Special Conditions: Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 Series Airplanes; Astronautics Electronic Flight Bags With Lithium Battery Installations, 73997-73999 [E8-28876]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 235 / Friday, December 5, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
Board, and other information, it is found
that this interim final rule, as
hereinafter set forth, will tend to
effectuate the declared policy of the Act.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, it is also
found and determined, upon good
cause, that it is impracticable,
unnecessary, and contrary to the public
interest to give preliminary notice prior
to putting this rule into effect, and that
good cause exists for not postponing the
effective date of this rule until 30 days
after publication in the Federal Register
because: (1) The marketing order
amendments prompting these changes
were implemented on April 2, 2008; (2)
related issues were discussed in
amendatory proceedings (including a
public hearing) and amendments to the
order were subsequently approved by
producers; (3) the revised regulation
should be in effect prior to January
2009, when Board nominations will be
conducted; (4) the Board unanimously
recommended these changes at a public
meeting and interested parties had an
opportunity to provide input; and (5)
the rule provides a 60-day comment
period, and any written comments
timely received will be considered prior
to finalization of this rule.
included on the ballot together with the
names of any incumbents who are
willing to continue serving on the
Board.
(b) Any ten or more growers eligible
to serve in the grower member positions
specified in § 984.35(a)(3) and (4) and
§ 984.35(b)(4) and (5) and who marketed
an aggregate of 500 or more tons of
walnuts through handlers who did not
handle 35% or more of the crop during
the marketing year preceding the year in
which Board nominations are held, may
petition the Board to include on the
nomination ballot for a district the name
of an eligible candidate for the
applicable position, and the name of an
eligible candidate to serve as his or her
alternate. The names of the eligible
candidates proposed pursuant to this
paragraph shall be included on the
ballot together with the names of any
incumbents who are willing to continue
serving on the Board.
*
*
*
*
*
Dated: November 26, 2008.
James E. Link,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
Service.
[FR Doc. E8–28673 Filed 12–4–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 984
Walnuts, Marketing agreements, Nuts,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
For the reasons set forth in the
preamble, 7 CFR part 984 is amended as
follows:
14 CFR Part 25
■
PART 984—WALNUTS GROWN IN
CALIFORNIA
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601–674.
2. In § 984.437, paragraphs (a) and (b)
are revised to read as follows:
■
dwashington3 on PROD1PC60 with RULES
§ 984.437 Methods for proposing names of
additional candidates to be included on
walnut growers’ nomination ballots.
(a) With regard to Board grower
member positions specified in
§ 984.35(a)(5) and (6), any ten or more
such growers who marketed an
aggregate of 500 or more tons of walnuts
through handlers who did not handle
35% or more of the crop during the
marketing year preceding the year in
which Board nominations are held, may
petition the Board to include on the
nomination ballot the name of an
eligible candidate for this position, and
the name of an eligible candidate to
serve as his or her alternate. The names
of the eligible candidates proposed
pursuant to this paragraph shall be
14:57 Dec 04, 2008
Jkt 217001
[Docket No. NM393; Special Conditions No.
25–377–SC]
Special Conditions: Airbus A318, A319,
A320, and A321 Series Airplanes;
Astronautics Electronic Flight Bags
With Lithium Battery Installations
1. The authority citation for 7 CFR
part 984 continues to read as follows:
■
VerDate Aug<31>2005
Federal Aviation Administration
AGENCY: Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final special conditions.
SUMMARY: These special conditions are
issued for the Airbus A318, A319, A320,
and A321 series airplanes. These
airplanes, as modified by L2 Consulting
Services, will have a novel or unusual
design feature associated with
Astronautics electronic flight bags
which use lithium battery technology.
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: Effective Date: January 5, 2009.
