Special Conditions: Robinson Helicopter Company, Model Robinson R66, Visual Flight Rules Autopilot and Stability Augmentation System (AP/SAS System), 30050-30052 [2019-13651]
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30050
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 123 / Wednesday, June 26, 2019 / Proposed Rules
VII. Regulatory Procedures
jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
generally requires that, in connection
with a notice of proposed rulemaking,
an agency prepare and make available
for public comment an initial regulatory
flexibility analysis that describes the
impact of a proposed rule on small
entities. A regulatory flexibility analysis
is not required, however, if the agency
certifies that the rule will not have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities
(defined for purposes of the RFA to
include credit unions with assets less
than $100 million) 10 and publishes its
certification and a short, explanatory
statement in the Federal Register
together with the rule.
The proposed delay of the 2015 Final
Rule and 2018 Supplemental Rule
would affect only complex credit
unions, which are those with greater
than $500 million in assets under the
2018 Supplemental Rule. As a result,
credit unions with $100 million or less
in total assets would not be affected by
this proposal. Accordingly, the NCUA
certifies that this proposal will not have
a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small credit
unions.
Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(PRA) applies to rulemakings in which
an agency creates new or amends
existing information collection
requirements.11 For purposes of the
PRA, an information collection
requirement may take the form of a
reporting, recordkeeping, or a thirdparty disclosure requirement.
The information collection
requirements prescribed by § 702.101(b)
were set-out in the August 8, 2018 (83
FR 38997), proposed rule and assigned
OMB control number 3133–0191. This
proposed rule does not contain any new
information collection requirements that
require approval by OMB under the
PRA. The proposed rule would only
extend the effective date.
The Board invites comment on (a)
whether the collections of information
are necessary for the proper
performance of the agency’s function,
including practical utility; (b) the
accuracy of estimates of the burden of
the information collections, including
the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information being collected; and (d)
10 See
11 44
80 FR 57512 (Sept. 24, 2015).
U.S.C. 3507(d).
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16:20 Jun 25, 2019
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ways to minimize the burden of the
information collection on respondents,
including through the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
All comments are a matter of public
record. Comments regarding the
information collection requirements of
this rule should be sent to (1) Dawn
Wolfgang, NCUA PRA Clearance
Officer, National Credit Union
Administration, 1775 Duke Street,
Alexandria, Virginia 22314, or Fax No.
703–519–8572, or Email at
PRAcomments@ncua.gov and the (2)
Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, Office of Management and
Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for
NCUA, New Executive Office Building,
Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, or
email at OIRA_Submission@
OMB.EOP.gov.
Submission of comments. The NCUA
considers comments by the public on
this proposed collection of information
in:
• Evaluating whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of the
functions of the NCUA, including
whether the information will have a
practical use;
• Evaluating the accuracy of the
NCUA’s estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information,
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
• Enhancing the quality, usefulness,
and clarity of the information to be
collected; and
• Minimizing the burden of collection
of information on those who are to
respond, including through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology; e.g., permitting
electronic submission of responses.
Executive Order 13132
Executive Order 13132 encourages
independent regulatory agencies to
consider the impact of their actions on
state and local interests. The NCUA, an
independent regulatory agency as
defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(5), voluntarily
complies with the principles of the
executive order to adhere to
fundamental federalism principles. This
proposed rule reduces the number of
federally insured natural-person credit
unions, including federally insured,
state-chartered natural-person credit
unions that would be subject to the 2015
Final Rule. It may have, to some degree,
a direct effect on the states, on the
relationship between the national
government and the states, or on the
distribution of power and
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
responsibilities among the various
levels of government. It does not,
however, rise to the level of material
impact for purposed of Executive Order
13132.
Assessment of Federal Regulations and
Policies on Families
The NCUA has determined that this
proposed rule will not affect family
well-being within the meaning of
section 654 of the Treasury and General
Government Appropriations Act, 1999,
Public Law 105–277, 112 Stat. 2681
(1998).
By the National Credit Union
Administration Board on June 20, 2019.
Gerard Poliquin,
Secretary of the Board.
[FR Doc. 2019–13589 Filed 6–25–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7535–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 27
[Docket No. FAA–2019–0106; Notice No. 27–
046–SC]
Special Conditions: Robinson
Helicopter Company, Model Robinson
R66, Visual Flight Rules Autopilot and
Stability Augmentation System (AP/
SAS System)
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed special
conditions.
