Special Conditions: Textron Aviation Inc. Model 700 Series Airplanes; Installed Rechargeable Lithium Batteries, 25361-25363 [2018-11455]
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 106 / Friday, June 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
13. In § 225.17, add paragraph (f) to
read as follows:
PART 400—GENERAL
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS
§ 225.17
■
■
Procurement standards.
*
*
*
*
*
(f) All contracts in excess of $10,000
must contain a clause allowing
termination for cause or for convenience
by the sponsor including the manner by
which it will be effected and the basis
for settlement.
Dated: May 16, 2018.
Brandon Lipps,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
1. The authority citation for part 400
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1506(l) and 1506(o).
§ 400.451
[Amended]
2. Amend § 400.451 paragraph (a) by
removing the reference to ‘‘7 CFR part
3017’’ and adding in its place ‘‘2 CFR
parts 180 and 417’’.
■
§ 400.456
[Amended]
3. Amend § 400.456, paragraphs (a),
(b), and (c) by removing the references
to ‘‘7 CFR part 3017’’ and adding in
their place ‘‘2 CFR parts 180 and 417’’.
■
[FR Doc. 2018–11806 Filed 5–31–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Signed in Washington, DC, on May 23,
2018.
Martin R. Barbre,
Manager, Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation.
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation
7 CFR Part 400
General Administrative Regulations;
Administrative Remedies for NonCompliance
[FR Doc. 2018–11799 Filed 5–31–18; 8:45 am]
Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation, USDA.
ACTION: Correcting amendments.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
This document contains
necessary amendments to address
corrections in the General
Administrative Regulations;
Administrative Remedies for NonCompliance regulations which contain
outdated references.
DATES: Effective June 1, 2018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David L. Miller, Director, Reinsurance
Services Division, Federal Crop
Insurance Corporation, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA),
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop
0801, Washington, DC 20250, telephone
(202) 720–9830.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
14 CFR Part 25
BILLING CODE 3410–08–P
AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration
SUMMARY:
Background
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES
This correction is being published to
correct the General Administrative
Regulations; Subpart R—Administrative
Remedies for Non-Compliance
regulations. The outdated reference to
‘‘7 CFR part 3017’’ will be removed and
replaced by the correct reference of ‘‘2
CFR parts 180 and 417’’ in §§ 400.451
and 400.456.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 400
Administrative practice and
procedure, Crop insurance, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements.
Accordingly, 7 CFR part 400 is
corrected by making the following
amendments:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
14:47 May 31, 2018
Jkt 244001
[Docket No. FAA–2018–0471; Special
Conditions No. 25–728–SC]
Special Conditions: Textron Aviation
Inc. Model 700 Series Airplanes;
Installed Rechargeable Lithium
Batteries
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final special conditions; request
for comments.
AGENCY:
These special conditions are
issued for the Textron Aviation Inc.
(Textron) Model 700 series airplanes.
These airplanes will have a novel or
unusual design feature when compared
to the state of technology envisioned in
the airworthiness standards for
transport category airplanes. This design
feature is the installation of rechargeable
lithium batteries.
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: This action is effective on
Textron Aviation Inc. on June 1, 2018.
Send comments on or before July 16,
2018.
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
25361
Send comments identified
by Docket No. FAA–2018–0471 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 website, 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).
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:
Nazih Khaouly, Airplane and Flight
Crew Interface Section, AIR–671,
Transport Standards Branch, Policy and
Innovation Division, Aircraft
Certification Service, Federal Aviation
Administration, 2200 South 216th
Street, Des Moines, Washington 98198;
telephone and fax 206–231–3160; email
Nazih.Khaouly@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
substance of these special conditions
previously has been published in the
Federal Register for public comment.
These special conditions have been
derived without substantive change
from those previously issued. It is
unlikely that prior public comment
would result in a significant change
from the substance contained herein.
Therefore, the FAA has determined that
ADDRESSES:
E:\FR\FM\01JNR1.SGM
01JNR1
25362
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 106 / Friday, June 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
prior public notice and comment are
unnecessary, and finds that, for the
same reason, good cause exists for
adopting these special conditions upon
publication in the Federal Register.