PO 00000
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
73997
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nazih Khaouly, FAA, Airplane and
Flight Crew Interface Branch, ANM–
111, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98057–3356; telephone (425) 227–2432;
facsimile (425) 227–1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On March 12, 2007, L2 Consulting
Services of Dripping Springs, Texas,
applied for a supplemental type
certificate to install Astronautics
electronic flight bags on Airbus A318,
A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes.
In addition to lithium batteries, the
Astronautics electronic flight bags
contain the following equipment:
• Multiple electronic flight bag
display units,
• Multiple electronic units
(computer),
• Electronic flight bag power On/Off
switches, and
• Mounting arms and mounting
brackets.
At present, there is limited experience
with use of rechargeable lithium
batteries in applications involving
commercial aviation. However, other
users of this technology, ranging from
wireless telephone manufacturers to the
electric vehicle industry, have noted
safety problems with lithium batteries.
These problems include overcharging,
over-discharging, and flammability of
cell components.
1. Overcharging
In general, lithium batteries are
significantly more susceptible to
internal failures that can result in selfsustaining increases in temperature and
pressure (i.e., thermal runaway) than
their nickel-cadmium or lead-acid
counterparts. This is especially true for
overcharging that causes heating and
destabilization of the components of the
cell, leading to the formation (by
plating) of highly unstable metallic
lithium. The metallic lithium can ignite,
resulting in a self-sustaining fire or
explosion. Finally, the severity of
thermal runaway due to overcharging
increases with increasing battery
capacity due to the higher amount of
electrolyte in large batteries.
2. Over-Discharging
Discharge of some types of lithium
batteries beyond a certain voltage
(typically 2.4 volts) can cause corrosion
of the electrodes of the cell, resulting in
loss of battery capacity that cannot be
reversed by recharging. This loss of
capacity may not be detected by the
simple voltage measurements
E:\FR\FM\05DER1.SGM
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73998
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 235 / Friday, December 5, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
commonly available to flightcrews as a
means of checking battery status—a
problem shared with nickel-cadmium
batteries.
dwashington3 on PROD1PC60 with RULES
3. Flammability of Cell Components
Unlike nickel-cadmium and lead-acid
batteries, some types of lithium batteries
use liquid electrolytes that are
flammable. The electrolyte can serve as
a source of fuel for an external fire if
there is a breach of the battery
container.
These problems experienced by users
of lithium batteries raise concern about
the use of these batteries in commercial
aviation. Accordingly, the proposed use
of lithium batteries in Astronautics
electronic flight bags on Airbus A318,
A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes
has prompted the FAA to review the
adequacy of existing regulations in Title
14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
part 25. Our review indicates that the
existing regulations do not adequately
address several failure, operational, and
maintenance characteristics of lithium
batteries that could affect the safety and
reliability of lithium battery
installations.
The intent of these special conditions
is to establish appropriate airworthiness
standards for lithium batteries in Airbus
A318, A319, A320, and A321 series
airplanes modified by L2 Consulting
Services, and to ensure, as required by
§ 25.601, that these battery installations
are not hazardous or unreliable.
Accordingly, these special conditions
include the following requirements:
• Those provisions of § 25.1353
which are applicable to lithium
batteries.
• The flammable fluid fire protection
provisions of § 25.863.
In the past, this regulation was not
applied to batteries of transport category
airplanes, since the electrolytes used in
lead-acid and nickel-cadmium batteries
are not flammable.
• New requirements to address the
hazards of overcharging and overdischarging that are unique to lithium
batteries.
• New Instructions for Continuous
Airworthiness that include maintenance
requirements to ensure that batteries
used as spares are maintained in an
appropriate state of charge.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of 14 CFR
21.101, L2 Consulting Services must
show that the Airbus A318, A319, A320,
and A321 series airplanes, as changed,
continue to meet the applicable
provisions of the regulations
incorporated by reference in Type
Certificate No. A28NM or the applicable
VerDate Aug<31>2005
14:57 Dec 04, 2008
Jkt 217001
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 for Airbus
A318, A319, A320, and A321 series
airplanes includes applicable sections of
part 25, effective February 1, 1965, as
amended by Amendments 25–1 through
25–56, plus other amendments for each
model as indicated in Type Certificate
No. A28NM. In addition, the
certification basis includes certain
special conditions, exemptions,
equivalent levels of safety, or later
amended sections of the applicable part
25 that are not relevant to these special
conditions.
