[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 23, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16387-16388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06171]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2014-1076; Special Conditions No. 25-607A-SC]


Special Conditions: Dassault Aviation Model Falcon 6X, Limit 
Pilot Forces--Side-Stick Controller

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions; amendment.

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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Dassault Aviation 
(Dassault) Model Falcon 6X airplane. This airplane 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 airplane is equipped with an electronic flight-control 
system that includes pilot controls through a side stick instead of 
through a conventional wheel or control stick. 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 Dassault on March 23, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Martin, Materials and Structural 
Properties Section, AIR-621, Technical Innovation Policy Branch, Policy 
and Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, 
Washington 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3210; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On July 1, 2012, Dassault Aviation applied for a type certificate 
for their new Model Falcon 5X airplane. Special conditions were issued 
for that design on January 27, 2016 (81 FR 4579). However, Dassault has 
decided not to release an airplane under the model designation Falcon 
5X, instead choosing to change that model designation to Falcon 6X.
    In February of 2018, due to engine supplier issues, Dassault 
extended the type certificate application date for their Model Falcon 
5X airplane under new Model Falcon 6X. This amendment to the original 
special conditions reflects the model-name change. This airplane is a 
twin-engine business jet with seating for 19 passengers and a maximum 
takeoff weight of 77,460 pounds. The Dassault Model Falcon 6X airplane 
design remains unchanged from the Model Falcon 5X in all material 
respects other than different engines.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17, Dassault must show that the 
Model Falcon 6X airplane meets the applicable provisions of part 25, as 
amended by Amendments 25-1 through 25-146.
    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 Dassault Model Falcon 6X 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 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 Dassault Model Falcon 6X 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.  21.17(a)(2).

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The Dassault Model Falcon 6X airplane will incorporate the 
following novel or unusual design feature:
    This airplane is equipped with an electronic flight-control system 
that includes pilot controls through a side stick instead of through a 
conventional wheel or control stick.

Discussion

    The Dassault Model Falcon 6X airplane is equipped with a side stick 
instead of a conventional wheel or control stick. The requirement of 
Sec.  25.397(c), which defines limit pilot forces and torques, applies 
to conventional wheel or control stick and is therefore not adequate 
for this new side-stick design with electronic flight controls that 
affect maneuvering.
    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

    The FAA issued Final Special Conditions, Request for Comment 
Special Conditions No. 25-607-SC for the Dassault Model Falcon 5X 
airplane, which was published in the Federal Register on January 27, 
2016 (81 FR 4579). No comments were received, and the special 
conditions are adopted as proposed, with amendments.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
Dassault Model Falcon 6X airplane. Should Dassault apply at a later 
date for a change to the type certificate to include another model 
incorporating the same novel or unusual design feature, these

[[Page 16388]]

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.

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(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, in lieu of 
the aileron-control and elevator-control forces specified in Sec.  
25.397(c), as part of the type-certification basis for the Dassault 
Model Falcon 6X airplane.
    For airplanes equipped with side-stick controls designed for forces 
to be applied by one wrist and not arms, the limit pilot forces are as 
follows.
    1. For all components between and including the side-stick control-
assembly handle and its control stops:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Pitch                                Roll
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nose up, 200 lbs force....................  Nose left, 100 lbs force.
Nose down, 200 lbs force..................  Nose right, 100 lbs force.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2. For all other components of the side-stick control assembly, but 
excluding the internal components of the electrical sensor assemblies, 
to avoid damage to the control system as the result of an in-flight 
jam:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Pitch                                Roll
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nose up, 125 lbs force....................  Nose left, 50 lbs force.
Nose down, 125 lbs force..................  Nose right, 50 lbs force.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 18, 2022.
Patrick R. Mullen,
Manager, Technical Innovation Policy Branch, Policy and Innovation 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-06171 Filed 3-22-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P