Special Conditions: Gulfstream Model GVII-G500 Airplanes, Side-Stick Controllers; Controllability and Maneuverability, 49934-49936 [2015-20298]

Download as PDF 49934 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 159 / Tuesday, August 18, 2015 / Proposed Rules DOE will accept comments, data, and information in response to the framework document received no later than September 2, 2015. ADDRESSES: Interested parties are encouraged to submit comments electronically. However, comments may be submitted, identified by docket number EERE–2015–BT–STD–0006 and/or Regulation Identification Number (RIN) 1904–AD51, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Email: FluorLampBallast2015STD0006@ ee.doe.gov. Include the docket number EERE–2015–BT–STD–0006 and/or RIN 1904–AD51 in the subject line of the message. • Postal Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–5B, Framework Document for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts, Docket No. EERE–2015– BT–STD–0006 and/or RIN 1904–AD51, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. If possible, please submit all items on a compact disc (CD), in which case it is not necessary to include printed copies. [Please note that comments and CDs sent by mail are often delayed and may be damaged by mail screening processes.] • Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Sixth Floor, 950 L’Enfant Plaza SW., Washington, DC 20024. Telephone (202) 586–2945. If possible, please submit all items on 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 www.regulations.gov, including 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– 2015–BT–STD–0006 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 asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS DATES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:36 Aug 17, 2015 Jkt 235001 information that is exempt from public disclosure. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Lucy deButts, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies, EE–5J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Telephone: (202) 287–1604. Email: fluorescent_lamp_ballasts@ ee.doe.gov. Ms. Sarah Butler, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, GC–33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Telephone: (202) 586–1777. Email: sarah.butler@hq.doe.gov. For information on how to submit or review public comments, 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 June 23, 2015, DOE published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the availability of a framework document for potential energy conservation standards for fluorescent lamp ballasts. 80 FR 35886. This framework document details the analytical approach and scope of coverage for the rulemaking, and identifies several issues on which DOE is particularly interested in receiving comments.1 The notice also announced a public meeting to present the framework document, which was held on July 17, 2015. The notice provided for the submission of written comments by August 7, 2015. On August 6, 2015, DOE received a request from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) requesting an additional two weeks to prepare comment. In this notice, DOE is reopening the public comment period to allow interested parties to provide DOE with comments and data in response to the methodologies presented in the framework document. DOE will consider any comments in response to the framework document received by midnight of September 2, 2015, and deems any comments received by that time to be timely submitted. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1 The framework document is available through DOE’s Web site at: https://www1.eere.energy.gov/ buildings/appliance_standards/ rulemaking.aspx?ruleid=110. PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Issued in Washington, DC, on August 12, 2015. Kathleen B. Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. [FR Doc. 2015–20381 Filed 8–17–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 25 [Docket No. FAA–2015–1496; Notice No. 25– 15–07–SC] Special Conditions: Gulfstream Model GVII–G500 Airplanes, Side-Stick Controllers; Controllability and Maneuverability Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions. AGENCY: This action proposes special conditions for Gulfstream Model GVII– G500 airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with side-stick controllers, instead of conventional-control wheeland-column design, for pitch and roll control. 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 October 2, 2015. ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA–2015–1496 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 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. • Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at 202–493–2251. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\18AUP1.SGM 18AUP1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 159 / Tuesday, August 18, 2015 / Proposed Rules 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 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) 227–1320. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD 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. We will consider all comments we receive by the closing date for comments. We may change these proposed special conditions based on the comments we receive. Background On March 29, 2012, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation applied for a type certificate for their new Model GVII–G500 airplane. The Model GVII– G500 will be a large-cabin business jet with seating for 19 passengers. It will incorporate a low, swept-wing design with winglets and a T-tail. The powerplant will consist of two aftfuselage-mounted Pratt & Whitney turbofan engines. Avionics will include four primary display units and multiple touchscreen controllers. The flightcontrol system is a three-axis, fly-bywire (FBW) system incorporating active control/coupled side sticks. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:36 Aug 17, 2015 Jkt 235001 The Model GVII–G500 will have a wingspan of approximately 87 ft. and a length of just over 91 ft. Maximum takeoff weight will be approximately 76,850 lbs and maximum takeoff thrust will be approximately 15,135 lbs. Maximum range will be approximately 5,000 nm and maximum operating altitude will be 51,000 ft. The Model GVII–G500 airplane will incorporate a FBW flight-control system, through side-stick controllers, for pitch and roll control. Regulatory requirements, such as the pilot-control forces prescribed in the referenced regulations, are not applicable for the side-stick controller design. In addition, pilot-control authority may be uncertain because the side-stick controllers are not mechanically interconnected to flight controls as are conventional wheel-andcolumn controls. Type Certification Basis Under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.17, Gulfstream must show that the Model GVII–G500 airplane meets the applicable provisions of 14 CFR part 25, effective February 1, 1965, including Amendments 25–1 through 25–137; 14 CFR part 34, as amended by Amendments 34–1 through the most current amendment at time of design approval; and 14 CFR part 36, Amendment 36–29. In addition, the certification basis includes other regulations, special conditions, and exemptions that are not relevant to these proposed special conditions. Type Certificate no. TC–01– 2010–0024 will be updated to include a complete description of the certification basis for this airplane model. 