If the Administrator finds that the
applicable airworthiness regulations
(i.e., part 25, as amended) do not
contain adequate or appropriate safety
standards for Airbus A318, A319, A320,
and A321 series airplanes because of a
novel or unusual design feature, special
conditions are prescribed under the
provisions of 14 CFR 21.16.
In addition to the applicable
airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, the Airbus A318, A319,
A320, and A321 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, under § 11.38,
and they become part of the type
certification basis in accordance with
§ 21.101.
Special conditions are initially
applicable to the models for which they
are issued. Should L2 Consulting
Services apply for a supplemental type
certificate to modify any other model
included on Type Certificate No.
A28NM to incorporate the same or
similar novel or unusual design feature,
these special conditions would also
apply to the other model.
Novel or Unusual Design Features
The Airbus A318, A319, A320, and
A321 series airplanes, as modified by L2
Consulting Services, to include
Astronautics electronic flight bags
which use lithium battery technology,
will incorporate a novel or unusual
design feature. Because of rapid
improvements in airplane technology,
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
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
that established by the existing
airworthiness standards.
The Astronautics electronic flight
bags will include lithium battery
installations. Large, high-capacity,
rechargeable lithium batteries are a
novel or unusual design feature in
transport category airplanes. This type
of battery has certain failure,
operational, and maintenance
characteristics that differ significantly
from those of the nickel-cadmium and
lead-acid rechargeable batteries
currently approved for installation on
large transport category airplanes. The
FAA issues these special conditions to
require that all characteristics of the
lithium battery and its installation do
not adversely affect the safe operation of
the airplane.
Discussion of Comments
A Notice of proposed special
conditions No. 25–08–06–SC for the
Airbus A318, A319, A320 and A321
series airplanes modified by L2
Consulting Services was published in
the Federal Register on August 7, 2008
(73 FR 45886). One comment was
received from Deutsche Lufthansa, AG.
Comment: Lufthansa states that
additional testing on Class 1 and Class
2 electronic flight bags will add cost
without providing higher degrees of
safety.
FAA Disposition: Lufthansa’s
comments refer to Class 1 and 2
electronic flight bags. The classes of
electronic flight bags are defined in
Advisory Circular 91–78: ‘‘Physical EFB
displays may be portable (Class 1),
attached to a mounting device (Class 2),
or built into the aircraft (Class 3).’’ The
electronic flight bags to which these
special conditions apply are Class 3
electronic flight bags which are
permanently installed equipment.
Therefore, the comments is not
applicable. The special conditions are
issued as proposed.
Applicability
As discussed above, these special
conditions are applicable to the Airbus
A318, A319, A320, and A321 series
airplanes as modified by L2 Consulting
Services. Should L2 Consulting Services
apply at a later date for a supplemental
type certificate to modify any other
model included on Type Certificate No.
A28NM 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 of the Airbus
A318, A319, A320, and A321 series
E:\FR\FM\05DER1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 235 / Friday, December 5, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
airplanes as modified by L2 Consulting
Services. It is not a rule of general
applicability and affects only the
applicant which applied to the FAA for
approval of these features on the
airplane.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25
Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements.
PART 25—[AMENDED]
The authority citation for these
special conditions is as follows:
■
dwashington3 on PROD1PC60 with RULES
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 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
supplemental type certificate for the
Airbus A318, A319, A320 and A321
series airplanes, modified by L2
Consulting Services.