AGENCY:
This action proposes special
conditions for the Robinson Helicopter
Company (Robinson) Model R66
helicopter. This helicopter will have a
novel or unusual design feature
associated with installation of the
autopilot and stability augmentation
system (AP/SAS system). 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 August 12, 2019.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified
by docket number [FAA–2019–XXXX]
using any of the following methods:
b Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov and follow
the online instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\26JNP1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 123 / Wednesday, June 26, 2019 / Proposed Rules
b 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.
b 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 8
a.m., and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
b 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),
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:
Andy Shaw, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Rotorcraft Standards Branch, Policy and
Innovation Division, 10101 Hillwood
Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone
(817) 222–5384; email Andy.Shaw@
faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
Comments Invited
The FAA invites 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.
The FAA will consider all comments
it receives on or before the closing date
for comments. The FAA will consider
comments filed late if it is possible to
do so without incurring expense or
delay. The FAA may change these
special conditions based on the
comments it receives.
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16:20 Jun 25, 2019
Jkt 247001
Background
On June 8, 2018, Robinson applied to
amend type certificate (TC) Number
R00015LA to install an AP/SAS system
on the Robinson Model R66 helicopter.
The Robinson Model R66 helicopter is
a 14 CFR part 27 normal category, single
turbine engine, conventional helicopter
designed for civil operation. This
helicopter model is capable of carrying
up to four passengers with one pilot and
has a maximum gross weight of up to
2,700 pounds, depending on the model
configuration. The major design features
include a 2-blade main rotor, an antitorque tail rotor system, a skid landing
gear, and a visual flight rule basic
avionics configuration. Robinson
proposes to modify this model
helicopter by installing an AP/SAS
system.
The AP/SAS system provides attitude
stabilization in two or three axes (pitch
and roll with optional yaw) as well as
higher-level autopilot functions such as
altitude hold, heading command and
navigation tracking. However, the
possible failure conditions for this
system, and their effect on the
continued safe flight and landing of the
helicopter, are more severe than those
envisioned by the present rules.
The effect on safety is not adequately
covered under 14 CFR 27.1309 for the
application of new technology and new
application of standard technology.
Specifically, the present provisions of
§ 27.1309(c) do not adequately address
the safety requirements for systems
whose failures could result in
catastrophic or hazardous/severe-major
failure conditions, or for complex
systems whose failures could result in
major failure conditions. The current
regulations are inadequate because
when § 27.1309(c) were promulgated, it
was not envisioned that this type of
rotorcraft would use systems that are
complex or whose failure could result in
‘‘catastrophic’’ or ‘‘hazardous/severemajor’’ effects on the rotorcraft. This is
particularly true with the application of
new technology, new application of
standard technology, or other
applications not envisioned by the rule
that affect safety.
Type Certification Basis
Under 14 CFR 21.101, Robinson must
show that the Model R66 helicopter, as
modified by the installed AP/SAS,
continues to meet the applicable
regulations in effect on the date of
application for the change to the type
certificate. The baseline certification
basis for the unmodified Robinson
Model R66 helicopter is listed in TC
Number R00015LA. Additionally,
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30051
compliance must be shown to any
applicable equivalent level of safety
findings, exemptions, and special
conditions prescribed by the
Administrator as part of the certification
basis.
The Administrator has determined the
applicable airworthiness regulations
(that is, 14 CFR part 27), as they pertain
to this amended TC, do not contain
adequate or appropriate safety standards
for the Robinson Model R66 helicopter
because of a novel or unusual design
feature. Therefore, special conditions
are prescribed under § 21.16.
In addition to the applicable
airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, Robinson must show
compliance of the AP/SAS amended TC
altered model R66 helicopter with the
noise certification requirements of 14
CFR part 36.
The FAA issues special conditions, as
defined in § 11.19, in accordance with
§ 11.38 and they become part of the type
certification basis under § 21.101(d).
Novel or Unusual Design Features
The Robinson Model R66 helicopter
will incorporate the following novel or
unusual design features: AP/SAS. The
AP/SAS performs non-critical control
functions.
Discussion
To comply with the provisions of the
special conditions, the FAA proposes to
require that Robinson provide the FAA
with a systems safety assessment (SSA)
for the final AP/SAS installation
configuration that will adequately
address the safety objectives established
by a functional hazard assessment
(FHA). This process will ensure that all
failure conditions and their resulting
effects are adequately addressed for the
installed AP/SAS. The SSA process is
part of the overall safety assessment
process discussed in FAA Advisory
Circular 27–1B, Certification of Normal
Category Rotorcraft, and Society of
Automotive Engineers document
Aerospace Recommended Practice 4761,
Guidelines and Methods for Conducting
the Safety Assessment Process on Civil
Airborne Systems and Equipment.
