Special Conditions: Airbus, A350-900 Series Airplane; Passenger Seats With Non-Traditional, Large, Non-Metallic Panels, 17325-17327 [2012-7235]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 58 / Monday, March 26, 2012 / Rules and Regulations increase steadily, but not necessarily in constant proportion, as the angle of sideslip is increased up to the maximum appropriate to the type of airplane. The aileron control movements and forces may increase steadily, but not necessarily in constant proportion, as the angle of sideslip is increased up to the maximum appropriate to the type of airplane. At larger slip angles, up to the angle at which the full rudder or aileron control is used or a control force limit contained in section 23.143 is reached, the aileron and rudder control movements and forces must not reverse as the angle of sideslip is increased. Rapid entry into, and recovery from, a maximum sideslip considered appropriate for the airplane must not result in uncontrollable flight characteristics. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 1, 2012. John R. Colomy, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2012–6837 Filed 3–23–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 25 [Docket No. FAA–2012–0325; Notice No. 25– 459–SC] Special Conditions: Airbus, A350–900 Series Airplane; Passenger Seats With Non-Traditional, Large, Non-Metallic Panels Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final special conditions, request for comments. AGENCY: These special conditions are issued for the Airbus A350–900 series airplane. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with seats that include nontraditional, large, non-metallic panels that would affect survivability during a post-crash fire event. 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: The effective date of these special conditions is March 14, 2012. We must receive your comments by May 10, 2012. sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:21 Mar 23, 2012 Jkt 226001 Send comments identified by docket number [FAA–2012–0325] using any of the following methods: • Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to https://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 of 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 8 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 https://www.regulations.gov/, including any personal information the commenter provides. Using the search function of the docket Web site, 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), as well as at https://DocketsInfo.dot.gov/. Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at https://www.regulations.gov/at any time. Follow the online instructions for accessing the docket or go to the 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: Jeff Gardlin, FAA, Airframe/Cabin Safety, ANM–115, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington, 98057–3356; telephone (425) 227–2136; facsimile (425) 227–1320. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ADDRESSES: 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. PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 17325 We will consider all comments we receive by the closing date for comments. We will consider comments filed late if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. We may change these special conditions based on the comments we receive. Background On August 25, 2008, Airbus applied for a type certificate for their new A350– 900 series airplane. Later, Airbus requested and the FAA approved an extension to the application for FAA type certification to June 28, 2009. The A350–900 series has a conventional layout with twin wing-mounted Rolls Royce Trent engines. It features a twin aisle 9-abreast economy class layout, and accommodates side-by-side placement of LD–3 containers in the cargo compartment. The basic A350– 900 series configuration accommodates 315 passengers in a standard two-class arrangement. The design cruise speed is Mach 0.85 with a Maximum Take-Off Weight of 591,000 lbs. Airbus proposes the A350–900 series to be certified for extended operations (ETOPS) beyond 180 minutes at entry into service for up to a 420-minute maximum diversion time. The applicable airplane regulations, Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 25, do not require seats to meet the more-stringent flammability standards required of large, non-metallic panels in the cabin interior. At the time the applicable rules were written, seats were designed with a metal frame covered by fabric, not with large, nonmetallic panels. Seats also met the thenrecently adopted standards for flammability of seat cushions. With the seat design being mostly fabric and metal, the contribution to a fire in the cabin had been minimized and was not considered a threat. For these reasons, seats did not need to be tested to heatrelease and smoke-emission requirements. Seat designs have now evolved to occasionally include non-traditional, large, non-metallic panels. Taken in total, the surface area of these panels is on the same order as the sidewall and overhead stowage bin interior panels. To provide the level of passenger protection intended by the airworthiness standards, these nontraditional, large, non-metallic panels in the cabin must meet the standards of part 25, Appendix F, parts IV and V, heat-release and smoke-emission requirements. Type Certification Basis Under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.17, Airbus must E:\FR\FM\26MRR1.SGM 26MRR1 17326 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 58 / Monday, March 26, 2012 / Rules and Regulations sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with RULES show that the A350–900 series meets the applicable provisions of 14 CFR part 25, as amended by Amendments 25–1 through 25–128. The FAA has determined that Airbus A350–900 series airplanes must comply with the following sections: § 25.853(a) and § 25.853(c), and Amendment 25–61 and Amendment 25–66. 