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.
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES
Background
On November 20, 2014, Textron
applied for a type certificate for their
new Model 700 series airplanes. The
Textron Model 700 series airplanes are
transport-category, twin turbofanpowered airplanes with standard seating
provisions for up to 12 passengers and
2 crewmembers, and a maximum takeoff
weight of 38,514 lbs.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of title 14, Code
of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.17,
Textron must show that the Model 700
series airplanes meet the applicable
provisions of part 25 as amended by
amendments 25–1 through 25–139, 25–
141, and 25–143.
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 Textron Model 700 series
airplanes 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 novel or unusual
design feature, these special conditions
would also apply to the other model
under § 21.101.
In addition to the applicable
airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, the Textron Model 700
series 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.
The FAA issues special conditions, as
defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance
with § 11.38, and they become part of
VerDate Sep<11>2014
14:47 May 31, 2018
Jkt 244001
the type certification basis under
§ 21.17(a)(2).
Novel or Unusual Design Features
The Textron Model 700 series
airplanes will incorporate the following
novel or unusual design features:
The installation of rechargeable
lithium batteries. Known uses of
rechargeable and non-rechargeable
lithium batteries on airplanes include:
• Flightdeck and avionics systems
such as displays, global positioning
systems, cockpit voice recorders, flight
data recorders, underwater-locatorbeacons, navigation computers,
integrated avionics computers, satellite
network/communication systems,
communication management units, and
remote monitor electronic line
replaceable units;
• Cabin safety, entertainment and
communications equipment including
emergency locator transmitters, life
rafts, escape slides, seat belt air bags,
cabin management systems, Ethernet
switches, routers and media servers,
wireless systems, internet/in-flight
entertainment systems, satellite
televisions, remotes and handsets; and
• Systems in cargo areas including
door controls, sensors, video
surveillance equipment and security
systems.
Discussion
Rechargeable lithium batteries are
considered to be a novel or unusual
design feature in transport category
airplanes, with respect to the
requirements in § 25.1353. This type of
battery has certain failure, operational,
and maintenance characteristics that
differ significantly from those of the
nickel-cadmium and lead-acid
rechargeable batteries currently
approved for installation on transport
category airplanes. These batteries
introduce higher energy levels into
airplane systems through new chemical
compositions in various battery-cell
sizes and construction. Interconnection
of these cells in battery packs introduces
failure modes that require unique design
considerations, such as provisions for
thermal management.
Special Condition 1 requires that each
individual cell within a battery be
designed to maintain safe temperatures
and pressures. Special Condition 2
addresses these same issues but for the
entire battery. Special Condition 2
requires that the battery be designed to
prevent propagation of a thermal event,
such as self-sustained, uncontrolled
increases in temperature or pressure
from one cell to adjacent cells.
Special Conditions 1 and 2 are
intended to ensure that the cells and
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Frm 00014
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
battery are designed to eliminate the
potential for uncontrollable failures.
However, a certain number of failures
will occur due to various factors beyond
the control of the designer. Therefore,
other special conditions are intended to
protect the airplane and its occupants if
failure occurs.
Special Conditions 3, 7, and 8 are selfexplanatory, and the FAA does not
provide further explanation for them at
this time.
Special Condition 4 clarifies that the
flammable-fluid fire-protection
requirements of § 25.863 apply to
rechargeable lithium battery
installations. Section 25.863 is
applicable to areas of the airplane that
could be exposed to flammable fluid
leakage from airplane systems.
Rechargeable lithium batteries contain
electrolyte that is a flammable fluid.
Special Condition 5 requires each
rechargeable lithium battery installation
to not damage surrounding structure or
adjacent systems, equipment, or
electrical wiring from corrosive fluids or
gases that may escape in such a way as
to cause a major or more severe failure
condition. Special Condition 6 requires
each rechargeable lithium battery
installation to have provisions to
prevent any hazardous effect on
airplane structure or systems caused by
the maximum amount of heat it can
generate due to any failure of it or its
individual cells. The means of meeting
special conditions 5 and 6 may be the
same, but they are independent
requirements addressing different
hazards. Special Condition 5 addresses
corrosive fluids and gases, whereas
special condition 6 addresses heat.