These proposed special conditions
would require that the AP/SAS installed
on a Robinson Model R66 helicopter
meet the requirements to adequately
address the failure effects identified by
the FHA, and subsequently verified by
the SSA, within the defined design
integrity requirements.
Failure conditions are classified
according to the severity of their effects
on the rotorcraft. Radio Technical
Commission for Aeronautics, Inc.
(RTCA) Document DO–178C, Software
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 123 / Wednesday, June 26, 2019 / Proposed Rules
Considerations in Airborne Systems and
Equipment Certification, provides
software design assurance levels most
commonly used for the major,
hazardous/severe-major, and
catastrophic failure condition
categories. The AP/SAS system
equipment must be qualified for the
expected installation environment. The
test procedures prescribed in RTCA
Document DO–160G, Environmental
Conditions and Test Procedures for
Airborne Equipment, are recognized by
the FAA as acceptable methodologies
for finding compliance with the
environmental requirements. Equivalent
environment test standards may also be
acceptable. Environmental qualification
provides data to show that the AP/SAS
system can perform its intended
function under the expected operating
condition. Some of the main
considerations for environmental
concerns are installation locations and
the resulting exposure to environmental
conditions for the AP/SAS system
equipment, including considerations for
other equipment that may also be
affected environmentally by the AP/SAS
equipment installation. The level of
environmental qualification must be
related to the severity of the considered
failure conditions and effects on the
rotorcraft.
Applicability
These special conditions are
applicable to the AP/SAS installed as an
amended TC approval in Robinson
Model R66 helicopter, TC Number
R00015LA.
Conclusion
This action affects only certain novel
or unusual design features for an AP/
SAS amended TC installed on one
model helicopter. It is not a rule of
general applicability and affects only
the applicant who applied to the FAA
for approval of these features.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 27
Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements.
The authority citation for these
special conditions is as follows:
jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
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 amended type certification basis for
installation of the AP/SAS system on
Robinson Model R66 helicopters.
Instead of the requirements of 14 CFR
27.1309(b) and (c), the following must
be met for certification of the AP/SAS
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16:20 Jun 25, 2019
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system installed on Robinson Model
R66 helicopters:
a. The equipment and systems must
be designed and installed so that any
equipment and systems do not
adversely affect the safety of the
rotorcraft or its occupants.
b. The rotorcraft systems and
associated components considered
separately and in relation to others
systems, must be designed and installed
so that:
(1) The occurrence of any catastrophic
failure condition is extremely
improbable;
(2) The occurrence of any hazardous
failure condition is extremely remote;
and
(3) The occurrence of any major
failure condition is remote.
c. Compliance with the requirements
of these special conditions may be
shown by a variety of methods, which
typically consist of analysis, flight tests,
ground tests, and simulation, as a
minimum. Compliance methodology is
related to the associated failure
condition category. Compliance with
the requirements for failure conditions
classified as ‘‘major’’ may be shown by
analysis, in combination with
appropriate testing to validate the
analysis. Compliance with the
requirements for failure conditions
classified as ‘‘hazardous/severe-major’’
may be shown by flight-testing in
combination with analysis and
simulation, and the appropriate testing
to validate the analysis. Flight tests may
be limited for ‘‘hazardous/severe-major’’
failure conditions and effects due to
safety considerations. Compliance with
the requirements for failure conditions
classified as ‘‘catastrophic’’ may be
shown by analysis, and appropriate
testing in combination with simulation
to validate the analysis. Very limited
flight tests in combination with
simulation are used as a part of a
showing of compliance for
‘‘catastrophic’’ failure conditions. Flight
tests are performed only in
circumstances that use operational
variations, or extrapolations from other
flight performance aspects to address
flight safety.
d. These special conditions require
that the AP/SAS system installed on a
Robinson Model R66 helicopter, Type
Certificate Number R00015LA, meet
these requirements to adequately
address the failure effects identified by
the FHA, and subsequently verified by
the SSA, within the defined design
system integrity requirements.
e. Information concerning an unsafe
system operating condition must be
provided in a timely manner to the crew
to enable them to take appropriate
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Frm 00013
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
corrective action. An appropriate alert
must be provided if immediate pilot
awareness and immediate or subsequent
corrective action is required. Systems
and controls, including indications and
annunciations, must be designed to
minimize crew errors that could create
additional hazards.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 19,
2019.