Lithium batteries and battery
installations on Airbus A318, A319,
A320, and A321 series airplanes must
be designed and installed as follows:
1. Safe cell temperatures and
pressures must be maintained during
any foreseeable charging or discharging
condition and during any failure of the
charging or battery monitoring system
not shown to be extremely remote. The
lithium battery installation must
preclude explosion in the event of those
failures.
2. Design of the lithium batteries must
preclude the occurrence of selfsustaining, uncontrolled increases in
temperature or pressure.
3. No explosive or toxic gases emitted
by any lithium battery in normal
operation or as the result of any failure
of the battery charging system,
monitoring system, or battery
installation which is not shown to be
extremely remote may accumulate in
hazardous quantities within the
airplane.
4. Installations of lithium batteries
must meet the requirements of
§ 25.863(a) through (d).
5. No corrosive fluids or gases that
may escape from any lithium battery
may damage surrounding structure or
any adjacent systems, equipment, or
electrical wiring of the airplane in such
a way as to cause a major or more severe
failure condition, in accordance with
§ 25.1309(b) and applicable regulatory
guidance.
6. Each lithium battery installation
must have provisions to prevent any
hazardous effect on structure or
essential systems caused by the
VerDate Aug<31>2005
14:57 Dec 04, 2008
Jkt 217001
maximum amount of heat the battery
can generate during a short circuit of the
battery or of its individual cells.
7. Lithium battery installations must
have a system to control the charging
rate of the battery automatically, so as
to prevent battery overheating or
overcharging, and,
(a) A battery temperature sensing and
over-temperature warning system with a
means for automatically disconnecting
the battery from its charging source in
the event of an over-temperature
condition, or
(b) A battery failure sensing and
warning system with a means for
automatically disconnecting the battery
from its charging source in the event of
battery failure.
8. Any lithium battery installation
whose function is required for safe
operation of the airplane must
incorporate a monitoring and warning
feature that will provide an indication
to the appropriate flight crewmembers
whenever the state-of-charge of the
batteries has fallen below levels
considered acceptable for dispatch of
the airplane.
9. The Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness required by § 25.1529
must contain maintenance requirements
to assure that the lithium battery is
sufficiently charged at appropriate
intervals specified by the battery
manufacturer to ensure that batteries
whose function is required for safe
operation of the airplane will not
degrade below specified ampere-hour
levels sufficient to power the electronic
flight bag applications that are required
for continued safe flight and landing.
The Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness must also contain
procedures for the maintenance of
lithium batteries in spare storage to
prevent the replacement of batteries
whose function is required for safe
operation of the airplane with batteries
that have experienced degraded charge
retention ability or other damage due to
prolonged storage at a low state of
charge. Precautions should be included
in the Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness maintenance instructions
to prevent mishandling of the lithium
battery which could result in shortcircuit or other unintentional damage
that could result in personal injury or
property damage.
Note 1: The term ‘‘sufficiently charged’’
means that the battery will retain enough of
a charge, expressed in ampere-hours, to
ensure that the battery cells will not be
damaged. A battery cell may be damaged by
lowering the charge below a point where
there is a reduction in the ability to charge
and retain a full charge. This reduction
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Fmt 4700
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73999
would be greater than the reduction that may
result from normal operational degradation.
Note 2: These special conditions are not
intended to replace § 25.1353(c), Amendment
25–113 in the certification basis of the L2
Consulting Services supplemental type
certificate. These special conditions apply
only to lithium batteries and their
installations. The requirements of
§ 25.1353(c), Amendment 25–113 remain in
effect for batteries and battery installations
on the L2 Consulting Services supplemental
type certificate that do not use lithium
batteries.
Compliance with the requirements of
these special conditions must be shown
by test or analysis, with the concurrence
of the Fort Worth Special Certification
Office.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on
November 28, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8–28876 Filed 12–4–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of Industry and Security
15 CFR Part 744
[Docket No. 0809191235–81395–01]
RIN 0694–AE48
Addition of Certain Persons to the
Entity List: Persons Acting Contrary to
the National Security or Foreign Policy
Interests of the United States
AGENCY: Bureau of Industry and
Security, Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: This rule amends the Export
Administration Regulations (EAR) by
adding additional persons to the Entity
List (Supplement No. 4 to Part 744) on
the basis of Section 744.11 of the EAR.
