Special Conditions: Extra Flugzeugproduktions and Vertriebs [Extra] GmbH, EA-300/LC; Acrobatic Category Aerodynamic Stability, 15062-15064 [2014-05951]
Download as PDF
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
15062
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 52 / Tuesday, March 18, 2014 / Proposed Rules
(202) 586–2945. If possible, please
submit all items on a CD, in which case
it is not necessary to include printed
copies.
Instructions: All submissions received
must include the agency name and
docket number and/or RIN for this
rulemaking. No telefacsimilies (faxes)
will be accepted.
Docket: The docket is available for
review at https://www.regulations.gov,
and will include Federal Register
notices, framework document, public
meeting attendee lists and transcripts,
comments, and other supporting
documents/materials throughout the
rulemaking process. The regulations.gov
Web page contains simple instructions
on how to access all documents,
including public comments, in the
docket. The docket can be accessed by
searching for docket number EERE–
2013–BT–STD–0040 on the
regulations.gov Web site. All documents
in the docket are listed in the
www.regulations.gov index. However,
not all documents listed in the index
may be publicly available, such as
information that is exempt from public
disclosure.
For information on how to submit a
comment, review other public
comments and the docket, or participate
in the public meeting, contact Ms.
Brenda Edwards at (202) 586–2945 or by
email: Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
James Raba, U.S. Department of Energy,
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Building
Technologies Office, EE–5B, 1000
Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone: (202) 586–8654. Email:
jim.raba@ee.doe.gov.
Michael Kido, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of the General Counsel,
GC–71, 1000 Independence Avenue
SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone: (202) 586–8145. Email:
michael.kido@hq.doe.gov.
For information on how to submit or
review public comments and on how to
participate in the public meeting,
contact Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S.
Department of Energy, Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy,
Building Technologies Office, EE–5B,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone (202) 586–2945. Email:
Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.
On
February 5, 2014, DOE published a
notice announcing the availability of a
Framework Document and a public
meeting to discuss that document. See
79 FR 6839. That notice announced that
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:26 Mar 17, 2014
Jkt 232001
the public meeting would be held on
March 3, 2014 and that written
comments to DOE regarding the
Framework Document would need to be
submitted by no later than March 24,
2014. In light of the inclement weather
that forced the cancellation of the March
3rd meeting, DOE is rescheduling the
meeting to be held on April 1, 2014 and
is providing commenters until April 22,
2014 to provide any written comments
regarding the Framework Document.
Accordingly, DOE will consider any
comments received by April 22, 2014, to
be timely submitted.
Issued in Washington, DC, on March 12,
2014.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy.
[FR Doc. 2014–05933 Filed 3–17–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 23
[Docket No. FAA–2014–0155; Notice No. 23–
14–01–SC]
Special Conditions: Extra
Flugzeugproduktions and Vertriebs
[Extra] GmbH, EA–300/LC; Acrobatic
Category Aerodynamic Stability
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed special
conditions.
AGENCY:
This action proposes special
conditions for the Extra EA–300/LC
airplane. This airplane will have a novel
or unusual design feature(s) associated
with static stability. This airplane can
perform at the highest level of aerobatic
competition. To be competitive, the
aircraft was designed with positive and,
at some points, neutral stability within
its flight envelope. Its lateral and
directional axes are also decoupled from
each other providing more precise
maneuvering. The applicable
airworthiness regulations do not contain
adequate or appropriate safety standards
for these design features. 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 to EA–300/LC
airplanes certified solely in the
acrobatic category.
DATES: Send your comments on or
before April 17, 2014.
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Send comments identified
by docket number [FAA–2014–0155]
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 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 9
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://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: Mr.
Ross Schaller, Federal Aviation
Administration, Small Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106; telephone (816)
329–4162; facsimile (816) 329–4090.
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. We ask that you send
us two copies of written comments.
We will consider all comments we
receive on or before the closing date for
E:\FR\FM\18MRP1.SGM
18MRP1
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 52 / Tuesday, March 18, 2014 / Proposed Rules
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
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 February 3, 2011, Extra GmbH
applied for an amendment to Type
Certificate No. A67EU to include the
derivative model number, EA–300/LC.
The EA–300/LC, which is a derivative of
the EA–300/L, currently approved
under Type Certificate No. A67EU, is a
single engine, two-place tandem canopy
cockpit, low wing aerobatic monoplane
with conventional landing gear.