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 A350–900 series because of a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed under § 21.16. Special conditions are initially applicable to the model or series for which they are issued. Should the type certificate for that model be amended later to include any other model that incorporates the same or similar novel or unusual design feature, the special conditions would also apply to the other model under § 21.101. In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special conditions, the A350–900 series must comply with the fuel vent and exhaust emission requirements of 14 CFR part 34, the noise certification requirements of 14 CFR part 36, and the FAA must issue a finding of regulatory adequacy under § 611 of Public Law 92–574, the ‘‘Noise Control Act of 1972.’’ The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in § 11.19, under § 11.38, and they become part of the typecertification basis under § 21.17(a)(2). Novel or Unusual Design Features The A350–900 series will incorporate the following novel or unusual design features: Passenger seats that incorporate non-traditional, large, nonmetallic panels in lieu of the traditional metal frame covered by fabric. The flammability properties of these panels have been shown to significantly affect the survivability of occupants of the cabin in the case of fire. These seats are considered a novel design for transport category airplanes that include Amendment 25–61 and Amendment 25–66 in the certification basis, and were not considered when those airworthiness standards were established. The existing regulations do not provide adequate or appropriate safety standards for seat designs that incorporate non-traditional, large, nonmetallic panels. In order to provide a level of safety that is equivalent to that provided by the balance of the cabin, additional airworthiness standards, in the form of special conditions, are necessary. These special conditions supplement § 25.853. The requirements VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:21 Mar 23, 2012 Jkt 226001 contained in these special conditions consist of applying the identical test conditions required of all other large panels in the cabin, to seats with nontraditional, large, non-metallic panels. Definition of ‘‘Non-Traditional, Large, Non-Metallic Panel’’ A non-traditional, large, non-metallic panel, in this case, is defined as a panel with exposed-surface areas greater than 1.5 square feet installed per seat place. The panel may consist of either a single component or multiple components in a concentrated area. Examples of parts of the seat where these non-traditional panels are installed include, but are not limited to: Seat backs, bottoms and leg/ foot rests, kick panels, back shells, credenzas and associated furniture. Examples of traditional exempted parts of the seat include: Arm caps, armrest close-outs such as end bays and armreststyled center consoles, food trays, video monitors and shrouds. Clarification of ‘‘Exposed’’ ‘‘Exposed’’ includes those panels directly exposed to the passenger cabin in the traditional sense, plus those panels enveloped such as by a dress cover. Traditional fabrics or leathers currently used on seats are excluded from these special conditions. These materials must still comply with § 25.853(a) and § 25.853(c) if used as a covering for a seat cushion, or § 25.853(a) if installed elsewhere on the seat. Non-traditional, large, non-metallic panels covered with traditional fabrics or leathers will be tested without their coverings or covering attachments. Discussion In the early 1980s the FAA conducted extensive research on the effects of postcrash flammability in the passenger cabin. As a result of this research and service experience, the FAA adopted new standards for interior surfaces associated with large surface area parts. Specifically, the rules require measurement of heat release and smoke emission (part 25, Appendix F, parts IV and V) for the affected parts. Heat release has been shown to have a direct correlation with post- crash fire survival time. Materials that comply with the standards (i.e., Sec. 25.853 entitled ‘‘Compartment interiors’’ as amended by Amendment 25–61 and Amendment 25–66) extend survival time by approximately 2 minutes over materials that do not comply. At the time these standards were written the potential application of the requirements of heat release and smoke emission to seats was explored. The seat frame itself was not a concern because PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 it was primarily made of aluminum and there were only small amounts of nonmetallic materials. It was determined that the overall effect on survivability was negligible, whether or not the food trays met the heat release and smoke requirements. The requirements therefore did not address seats. The preambles to both the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), Notice No. 85–10 (50 FR 15038, April 16, 1985) and the Final Rule at Amendment 25– 61 (51 FR 26206, July 21, 1986), specifically note that seats were excluded ‘‘because the recently-adopted standards for flammability of seat cushions will greatly inhibit involvement of the seats.’’ Subsequently, the Final Rule at Amendment 25–83 (60 FR 6615, March 6, 1995) clarified the definition of minimum panel size: ‘‘It is not possible to cite a specific size that will apply in all installations; however, as a general rule, components with exposed-surface areas of one square foot or less may be considered small enough that they do not have to meet the new standards. Components with exposed-surface areas greater than two square feet may be considered large enough that they do have to meet the new standards. Those with exposed-surface areas greater than one square foot, but less than two square feet, must be considered in conjunction with the areas of the cabin in which they are installed before a determination could be made.’’ In the late 1990s, the FAA issued Policy Memorandum 97–112–39, Guidance for Flammability Testing of Seat/Console Installations, October 17, 1997 (https://rgl.faa.gov). That memo was issued when it became clear that seat designs were evolving to include large, non-metallic panels with surface areas that would impact survivability during a cabin fire event, comparable to partitions or galleys. The memo noted that large surface area panels must comply with heat release and smoke emission requirements, even if they were attached to a seat. If the FAA had not issued such policy, seat designs could have been viewed as a loophole to the airworthiness standards that would result in an unacceptable decrease in survivability during a cabin fire event. In October of 2004, an issue was raised regarding the appropriate flammability standards for passenger seats that incorporated non-traditional, large, non-metallic panels in lieu of the traditional metal covered by fabric. The Seattle Aircraft Certification Office and Transport Standards Staff reviewed this design and determined that it represented the kind and quantity of E:\FR\FM\26MRR1.SGM 26MRR1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 58 / Monday, March 26, 2012 / Rules and Regulations material that should be required to pass the heat release and smoke emissions requirements. We have determined that special conditions would be promulgated to apply the standards defined in 14 CFR 25.853(d) to seats with large, non-metallic panels in their design. Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 14, 2012. John Piccola, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. Applicability As discussed above, these special conditions apply to Airbus A350–900 series airplanes. Should Airbus apply later for a change to the type certificate to include another model incorporating the same novel or unusual design feature, the special conditions would apply to that model as well. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Conclusion This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features on Airbus A350–900 series airplanes. 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: sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with RULES Jkt 226001 Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2011–1087; Directorate Identifier 2011–NM–032–AD; Amendment 39–16967; AD 2012–04–11] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes Correction In rule document 2012–5859 appearing on pages 14679–14681 in the issue of March 13, 2012, make the following correction: [Corrected] On page 14680, in § 39.13, in the third column, the table is corrected to read as set forth below: ■ The Special Conditions So, by the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the following special conditions are issued as part of the type certification basis for Airbus A350–900 series airplanes with passenger seats that have nontraditional, large, non-metallic panels. 1. Compliance with 14 CFR part 25 Appendix F, parts IV and V, heat release and smoke emission, is required for seats that incorporate non-traditional, large nonmetallic panels that may either be a single component or multiple components in a concentrated area in their design. 2. The applicant may designate up to and including 1.5 square feet of nontraditional, nonmetallic panel material per seat place that does not have to comply with No. 1. A triple seat assembly may have a total of 4.5 square feet excluded on any portion of the assembly (e.g., outboard seat place 1 sq. ft., middle 1 sq. ft., and inboard 2.5 sq. ft.). 3. Seats need not meet the test requirements of 14 CFR part 25 Appendix F, parts IV and V when installed in compartments that are not otherwise required to meet these requirements. Examples include: a. Airplanes with passenger capacities of 19 or less, b. Airplanes exempted from smoke and heat release requirements. 16:21 Mar 23, 2012 BILLING CODE 4910–13–P § 39.13 Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702, 44704. VerDate Mar<15>2010 [FR Doc. 2012–7235 Filed 3–23–12; 8:45 am] TABLE 1—LIST OF FWC PART NUMBERS AFFECTED BY THIS AD FWC Part Number 350E017238484 (H1D1) 350E016187171 (C5) 350E017248685 (H1D2) 350E017251414 (H1E1) 350E017271616 (H1E2) 350E018291818 (H1E3CJ) 350E018301919 (H1E3P) 350E018312020 (H1E3Q) 350E053020202 (H2E2) 350E053020303 (H2E3) 350E053020404 (H2E4) 350E053020606 (H2F2) 350E053020707 (H2F3) 350E053021010 (H2F3P) 350E053020808 (H2F4) [FR Doc. C1–2012–5859 Filed 3–23–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 1505–01–D DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 71 [Docket No. FAA–2011–0499; Airspace Docket No. 11–ACE–10] Amendment of Class E Airspace; Hastings, NE Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 ACTION: 17327 Final rule. This action amends Class E airspace at Hastings, NE. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Hastings Municipal Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport. DATES: Effective date: 0901 UTC, May 31, 2012. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 1 CFR part 51 subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.9 and publication of conforming amendments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Enander, Central Service Center, Operations Support Group, Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone (817) 321– 7716. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: History On November 28, 2011, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend Class E airspace for the Hastings, NE., area, creating additional controlled airspace at Hastings Municipal Airport (76 FR 72867) Docket No. FAA–2011–0499. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received. Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 7400.9V dated August 9, 2011, and effective September 15, 2011, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR Part 71.1. The Class E airspace designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order. The Rule This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 71 by amending Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface to accommodate new RNAV standard instrument approach procedures at Hastings Municipal Airport, Hastings, NE. This action is necessary for the safety and management of IFR operations at the airport. The FAA has determined that this regulation only involves an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. Therefore, this regulation: (1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ E:\FR\FM\26MRR1.SGM 26MRR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 58 (Monday, March 26, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17325-17327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-7235]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0325; Notice No. 25-459-SC]