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 Gulfstream Model GVII–G500 airplane because of a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed under § 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 proposed special conditions would also apply to the other model under § 21.101. In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and proposed special conditions, Gulfstream Model GVII–G500 airplanes 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 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 49935 § 611 of Public Law 92–574, the ‘‘Noise Control Act of 1972.’’ The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, under § 11.38, and they become part of the type certification basis under § 21.17(a)(2). Novel or Unusual Design Features Gulfstream Model GVII–G500 airplanes will incorporate the following novel or unusual design feature: Side-stick controllers incorporating fly-by-wire technology for pitch and roll control, in place of conventional wheeland-column controls. Discussion These proposed special conditions for the Gulfstream Model GVII–G500 airplane address the unique features of the side-stick controllers. The Model GVII–G500 airplane will incorporate side-stick controllers controlling a FBW flight-control system. The FBW control laws are designed to provide conventional flying qualities such as positive static longitudinal and lateral stability as prescribed in part 25, subpart B. However, the pilot-control forces prescribed in the referenced regulations are not applicable for the side-stick controller design. Because current FAA regulations do not specifically address the use of sidestick controllers for pitch and roll control, the unique features of the side stick therefore must be demonstrated, through flight and simulator tests, to have suitable handling and control characteristics when considering the following: • The handling-qualities tasks and requirements of the Gulfstream Model GVII–G500 Special Conditions and other 14 CFR part 25 requirements for stability, control, and maneuverability, including the effects of turbulence. • General ergonomics: Armrest comfort and support, local freedom of movement, displacement-angle suitability, and axis harmony. • Inadvertent pilot input in turbulence. • Inadvertent pitch and roll crosstalk from pilot inputs on the side-stick controller. Applicability As discussed above, these proposed special conditions apply to Gulfstream Model GVII–G500 airplanes. Should Gulfstream apply later for a change to the type certificate to include another model incorporating the same or similar novel or unusual design feature, the proposed special conditions would apply to that model as well. E:\FR\FM\18AUP1.SGM 18AUP1 49936 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 159 / Tuesday, August 18, 2015 / Proposed Rules Conclusion DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features on Gulfstream Model GVII–G500 airplanes. It is not a rule of general applicability. Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 25 List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25 [Docket No. FAA–2015–1482; Notice No. 25– 15–08–SC] Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows: Special Conditions: Gulfstream Model GVII–G500 Airplanes, Automatic Speed Protection for Design Dive Speed Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702, 44704. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS The Proposed Special Conditions The current airworthiness regulations pertaining to pilot strength and controllability for conventional-control column-and-wheel designs do not adequately address the side-stick controllers proposed for the Gulfstream Model GVII–G500 airplane. Accordingly, the FAA proposes the following special conditions as part of the type certification basis for Gulfstream GVII–G500 airplanes, in lieu of §§ 25.143(d), 25.143(i)(2), 25.145(b), 25.173(c), 25.175(b), and 25.175(d): Pilot strength: In lieu of the controlforce limits shown in § 25.143(d) for pitch and roll, and in lieu of specific pitch-force requirements of §§ 25.143(i)(2), 25.145(b), 25.173(c), 25.175(b), and 25.175(d), Gulfstream must show that the temporary and maximum prolonged-force levels for the side-stick controllers are suitable for all expected operating conditions and configurations, whether normal or nonnormal. Pilot-control authority: The electronic side-stick-controller coupling design must provide for corrective and overriding control inputs by either pilot with no unsafe characteristics. Annunciation of the controller status must be provided, and must not be confusing to the flightcrew. Pilot control: Gulfstream must show by flight tests that the use of side-stick controllers does not produce unsuitable pilot-in-the-loop control characteristics when considering precision path control and tasks, and turbulence. In addition, pitch and roll control force and displacement sensitivity must be compatible, so that normal pilot inputs on one control axis will not cause significant unintentional inputs (crossover) on the other. Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 5, 2015. Michael Kaszycki, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2015–20298 Filed 8–17–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:36 Aug 17, 2015 Jkt 235001 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions. AGENCY: This action proposes special conditions for the Gulfstream Model GVII–G500 airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with a reduced margin between design cruising speed, VC/MC, and design diving speed, VD/ MD, based on the incorporation of a high-speed protection system that limits nose-down pilot authority at speeds above VC/MC. 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 October 2, 2015. ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA–2015–1482 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 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://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 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 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 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: Walt Sippel, FAA, Airframe and Cabin Safety Branch, ANM–115, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057–3356; telephone 425–227–2774; facsimile 425–227–1232. 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 by the closing date for comments. We may change these special conditions based on the comments we receive. Background On March 29, 2012, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation applied for a type certificate for their new Model GVII–G500 airplane. The Model GVII– G500 airplane will be a large-cabin business jet with seating for 19 passengers. It will incorporate a low, swept-wing design with winglets and a T-tail. The powerplant will consist of two aft-fuselage-mounted Pratt & Whitney turbofan engines. Avionics will include four primary display units and multiple touchscreen controllers. The flight-control system is a three-axis, flyby-wire system incorporating active control/coupled side sticks. The Model GVII–G500 will have a wingspan of approximately 87 feet and a length of just over 91 feet. Maximum takeoff weight will be approximately 76,850 pounds and maximum takeoff thrust will be approximately 15,135 pounds. Maximum range will be E:\FR\FM\18AUP1.SGM 18AUP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 159 (Tuesday, August 18, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49934-49936]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20298]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2015-1496; Notice No. 25-15-07-SC]