Its maximum takeoff weight is 2095
pounds (950 kilograms). VNE is 219
knots, VNO is 138 knots, and VA is 154
knots, indicated airspeed. Maximum
altitude is 10,000 feet. The engine is a
Lycoming AEIO–580–B1A with a rated
power of 315 Horsepower (Hp) at 2,700
revolutions per minute (rpm). The
airplane is proposed to be approved for
Day-VFR operations with no icing
approval. The EA–300/LC is certified
under European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) authority (Type Certificate Data
Sheet EASA.A.362) as a dual category
(normal/acrobatic) airplane.
Acrobatic airplanes previously type
certificated by the FAA did comply with
the stability provisions of part 23,
subpart B. However, airplanes like the
EA–300/LC are considered as
‘‘unlimited’’ acrobatic aircraft because
they can perform at the highest level of
aerobatic competition and can perform
any maneuvers listed in the Aresti
Catalog. The evolution of the
‘‘unlimited’’ types of acrobatic airplanes
with very low mass, exceptional roll
rates, and very high G capabilities, in
addition to power to mass ratios that are
unique to this type of airplane, have led
to airplanes that cannot comply with the
regulatory stability requirements. These
airplanes can still be type-certificated,
but in the acrobatic category only and
with special conditions and limitations.
The FAA will only consider certifying
the EA–300/LC in the acrobatic
category. Extra GmbH will not be able
to offer a normal category-operating
envelope to accommodate the increased
fuel load designed for cross-country
operations. The FAA does recognize
that fuel exhaustion is one of the top
accident causes associated with this
class of aircraft. For this reason, the
FAA proposes to allow Extra to seek
certification of a limited acrobatic
envelope at a higher weight that will
still meet the minimum load
requirements of +6/-3 g associated with
§ 23.337. The EA–300/LC airplane
would be approved for unlimited
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:26 Mar 17, 2014
Jkt 232001
maneuvers at or below its designed
unlimited acrobatic weight. The
airplane would also be approved, at
some higher weight (for fuel/passenger),
that would still meet the requirements
of § 23.337 for acrobatic category and
may have restrictions on the maneuvers
allowed.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of 14 CFR
21.101, Extra GmbH must show that the
EA–300/LC meets the applicable
provisions of part 23, as amended by
Amendment 23–34 effective September
14, 1987 and Special Condition 23–
ACE–65, published in the Federal
Register (57 FR 175), September 9, 1992.
These regulations will be incorporated
into Type Certificate No. A67EU after
type certification approval of the EA–
300/LC. The regulations incorporated by
reference in the type certificate are
commonly referred to as the ‘‘original
type certification basis.’’ The regulations
incorporated by reference in A67EU are
as follows:
14 CFR part 36, effective December 1,
1969, as amended by Amendments 36–
1 through 36–28.
Not approved for ditching;
compliance with provisions for ditching
equipment in accordance with 14 FR
23.1415(a)(b) has not been
demonstrated.
Approved for VFR-day only. Flight in
known icing prohibited.
In addition, the certification basis
includes other regulations, special
conditions and exemptions that are not
relevant to these proposed special
conditions. Type Certificate No. A67EU
will be updated to include a complete
description of the certification basis for
this model airplane.
If the Administrator finds that the
applicable airworthiness regulations
(i.e., 14 CFR part 23) do not contain
adequate or appropriate safety standards
for the EA–300/LC 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, or should any
other model already included on the
same type certificate be modified to
incorporate 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 EA–300/LC must
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
15063
comply with the fuel vent and exhaust
emission requirements of 14 CFR part
34 and the noise certification
requirements of 14 CFR part 36.
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
§ 21.101.
Novel or Unusual Design Features
The Extra GmbH EA–300/LC will
incorporate the following novel or
unusual design features:
For acrobatic category airplanes with
unlimited acrobatic capability:
Neutral longitudinal and lateral static
stability characteristics
Discussion
The Code of Federal Regulations
states static stability criteria for
longitudinal, lateral, and directional
axes of an airplane. However, none of
these criteria is adequate to address the
specific issues raised in the flight
characteristics of an unlimited aerobatic
airplane. Therefore, the FAA has
determined after a flight-test evaluation
that, in addition to the requirements of
parts 21 and 23, special conditions are
needed to address these static stability
characteristics.
Applicability
As discussed above, these special
conditions are applicable to the EA–
300/LC. Should Extra GmbH 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 23
Aircraft, Aviation safety, Signs and
symbols.
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 Extra
GmbH EA–300/LC airplanes.
1. Unlimited Acrobatic-Only Category
Static Stability Requirements
SC23.171 Flight—General: Acrobatic
category airplanes with unlimited
E:\FR\FM\18MRP1.SGM
18MRP1
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
15064
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 52 / Tuesday, March 18, 2014 / Proposed Rules
acrobatic capability must be neutrally or
positively stable in the longitudinal,
directional, and lateral axes under Secs.