This rule is the second rule to add
persons to the Entity List on the basis
of Section 744.11 of the EAR. These
additional persons being added to the
Entity List have been determined by the
U.S. Government to be acting contrary
to the national security or foreign policy
interests of the United States. The first
rule that added persons to the Entity
List on the basis of Section 744.11 of the
EAR was published on September 22,
2008 (73 FR 54499).
The Entity List provides notice to the
public that certain exports and reexports
to parties identified on the Entity List
require a license from the Bureau of
Industry and Security (BIS) and that
E:\FR\FM\05DER1.SGM
05DER1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 235 (Friday, December 5, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 73997-73999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-28876]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. NM393; Special Conditions No. 25-377-SC]
Special Conditions: Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 Series
Airplanes; Astronautics Electronic Flight Bags With Lithium Battery
Installations
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final special conditions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Airbus A318, A319,
A320, and A321 series airplanes. These airplanes, as modified by L2
Consulting Services, will have a novel or unusual design feature
associated with Astronautics electronic flight bags which use lithium
battery technology. 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: Effective Date: January 5, 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nazih Khaouly, FAA, Airplane and
Flight Crew Interface Branch, ANM-111, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2432; facsimile (425) 227-
1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On March 12, 2007, L2 Consulting Services of Dripping Springs,
Texas, applied for a supplemental type certificate to install
Astronautics electronic flight bags on Airbus A318, A319, A320, and
A321 series airplanes. In addition to lithium batteries, the
Astronautics electronic flight bags contain the following equipment:
Multiple electronic flight bag display units,
Multiple electronic units (computer),
Electronic flight bag power On/Off switches, and
Mounting arms and mounting brackets.
At present, there is limited experience with use of rechargeable
lithium batteries in applications involving commercial aviation.
However, other users of this technology, ranging from wireless
telephone manufacturers to the electric vehicle industry, have noted
safety problems with lithium batteries. These problems include
overcharging, over-discharging, and flammability of cell components.
1. Overcharging
In general, lithium batteries are significantly more susceptible to
internal failures that can result in self-sustaining increases in
temperature and pressure (i.e., thermal runaway) than their nickel-
cadmium or lead-acid counterparts. This is especially true for
overcharging that causes heating and destabilization of the components
of the cell, leading to the formation (by plating) of highly unstable
metallic lithium. The metallic lithium can ignite, resulting in a self-
sustaining fire or explosion. Finally, the severity of thermal runaway
due to overcharging increases with increasing battery capacity due to
the higher amount of electrolyte in large batteries.
2. Over-Discharging
Discharge of some types of lithium batteries beyond a certain
voltage (typically 2.4 volts) can cause corrosion of the electrodes of
the cell, resulting in loss of battery capacity that cannot be reversed
by recharging. This loss of capacity may not be detected by the simple
voltage measurements
[[Page 73998]]
commonly available to flightcrews as a means of checking battery
status--a problem shared with nickel-cadmium batteries.
3. Flammability of Cell Components
Unlike nickel-cadmium and lead-acid batteries, some types of
lithium batteries use liquid electrolytes that are flammable. The
electrolyte can serve as a source of fuel for an external fire if there
is a breach of the battery container.
These problems experienced by users of lithium batteries raise
concern about the use of these batteries in commercial aviation.
Accordingly, the proposed use of lithium batteries in Astronautics
electronic flight bags on Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 series
airplanes has prompted the FAA to review the adequacy of existing
regulations in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 25.
Our review indicates that the existing regulations do not adequately
address several failure, operational, and maintenance characteristics
of lithium batteries that could affect the safety and reliability of
lithium battery installations.