Special Conditions: Gulfstream Model GVII-G500 Airplanes, Side-
Stick Controllers; Controllability and Maneuverability

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions.

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

SUMMARY: This action proposes special conditions for Gulfstream Model 
GVII-G500 airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual 
design feature associated with side-stick controllers, instead of 
conventional-control wheel-and-column design, for pitch and roll 
control. 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 October 2, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2015-1496 
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 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at 202-493-2251.

[[Page 49935]]

    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/ 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 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-
1320.

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

Background

    On March 29, 2012, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation applied for a 
type certificate for their new Model GVII-G500 airplane. The Model 
GVII-G500 will be a large-cabin business jet with seating for 19 
passengers. It will incorporate a low, swept-wing design with winglets 
and a T-tail. The powerplant will consist of two aft-fuselage-mounted 
Pratt & Whitney turbofan engines. Avionics will include four primary 
display units and multiple touchscreen controllers. The flight-control 
system is a three-axis, fly-by-wire (FBW) system incorporating active 
control/coupled side sticks.
    The Model GVII-G500 will have a wingspan of approximately 87 ft. 
and a length of just over 91 ft. Maximum takeoff weight will be 
approximately 76,850 lbs and maximum takeoff thrust will be 
approximately 15,135 lbs. Maximum range will be approximately 5,000 nm 
and maximum operating altitude will be 51,000 ft.
    The Model GVII-G500 airplane will incorporate a FBW flight-control 
system, through side-stick controllers, for pitch and roll control. 
Regulatory requirements, such as the pilot-control forces prescribed in 
the referenced regulations, are not applicable for the side-stick 
controller design. In addition, pilot-control authority may be 
uncertain because the side-stick controllers are not mechanically 
interconnected to flight controls as are conventional wheel-and-column 
controls.

