[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 227 (Tuesday, November 28, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 83019-83022]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-26027]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 227 / Tuesday, November 28, 2023 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 83019]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 21

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1378]


Airworthiness Criteria: Primary Category Airworthiness Design 
Criteria for the ICON Aircraft Inc., Model A5-8 Airplane

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Issuance of final airworthiness criteria.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA announces the primary category airworthiness design 
criteria for type certification of the ICON Aircraft Inc., (ICON) Model 
A5-8 airplane.

DATES: These airworthiness criteria are effective December 28, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Raymond N. Johnston, Avionics 
Navigation & Flight Deck Unit (AIR-626B), Avionics & Electrical Systems 
Section, Technical Policy Branch, Policy & Standards Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 901 Locust 
Street, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; phone (816) 329-4159, fax 
(816) 329-4090, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    ICON applied to the FAA on August 3, 2020, for a primary category 
type certificate (TC) under 14 CFR 21.17(f) for the Model A5-B 
airplanes.
    The ICON Model A5-B airplane consists of a Rotax 912 iS Sport 
piston engine certified by European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA 
TC E.121) with additional FAA validation requirements to account for 
differences between EASA CS-E requirements and FAA 14 CFR part 33 
requirements. The ICON A5-B will utilize a Sensenich 3-blade composite 
propeller that conforms with the ASTM consensus standard for propellers 
identified in Tables 1 and 3 of these airworthiness design criteria. 
The FAA does not plan to issue TCs for the engine or the propeller.
    For continued operational safety (COS) requirements, the applicant 
would need to utilize the processes outlined in ASTM F3198-18 
identified in Tables 1 and 7 of these airworthiness design criteria to 
develop a COS program. Some differences exist between FAA processes for 
COS for primary category aircraft and those outlined for LSA in ASTM 
F3198-18. The operational safety risk assessment information in the 
appendix of ASTM F3198-18 would need to be utilized by the TC holder, 
except notification to the FAA is required for reportable events 
identified in Sec.  21.3. The FAA will then utilize a risk assessment 
process in determining if mandatory action is required.
    Under Sec.  21.17(c), an application for type certification is 
effective for three years, unless the FAA approves a longer period. 
Section 21.17(d) provides that, where a TC has not been issued within 
the time limit established under Sec.  21.17(c), the applicant may file 
for an extension and update the designated applicable regulations in 
the type certification basis. The effective date of the applicable 
airworthiness requirements for the updated type certification basis 
must not be earlier than 3 years before the date of issue of the type 
certificate. Since the project was not certificated within 3 years 
after the application date above, the FAA approved the applicant's 
request to extend the application for type certification. As a result, 
the extended date of application for type certification is September 
26, 2022.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed airworthiness criteria for the 
ICON Model A5-B airplane, which published in the Federal Register on 
August 31, 2023 (88 FR 60153).

Discussion of Comments

    The FAA received no comments.

Applicability

    These airworthiness criteria, established under the provisions of 
Sec.  21.17(f), are applicable to the ICON Model A5-B airplane. Should 
ICON apply at a later date for a change to the type certificate to 
include another model, these airworthiness criteria would apply to that 
model as well, provided the FAA finds them appropriate in accordance 
with the requirements of subpart D to part 21.

Conclusion

    This action affects only the airworthiness criteria for one model. 
It is not a standard of general applicability.

Authority Citation

    The authority citation for these airworthiness criteria is as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702, and 
44704.

Airworthiness Criteria

    Pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the 
following airworthiness criteria are issued as part of the type 
certification basis for the ICON Model A5-B airplane. The FAA finds 
that compliance with the following would mitigate the risks associated 
with the proposed design and would provide an equivalent level of 
safety to existing rules.
    The airworthiness criteria for the issuance of a TC for the ICON 
Aircraft, Inc., Model A5-B airplane, a primary category airplane, and 
its powerplant installation is listed in Tables 1 through 8 below.
    The following certification basis, established under the provisions 
of Sec.  21.17(f), is appropriate for the ICON Model A5-B airplane:

                  Table 1--Airplane Certification Basis
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Consensus
            Subject                standard or     Title and description
                                    regulation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Primary Type Certification....  Sections 21.17(f)  ``Designation of
                                 and 21.24, both    applicable
                                 at amendment 21-   regulations'', and
                                 100.               ``Issuance of type
                                                    certificate: primary
                                                    category aircraft.''

