Special Conditions: Canard Aerospace Corporation, DeHavilland Model DHC-8-400 Series Airplane; Electronic System Security Protection From Unauthorized External Access, 13055-13057 [2025-04664]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 53 / Thursday, March 20, 2025 / Rules and Regulations ‘‘WICFs’’) published in the Federal Register on December 23, 2024 (89 FR 104616) and an accompanying correction document published in the Federal Register on January 7, 2025 (90 FR 1029) to March 21, 2025. 90 FR 9951 (Feb. 20, 2025). DOE also sought comment on any further delay of the effective date, including the impacts of such delay, as well as comment on the legal, factual, or policy issues raised by the rule. DOE is still in the process of reviewing questions of fact, law, and policy for this rule and comment received on the rule. As such, and consistent with the Presidential Memorandum of January 20, 2025, DOE further delays the effective date of this rule another 60-days to May 20, 2025. To the extent that 5 U.S.C. 553 applies to this action, it is exempt from notice and comment because it constitutes a rule of procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A) and for which no notice or hearing is required by statute. Further, the delay of the effective date to May 20, 2025, does not affect the compliance date for this rule, which remains December 23, 2027, for walk-in nondisplay doors and December 31, 2028, for walk-in refrigeration systems. As such, this action is not a ‘‘substantive rule’’ for which a 30-day delay in effective date is required under 5 U.S.C. 553(d). Signing Authority ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1 This document of the Department of Energy was signed on March 13, 2025, by Lou Hrkman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document with the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the document in electronic format for publication, as an official document of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the Federal Register. Signed in Washington, DC, on March 13, 2025. Treena V. Garrett, Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy. [FR Doc. 2025–04474 Filed 3–19–25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:41 Mar 19, 2025 Jkt 265001 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 25 [Docket No. FAA–2025–0078; Special Conditions No. 25–876–SC] Special Conditions: Canard Aerospace Corporation, DeHavilland Model DHC– 8–400 Series Airplane; Electronic System Security Protection From Unauthorized External Access Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments. AGENCY: These special conditions are issued for a supplemental type certificate (STC) to install a digital systems architecture on the DeHavilland Model DHC–8–400 series airplane. This airplane, as modified by the Canard Aerospace Corporation (Canard), will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transportcategory airplanes. This design feature is the installation of a digital systems architecture that will allow increased connectivity to and access from external network sources (e.g., operator networks, wireless devices, internet connectivity, service provider satellite communications, electronic flight bags, etc.) to the airplane’s previously isolated electronic assets (networks, systems, and databases). 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 Canard on March 20, 2025. Send comments on or before May 5, 2025. ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by Docket No. FAA–2025–0078 using any of the following methods: • Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to 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 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 13055 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. Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at 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: Thuan T. Nguyen, Avionics Software and Components Unit, AIR–626D, Technical Policy Branch, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, Washington 98198; telephone (206) 231–3365; email: Thuan.T.Nguyen@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The substance of these special conditions has been published in the Federal Register for public comment in several prior instances with no substantive comments received. Therefore, the FAA finds, pursuant to 14 CFR 11.38(b), that new comments are unlikely, and notice and comment prior to this publication are unnecessary. Privacy Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received without change to www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about these special conditions. Confidential Business Information Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to these special conditions contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to these special conditions, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA E:\FR\FM\20MRR1.SGM 20MRR1 13056 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 53 / Thursday, March 20, 2025 / Rules and Regulations will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and the indicated comments will not be placed in the public docket of these special conditions. Send submissions containing CBI to the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section above. Comments the FAA receives, which are not specifically designated as CBI, will be placed in the public docket for these special conditions. 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 received by the closing date for comments. The FAA may change these special conditions based on the comments received. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1 Background On April 15, 2024, Canard applied for a supplemental type certificate to install a digital systems architecture on the DeHavilland Model DHC–8–400 series airplane that will allow increased connectivity to and access from external network sources (e.g., operator networks, wireless devices, internet connectivity, service provider satellite communications, electronic flight bags, etc.) to the airplane’s previously isolated electronic assets (networks, systems, and databases). The DeHavilland Model DHC–8–400 series airplane is a twinengine airplane with a passenger capacity of 68 and a maximum takeoff weight of 61,700 pounds. Type Certification Basis Under the provisions of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.101, Canard must show that the Model DeHavilland DHC–8–400 series airplane, as changed, continues to meet the applicable provisions of the regulations listed in Type Certificate No. A13NM or the applicable regulations in effect on the date of application for the change, except for earlier amendments as agreed upon by the FAA. If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness regulations (e.g., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for the listed airplanes because of a VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:41 Mar 19, 2025 Jkt 265001 The Model DeHavilland DHC–8–400 series airplane, as modified by Canard, will incorporate the following novel or unusual design feature(s): The installation of a digital systems architecture that will allow increased connectivity to and access from external network sources, (e.g., operator networks, wireless devices, internet connectivity, service provider satellite communications, electronic flight bags, etc.) to the airplane’s previously isolated electronic assets (networks, systems, and databases). and presents security vulnerabilities related to the introduction of computer viruses and worms, user errors, and intentional sabotage of airplane electronic assets (networks, systems, and databases) critical to the safety and maintenance of the airplane. The existing FAA regulations did not anticipate these networked airplanesystem architectures. Furthermore, these regulations and the current guidance material do not address potential security vulnerabilities, which could be exploited by unauthorized access to airplane networks, data buses, and servers. Therefore, these special conditions ensure that the security (i.e., confidentiality, integrity, and availability) of the airplane’s systems is not compromised by unauthorized wired or wireless electronic connections. This includes ensuring that the security of the airplane’s systems is not compromised during maintenance of the airplane’s electronic systems. These special conditions also require the applicant to provide appropriate instructions to the operator to maintain all electronic-system safeguards that have been implemented as part of the original network design so that this feature does not allow or introduce security threats. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards. Discussion Applicability The DeHavilland Model DHC–8–400 series airplanes electronic system architecture and network configuration change is novel or unusual for commercial transport airplanes because it may allow increased connectivity to and access from external network sources, airline operations, and maintenance networks, to the airplane control domain, and airline information services domain. The airplane’s control domain and airline information-services domain perform functions required for the safe operation and maintenance of the airplane. Previously, these domains had very limited connectivity with external network sources. This data network and design integration creates a potential for unauthorized persons to access the airplane’s control domain and airline information-services domain As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the DeHavilland DHC–8–400 series airplane, as modified by Canard. Should Canard apply at a later date for a supplemental type certificate to modify any other model included on Type Certificate No. A13NM to incorporate the same novel or unusual design feature, these special conditions would apply to that model as well. 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 applicant apply for a supplemental type certificate to modify any other model included on the same type certificate to incorporate 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 DeHavilland DHC–8– 400 series airplane must comply with the exhaust-emission requirements of 14 CFR part 34, and the noise-certification requirements of 14 CFR part 36. The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance with § 11.38, and they become part of the type certification basis under § 21.101. Novel or Unusual Design Features PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Conclusion This action affects only a certain novel or unusual design feature for the DeHavilland Model DHC–8–400 series airplanes, modified by Canard. It is not a rule of general applicability and affects only the applicant who applied to the FAA for approval of these features on the airplane. E:\FR\FM\20MRR1.SGM 20MRR1 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 53 / Thursday, March 20, 2025 / Rules and Regulations List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25 Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. ACTION: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, 44701, 44702, and 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 the DeHavilland DHC–8–400 series airplanes, as modified by Canard. 1. The applicant must ensure that the airplane electronic system security is protected from access by unauthorized sources external to the airplane, including those possibly caused by maintenance activity. 2. The applicant must ensure that electronic system security threats are identified and assessed, and that effective electronic system security protection strategies are implemented to protect the airplane from all adverse impacts on safety, functionality, and continued airworthiness. 3. The applicant must establish appropriate procedures to allow the operator to ensure that continued airworthiness of the aircraft is maintained, including all post type certification modifications that may have an impact on the approved electronic system security safeguards. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 14, 2025. Patrick R. Mullen, Manager, Technical Policy Branch, Policy and Standards Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025–04664 Filed 3–19–25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 71 [Docket No. FAA–2023–2194; Airspace Docket No. 23–ASO–19] ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1 RIN 2120–AA66 Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V–5, V–47, V–97, V–128, V–275, and V– 517, and United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T–315, and Revocation of VOR Federal Airway V–19 in the Vicinity of Cincinnati, KY Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:41 Mar 19, 2025 Jkt 265001 This action amends Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V–5, V–47, V– 97, V–128, V–275, and V–517, and United States (U.S.) Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T–315; and revokes VOR Federal Airway V–19. The FAA is taking this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Cincinnati, KY (CVG), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Cincinnati VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA’s VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program. DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, June 12, 2025. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order JO 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments. ADDRESSES: A copy of the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), all comments received, this final rule, and all background material may be viewed online at www.regulations.gov using the FAA Docket number. Electronic retrieval help and guidelines are available on the website. It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. FAA Order JO 7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/ publications/. You may also contact the Rules and Regulations Group, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration, 600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267–8783. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Rules and Regulations Group, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration, 600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267–8783. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Authority Citation The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows: AGENCY: Final rule. Authority for This Rulemaking The FAA’s authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency’s authority. This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that section, the FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign the use of the airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient use of airspace. This regulation is within the PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 13057 scope of that authority as it modifies the Air Traffic Service (ATS) route structure as necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National Airspace System. History The FAA published an NPRM for Docket No. FAA–2023–2194 in the Federal Register (88 FR 77238; November 9, 2023), proposing to amend VOR Federal Airways V–5, V–47, V–97, V–128, V–275, and V–517, and U.S. RNAV Route T–315; and revoke VOR Federal Airway V–19 due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Cincinnati, KY, VORTAC NAVAID. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were received. Differences From the NPRM Subsequent the NPRM, the FAA published a final rule for Docket No. FAA–2023–1737 in the Federal Register (89 FR 42795; May 16, 2024), amending VOR Federal Airway V–128 by removing the airway segment between the Cincinnati, KY (reflected as OH in that final rule), VORTAC and the Charleston, WV, VORTAC. Additionally, that final rule amended U.S. RNAV Route T–315 by extending the route westward from the JARLO, WV, Waypoint (WP) to the JIMUR, KY, Fix and included the CALIF, KY, Fix and the ILILE, OH, WP in the extension. Those route amendments were effective July 11, 2024, and are included in this final rule. Additionally, subsequent the NPRM, the FAA published a final rule for Docket No. FAA–2024–1848 in the Federal Register (90 FR 9216; February 10, 2025), amending VOR Federal Airway V–97 by removing the airway segment between the Dolphin, FL, VORTAC and the St. Petersburg, FL, VORTAC. That airway amendment is effective April 17, 2025, and is also included in this final rule. Finally, the NPRM addressed the VOR Federal Airway V–97 proposed airway amendments in the preamble, but the ‘‘as amended’’ airway information did not match the description in the regulatory text for the airway. The proposed amendments to V–97 removed the airway segment between the Lexington, KY, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) and the intersection of the Chicago Heights, IL, VORTAC 358° and DuPage, IL, VOR/ DME 101° radials (NILES Fix). As amended, the correct V–97 airway description in the NPRM should have reflected the airway would extend between the Dolphin VORTAC and the E:\FR\FM\20MRR1.SGM 20MRR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 53 (Thursday, March 20, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13055-13057]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-04664]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0078; Special Conditions No. 25-876-SC]


