configuration may allow increased connectivity to and access from 
external network sources and airline operations and maintenance 
networks to the airplane control domain and airline information 
services domain. The airplane control domain and airline information-
services domain perform functions required for the safe operation and 
maintenance of the airplane. Previously, these domains had very limited 
connectivity with external network sources. This data network and 
design integration creates a potential for unauthorized persons to 
access the aircraft-control domain and airline information-services 
domain, and presents security vulnerabilities related to the 
introduction of computer viruses and worms, user errors, and 
intentional sabotage of airplane electronic assets (networks, systems, 
and databases) 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 the current system safety assessment policy and 
techniques do not address

[[Page 58742]]

potential security vulnerabilities, which could be exploited by 
unauthorized access to airplane networks, data buses, and servers. 
Therefore, these special conditions ensure that the security (i.e., 
confidentiality, integrity, and availability) of airplane systems is 
not compromised by unauthorized wired or wireless electronic 
connections.
    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.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
Textron Model 560XL airplane. Should Garmin apply at a later date for a 
supplemental type certificate to modify any other model included on 
Type Certificate No. A22CE to incorporate the same novel or unusual 
design feature, 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 the 
features on the airplane.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25

    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

Authority Citation

    The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 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 Textron Model 560XL airplanes, as 
modified by Garmin, for airplane electronic-system security protection 
from unauthorized external access.
    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 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 airplane is 
maintained, including all post-type-certification modifications that 
may have an impact on the approved electronic-system security 
safeguards.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on November 15, 2018.
Chris R. Parker,
Acting Manager, Transport Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-25362 Filed 11-20-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P