[[Page 83020]]

 
Aircraft Design and             ASTM F2245-20....  ``Standard
 Performance.                                       Specification for
                                                    Design and
                                                    ``Performance of a
                                                    Light Sport
                                                    Airplane'' as
                                                    modified by Table 2
                                                    of these
                                                    airworthiness design
                                                    criteria.
Engine........................  14 CFR part 33,    The FAA will accept
                                 Amendment 33-34.   an engine certified
                                                    by EASA to CS-E at
                                                    amendment 6 that
                                                    meets the additional
                                                    criteria in Table 8
                                                    of these
                                                    airworthiness design
                                                    criteria.
Propeller.....................  ASTM F2506-13....  ``Standard
                                                    Specification for
                                                    Design and Testing
                                                    of Light Sport
                                                    Aircraft
                                                    Propellers'' as
                                                    modified by Table 3
                                                    of these
                                                    airworthiness design
                                                    criteria.
Noise.........................  14 CFR part 36,    ``Noise Standards:
                                 Amendment 36-31.   Aircraft Type and
                                                    Airworthiness
                                                    Certification.''
Airframe Emergency Parachute..  ASTM F2316-12....  ``Standard
                                                    Specification for
                                                    Airframe Emergency
                                                    Parachutes'' as
                                                    modified by Table 4
                                                    of these
                                                    airworthiness design
                                                    criteria.
Airplane Flight Manual or       ASTM F2746-14....  ``Standard
 Pilot's Operating Handbook.    Or GAMA             Specification for
                                 Specification      Pilot's Operating
                                 No. 1, rev         Handbook (POH) for
                                 October 18, 1996.  Light Sport
                                                    Aircraft'' as
                                                    modified by Table 5
                                                    of these
                                                    airworthiness design
                                                    criteria.
Maintenance Manual............  ASTM F2483-18....  ``Standard Practice
                                                    for Maintenance and
                                                    the Development of
                                                    Maintenance Manuals
                                                    for Light Sport
                                                    Aircraft'' as
                                                    modified by Table 6
                                                    of these
                                                    airworthiness design
                                                    criteria.
Continued Operational Safety    ASTM F3198-18....  ``Standard
 (COS).                                             Specification for
                                                    Light Sport Aircraft
                                                    Manufacturer's
                                                    Continued
                                                    Operational Safety
                                                    (COS) Program'' as
                                                    modified by Table 7
                                                    of these
                                                    airworthiness design
                                                    criteria.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


      Table 2--Modifications Applicable to ASTM F2245-20 ``Standard
   Specifications for Design and Performance of Light Sport Aircraft''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Requirements
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Include all sections of ASTM F2245-20 except section 9.1.4.
Change section 1.1 to: ``This specification covers basic airworthiness
 requirements for the design of a fixed-wing airplane.''
Change section 1.2 to: ``This specification is applicable to the design
 of a primary category airplane limited to two seats.''
------------------------------------------------------------------------


      Table 3--Modifications Applicable to ASTM F2506-13 ``Standard
      Specification for Design and Testing of Light Sport Aircraft
                              Propellers''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Requirements
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Include all sections of ASTM F2506-13 except section 10.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


      Table 4--Modifications Applicable to ASTM F2316-12 ``Standard
            Specification for Airframe Emergency Parachutes''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Requirements
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Include all sections of ASTM F2316-12 except section 12.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


      Table 5--Modifications Applicable to ASTM F2746-14 ``Standard
   Specification for Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) for Light Sport
                               Aircraft''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Requirements
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The airplane flight manual (AFM) must comply with all sections of ASTM
 F2746-14, as modified by this table, except sections 1.3, 4.6, and 7,
 or alternatively, the airplane flight manual must comply with GAMA
 Specification No. 1\1\ issued February 15, 1975, and revised October
 18, 1996, in which case the following modifications do not apply.
In addition to ASTM F2746-14, each part of the AFM indicated below must
 be approved, segregated, identified, and clearly distinguished from
 unapproved parts:
     Chapter 2 Limitations;
     Chapter 3 Emergency Procedures;
     Chapter 5 Performance;
     Chapter 6:
        [cir] Weight and Balance Chart (see section 6.10.1 of ASTM F2746-
         14);
        [cir] Operating Weights and Loading (see section 6.10.2 of ASTM
         F2746-14);
        [cir] Center of Gravity (CG) Range and Determination (see
         section 6.10.3 of ASTM F2746-14);
     Chapter 8:
        [cir] Approved Fuel Grades and Specifications (see section
         6.12.5.1 of ASTM F2746-14);
        [cir] Approved Oil Grades and Specifications (see section
         6.12.5.2 of ASTM F2746-14).
In addition to ASTM F2746-14, non-approved information in the AFM must
 be presented in a manner acceptable to the FAA.