Special Condition 9 requires
rechargeable lithium batteries to have
‘‘automatic’’ means, for charge rate and
disconnect, due to the fast acting nature
of lithium battery chemical reactions.
Manual intervention would not be
timely or effective in mitigating the
hazards associated with these batteries.
These special conditions will apply to
all rechargeable lithium battery
installations in lieu of § 25.1353(b)(1)
through (b)(4) at Amendment 25–123.
Section 25.1353(b)(1) through (b)(4) at
Amendment 25–123 will remain in
effect for other battery installations.
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.
Applicability
As discussed above, these special
conditions are applicable to the Textron
Model 700 series airplane. Should
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01JNR1
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 106 / Friday, June 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
Textron apply at a later date for a
change to the type certificate to include
another model incorporating the same
novel or unusual design feature, these
special conditions would apply to that
model as well.
Conclusion
This action affects only a certain
novel or unusual design feature on one
model series 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.
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 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 Textron Aviation
Inc. Model 700 series airplane:
In lieu of § 25.1353(b)(1) through
(b)(4) at Amendment 25–123, each
rechargeable lithium battery installation
must:
1. Be designed to maintain safe cell
temperatures and pressures under all
foreseeable operating conditions to
prevent fire and explosion.
2. Be designed to prevent the
occurrence of self-sustaining,
uncontrollable increases in temperature
or pressure, and automatically control
the charge rate of each cell to protect
against adverse operating conditions,
such as cell imbalance, back charging,
overcharging and overheating.
3. Not emit explosive or toxic gases,
either in normal operation or as a result
of its failure, that may accumulate in
hazardous quantities within the
airplane.
4. Meet the requirements of § 25.863.
5. Not damage surrounding structure
or adjacent systems, equipment, or
electrical wiring from corrosive fluids or
gases that may escape in such a way as
to cause a major or more-severe failure
condition.
6. Have provisions to prevent any
hazardous effect on airplane structure or
systems caused by the maximum
amount of heat it can generate due to
any failure of it or its individual cells.
7. Have a failure sensing and warning
system to alert the flight crew if its
failure affects safe operation of the
airplane.
8. Have a monitoring and warning
feature that alerts the flightcrew when
14:47 May 31, 2018
Jkt 244001
Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on May
23, 2018.
Victor Wicklund,
Manager, Transport Standards Branch, Policy
and Innovation Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018–11455 Filed 5–31–18; 8:45 am]
Authority Citation
The authority citation for these
special conditions is as follows:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
its charge state falls below acceptable
levels if its function is required for safe
operation of the airplane.
9. Have a means to automatically
disconnect from its charging source in
the event of an over-temperature
condition, cell failure or battery failure.
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2017–1063; Product
Identifier 2017–SW–088–AD; Amendment
39–19291; AD 2018–11–03]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus
Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) Airbus
Helicopters Model SA–365C, SA–
365C1, and SA–365C2 helicopters. This
AD requires establishing a life limit of
2,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) for the
Starflex star/mast connecting bolt (bolt)
and removing from service each bolt
that exceeds its life limit. This AD is
prompted by the discovery that the
bolt’s life limit was not included in
helicopter maintenance records. The
actions of this AD are intended to
prevent an unsafe condition on these
products.
SUMMARY:
This AD becomes effective June
18, 2018.
We must receive comments on this
AD by July 31, 2018.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
online instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
• Fax: 202–493–2251.
• Mail: Send comments to the U.S.
Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M–30, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC
20590–0001.
DATES:
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
25363
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to the
‘‘Mail’’ address between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2017–
1063; or in person at Docket Operations
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
The AD docket contains this AD, the
European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD, any comments received,
and other information. The street
address for Docket Operations Office
(telephone 800–647–5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
For service information identified in
this final rule, contact Airbus
Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive,
Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone
(972) 641–0000 or (800) 232–0323; fax
(972) 641–3775; or at https://
www.helicopters.airbus.com/website/
en/ref/Technical-Support_73.html. You
may review the referenced service
information at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N–321,
Fort Worth, TX 76177.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt
Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer,
Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft
Standards Branch, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone (817) 222–5110; email
matthew.fuller@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety, and
we did not provide you with notice and
an opportunity to provide your
comments prior to it becoming effective.