Type Certification Basis

    Under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.17, 
Gulfstream must show that the Model GVII-G500 airplane meets the 
applicable provisions of 14 CFR part 25, effective February 1, 1965, 
including Amendments 25-1 through 25-137; 14 CFR part 34, as amended by 
Amendments 34-1 through the most current amendment at time of design 
approval; and 14 CFR part 36, Amendment 36-29.
    In addition, the certification basis includes other regulations, 
special conditions, and exemptions that are not relevant to these 
proposed special conditions. Type Certificate no. TC-01-2010-0024 will 
be updated to include a complete description of the certification basis 
for this airplane model.
    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 Gulfstream Model GVII-G500 
airplane because of a novel or unusual design feature, special 
conditions are prescribed under 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 proposed special conditions would 
also apply to the other model under Sec.  21.101.
    In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and 
proposed special conditions, Gulfstream Model GVII-G500 airplanes 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, 
under Sec.  11.38, and they become part of the type certification basis 
under Sec.  21.17(a)(2).

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    Gulfstream Model GVII-G500 airplanes will incorporate the following 
novel or unusual design feature:
    Side-stick controllers incorporating fly-by-wire technology for 
pitch and roll control, in place of conventional wheel-and-column 
controls.

Discussion

    These proposed special conditions for the Gulfstream Model GVII-
G500 airplane address the unique features of the side-stick 
controllers. The Model GVII-G500 airplane will incorporate side-stick 
controllers controlling a FBW flight-control system. The FBW control 
laws are designed to provide conventional flying qualities such as 
positive static longitudinal and lateral stability as prescribed in 
part 25, subpart B. However, the pilot-control forces prescribed in the 
referenced regulations are not applicable for the side-stick controller 
design.
    Because current FAA regulations do not specifically address the use 
of side-stick controllers for pitch and roll control, the unique 
features of the side stick therefore must be demonstrated, through 
flight and simulator tests, to have suitable handling and control 
characteristics when considering the following:
     The handling-qualities tasks and requirements of the 
Gulfstream Model GVII-G500 Special Conditions and other 14 CFR part 25 
requirements for stability, control, and maneuverability, including the 
effects of turbulence.
     General ergonomics: Armrest comfort and support, local 
freedom of movement, displacement-angle suitability, and axis harmony.
     Inadvertent pilot input in turbulence.
     Inadvertent pitch and roll crosstalk from pilot inputs on 
the side-stick controller.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these proposed special conditions apply to 
Gulfstream Model GVII-G500 airplanes. Should Gulfstream apply later for 
a change to the type certificate to include another model incorporating 
the same or similar novel or unusual design feature, the proposed 
special conditions would apply to that model as well.

[[Page 49936]]

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on Gulfstream Model GVII-G500 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

    The current airworthiness regulations pertaining to pilot strength 
and controllability for conventional-control column-and-wheel designs 
do not adequately address the side-stick controllers proposed for the 
Gulfstream Model GVII-G500 airplane. Accordingly, the FAA proposes the 
following special conditions as part of the type certification basis 
for Gulfstream GVII-G500 airplanes, in lieu of Sec. Sec.  25.143(d), 
25.143(i)(2), 25.145(b), 25.173(c), 25.175(b), and 25.175(d):
    Pilot strength: In lieu of the control-force limits shown in Sec.  
25.143(d) for pitch and roll, and in lieu of specific pitch-force 
requirements of Sec. Sec.  25.143(i)(2), 25.145(b), 25.173(c), 
25.175(b), and 25.175(d), Gulfstream must show that the temporary and 
maximum prolonged-force levels for the side-stick controllers are 
suitable for all expected operating conditions and configurations, 
whether normal or non-normal.
    Pilot-control authority: The electronic side-stick-controller 
coupling design must provide for corrective and overriding control 
inputs by either pilot with no unsafe characteristics. Annunciation of 
the controller status must be provided, and must not be confusing to 
the flightcrew.
    Pilot control: Gulfstream must show by flight tests that the use of 
side-stick controllers does not produce unsuitable pilot-in-the-loop 
control characteristics when considering precision path control and 
tasks, and turbulence. In addition, pitch and roll control force and 
displacement sensitivity must be compatible, so that normal pilot 
inputs on one control axis will not cause significant unintentional 
inputs (crossover) on the other.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 5, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-20298 Filed 8-17-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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