Special Conditions: Gulfstream Aerospace LP (GALP), Model Gulfstream G280 Airplane; Isolation or Aircraft Electronic System Security Protection From Unauthorized Internal Access, 38467-38468 [2012-15913]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 125 (Thursday, June 28, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38467-38468]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15913]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0624; Special Conditions No. 25-464-SC]


Special Conditions: Gulfstream Aerospace LP (GALP), Model 
Gulfstream G280 Airplane; Isolation or Aircraft Electronic System 
Security Protection From Unauthorized Internal Access

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Gulfstream 
Aerospace LP, Model Gulfstream G280 airplane. This airplane will have 
novel or unusual design features associated with connectivity of the 
passenger service computer systems to the airplane critical systems and 
data networks. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain 
adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. 
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 June 7, 2012. 
We must receive your comments by August 13, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2012-0624 
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 by 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: Varun Khanna, FAA, Airplane and Flight 
Crew Interface Branch, ANM-111, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1298; facsimile 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has determined that notice of, and 
opportunity for prior public comment on, these special conditions are 
impracticable because these procedures would significantly delay 
issuance of the design approval and thus delivery of the affected 
aircraft. In addition, the substance of these special conditions has 
been subject to the public comment process in several prior instances 
with no substantive comments received. The FAA therefore finds that 
good cause exists for making these special conditions effective upon 
issuance.

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 may change these special conditions based on the comments 
we receive.

Background

    On March 30, 2006, Gulfstream Aerospace LP (hereafter referred to 
as ``GALP'') applied for a type certificate for their new Model 
Gulfstream G280 (hereafter referred to as ``Model G280'') airplane. The 
Model G280 is a two-engine jet transport airplane with a maximum 
takeoff weight of 39,600 pounds and an emergency exit arrangement to 
support a maximum of 19 passengers. Although the Model G280 design 
includes occupancy provisions for pilot and copilot only (no 
passengers), GALP requested issuance of these special conditions to 
support efficient design and certification of passenger cabin interiors 
through the supplemental type certification process.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) 21.17, GALP must show that the Model G280 meets the applicable 
provisions of part 25, as amended by Amendments 25-1 through 25-120, 
thereto, and Amendment 25-122. In addition, the certification basis 
includes certain special conditions, exemptions, and equivalent safety 
findings that are not relevant to these special conditions.
    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 Model G280 because of a novel or 
unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed under the 
provisions of Sec.  21.16.
    Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which 
they are issued. Should the type certificate for that model be amended 
later to include any other model that incorporates the same novel or 
unusual design feature, the special conditions would also apply to the 
other model.
    In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special 
conditions, the Model G280 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; 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 14 CFR 11.19, in 
accordance with Sec.  11.38, and they become part of the type 
certification basis under Sec.  21.17(a)(2).

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The Model G280 will incorporate the following novel or unusual 
design features: Digital systems architecture

[[Page 38468]]

composed of several connected networks. The proposed architecture and 
network configuration may be used for, or interfaced with, a diverse 
set of functions, including:
    1. Flight-safety related control, communication, and navigation 
systems (aircraft control functions);
    2. Airline business and administrative support (airline information 
services), and;
    3. Passenger information and entertainment systems (passenger 
entertainment services).

Discussion

    The Model G280 integrated network configuration may allow increased 
connectivity with external network sources and will have more 
interconnected networks and systems, such as passenger entertainment 
and information services, than previous GALP airplane models. This may 
allow the exploitation of network security vulnerabilities and 
increased risks potentially resulting in unsafe conditions for the 
airplane and its occupants. This potential exploitation of security 
vulnerabilities may result in intentional or unintentional destruction, 
disruption, degradation, or exploitation of data and systems critical 
to the safety and maintenance of the airplane. The existing regulations 
and guidance material did not anticipate these types of system 
architectures. Furthermore, 14 CFR regulations and current system 
safety assessment policy and techniques do not address potential 
security vulnerabilities which could be exploited by unauthorized 
access to airplane networks and servers. Therefore, these special 
conditions are being issued to ensure that the security (i.e., 
confidentiality, integrity, and availability) of airplane systems is 
not compromised by unauthorized wired or wireless electronic 
connections between airplane systems and the passenger entertainment 
services.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
Model G280. Should GALP apply at a later date 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 one model of airplane. It is not a rule of general applicability.
    The substance of these special conditions has been subjected to the 
notice and comment period in several prior instances and has been 
derived without substantive change from those previously issued. It is 
unlikely that prior public comment would result in a significant change 
from the substance contained herein. Therefore, because a delay would 
significantly affect the certification of the airplane, which is 
imminent, the FAA has determined that prior public notice and comment 
are unnecessary and impracticable, and good cause exists for adopting 
these special conditions upon issuance. The FAA is requesting comments 
to allow interested persons to submit views that may not have been 
submitted in response to the prior opportunities for comment described 
above.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25

    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

    The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(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 type certification basis for Gulfstream Aerospace LP, Model 
Gulfstream G280 airplanes.
    1. Isolation or Aircraft Electronic System Security Protection from 
Unauthorized Internal Access. The applicant must ensure that the design 
provides isolation from, or airplane electronic system security 
protection against, access by unauthorized sources internal to the 
airplane. The design must prevent inadvertent and malicious changes to, 
and all adverse impacts upon, airplane equipment, systems, networks, or 
other assets required for safe flight and operations.
    2. The applicant must establish appropriate procedures to allow the 
operator to ensure that continued airworthiness of the aircraft is 
maintained, including all post type certification modifications that 
may have an impact on the approved electronic system security 
safeguards.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 7, 2012.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-15913 Filed 6-27-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P