The intent of these special conditions is to establish appropriate
airworthiness standards for lithium batteries in Airbus A318, A319,
A320, and A321 series airplanes modified by L2 Consulting Services, and
to ensure, as required by Sec. 25.601, that these battery
installations are not hazardous or unreliable. Accordingly, these
special conditions include the following requirements:
Those provisions of Sec. 25.1353 which are applicable to
lithium batteries.
The flammable fluid fire protection provisions of Sec.
25.863.
In the past, this regulation was not applied to batteries of
transport category airplanes, since the electrolytes used in lead-acid
and nickel-cadmium batteries are not flammable.
New requirements to address the hazards of overcharging
and over-discharging that are unique to lithium batteries.
New Instructions for Continuous Airworthiness that include
maintenance requirements to ensure that batteries used as spares are
maintained in an appropriate state of charge.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.101, L2 Consulting Services must
show that the Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes, as
changed, continue to meet the applicable provisions of the regulations
incorporated by reference in Type Certificate No. A28NM 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 for Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321
series airplanes includes applicable sections of part 25, effective
February 1, 1965, as amended by Amendments 25-1 through 25-56, plus
other amendments for each model as indicated in Type Certificate No.
A28NM. In addition, the certification basis includes certain special
conditions, exemptions, equivalent levels of safety, or later amended
sections of the applicable part 25 that are not relevant to these
special conditions.
If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness
regulations (i.e., part 25, as amended) do not contain adequate or
appropriate safety standards for Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321
series airplanes because of a novel or unusual design feature, special
conditions are prescribed under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.16.
In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, the Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 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,
under Sec. 11.38, and they become part of the type certification basis
in accordance with Sec. 21.101.
Special conditions are initially applicable to the models for which
they are issued. Should L2 Consulting Services apply for a supplemental
type certificate to modify any other model included on Type Certificate
No. A28NM to incorporate the same or similar novel or unusual design
feature, these special conditions would also apply to the other model.
Novel or Unusual Design Features
The Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes, as modified
by L2 Consulting Services, to include Astronautics electronic flight
bags which use lithium battery technology, will incorporate a novel or
unusual design feature. Because of rapid improvements in airplane
technology, 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.
The Astronautics electronic flight bags will include lithium
battery installations. Large, high-capacity, rechargeable lithium
batteries are a novel or unusual design feature in transport category
airplanes. This type of battery has certain failure, operational, and
maintenance characteristics that differ significantly from those of the
nickel-cadmium and lead-acid rechargeable batteries currently approved
for installation on large transport category airplanes. The FAA issues
these special conditions to require that all characteristics of the
lithium battery and its installation do not adversely affect the safe
operation of the airplane.
Discussion of Comments
A Notice of proposed special conditions No. 25-08-06-SC for the
Airbus A318, A319, A320 and A321 series airplanes modified by L2
Consulting Services was published in the Federal Register on August 7,
2008 (73 FR 45886). One comment was received from Deutsche Lufthansa,
AG.
Comment: Lufthansa states that additional testing on Class 1 and
Class 2 electronic flight bags will add cost without providing higher
degrees of safety.
FAA Disposition: Lufthansa's comments refer to Class 1 and 2
electronic flight bags. The classes of electronic flight bags are
defined in Advisory Circular 91-78: ``Physical EFB displays may be
portable (Class 1), attached to a mounting device (Class 2), or built
into the aircraft (Class 3).'' The electronic flight bags to which
these special conditions apply are Class 3 electronic flight bags which
are permanently installed equipment. Therefore, the comments is not
applicable. The special conditions are issued as proposed.
Applicability
As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the
Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes as modified by L2
Consulting Services. Should L2 Consulting Services apply at a later
date for a supplemental type certificate to modify any other model
included on Type Certificate No. A28NM 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
of the Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 series
[[Page 73999]]
airplanes as modified by L2 Consulting Services. It is not a rule of
general applicability and affects only the applicant which applied to
the FAA for approval of these features on the airplane.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25
Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
PART 25--[AMENDED]
0
The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 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 supplemental type certificate for the Airbus A318, A319, A320 and
A321 series airplanes, modified by L2 Consulting Services.