Special Conditions: Airbus, A350-900 Series Airplane; Passenger
Seats With Non-Traditional, Large, Non-Metallic Panels

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions, request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Airbus A350-900
series airplane. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design
feature(s) associated with seats that include non-traditional, large,
non-metallic panels that would affect survivability during a post-crash
fire event. 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: The effective date of these special conditions is March 14,
2012. We must receive your comments by May 10, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number [FAA-2012-0325]
using any of the following methods:
Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to https://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 of 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 8 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 https://www.regulations.gov/, including any personal
information the commenter provides. Using the search function of the
docket Web site, 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), as well as at https://DocketsInfo.dot.gov/.
Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at
https://www.regulations.gov/at any time. Follow the online instructions
for accessing the docket or go to the 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: Jeff Gardlin, FAA, Airframe/Cabin
Safety, ANM-115, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington, 98057-3356;
telephone (425) 227-2136; facsimile (425) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 will consider comments filed late if it is possible to do
so without incurring expense or delay. We may change these special
conditions based on the comments we receive.

Background

On August 25, 2008, Airbus applied for a type certificate for their
new A350-900 series airplane. Later, Airbus requested and the FAA
approved an extension to the application for FAA type certification to
June 28, 2009. The A350-900 series has a conventional layout with twin
wing-mounted Rolls Royce Trent engines. It features a twin aisle 9-
abreast economy class layout, and accommodates side-by-side placement
of LD-3 containers in the cargo compartment. The basic A350-900 series
configuration accommodates 315 passengers in a standard two-class
arrangement. The design cruise speed is Mach 0.85 with a Maximum Take-
Off Weight of 591,000 lbs. Airbus proposes the A350-900 series to be
certified for extended operations (ETOPS) beyond 180 minutes at entry
into service for up to a 420-minute maximum diversion time.
The applicable airplane regulations, Title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) part 25, do not require seats to meet the more-
stringent flammability standards required of large, non-metallic panels
in the cabin interior. At the time the applicable rules were written,
seats were designed with a metal frame covered by fabric, not with
large, non-metallic panels. Seats also met the then-recently adopted
standards for flammability of seat cushions. With the seat design being
mostly fabric and metal, the contribution to a fire in the cabin had
been minimized and was not considered a threat. For these reasons,
seats did not need to be tested to heat-release and smoke-emission
requirements.
Seat designs have now evolved to occasionally include non-
traditional, large, non-metallic panels. Taken in total, the surface
area of these panels is on the same order as the sidewall and overhead
stowage bin interior panels. To provide the level of passenger
protection intended by the airworthiness standards, these non-
traditional, large, non-metallic panels in the cabin must meet the
standards of part 25, Appendix F, parts IV and V, heat-release and
smoke-emission requirements.