SC23.173 through SC23.177.
Additionally, the airplane must show
suitable stability and control ‘‘feel’’
(static stability) in any condition
normally encountered in service, if
flight tests show it is necessary for safe
operation.
SC23.173 Static longitudinal stability:
Under the conditions specified in
SC23.175 and with the airplane
trimmed as indicated, the characteristics
of the elevator control forces, positions,
and the friction within the control
system must be as follows:
(a) A pull on the yoke must be
required to obtain and maintain speeds
below the specified trim speed and a
push on the yoke required to obtain and
maintain speeds above the specified
trim speed. This must be shown at any
speed that can be obtained, except that
speeds requiring a control force in
excess of 40 pounds or speeds above the
maximum allowable speed or below the
minimum speed for steady unstalled
flight need not be considered.
(b) The stick force or position must
vary with speed so that any substantial
speed change results in a stick force or
position clearly perceptible to the pilot.
SC23.175 Demonstration of static
longitudinal stability:
(a) Climb. The stick force curve must
have, at a minimum, a neutrally stable
to stable slope at speeds between 85 and
115 percent of the trim speed, with—
(1) Maximum continuous power; and
(2) The airplane trimmed at the speed
used in determining the climb
performance required by § 23.69(a).
(b) Cruise. With the airplane power
and trim set for level flight at
representative cruising speeds at high
and low altitudes, including speeds up
to VNO, except the speed need not
exceed VH—
(1) The stick force curve must, at a
minimum, have a neutrally stable to
stable slope at all speeds within a range
that is the greater of 15 percent of the
trim speed plus the resulting free return
speed range, or 40 knots plus the
resulting free return speed range above
and below the trim speed, except the
slope need not be stable—
(i) At speeds less than 1.3 VS1; or
(ii) For airplanes with VNE established
under § 23.1505(a), at speeds greater
than VNE.
(c) Landing. The stick force curve
must, at a minimum, have a neutrally
stable to stable slope at speeds between
1.1 VS1 and 1.8 VS1 with—
(1) Landing gear extended; and
(2) The airplane trimmed at—
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:26 Mar 17, 2014
Jkt 232001
(i) VREF, or the minimum trim speed
if higher, with power off; and
(ii) VREF with enough power to
maintain a 3-degree angle of descent.
SC23.177 Static directional and lateral
stability:
(a) The static directional stability, as
shown by the tendency to recover from
a wings level sideslip with the rudder
free, must be positive for any landing
gear and flap position appropriate to the
takeoff, climb, cruise, approach, and
landing configurations. This must be
shown with symmetrical power up to
maximum continuous power, and at
speeds from 1.2 VS1 up to the maximum
allowable speed for the condition being
investigated. The angle of sideslip for
these tests must be appropriate for the
airplane type. At larger angles of
sideslip, up to where full rudder is used
or a control force limit in § 23.143 is
reached, whichever occurs first, and at
speeds from 1.2 VS1 to VO, the rudder
pedal force must not reverse.
(b) In straight, steady slips at 1.2 VS1
for any landing gear and flap positions,
and for any symmetrical power
conditions up to 50 percent of
maximum continuous power, the rudder
control movements and forces must
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 for the
airplane type. 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 § 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
11, 2014.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–05951 Filed 3–17–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA–2014–0076; Airspace
Docket No. 14–ANE–4]
Proposed Amendment of Class E
Airspace; Bridgeport, CT
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
This action proposes to
amend Class E Airspace at Bridgeport,
CT, as the Bridgeport VOR has been
decommissioned, requiring airspace
redesign at Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial
Airport. This action would enhance the
safety and airspace management of
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations
at the airport. This action also would
update the geographic coordinates of
Sikorsky Heliport.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before May 2, 2014.
ADDRESSES: Send comments on this rule
to: U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
DC 20590–0001; Telephone: 1–800–
647–5527; Fax: 202–493–2251. You
must identify the Docket Number FAA–
2014–0076; Airspace Docket No. 14–
ANE–4, at the beginning of your
comments. You may also submit and
review received comments through the
Internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
Fornito, Operations Support Group,
Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation
Administration, P.O. Box 20636,
Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone (404)
305–6364.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to
comment on this rule by submitting
such written data, views, or arguments,
as they may desire. Comments that
provide the factual basis supporting the
views and suggestions presented are
particularly helpful in developing
reasoned regulatory decisions on the
proposal. Comments are specifically
invited on the overall regulatory,
aeronautical, economic, environmental,
and energy-related aspects of the
proposal.
