Special Conditions: Embraer S.A., Model EMB-550 Airplane, Limit Pilot Forces for Sidestick Control, 11554-11555 [2013-03657]

Download as PDF 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 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 33 / Tuesday, February 19, 2013 / Rules and Regulations Nose left 100 lbf EMB–550 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with the design roll maneuver for electronic flight controls, specifically an electronic flight control system that provides control of the aircraft through pilot inputs to the flight computer. 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: Nose right 100 lbf Background 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 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 Embraer S.A. Model EMB–550 airplanes. ■ 1. Limit Pilot Forces for Sidestick Control. In lieu of the pilot forces specified in § 25.397(c): ■ (a) The limit pilot forces are: Pitch Roll Nose up 200 pounds force (lbf). Nose down 200 lbf ....... (b) For all other components of the sidestick control assembly, excluding the internal components of the electrical sensor assemblies, to avoid damage as a result of an in-flight jam. ■ Pitch Roll Nose up 125 lbf ............. Nose down 125 lbf ......... Nose left 50 lbf Nose right 50 lbf Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 12, 2013. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2013–03657 Filed 2–15–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 25 sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with RULES [Docket No. FAA–2012–1241; Special Conditions No. 25–480–SC] Special Conditions: Embraer S.A., Model EMB–550 Airplane; Design Roll Maneuver for Electronic Flight Controls Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final special conditions. AGENCY: These special conditions are issued for the Embraer S.A. Model SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:41 Feb 15, 2013 Jkt 229001 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. The flight control system for the Model EMB–550 airplane does not have a direct mechanical link or a linear gain between the airplane flight control surface and the pilot’s cockpit control device, which is not accounted for in Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 25.349(a). Instead, a flight control computer commands the airplane flight control surfaces, based on input received from the cockpit control device. The pilot input is modified by the flight control computer before the command is given to the flight control surface. PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 11555 Type Certification Basis Under the provisions of 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 (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for the Model EMB–500 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.’’ 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 an electronic flight control system that provides control of the aircraft through pilot inputs to the flight computer. Current part 25 airworthiness regulations account for ‘‘control laws’’ where aileron deflection is proportional to control stick deflection. They do not address any nonlinearities, i.e., situations where output does not change in the same proportion as input, or other effects on aileron actuation that may be caused by electronic flight controls. Discussion These special conditions differ from current regulatory requirements in that they require that the roll maneuver result from defined movements of the cockpit roll control as opposed to defined aileron deflections. Also, these special conditions require an additional E:\FR\FM\19FER1.SGM 19FER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 33 (Tuesday, February 19, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11554-11555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-03657]


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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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions.

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

SUMMARY: 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: 

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 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 section 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 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

[[Page 11555]]

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 Embraer S.A. Model EMB-550 airplanes.

0
1. Limit Pilot Forces for Sidestick Control.
    In lieu of the pilot forces specified in Sec.  25.397(c):
0
(a) The limit pilot forces are:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Pitch                                 Roll
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nose up 200 pounds force (lbf).......  Nose left 100 lbf
Nose down 200 lbf....................  Nose right 100 lbf
------------------------------------------------------------------------

0
(b) For all other components of the sidestick control assembly, 
excluding the internal components of the electrical sensor assemblies, 
to avoid damage as a result of an in-flight jam.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Pitch                                Roll
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nose up 125 lbf.......................  Nose left 50 lbf
Nose down 125 lbf.....................  Nose right 50 lbf
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 12, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-03657 Filed 2-15-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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