Type Certification Basis

Under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.17, Airbus
must

[[Page 17326]]

show that the A350-900 series meets the applicable provisions of 14 CFR
part 25, as amended by Amendments 25-1 through 25-128.
The FAA has determined that Airbus A350-900 series airplanes must
comply with the following sections: Sec. 25.853(a) and Sec.
25.853(c), and Amendment 25-61 and Amendment 25-66.
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 A350-900 series because of a novel
or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed under
Sec. 21.16.
Special conditions are initially applicable to the model or series
for which they are issued. Should the type certificate for that model
be amended later to include any other model that incorporates the same
or similar novel or unusual design feature, the special conditions
would also apply to the other model under Sec. 21.101.
In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, the A350-900 series must comply with the fuel vent and
exhaust emission requirements of 14 CFR part 34, the noise
certification requirements of 14 CFR part 36, and the FAA must issue a
finding of regulatory adequacy under Sec. 611 of Public Law 92-574,
the ``Noise Control Act of 1972.''
The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in Sec. 11.19, under
Sec. 11.38, and they become part of the type-certification basis under
Sec. 21.17(a)(2).

Novel or Unusual Design Features

The A350-900 series will incorporate the following novel or unusual
design features: Passenger seats that incorporate non-traditional,
large, non-metallic panels in lieu of the traditional metal frame
covered by fabric. The flammability properties of these panels have
been shown to significantly affect the survivability of occupants of
the cabin in the case of fire. These seats are considered a novel
design for transport category airplanes that include Amendment 25-61
and Amendment 25-66 in the certification basis, and were not considered
when those airworthiness standards were established.
The existing regulations do not provide adequate or appropriate
safety standards for seat designs that incorporate non-traditional,
large, non-metallic panels. In order to provide a level of safety that
is equivalent to that provided by the balance of the cabin, additional
airworthiness standards, in the form of special conditions, are
necessary. These special conditions supplement Sec. 25.853. The
requirements contained in these special conditions consist of applying
the identical test conditions required of all other large panels in the
cabin, to seats with non-traditional, large, non-metallic panels.

Definition of ``Non-Traditional, Large, Non-Metallic Panel''

A non-traditional, large, non-metallic panel, in this case, is
defined as a panel with exposed-surface areas greater than 1.5 square
feet installed per seat place. The panel may consist of either a single
component or multiple components in a concentrated area. Examples of
parts of the seat where these non-traditional panels are installed
include, but are not limited to: Seat backs, bottoms and leg/foot
rests, kick panels, back shells, credenzas and associated furniture.
Examples of traditional exempted parts of the seat include: Arm caps,
armrest close-outs such as end bays and armrest-styled center consoles,
food trays, video monitors and shrouds.

Clarification of ``Exposed''

``Exposed'' includes those panels directly exposed to the passenger
cabin in the traditional sense, plus those panels enveloped such as by
a dress cover. Traditional fabrics or leathers currently used on seats
are excluded from these special conditions. These materials must still
comply with Sec. 25.853(a) and Sec. 25.853(c) if used as a covering
for a seat cushion, or Sec. 25.853(a) if installed elsewhere on the
seat. Non-traditional, large, non-metallic panels covered with
traditional fabrics or leathers will be tested without their coverings
or covering attachments.

