Special Conditions: Embraer S.A., Model EMB-550 Airplane; Electronic Flight Control System: Control Surface Awareness and Mode Annunciation, 11553-11554 [2013-03656]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 33 / Tuesday, February 19, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. FAA–2012–0978; Special
Conditions No. 25–478–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: Final special conditions.
AGENCY:
These special conditions are
issued 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 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: March 21, 2013.
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:
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
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.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:41 Feb 15, 2013
Jkt 229001
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.’’
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).
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.
11553
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.
These special conditions also address
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.’’
These special conditions establish a
level of safety equivalent to that
provided by a conventional flight
control system and that contemplated in
existing regulations.
Discussion of Comments
Notice of proposed special conditions
No. SC–12–25 for the Embraer S.A.
EMB–550 airplanes was published in
the Federal Register on September 27,
2012 (77 FR 57039). No comments were
received, and the special conditions are
adopted as proposed.
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.
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:
Discussion
These special conditions propose 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
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 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
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
E:\FR\FM\19FER1.SGM
19FER1
11554
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 33 / Tuesday, February 19, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
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 flightcrew any mode that
significantly changes or degrades the
normal handling or operational
characteristics of the airplane.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February
12, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–03656 Filed 2–15–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. FAA–2012–1216; Special
Conditions No. 25–479–SC]
Special Conditions: Embraer S.A.,
Model EMB–550 Airplane, Limit Pilot
Forces for Sidestick Control
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final special conditions.
AGENCY:
These special conditions for
the Embraer S.A. Model EMB–550
airplane. This airplane will have a novel
or unusual design feature, specifically
sidestick controllers designed to be
operated with only one hand. 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: March 21, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Todd Martin, FAA, Airframe and Cabin
Safety Branch, ANM–115, Transport
Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue
SW., Renton, Washington, 98057–3356;
telephone 425–227–1178; facsimile
425–227–1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:41 Feb 15, 2013
Jkt 229001
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, ailerons,
and rudder, controlled by the pilot or
copilot sidestick.
Current regulations reference pilot
effort loads for the cockpit pitch and roll
controls that are based on a two-handed
effort. The cockpit roll and pitch
controls for the Model EMB–550
airplane are designed for one-handed
operation.
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
thereto.
If the Administrator finds that the
applicable airworthiness regulations 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
section 611 of Public Law 92–574, the
‘‘Noise Control Act of 1972.’’
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
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).
Novel or Unusual Design Features
The Embraer S.A. Model EMB–550
airplane will incorporate the following
novel or unusual design features: The
Model EMB–550 airplane is equipped
with a sidestick controller instead of a
conventional wheel or control stick.
This kind of controller is designed to be
operated using only one hand. The
requirement of 14 CFR 25.397(c), which
defines limit pilot forces and torques for
conventional wheel or stick controls, is
not appropriate for a sidestick
controller. Therefore, a special
condition is necessary to specify the
appropriate loading conditions for this
kind of controller.
Discussion
The Embraer S.A. Model EMB–550
airplane is equipped with a sidestick
controller instead of a conventional
wheel or control stick. This kind of
controller is designed to be operated
using only one hand. The requirement
of 14 CFR 25.397(c), which defines limit
pilot forces and torques for conventional
wheel or stick controls, is not
appropriate for a sidestick controller,
because pilot forces are applied to
sidestick controllers with only the wrist,
not arms. 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.
Discussion of Comments
Notice of proposed special conditions
No. 25–12–13–SC for the Embraer S.A.
Model EMB–550 airplanes was
published in the Federal Register on
November 20, 2012, (77 FR 69571). No
comments were received, and the
special conditions are adopted as
proposed.
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.
Conclusion
This action affects only certain novel
or unusual design features on one model
E:\FR\FM\19FER1.SGM
19FER1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 33 (Tuesday, February 19, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11553-11554]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-03656]
[[Page 11553]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0978; Special Conditions No. 25-478-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: Final special conditions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued 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 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: March 21, 2013.
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:
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
These special conditions propose 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.
These special conditions also address 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.''
These special conditions establish a level of safety equivalent to
that provided by a conventional flight control system and that
contemplated in existing regulations.
Discussion of Comments
Notice of proposed special conditions No. SC-12-25 for the Embraer
S.A. EMB-550 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
September 27, 2012 (77 FR 57039). No comments were received, and the
special conditions are adopted as proposed.
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.
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.
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 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
[[Page 11554]]
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 flightcrew any
mode that significantly changes or degrades the normal handling or
operational characteristics of the airplane.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 12, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-03656 Filed 2-15-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