[[Page 83021]]

 
Change section 6.4.1 of ASTM 2746-14 to: ``A list of the standards used
 for the design, construction, continued airworthiness, and reference
 compliance with this standard.''
------------------------------------------------------------------------


 Table 6--Modifications Applicable to ASTM F2483-18 ``Standard Practice
  for Maintenance and the Development of Maintenance Manuals for Light
                            Sport Aircraft''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Requirements
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Include all sections of ASTM F2483-18 except:
     Section 3.1.7
     Section 3.1.7.1
     Section 3.1.8
     Section 4
     Note 1 in section 5
     Section 5.3.2
     Section 5.3.3
     Section 5.3.6
     Section 6.1
     Note 5 in section 6.1
     Section 8 and all subsections and notes
     Section 9 and all subsections
     Section 10 and all subsections
     Section 11 and all subsections and notes
     Section 12 and all subsections
     Annex A1
In addition to ASTM F2483-18, a maintenance manual containing the
 information that the applicant considers essential for proper
 maintenance must be provided as indicated in Sec.   21.24(a)(2)(iii).
In addition to ASTM F2483-18, the part of the manual containing service
 life limitations, the replacement or overhaul of parts, components, and
 accessories subject to such limitations must be approved, identified,
 and clearly distinguished from each other unapproved part of the
 maintenance manual.
Change section 3.1.9 to: ``maintenance manual(s)--manual provided by the
 type design holder that specifies maintenance, repairs, or alterations
 authorized by the manufacturer.''
Change section 3.1.11 to: ``manufacturer--any entity engaged in the
 production of, or component used on, a type certified primary category
 airplane.
Change section 5.3 to: ``Level of Certification--When listing the
 qualification level needed to perform a task, the type certificate
 holder must use the appropriate qualifications from the regulations for
 aircraft maintenance indicated in 14 CFR part 43, appendix A.''
Change Note 4 in section 5.3.1 to: ``Primary category aircraft owners
 may perform maintenance as outlined in part 43, appendix A.''
Change section 6.2 to: ``Typical tasks considered as line maintenance
 include:''
------------------------------------------------------------------------


      Table 7--Modifications Applicable to ASTM F3198-18 ``Standard
     Specification for Light Sport Aircraft Manufacturer's Continued
                   Operational Safety (COS) Program''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Requirement
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Include all sections of ASTM F3198-18 except:
     Section 1 and all subsections
     Section 5.2 and all subsections
     Section 5.3 and all subsections
     Section 6.1.1.3
     Section 6.1.1.4
     Section 7.7 and all subsections
     Section 8.1.2.1
     Section 8.2 and all subsections
     Section 10
Change section 4.1 to: ``The purpose of this specification is to
 establish, by the manufacturer, a method by which unsafe conditions and
 service difficulty issues are reported, evaluated, and corrected. The
 type certificate holder is responsible to report failures, malfunctions
 or defects to the FAA as outlined in Sec.   21.3.''
Replace ``manufacturer'' with ``type certificate holder'' throughout
 section 7.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ GAMA Specification No. 1.

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[[Page 83022]]

    In addition to the EASA CS-E, amendment 6 requirements,\2\ the 
following requirements from 14 CFR part 33, amendment 33-34 also apply.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ CS-E, Amendment 6--Aircraft cybersecurity.

 Table 8--FAA Validation of EASA State of Design Reciprocating Aircraft
                                 Engines
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Subject                          14 CFR Part 33
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness    Section 33.4, appendices
 (ICA).                                      A33.1(b), A33.2, A33.3(b)
                                             and (c), and A33.4(a)(2).
Engine ratings and operating limitations    Sections 33.7(b)(6) and
 including reciprocating engine limits.      (b)(8).
Durability (Propeller blade pitch control   Section 33.19(b).
 systems).
Turbine, compressor, fan, and               Section 33.27.
 turbosupercharger rotor overspeed.
Turbocharger rotors.......................  Section 33.34.
Lubrication system........................  Sections 33.39(a) and (c).
Vibration test............................  Sections 33.43(a) and (c).
Endurance test............................  Section 33.49(d).
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 20, 2023.
Patrick R. Mullen,
Manager, Technical Policy Branch, Policy and Standards Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-26027 Filed 11-27-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P