Special Conditions: Embraer S.A., Model EMB-550 Airplane; Electronic Flight Control System: Control Surface Awareness and Mode Annunciation, 57039-57041 [2012-22777]

Download as PDF sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 180 / Monday, September 17, 2012 / Proposed Rules At the February 22, 2012, meeting, the Committee discussed the impact of the proposed changes on handlers and producers. The proposed action would be a relaxation of the current handling regulation, allowing an additional 30 days for industry participants to fully supply the market with the total amount of spearmint oil allotted under the volume regulation provisions of the order. The benefits of this rule are not expected to be disproportionately greater or less for small handlers or producers than for larger entities. The Committee discussed alternatives to these proposed changes, including making no changes at all, changing the dates but keeping them within the month of November, and extending the dates further into December or into January. The Committee thought that maintaining the dates in the current regulations would not be responsive to the changing production practices of the industry. In addition, they felt that the dates should be extended at least 30 days for the change to be meaningful. However, the Committee believed that extending the dates any further than the proposed dates would affect the Committee’s ability to establish accurate reports for the completed harvest season in a timely manner. The Committee members unanimously agreed that changing the dates for transferring, storing, and pooling excess oil from November 1 to December 1 addressed the industry’s current needs without negatively impacting the operation of the Committee. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the order’s information collection requirements have been previously approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and assigned OMB No. 0581–0178, Vegetable and Specialty Crops. No changes in those requirements as a result of this action are necessary. Should any changes become necessary, they would be submitted to OMB for approval. This proposed rule would change the date by which excess oil must be transferred between producers to fill annual allotment deficiencies or delivered to the Committee or its designees for storage from November 1 to December 1. In addition, the rule would change the date the Committee must pool identified excess oil as reserve oil from November 1 to December 1. The rule would be a relaxation of the volume regulation provisions of the order. No changes in the reporting or recordkeeping requirements would be necessary as a result of this action. Accordingly, this VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:54 Sep 14, 2012 Jkt 226001 proposed rule would not impose any additional reporting or recordkeeping requirements on either small or large spearmint oil producers or handlers. As with all Federal marketing order programs, reports and forms are periodically reviewed to reduce information requirements and duplication by industry and public sector agencies. Furthermore, USDA has not identified any relevant Federal rules that duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this proposed rule. AMS is committed to complying with the E-Government Act, to promote the use of the Internet and other information technologies to provide increased opportunities for citizen access to Government information and services, and for other purposes. In addition, the Committee’s meeting was widely publicized throughout the spearmint oil industry and all interested persons were invited to attend the meeting and participate in Committee deliberations on all issues. Like all Committee meetings, the February 22, 2012, meeting was a public meeting and all entities, both large and small, were able to express views on this issue. Finally, interested persons are invited to submit comments on this proposed rule, including the regulatory and informational impacts of this action on small businesses. A small business guide on complying with fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop marketing agreements and orders may be viewed at: www.ams.usda.gov/ MarketingOrdersSmallBusinessGuide. Any questions about the compliance guide should be sent to Laurel May at the previously mentioned address in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. A 60-day comment period is provided to allow interested persons to respond to this proposed rule. All written comments timely received will be considered before a final determination is made on this matter. List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 985 Marketing agreements, Oils and fats, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Spearmint oil. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR part 985 is proposed to be amended as follows: PART 985—MARKETING ORDER REGULATING THE HANDLING OF SPEARMINT OIL PRODUCED IN THE FAR WEST 1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 985 continues to read as follows: Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601–674. 2. Revise § 985.156 to read as follows: PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 57039 § 985.156 Transfer of excess oil by producers. (a) Pursuant to § 985.56(a), before December 1 of each marketing year, a producer, following notification of the Committee, may transfer excess oil to another producer to enable that producer to fill a deficiency in that producer’s annual allotment. (b) Pursuant to § 985.56(b), before December 1 of each marketing year, excess oil not used to fill another producer’s deficiency shall be delivered to the Committee or its designees for storage. 