Lithium batteries and battery installations on Airbus A318, A319,
A320, and A321 series airplanes must be designed and installed as
follows:
1. Safe cell temperatures and pressures must be maintained during
any foreseeable charging or discharging condition and during any
failure of the charging or battery monitoring system not shown to be
extremely remote. The lithium battery installation must preclude
explosion in the event of those failures.
2. Design of the lithium batteries must preclude the occurrence of
self-sustaining, uncontrolled increases in temperature or pressure.
3. No explosive or toxic gases emitted by any lithium battery in
normal operation or as the result of any failure of the battery
charging system, monitoring system, or battery installation which is
not shown to be extremely remote may accumulate in hazardous quantities
within the airplane.
4. Installations of lithium batteries must meet the requirements of
Sec. 25.863(a) through (d).
5. No corrosive fluids or gases that may escape from any lithium
battery may damage surrounding structure or any adjacent systems,
equipment, or electrical wiring of the airplane in such a way as to
cause a major or more severe failure condition, in accordance with
Sec. 25.1309(b) and applicable regulatory guidance.
6. Each lithium battery installation must have provisions to
prevent any hazardous effect on structure or essential systems caused
by the maximum amount of heat the battery can generate during a short
circuit of the battery or of its individual cells.
7. Lithium battery installations must have a system to control the
charging rate of the battery automatically, so as to prevent battery
overheating or overcharging, and,
(a) A battery temperature sensing and over-temperature warning
system with a means for automatically disconnecting the battery from
its charging source in the event of an over-temperature condition, or
(b) A battery failure sensing and warning system with a means for
automatically disconnecting the battery from its charging source in the
event of battery failure.
8. Any lithium battery installation whose function is required for
safe operation of the airplane must incorporate a monitoring and
warning feature that will provide an indication to the appropriate
flight crewmembers whenever the state-of-charge of the batteries has
fallen below levels considered acceptable for dispatch of the airplane.
9. The Instructions for Continued Airworthiness required by Sec.
25.1529 must contain maintenance requirements to assure that the
lithium battery is sufficiently charged at appropriate intervals
specified by the battery manufacturer to ensure that batteries whose
function is required for safe operation of the airplane will not
degrade below specified ampere-hour levels sufficient to power the
electronic flight bag applications that are required for continued safe
flight and landing. The Instructions for Continued Airworthiness must
also contain procedures for the maintenance of lithium batteries in
spare storage to prevent the replacement of batteries whose function is
required for safe operation of the airplane with batteries that have
experienced degraded charge retention ability or other damage due to
prolonged storage at a low state of charge. Precautions should be
included in the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness maintenance
instructions to prevent mishandling of the lithium battery which could
result in short-circuit or other unintentional damage that could result
in personal injury or property damage.
Note 1: The term ``sufficiently charged'' means that the battery
will retain enough of a charge, expressed in ampere-hours, to ensure
that the battery cells will not be damaged. A battery cell may be
damaged by lowering the charge below a point where there is a
reduction in the ability to charge and retain a full charge. This
reduction would be greater than the reduction that may result from
normal operational degradation.
Note 2: These special conditions are not intended to replace
Sec. 25.1353(c), Amendment 25-113 in the certification basis of the
L2 Consulting Services supplemental type certificate. These special
conditions apply only to lithium batteries and their installations.
The requirements of Sec. 25.1353(c), Amendment 25-113 remain in
effect for batteries and battery installations on the L2 Consulting
Services supplemental type certificate that do not use lithium
batteries.
Compliance with the requirements of these special conditions must
be shown by test or analysis, with the concurrence of the Fort Worth
Special Certification Office.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 28, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-28876 Filed 12-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