Special Conditions: Canard Aerospace Corporation, DeHavilland 
Model DHC-8-400 Series Airplane; Electronic System Security Protection 
From Unauthorized External Access

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for a supplemental type 
certificate (STC) to install a digital systems architecture on the 
DeHavilland Model DHC-8-400 series airplane. This airplane, as modified 
by the Canard Aerospace Corporation (Canard), 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 a digital systems 
architecture that will allow increased connectivity to and access from 
external network sources (e.g., operator networks, wireless devices, 
internet connectivity, service provider satellite communications, 
electronic flight bags, etc.) to the airplane's previously isolated 
electronic assets (networks, systems, and databases). 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 Canard on March 20, 2025. Send 
comments on or before May 5, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by Docket No. FAA-2025-0078 using 
any of the following methods:
     Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to 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.
    Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at 
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: Thuan T. Nguyen, Avionics Software and 
Components Unit, AIR-626D, Technical Policy Branch, Aircraft 
Certification Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 2200 South 
216th Street, Des Moines, Washington 98198; telephone (206) 231-3365; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The substance of these special conditions 
has been published in the Federal Register for public comment in 
several prior instances with no substantive comments received. 
Therefore, the FAA finds, pursuant to 14 CFR 11.38(b), that new 
comments are unlikely, and notice and comment prior to this publication 
are unnecessary.

Privacy

    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 11.35, the FAA will post all 
comments received without change to www.regulations.gov, including any 
personal information you provide. The FAA will also post a report 
summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about these 
special conditions.

Confidential Business Information

    Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial 
information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by 
its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), 
CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to 
these special conditions contain commercial or financial information 
that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as 
private, and that is relevant or responsive to these special 
conditions, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA

[[Page 13056]]

will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and 
the indicated comments will not be placed in the public docket of these 
special conditions. Send submissions containing CBI to the individual 
listed in the For Further Information Contact section above. Comments 
the FAA receives, which are not specifically designated as CBI, will be 
placed in the public docket for these special conditions.