However, we invite you to participate in
this rulemaking by submitting written
comments, data, or views. We also
invite comments relating to the
economic, environmental, energy, or
federalism impacts that resulted from
adopting this AD. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of
the AD, explain the reason for any
recommended change, and include
supporting data. To ensure the docket
does not contain duplicate comments,
commenters should send only one copy
of written comments, or if comments are
filed electronically, commenters should
submit them only one time. We will file
in the docket all comments that we
receive, as well as a report summarizing
E:\FR\FM\01JNR1.SGM
01JNR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 106 (Friday, June 1, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25361-25363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11455]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. FAA-2018-0471; Special Conditions No. 25-728-SC]
Special Conditions: Textron Aviation Inc. Model 700 Series
Airplanes; Installed Rechargeable Lithium Batteries
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Textron Aviation
Inc. (Textron) Model 700 series airplanes. These airplanes will have a
novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of
technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport
category airplanes. This design feature is the installation of
rechargeable lithium batteries.
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: This action is effective on Textron Aviation Inc. on June 1,
2018. Send comments on or before July 16, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by Docket No. FAA-2018-0471 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 website, 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).
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: Nazih Khaouly, Airplane and Flight
Crew Interface Section, AIR-671, Transport Standards Branch, Policy and
Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation
Administration, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, Washington 98198;
telephone and fax 206-231-3160; email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The substance of these special conditions
previously has been published in the Federal Register for public
comment. These special conditions have been derived without substantive
change from those previously issued. It is unlikely that prior public
comment would result in a significant change from the substance
contained herein. Therefore, the FAA has determined that
[[Page 25362]]
prior public notice and comment are unnecessary, and finds that, for
the same reason, good cause exists for adopting these special
conditions upon publication in the Federal Register.
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 November 20, 2014, Textron applied for a type certificate for
their new Model 700 series airplanes. The Textron Model 700 series
airplanes are transport-category, twin turbofan-powered airplanes with
standard seating provisions for up to 12 passengers and 2 crewmembers,
and a maximum takeoff weight of 38,514 lbs.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14
CFR) 21.17, Textron must show that the Model 700 series airplanes meet
the applicable provisions of part 25 as amended by amendments 25-1
through 25-139, 25-141, and 25-143.
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 Textron Model 700 series airplanes
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 novel or
unusual design feature, these special conditions would also apply to
the other model under Sec. 21.101.
In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, the Textron Model 700 series 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.
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 Textron Model 700 series airplanes will incorporate the
following novel or unusual design features:
The installation of rechargeable lithium batteries. Known uses of
rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries on airplanes
include:
Flightdeck and avionics systems such as displays, global
positioning systems, cockpit voice recorders, flight data recorders,
underwater-locator-beacons, navigation computers, integrated avionics
computers, satellite network/communication systems, communication
management units, and remote monitor electronic line replaceable units;
Cabin safety, entertainment and communications equipment
including emergency locator transmitters, life rafts, escape slides,
seat belt air bags, cabin management systems, Ethernet switches,
routers and media servers, wireless systems, internet/in-flight
entertainment systems, satellite televisions, remotes and handsets; and
Systems in cargo areas including door controls, sensors,
video surveillance equipment and security systems.
Discussion
Rechargeable lithium batteries are considered to be a novel or
unusual design feature in transport category airplanes, with respect to
the requirements in Sec. 25.1353. This type of battery has certain
failure, operational, and maintenance characteristics that differ
significantly from those of the nickel-cadmium and lead-acid
rechargeable batteries currently approved for installation on transport
category airplanes. These batteries introduce higher energy levels into
airplane systems through new chemical compositions in various battery-
cell sizes and construction. Interconnection of these cells in battery
packs introduces failure modes that require unique design
considerations, such as provisions for thermal management.