Stephen Barbini,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Standards
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–13651 Filed 6–25–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2019–0485; Product
Identifier 2019–NM–064–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS
Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus SAS Model A330–243, A330–
243F, A330–341, A330–342, and A330–
343 airplanes. This proposed AD was
prompted by reports of thrust reverser
unit (TRU) beams found with evidence
of thermally caused material
degradation in the rearmost section of
the TRU beam at certain latches. This
proposed AD would require an
inspection for heat damage of each lefthand and right-hand TRU beam.
Depending on findings, this proposed
AD might also require inspections of the
TRU beam latches, the TRU beam
clevises, and the thrust reverser outer
fixed structure rear area; corrective
actions; and replacement of TRU beams;
as specified in a European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which will
be incorporated by reference. The FAA
is proposing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments
on this proposed AD by August 12,
2019.
SUMMARY:
You may send comments,
using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following
methods:
ADDRESSES:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 123 (Wednesday, June 26, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30050-30052]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-13651]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 27
[Docket No. FAA-2019-0106; Notice No. 27-046-SC]
Special Conditions: Robinson Helicopter Company, Model Robinson
R66, Visual Flight Rules Autopilot and Stability Augmentation System
(AP/SAS System)
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action proposes special conditions for the Robinson
Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R66 helicopter. This helicopter
will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with
installation of the autopilot and stability augmentation system (AP/SAS
system). 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 August 12, 2019.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number [FAA-2019-XXXX]
using any of the following methods:
[squ] Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov
and follow the online instructions for sending your comments
electronically.
[[Page 30051]]
[squ] 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.
[squ] 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 8 a.m., and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
[squ] 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), 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: Andy Shaw, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Rotorcraft Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5384; email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites 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.
The FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before the
closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed late if
it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. The FAA may
change these special conditions based on the comments it receives.
Background
On June 8, 2018, Robinson applied to amend type certificate (TC)
Number R00015LA to install an AP/SAS system on the Robinson Model R66
helicopter. The Robinson Model R66 helicopter is a 14 CFR part 27
normal category, single turbine engine, conventional helicopter
designed for civil operation. This helicopter model is capable of
carrying up to four passengers with one pilot and has a maximum gross
weight of up to 2,700 pounds, depending on the model configuration. The
major design features include a 2-blade main rotor, an anti-torque tail
rotor system, a skid landing gear, and a visual flight rule basic
avionics configuration. Robinson proposes to modify this model
helicopter by installing an AP/SAS system.
The AP/SAS system provides attitude stabilization in two or three
axes (pitch and roll with optional yaw) as well as higher-level
autopilot functions such as altitude hold, heading command and
navigation tracking. However, the possible failure conditions for this
system, and their effect on the continued safe flight and landing of
the helicopter, are more severe than those envisioned by the present
rules.
The effect on safety is not adequately covered under 14 CFR 27.1309
for the application of new technology and new application of standard
technology. Specifically, the present provisions of Sec. 27.1309(c) do
not adequately address the safety requirements for systems whose
failures could result in catastrophic or hazardous/severe-major failure
conditions, or for complex systems whose failures could result in major
failure conditions. The current regulations are inadequate because when
Sec. 27.1309(c) were promulgated, it was not envisioned that this type
of rotorcraft would use systems that are complex or whose failure could
result in ``catastrophic'' or ``hazardous/severe-major'' effects on the
rotorcraft. This is particularly true with the application of new
technology, new application of standard technology, or other
applications not envisioned by the rule that affect safety.
Type Certification Basis
Under 14 CFR 21.101, Robinson must show that the Model R66
helicopter, as modified by the installed AP/SAS, continues to meet the
applicable regulations in effect on the date of application for the
change to the type certificate. The baseline certification basis for
the unmodified Robinson Model R66 helicopter is listed in TC Number
R00015LA. Additionally, compliance must be shown to any applicable
equivalent level of safety findings, exemptions, and special conditions
prescribed by the Administrator as part of the certification basis.
The Administrator has determined the applicable airworthiness
regulations (that is, 14 CFR part 27), as they pertain to this amended
TC, do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for the
Robinson Model R66 helicopter because of a novel or unusual design
feature. Therefore, special conditions are prescribed under Sec.
21.16.
In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, Robinson must show compliance of the AP/SAS amended TC
altered model R66 helicopter with the noise certification requirements
of 14 CFR part 36.
The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in Sec. 11.19, in
accordance with Sec. 11.38 and they become part of the type
certification basis under Sec. 21.101(d).
Novel or Unusual Design Features
The Robinson Model R66 helicopter will incorporate the following
novel or unusual design features: AP/SAS. The AP/SAS performs non-
critical control functions.