Communications should identify both
docket numbers (FAA Docket No. FAA–
2014–0076; Airspace Docket No. 14–
ANE–4) and be submitted in triplicate to
E:\FR\FM\18MRP1.SGM
18MRP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 52 (Tuesday, March 18, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15062-15064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05951]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 23
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0155; Notice No. 23-14-01-SC]
Special Conditions: Extra Flugzeugproduktions and Vertriebs
[Extra] GmbH, EA-300/LC; Acrobatic Category Aerodynamic Stability
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action proposes special conditions for the Extra EA-300/
LC airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design
feature(s) associated with static stability. This airplane can perform
at the highest level of aerobatic competition. To be competitive, the
aircraft was designed with positive and, at some points, neutral
stability within its flight envelope. Its lateral and directional axes
are also decoupled from each other providing more precise maneuvering.
The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or
appropriate safety standards for these design features. 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
to EA-300/LC airplanes certified solely in the acrobatic category.
DATES: Send your comments on or before April 17, 2014.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number [FAA-2014-0155]
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 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 9 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://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: Mr. Ross Schaller, Federal Aviation
Administration, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone
(816) 329-4162; facsimile (816) 329-4090.
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 ask
that you send us two copies of written comments.
We will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing
date for
[[Page 15063]]
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 February 3, 2011, Extra GmbH applied for an amendment to Type
Certificate No. A67EU to include the derivative model number, EA-300/
LC. The EA-300/LC, which is a derivative of the EA-300/L, currently
approved under Type Certificate No. A67EU, is a single engine, two-
place tandem canopy cockpit, low wing aerobatic monoplane with
conventional landing gear.
Its maximum takeoff weight is 2095 pounds (950 kilograms).
VNE is 219 knots, VNO is 138 knots, and
VA is 154 knots, indicated airspeed. Maximum altitude is
10,000 feet. The engine is a Lycoming AEIO-580-B1A with a rated power
of 315 Horsepower (Hp) at 2,700 revolutions per minute (rpm). The
airplane is proposed to be approved for Day-VFR operations with no
icing approval. The EA-300/LC is certified under European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) authority (Type Certificate Data Sheet EASA.A.362)
as a dual category (normal/acrobatic) airplane.
Acrobatic airplanes previously type certificated by the FAA did
comply with the stability provisions of part 23, subpart B. However,
airplanes like the EA-300/LC are considered as ``unlimited'' acrobatic
aircraft because they can perform at the highest level of aerobatic
competition and can perform any maneuvers listed in the Aresti Catalog.
The evolution of the ``unlimited'' types of acrobatic airplanes with
very low mass, exceptional roll rates, and very high G capabilities, in
addition to power to mass ratios that are unique to this type of
airplane, have led to airplanes that cannot comply with the regulatory
stability requirements. These airplanes can still be type-certificated,
but in the acrobatic category only and with special conditions and
limitations.
The FAA will only consider certifying the EA-300/LC in the
acrobatic category. Extra GmbH will not be able to offer a normal
category-operating envelope to accommodate the increased fuel load
designed for cross-country operations. The FAA does recognize that fuel
exhaustion is one of the top accident causes associated with this class
of aircraft. For this reason, the FAA proposes to allow Extra to seek
certification of a limited acrobatic envelope at a higher weight that
will still meet the minimum load requirements of +6/-3 g associated
with Sec. 23.337. The EA-300/LC airplane would be approved for
unlimited maneuvers at or below its designed unlimited acrobatic
weight. The airplane would also be approved, at some higher weight (for
fuel/passenger), that would still meet the requirements of Sec. 23.337
for acrobatic category and may have restrictions on the maneuvers
allowed.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.101, Extra GmbH must show that
the EA-300/LC meets the applicable provisions of part 23, as amended by
Amendment 23-34 effective September 14, 1987 and Special Condition 23-
ACE-65, published in the Federal Register (57 FR 175), September 9,
1992. These regulations will be incorporated into Type Certificate No.
A67EU after type certification approval of the EA-300/LC. The
regulations incorporated by reference in the type certificate are
commonly referred to as the ``original type certification basis.'' The
regulations incorporated by reference in A67EU are as follows:
14 CFR part 36, effective December 1, 1969, as amended by
Amendments 36-1 through 36-28.
Not approved for ditching; compliance with provisions for ditching
equipment in accordance with 14 FR 23.1415(a)(b) has not been
demonstrated.
Approved for VFR-day only. Flight in known icing prohibited.