3. Add § 985.157 to read as follows: § 985.157 Reserve pool requirements. Pursuant to § 985.57(a), on December 1, the Committee shall pool identified excess oil as reserve oil in such manner as to accurately account for its receipt, storage, and disposition. Dated: September 12, 2012. David R. Shipman, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2012–22834 Filed 9–14–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 25 [Docket No. FAA–2012–0978; Notice No. 25– 12–03–SC] Special Conditions: Embraer S.A., Model EMB–550 Airplane; Electronic Flight Control System: Control Surface Awareness and Mode Annunciation Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions. AGENCY: This action proposes special conditions for the Embraer S.A. Model EMB–550 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with the control surface awareness and mode annunciation of the electronic flight control system. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed 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: Send your comments on or before November 1, 2012. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\17SEP1.SGM 17SEP1 57040 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 180 / Monday, September 17, 2012 / Proposed Rules Send comments identified by docket number FAA–2012–0978 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 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: Joe Jacobsen, FAA, Airplane and Flight Crew Interface Branch, ANM–111, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057–3356; telephone 425–227–2011; facsimile 425–227–1149. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ADDRESSES: sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS 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. VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:01 Sep 14, 2012 Jkt 226001 We will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for comments. We may change these special conditions based on the comments we receive. The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance with § 11.38, and they become part of the type-certification basis under § 21.17(a)(2). Background Novel or Unusual Design Features On May 14, 2009, Embraer S.A. applied for a type certificate for their new Model EMB–550 airplane. The Model EMB–550 airplane is the first of a new family of jet airplanes designed for corporate flight, fractional, charter, and private owner operations. The aircraft has a conventional configuration with low wing and T-tail empennage. The primary structure is metal with composite empennage and control surfaces. The Model EMB–550 airplane is designed for 8 passengers, with a maximum of 12 passengers. It is equipped with two Honeywell HTF7500–E medium bypass ratio turbofan engines mounted on aft fuselage pylons. Each engine produces approximately 6,540 pounds of thrust for normal takeoff. The primary flight controls consist of hydraulically powered fly-by-wire elevators, aileron and rudder, controlled by the pilot or copilot sidestick. The Model EMB–550 airplane will incorporate the following novel or unusual design features: The Embraer S.A. Model EMB–550 airplane will have a fly-by-wire electronic flight control system and no direct coupling from the flightdeck controller to the control surface. As a result, the pilot is not aware of the actual control surface position as envisioned when part 25 was written. Type Certification Basis Under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.17, Embraer S.A. must show that the Model EMB–550 airplane meets the applicable provisions of part 25, as amended by Amendments 25–1 through 25–127. 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 EMB–550 airplane because of a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed under the provisions of § 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 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 Model EMB–550 airplane must comply with the fuel vent and exhaust emission requirements of 14 CFR part 34 and the noise certification requirements of 14 CFR part 36 and the FAA must issue a finding of regulatory adequacy under § 611 of Public Law 92–574, the ‘‘Noise Control Act of 1972.’’ PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Discussion This special condition proposes that the flightcrew receive a suitable flight control position annunciation when a flight condition exists in which nearly full surface authority (not crewcommanded) is being used. Suitability of such a display must take into account that some pilot-demanded maneuvers (e.g., rapid roll) are necessarily associated with intended full performance, which may saturate the surface. Therefore, simple alerting systems function in both intended and unexpected control-limiting situations. As a result, they must be properly balanced between providing necessary crew awareness and being a potential nuisance to the flightcrew. A monitoring system that compares airplane motion and surface deflection with the demand of the pilot sidestick controller could help reduce nuisance alerting. This special condition also addresses flight control system mode annunciation. It proposes suitable mode annunciation be provided to the flightcrew for events that significantly change the operating mode of the system but do not merit the classic ‘‘failure warning.’’ This proposed special condition would establish a level of safety equivalent to that provided by a conventional flight control system and that contemplated in existing regulations. Applicability As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the Model EMB–550 airplane. Should Embraer S.A. 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. E:\FR\FM\17SEP1.SGM 17SEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 180 / Monday, September 17, 2012 / Proposed Rules Conclusion ACTION: This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features on one model of airplanes. It is not a rule of general applicability. SUMMARY: 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 Proposed Special Conditions Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes the following special conditions as part of the type certification basis for Model EMB–550 airplanes. 1. Electronic Flight Control System: Control Surface Awareness and Mode Annunciation. In addition to the requirements of §§ 25.143, 25.671, and 25.672, the following requirements apply: a. The system design must ensure that the flightcrew is made suitably aware whenever the primary control means nears the limit of control authority. Note: The term ‘‘suitably aware’’ indicates annunciations provided to the flightcrew are appropriately balanced between nuisance and that necessary for crew awareness. b. If the design of the flight control system has multiple modes of operation, a means must be provided to indicate to the crew any mode that significantly changes or degrades the normal handling or operational characteristics of the airplane. Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 7, 2012. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2012–22777 Filed 9–14–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH Models TAE 125–01, TAE 125–02–99, and TAE 125– 02–114 Reciprocating Engines Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. AGENCY: 17:54 Sep 14, 2012 We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Thielert Aircraft Engines (TAE) GmbH Models TAE 125– 01, TAE 125–02–99, and TAE 125–02– 114 Reciprocating Engines. The existing AD currently requires installation of full-authority digital electronic control (FADEC) software version 2.91. Since we issued that AD, we have received reports of possible power loss on airplanes equipped with TAE 125 engines. This proposed AD would require removing all software mapping versions prior to 292, 301, or 302, applicable to the TAE engine model. We are proposing this AD to prevent engine power loss or in-flight shutdown, resulting in reduced control of or damage to the airplane. DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 16, 2012. You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Fax: 202–493–2251. • Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. • Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. For service information identified in this AD, contact Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH, Platanenstrasse 14 D– 09350, Lichtenstein, Germany, phone: +49–37204–696–0; fax: +49–37204– 696–55; email: info@centurionengines.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781–238–7125. ADDRESSES: Examining the AD Docket [Docket No. FAA–2010–0820; Directorate Identifier 2010–NE–31–AD] VerDate Mar<15>2010 Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). Jkt 226001 You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https:// www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is in the PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 57041 ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Strom, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; email: alan.strom@faa.gov; phone: 781– 238–7143; fax: 781–238–7199. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–2010–0820; Directorate Identifier 2010–NE–31–AD’’ at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD because of those comments. We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD. Discussion On March 22, 2011 we issued AD 2011–07–09, amendment 39–16646 (76 FR 17757, March 31, 2011), for Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH models TAE 125–01, TAE 125–02–99, and TAE 125– 02–114 reciprocating engines installed in, but not limited to, Cessna 172 and (Reims-built) F172 series (European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) STC No. EASA.A.S.01527); Piper PA–28 series (EASA STC No. EASA.A.S. 01632); APEX (Robin) DR 400 series (EASA STC No. A.S.01380); and Diamond Aircraft Industries Models DA 40, DA 42, and DA 42M NG airplanes. That AD requires installation of FADEC software version 2.91. That AD resulted from service experience that showed the FADEC channel B manifold air pressure sensor hose permeability was not always recognized as a fault by the FADEC. We issued that AD to prevent engine power loss or in-flight shutdown, resulting in reduced control of or damage to the airplane. Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued Since we issued AD 2011–07–09, we have received reports of possible power loss on airplanes equipped with TAE 125 engines. The preliminary investigation results have shown that an E:\FR\FM\17SEP1.SGM 17SEP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 180 (Monday, September 17, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57039-57041]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22777]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0978; Notice No. 25-12-03-SC]