Discussion
To comply with the provisions of the special conditions, the FAA
proposes to require that Robinson provide the FAA with a systems safety
assessment (SSA) for the final AP/SAS installation configuration that
will adequately address the safety objectives established by a
functional hazard assessment (FHA). This process will ensure that all
failure conditions and their resulting effects are adequately addressed
for the installed AP/SAS. The SSA process is part of the overall safety
assessment process discussed in FAA Advisory Circular 27-1B,
Certification of Normal Category Rotorcraft, and Society of Automotive
Engineers document Aerospace Recommended Practice 4761, Guidelines and
Methods for Conducting the Safety Assessment Process on Civil Airborne
Systems and Equipment.
These proposed special conditions would require that the AP/SAS
installed on a Robinson Model R66 helicopter meet the requirements to
adequately address the failure effects identified by the FHA, and
subsequently verified by the SSA, within the defined design integrity
requirements.
Failure conditions are classified according to the severity of
their effects on the rotorcraft. Radio Technical Commission for
Aeronautics, Inc. (RTCA) Document DO-178C, Software
[[Page 30052]]
Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification,
provides software design assurance levels most commonly used for the
major, hazardous/severe-major, and catastrophic failure condition
categories. The AP/SAS system equipment must be qualified for the
expected installation environment. The test procedures prescribed in
RTCA Document DO-160G, Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for
Airborne Equipment, are recognized by the FAA as acceptable
methodologies for finding compliance with the environmental
requirements. Equivalent environment test standards may also be
acceptable. Environmental qualification provides data to show that the
AP/SAS system can perform its intended function under the expected
operating condition. Some of the main considerations for environmental
concerns are installation locations and the resulting exposure to
environmental conditions for the AP/SAS system equipment, including
considerations for other equipment that may also be affected
environmentally by the AP/SAS equipment installation. The level of
environmental qualification must be related to the severity of the
considered failure conditions and effects on the rotorcraft.
Applicability
These special conditions are applicable to the AP/SAS installed as
an amended TC approval in Robinson Model R66 helicopter, TC Number
R00015LA.
Conclusion
This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features
for an AP/SAS amended TC installed on one model helicopter. It is not a
rule of general applicability and affects only the applicant who
applied to the FAA for approval of these features.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 27
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
Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes the
following special conditions as part of the amended type certification
basis for installation of the AP/SAS system on Robinson Model R66
helicopters.
Instead of the requirements of 14 CFR 27.1309(b) and (c), the
following must be met for certification of the AP/SAS system installed
on Robinson Model R66 helicopters:
a. The equipment and systems must be designed and installed so that
any equipment and systems do not adversely affect the safety of the
rotorcraft or its occupants.
b. The rotorcraft systems and associated components considered
separately and in relation to others systems, must be designed and
installed so that:
(1) The occurrence of any catastrophic failure condition is
extremely improbable;
(2) The occurrence of any hazardous failure condition is extremely
remote; and
(3) The occurrence of any major failure condition is remote.
c. Compliance with the requirements of these special conditions may
be shown by a variety of methods, which typically consist of analysis,
flight tests, ground tests, and simulation, as a minimum. Compliance
methodology is related to the associated failure condition category.
Compliance with the requirements for failure conditions classified as
``major'' may be shown by analysis, in combination with appropriate
testing to validate the analysis. Compliance with the requirements for
failure conditions classified as ``hazardous/severe-major'' may be
shown by flight-testing in combination with analysis and simulation,
and the appropriate testing to validate the analysis. Flight tests may
be limited for ``hazardous/severe-major'' failure conditions and
effects due to safety considerations. Compliance with the requirements
for failure conditions classified as ``catastrophic'' may be shown by
analysis, and appropriate testing in combination with simulation to
validate the analysis. Very limited flight tests in combination with
simulation are used as a part of a showing of compliance for
``catastrophic'' failure conditions. Flight tests are performed only in
circumstances that use operational variations, or extrapolations from
other flight performance aspects to address flight safety.
d. These special conditions require that the AP/SAS system
installed on a Robinson Model R66 helicopter, Type Certificate Number
R00015LA, meet these requirements to adequately address the failure
effects identified by the FHA, and subsequently verified by the SSA,
within the defined design system integrity requirements.
e. Information concerning an unsafe system operating condition must
be provided in a timely manner to the crew to enable them to take
appropriate corrective action. An appropriate alert must be provided if
immediate pilot awareness and immediate or subsequent corrective action
is required. Systems and controls, including indications and
annunciations, must be designed to minimize crew errors that could
create additional hazards.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 19, 2019.
Stephen Barbini,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-13651 Filed 6-25-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
