[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 212 (Monday, November 2, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69265-69267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24175]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 27
[Docket No. FAA-2020-1011; Notice No. 27-051-SC]
Special Conditions: AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation,
Leonardo S.p.A. Model A119 and AW119 MKII Helicopters; Pressure
Refueling and Fueling Provisions
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions.
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SUMMARY: This action proposes special conditions for the Leonardo
S.p.A. (Leonardo) Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters. These
helicopters as modified by AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation
(AWPC) will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the
state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for
helicopters. This design feature is the optional closed circuit
refueling receiver (CCRR). 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 that the Administrator considers necessary to
establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the
existing airworthiness standards.
DATES: Send comments on or before December 2, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by Docket No. FAA-2020-1011 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: Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as
described in the following paragraph, and other information as
described in 14 CFR 11.35, 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).
Confidential Business Information: CBI is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by
its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552),
CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to
these special conditions contain commercial or financial information
that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as
private, and that is relevant or responsive to these special
conditions, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI.
Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as
``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential
under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of
these special conditions. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to
Rao Edupuganti, Regulations and Policy Section, AIR-681, Rotorcraft
Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, Aircraft
Certification Service, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas 76177;
telephone (817) 222-4389; facsimile (817) 222-5961. Any commentary that
the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be
placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.
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,
[[Page 69266]]
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rao Edupuganti, Regulations and Policy
Section, AIR-681, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation
Division, Aircraft Certification Service, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort
Worth, Texas 76177; telephone (817) 222-4389; facsimile (817) 222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites 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.
The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date for
comments. The FAA may change these special conditions based on the
comments received.
Background
On January 30, 2020, AWPC applied for a supplemental type
certificate to install an optional CCRR in the Leonardo Model A119 and
AW119 MKII helicopters. The general configuration and the principles of
construction of these helicopters will not be changed by the proposed
modifications. These helicopters are 14 CFR part 27 normal category
helicopters powered by turboshaft engines, with a 7-passenger maximum
capacity and minimum crew of one pilot and a maximum weight of 5,997 lb
(2,720 kg) and 6,283 lb (2,850 kg), respectively. The total useable
fuel capacity of the Leonardo Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters is
157.0 U.S. gallons distributed within the fuel tanks. Both helicopter
models are powered by one Pratt & Whitney Canada Inc. PT6B-37A
turboshaft engine.
Part 27 does not contain requirements for pressure refueling for
normal category helicopters. 14 CFR 29.979, amendment 29-12, provides
these requirements for transport category helicopters. Accordingly,
these special conditions are based on Sec. 29.979 to provide
requirements for the inclusion of the optional CCRR on the Leonardo
Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.101, AWPC must show that the
Leonardo Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters, as changed, continue to
meet the applicable provisions of the regulations listed in Type
Certificate No. H7EU 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 certification basis also
includes certain special conditions, exemptions, or later amended
sections of the applicable part that are not relevant to these proposed
special conditions.
If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness
regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for
the Leonardo Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters 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.
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 Feature
The Leonardo Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters will incorporate
the following novel or unusual design feature: An optional CCRR system
that allows for pressure refueling.
Discussion
AWPC proposes to install an optional CCRR system that includes
provisions for pressure refueling during ground operations with the
engine running and the rotors turning. The design proposed by AWPC
allows for both closed-circuit pressure and normal gravity refueling
and fueling. In this design, the ground crew will be able to perform
closed-circuit pressure refueling by pulling the receiver into place
using the provided lanyard tool after the fuel filler cap is opened.
When gravity fueling is desired, a latch is depressed using the same
lanyard tool. Depressing the latch causes the receiver to swing open to
accommodate any nozzle up to three inches in diameter. The CCRR system
is currently certified on the Leonardo Model AW139 transport category
helicopter. Relative to the Model AW139 installation, the proposed
Model A119 and AW119 MKII installations will be clocked 25 degrees
counter-clockwise, and the receptacle flange will be offset
approximately two inches outboard of the fuselage profile due to
packaging constraints. The mechanical components and functional aspects
of the Model A119 and AW119 MKII CCRR installations are unchanged from
the previously certified AW139 installation.
The part 27 airworthiness regulations in the type certification
basis do not contain appropriate safety standards for this design
feature. However, part 29 regulations contain appropriate airworthiness
standards; therefore, these special conditions are necessary. They are
derived from 14 CFR 29.979, ``Pressure refueling and fueling provisions
below fuel level.''
Section 29.979, amendment 29-12, effective February 1, 1977,
includes standards for pressure refueling and fueling provisions below
fuel level on transport category helicopters. This regulation is
intended to prevent hazards to ground crew, flight crew, and occupants
by reducing the probability of exposure to hazardous quantities of fuel
due to spillage. This regulation also ensures the pressure refueling/
defueling system is designed to prevent overfilling the fuel tank and
to withstand an ultimate load overpressure event without failure.
Section 29.979(a) requires that each fueling connection below the
fuel level in each tank have means to prevent the escape of hazardous
quantities of fuel from that tank in case of malfunction of the fuel
entry valve. The only refueling connection on the Leonardo Model A119
and AW119 MKII helicopters is located above the fuel level of the
single main upper, two main lower, and optional two auxiliary fuel
tanks. As the proposed modification by AWPC does not move the existing
refueling connection below the fuel line of any fuel tank, these
special conditions do not include a requirement derived from 14 CFR
29.979(a).
Section 29.979(b) requires that systems intended for pressure
refueling and fueling have a means in addition to the normal means for
limiting the tank content to prevent damage to the tank in case of
failure of the normal means.
Section 29.979(c) requires that the helicopter pressure fueling
system (not fuel tanks and fuel tank vents) withstand an ultimate load
that is 2.0 times the load arising from the maximum pressure, including
surge, likely to occur during fueling. The maximum surge pressure must
be established with any combination of tank valves being either
intentionally or inadvertently closed.
Section 29.979(d) requires that the helicopter defueling system
(not including fuel tanks and fuel tank vents)
[[Page 69267]]
withstand an ultimate load that is 2.0 times the load arising from the
maximum permissible defueling pressure (positive or negative) at the
helicopter's fueling connection. As the design proposed by AWPC does
not include a defueling capability, these special conditions do not
include a requirement derived from 14 CFR 29.979(d).
These proposed 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 proposed special conditions are
applicable to Leonardo Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters. Should
AWPC apply at a later date for a supplemental type certificate to
modify any other model included on Type Certificate No. H7EU to
incorporate the same novel or unusual design feature, these special
conditions would apply to that model as well.
Conclusion
This action affects only one novel or unusual design feature on the
Leonardo Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters. It is not a rule of
general applicability and affects only the applicant who applied to the
FAA for approval of this feature on these helicopters.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 29
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 Proposed Special Conditions
Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes the
following special conditions as part of the type certification basis
for Leonardo S.p.A. Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters, as modified
by AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation.
The pressure refueling system must be designed and installed as
follows:
(a) For systems intended for pressure refueling, a means in
addition to the normal means for limiting the tank content must be
installed to prevent damage to the fuel tank in case of failure of the
normal means.
(b) The helicopter pressure fueling system (not fuel tanks and fuel
tank vents) must withstand an ultimate load that is 2.0 times the load
arising from maximum pressure, including surge, that is likely to occur
during fueling. The maximum surge pressure must be established with any
combination of tank valves being either intentionally or inadvertently
closed.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas on October 27, 2020.
Jorge Castillo,
Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, AIR-680, Policy & Innovation
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-24175 Filed 10-30-20; 8:45 am]
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