Special Conditions: Embraer S.A., Model EMB-550 Airplane; 
Electronic Flight Control System: Control Surface Awareness and Mode 
Annunciation

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions.

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

SUMMARY: This action proposes special conditions for the Embraer S.A. 
Model EMB-550 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual 
design feature(s) associated with the control surface awareness and 
mode annunciation of the electronic flight control system. The 
applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed 
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: Send your comments on or before November 1, 2012.

[[Page 57040]]


ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2012-0978 
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 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: Joe Jacobsen, FAA, Airplane and Flight 
Crew Interface Branch, ANM-111, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-2011; facsimile 425-227-1149.

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 on or before the closing 
date for comments. We may change these special conditions based on the 
comments we receive.

Background

    On May 14, 2009, Embraer S.A. applied for a type certificate for 
their new Model EMB-550 airplane. The Model EMB-550 airplane is the 
first of a new family of jet airplanes designed for corporate flight, 
fractional, charter, and private owner operations. The aircraft has a 
conventional configuration with low wing and T-tail empennage. The 
primary structure is metal with composite empennage and control 
surfaces. The Model EMB-550 airplane is designed for 8 passengers, with 
a maximum of 12 passengers. It is equipped with two Honeywell HTF7500-E 
medium bypass ratio turbofan engines mounted on aft fuselage pylons. 
Each engine produces approximately 6,540 pounds of thrust for normal 
takeoff. The primary flight controls consist of hydraulically powered 
fly-by-wire elevators, aileron and rudder, controlled by the pilot or 
copilot sidestick.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) 21.17, Embraer S.A. must show that the Model EMB-550 airplane 
meets the applicable provisions of part 25, as amended by Amendments 
25-1 through 25-127.
    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 EMB-550 airplane because of 
a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed 
under the provisions of Sec.  21.16.
    Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which 
they are issued. Should the type certificate for that model be amended 
later to include any other model that incorporates the same 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 Model EMB-550 airplane must comply with the fuel vent 
and exhaust emission requirements of 14 CFR part 34 and the noise 
certification requirements of 14 CFR part 36 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 EMB-550 airplane will incorporate the following novel or 
unusual design features: The Embraer S.A. Model EMB-550 airplane will 
have a fly-by-wire electronic flight control system and no direct 
coupling from the flightdeck controller to the control surface. As a 
result, the pilot is not aware of the actual control surface position 
as envisioned when part 25 was written.

Discussion

    This special condition proposes that the flightcrew receive a 
suitable flight control position annunciation when a flight condition 
exists in which nearly full surface authority (not crew-commanded) is 
being used. Suitability of such a display must take into account that 
some pilot-demanded maneuvers (e.g., rapid roll) are necessarily 
associated with intended full performance, which may saturate the 
surface. Therefore, simple alerting systems function in both intended 
and unexpected control-limiting situations. As a result, they must be 
properly balanced between providing necessary crew awareness and being 
a potential nuisance to the flightcrew. A monitoring system that 
compares airplane motion and surface deflection with the demand of the 
pilot sidestick controller could help reduce nuisance alerting.
    This special condition also addresses flight control system mode 
annunciation. It proposes suitable mode annunciation be provided to the 
flightcrew for events that significantly change the operating mode of 
the system but do not merit the classic ``failure warning.''
    This proposed special condition would establish a level of safety 
equivalent to that provided by a conventional flight control system and 
that contemplated in existing regulations.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
Model EMB-550 airplane. Should Embraer S.A. 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.

[[Page 57041]]

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on one model of 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:

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

The Proposed Special Conditions

    Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes the 
following special conditions as part of the type certification basis 
for Model EMB-550 airplanes.
    1. Electronic Flight Control System: Control Surface Awareness and 
Mode Annunciation. In addition to the requirements of Sec. Sec.  
25.143, 25.671, and 25.672, the following requirements apply:
    a. The system design must ensure that the flightcrew is made 
suitably aware whenever the primary control means nears the limit of 
control authority.

    Note: The term ``suitably aware'' indicates annunciations 
provided to the flightcrew are appropriately balanced between 
nuisance and that necessary for crew awareness.

    b. If the design of the flight control system has multiple modes of 
operation, a means must be provided to indicate to the crew any mode 
that significantly changes or degrades the normal handling or 
operational characteristics of the airplane.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 7, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-22777 Filed 9-14-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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