In addition, the certification basis includes other regulations,
special conditions and exemptions that are not relevant to these
proposed special conditions. Type Certificate No. A67EU will be updated
to include a complete description of the certification basis for this
model airplane.
If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness
regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 23) do not contain adequate or
appropriate safety standards for the EA-300/LC 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, or should any other model already
included on the same type certificate be modified to incorporate 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 EA-300/LC 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.
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. 21.101.
Novel or Unusual Design Features
The Extra GmbH EA-300/LC will incorporate the following novel or
unusual design features:
For acrobatic category airplanes with unlimited acrobatic
capability:
Neutral longitudinal and lateral static stability
characteristics
Discussion
The Code of Federal Regulations states static stability criteria
for longitudinal, lateral, and directional axes of an airplane.
However, none of these criteria is adequate to address the specific
issues raised in the flight characteristics of an unlimited aerobatic
airplane. Therefore, the FAA has determined after a flight-test
evaluation that, in addition to the requirements of parts 21 and 23,
special conditions are needed to address these static stability
characteristics.
Applicability
As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the
EA-300/LC. Should Extra GmbH 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 23
Aircraft, Aviation safety, Signs and symbols.
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 Extra GmbH EA-300/LC airplanes.
1. Unlimited Acrobatic-Only Category Static Stability Requirements
SC23.171 Flight--General: Acrobatic category airplanes with
unlimited
[[Page 15064]]
acrobatic capability must be neutrally or positively stable in the
longitudinal, directional, and lateral axes under Secs. SC23.173
through SC23.177. Additionally, the airplane must show suitable
stability and control ``feel'' (static stability) in any condition
normally encountered in service, if flight tests show it is necessary
for safe operation.
SC23.173 Static longitudinal stability: Under the conditions
specified in SC23.175 and with the airplane trimmed as indicated, the
characteristics of the elevator control forces, positions, and the
friction within the control system must be as follows:
(a) A pull on the yoke must be required to obtain and maintain
speeds below the specified trim speed and a push on the yoke required
to obtain and maintain speeds above the specified trim speed. This must
be shown at any speed that can be obtained, except that speeds
requiring a control force in excess of 40 pounds or speeds above the
maximum allowable speed or below the minimum speed for steady unstalled
flight need not be considered.
(b) The stick force or position must vary with speed so that any
substantial speed change results in a stick force or position clearly
perceptible to the pilot.
SC23.175 Demonstration of static longitudinal stability:
(a) Climb. The stick force curve must have, at a minimum, a
neutrally stable to stable slope at speeds between 85 and 115 percent
of the trim speed, with--
(1) Maximum continuous power; and
(2) The airplane trimmed at the speed used in determining the climb
performance required by Sec. 23.69(a).
(b) Cruise. With the airplane power and trim set for level flight
at representative cruising speeds at high and low altitudes, including
speeds up to VNO, except the speed need not exceed
VH--
(1) The stick force curve must, at a minimum, have a neutrally
stable to stable slope at all speeds within a range that is the greater
of 15 percent of the trim speed plus the resulting free return speed
range, or 40 knots plus the resulting free return speed range above and
below the trim speed, except the slope need not be stable--
(i) At speeds less than 1.3 VS1; or
(ii) For airplanes with VNE established under Sec.
23.1505(a), at speeds greater than VNE.
(c) Landing. The stick force curve must, at a minimum, have a
neutrally stable to stable slope at speeds between 1.1 VS1
and 1.8 VS1 with--
(1) Landing gear extended; and
(2) The airplane trimmed at--
(i) VREF, or the minimum trim speed if higher, with
power off; and
(ii) VREF with enough power to maintain a 3-degree angle
of descent.
SC23.177 Static directional and lateral stability:
(a) The static directional stability, as shown by the tendency to
recover from a wings level sideslip with the rudder free, must be
positive for any landing gear and flap position appropriate to the
takeoff, climb, cruise, approach, and landing configurations. This must
be shown with symmetrical power up to maximum continuous power, and at
speeds from 1.2 VS1 up to the maximum allowable speed for
the condition being investigated. The angle of sideslip for these tests
must be appropriate for the airplane type. At larger angles of
sideslip, up to where full rudder is used or a control force limit in
Sec. 23.143 is reached, whichever occurs first, and at speeds from 1.2
VS1 to VO, the rudder pedal force must not
reverse.
(b) In straight, steady slips at 1.2 VS1 for any landing
gear and flap positions, and for any symmetrical power conditions up to
50 percent of maximum continuous power, the rudder control movements
and forces must 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 for the airplane type. 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 Sec. 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 11, 2014.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-05951 Filed 3-17-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P