Discussion

In the early 1980s the FAA conducted extensive research on the
effects of post-crash flammability in the passenger cabin. As a result
of this research and service experience, the FAA adopted new standards
for interior surfaces associated with large surface area parts.
Specifically, the rules require measurement of heat release and smoke
emission (part 25, Appendix F, parts IV and V) for the affected parts.
Heat release has been shown to have a direct correlation with post-
crash fire survival time. Materials that comply with the standards
(i.e., Sec. 25.853 entitled ``Compartment interiors'' as amended by
Amendment 25-61 and Amendment 25-66) extend survival time by
approximately 2 minutes over materials that do not comply.
At the time these standards were written the potential application
of the requirements of heat release and smoke emission to seats was
explored. The seat frame itself was not a concern because it was
primarily made of aluminum and there were only small amounts of non-
metallic materials. It was determined that the overall effect on
survivability was negligible, whether or not the food trays met the
heat release and smoke requirements. The requirements therefore did not
address seats. The preambles to both the Notice of Proposed Rule Making
(NPRM), Notice No. 85-10 (50 FR 15038, April 16, 1985) and the Final
Rule at Amendment 25-61 (51 FR 26206, July 21, 1986), specifically note
that seats were excluded ``because the recently-adopted standards for
flammability of seat cushions will greatly inhibit involvement of the
seats.''
Subsequently, the Final Rule at Amendment 25-83 (60 FR 6615, March
6, 1995) clarified the definition of minimum panel size: ``It is not
possible to cite a specific size that will apply in all installations;
however, as a general rule, components with exposed-surface areas of
one square foot or less may be considered small enough that they do not
have to meet the new standards. Components with exposed-surface areas
greater than two square feet may be considered large enough that they
do have to meet the new standards. Those with exposed-surface areas
greater than one square foot, but less than two square feet, must be
considered in conjunction with the areas of the cabin in which they are
installed before a determination could be made.''
In the late 1990s, the FAA issued Policy Memorandum 97-112-39,
Guidance for Flammability Testing of Seat/Console Installations,
October 17, 1997 (https://rgl.faa.gov). That memo was issued when it
became clear that seat designs were evolving to include large, non-
metallic panels with surface areas that would impact survivability
during a cabin fire event, comparable to partitions or galleys. The
memo noted that large surface area panels must comply with heat release
and smoke emission requirements, even if they were attached to a seat.
If the FAA had not issued such policy, seat designs could have been
viewed as a loophole to the airworthiness standards that would result
in an unacceptable decrease in survivability during a cabin fire event.
In October of 2004, an issue was raised regarding the appropriate
flammability standards for passenger seats that incorporated non-
traditional, large, non-metallic panels in lieu of the traditional
metal covered by fabric. The Seattle Aircraft Certification Office and
Transport Standards Staff reviewed this design and determined that it
represented the kind and quantity of

[[Page 17327]]

material that should be required to pass the heat release and smoke
emissions requirements. We have determined that special conditions
would be promulgated to apply the standards defined in 14 CFR 25.853(d)
to seats with large, non-metallic panels in their design.

Applicability

As discussed above, these special conditions apply to Airbus A350-
900 series airplanes. Should Airbus apply later for a change to the
type certificate to include another model incorporating the same novel
or unusual design feature, the special conditions would apply to that
model as well.

Conclusion

This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features
on Airbus A350-900 series airplanes. It is not a rule of general
applicability.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25

Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.

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

So, by the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the
following special conditions are issued as part of the type
certification basis for Airbus A350-900 series airplanes with passenger
seats that have non-traditional, large, non-metallic panels.
1. Compliance with 14 CFR part 25 Appendix F, parts IV and V, heat
release and smoke emission, is required for seats that incorporate non-
traditional, large nonmetallic panels that may either be a single
component or multiple components in a concentrated area in their
design.
2. The applicant may designate up to and including 1.5 square feet
of non-traditional, nonmetallic panel material per seat place that does
not have to comply with No. 1. A triple seat assembly may have a total
of 4.5 square feet excluded on any portion of the assembly (e.g.,
outboard seat place 1 sq. ft., middle 1 sq. ft., and inboard 2.5 sq.
ft.).
3. Seats need not meet the test requirements of 14 CFR part 25
Appendix F, parts IV and V when installed in compartments that are not
otherwise required to meet these requirements. Examples include:
a. Airplanes with passenger capacities of 19 or less,
b. Airplanes exempted from smoke and heat release requirements.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 14, 2012.
John Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-7235 Filed 3-23-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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