Special Condition 1 requires that each individual cell within a
battery be designed to maintain safe temperatures and pressures.
Special Condition 2 addresses these same issues but for the entire
battery. Special Condition 2 requires that the battery be designed to
prevent propagation of a thermal event, such as self-sustained,
uncontrolled increases in temperature or pressure from one cell to
adjacent cells.
Special Conditions 1 and 2 are intended to ensure that the cells
and battery are designed to eliminate the potential for uncontrollable
failures. However, a certain number of failures will occur due to
various factors beyond the control of the designer. Therefore, other
special conditions are intended to protect the airplane and its
occupants if failure occurs.
Special Conditions 3, 7, and 8 are self-explanatory, and the FAA
does not provide further explanation for them at this time.
Special Condition 4 clarifies that the flammable-fluid fire-
protection requirements of Sec. 25.863 apply to rechargeable lithium
battery installations. Section 25.863 is applicable to areas of the
airplane that could be exposed to flammable fluid leakage from airplane
systems. Rechargeable lithium batteries contain electrolyte that is a
flammable fluid.
Special Condition 5 requires each rechargeable lithium battery
installation to not damage surrounding structure or adjacent systems,
equipment, or electrical wiring from corrosive fluids or gases that may
escape in such a way as to cause a major or more severe failure
condition. Special Condition 6 requires each rechargeable lithium
battery installation to have provisions to prevent any hazardous effect
on airplane structure or systems caused by the maximum amount of heat
it can generate due to any failure of it or its individual cells. The
means of meeting special conditions 5 and 6 may be the same, but they
are independent requirements addressing different hazards. Special
Condition 5 addresses corrosive fluids and gases, whereas special
condition 6 addresses heat.
Special Condition 9 requires rechargeable lithium batteries to have
``automatic'' means, for charge rate and disconnect, due to the fast
acting nature of lithium battery chemical reactions. Manual
intervention would not be timely or effective in mitigating the hazards
associated with these batteries.
These special conditions will apply to all rechargeable lithium
battery installations in lieu of Sec. 25.1353(b)(1) through (b)(4) at
Amendment 25-123. Section 25.1353(b)(1) through (b)(4) at Amendment 25-
123 will remain in effect for other battery installations.
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.
Applicability
As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the
Textron Model 700 series airplane. Should
[[Page 25363]]
Textron apply at a later date for a change to the type certificate to
include another model incorporating the same novel or unusual design
feature, these special conditions would apply to that model as well.
Conclusion
This action affects only a certain novel or unusual design feature
on one model series 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.
Authority Citation
The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 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 Textron Aviation Inc. Model 700 series
airplane:
In lieu of Sec. 25.1353(b)(1) through (b)(4) at Amendment 25-123,
each rechargeable lithium battery installation must:
1. Be designed to maintain safe cell temperatures and pressures
under all foreseeable operating conditions to prevent fire and
explosion.
2. Be designed to prevent the occurrence of self-sustaining,
uncontrollable increases in temperature or pressure, and automatically
control the charge rate of each cell to protect against adverse
operating conditions, such as cell imbalance, back charging,
overcharging and overheating.
3. Not emit explosive or toxic gases, either in normal operation or
as a result of its failure, that may accumulate in hazardous quantities
within the airplane.
4. Meet the requirements of Sec. 25.863.
5. Not damage surrounding structure or adjacent systems, equipment,
or electrical wiring from corrosive fluids or gases that may escape in
such a way as to cause a major or more-severe failure condition.
6. Have provisions to prevent any hazardous effect on airplane
structure or systems caused by the maximum amount of heat it can
generate due to any failure of it or its individual cells.
7. Have a failure sensing and warning system to alert the flight
crew if its failure affects safe operation of the airplane.
8. Have a monitoring and warning feature that alerts the flightcrew
when its charge state falls below acceptable levels if its function is
required for safe operation of the airplane.
9. Have a means to automatically disconnect from its charging
source in the event of an over-temperature condition, cell failure or
battery failure.
Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on May 23, 2018.
Victor Wicklund,
Manager, Transport Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-11455 Filed 5-31-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P