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 received by the closing date for 
comments. The FAA may change these special conditions based on the 
comments received.

Background

    On April 15, 2024, Canard applied for a supplemental type 
certificate to install a digital systems architecture on the 
DeHavilland Model DHC-8-400 series airplane that will allow increased 
connectivity to and access from external network sources (e.g., 
operator networks, wireless devices, internet connectivity, service 
provider satellite communications, electronic flight bags, etc.) to the 
airplane's previously isolated electronic assets (networks, systems, 
and databases). The DeHavilland Model DHC-8-400 series airplane is a 
twin-engine airplane with a passenger capacity of 68 and a maximum 
takeoff weight of 61,700 pounds.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) 21.101, Canard must show that the Model DeHavilland DHC-8-400 
series airplane, as changed, continues to meet the applicable 
provisions of the regulations listed in Type Certificate No. A13NM or 
the applicable regulations in effect on the date of application for the 
change, except for earlier amendments as agreed upon by the FAA.
    If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations (e.g., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for the listed 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 applicant apply for a supplemental type 
certificate to modify any other model included on the same type 
certificate to incorporate 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 DeHavilland DHC-8-400 series airplane must comply with 
the exhaust-emission requirements of 14 CFR part 34, and the noise-
certification requirements of 14 CFR part 36.
    The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in 
accordance with Sec.  11.38, and they become part of the type 
certification basis under Sec.  21.101.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The Model DeHavilland DHC-8-400 series airplane, as modified by 
Canard, will incorporate the following novel or unusual design 
feature(s):
    The installation of a digital systems architecture that will allow 
increased connectivity to and access from external network sources, 
(e.g., operator networks, wireless devices, internet connectivity, 
service provider satellite communications, electronic flight bags, 
etc.) to the airplane's previously isolated electronic assets 
(networks, systems, and databases).

Discussion

    The DeHavilland Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes electronic system 
architecture and network configuration change is novel or unusual for 
commercial transport airplanes because it may allow increased 
connectivity to and access from external network sources, airline 
operations, and maintenance networks, to the airplane control domain, 
and airline information services domain. The airplane's control domain 
and airline information-services domain perform functions required for 
the safe operation and maintenance of the airplane. Previously, these 
domains had very limited connectivity with external network sources. 
This data network and design integration creates a potential for 
unauthorized persons to access the airplane's control domain and 
airline information-services domain and presents security 
vulnerabilities related to the introduction of computer viruses and 
worms, user errors, and intentional sabotage of airplane electronic 
assets (networks, systems, and databases) critical to the safety and 
maintenance of the airplane.
    The existing FAA regulations did not anticipate these networked 
airplane-system architectures. Furthermore, these regulations and the 
current guidance material do not address potential security 
vulnerabilities, which could be exploited by unauthorized access to 
airplane networks, data buses, and servers. Therefore, these special 
conditions ensure that the security (i.e., confidentiality, integrity, 
and availability) of the airplane's systems is not compromised by 
unauthorized wired or wireless electronic connections. This includes 
ensuring that the security of the airplane's systems is not compromised 
during maintenance of the airplane's electronic systems. These special 
conditions also require the applicant to provide appropriate 
instructions to the operator to maintain all electronic-system 
safeguards that have been implemented as part of the original network 
design so that this feature does not allow or introduce security 
threats.
    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 
DeHavilland DHC-8-400 series airplane, as modified by Canard. Should 
Canard apply at a later date for a supplemental type certificate to 
modify any other model included on Type Certificate No. A13NM to 
incorporate 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 
for the DeHavilland Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes, modified by 
Canard. It is not a rule of general applicability and affects only the 
applicant who applied to the FAA for approval of these features on the 
airplane.

[[Page 13057]]

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), 40113, 44701, 44702, and 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 the DeHavilland DHC-8-400 series 
airplanes, as modified by Canard.
    1. The applicant must ensure that the airplane electronic system 
security is protected from access by unauthorized sources external to 
the airplane, including those possibly caused by maintenance activity.
    2. The applicant must ensure that electronic system security 
threats are identified and assessed, and that effective electronic 
system security protection strategies are implemented to protect the 
airplane from all adverse impacts on safety, functionality, and 
continued airworthiness.
    3. The applicant must establish appropriate procedures to allow the 
operator to ensure that continued airworthiness of the aircraft is 
maintained, including all post type certification modifications that 
may have an impact on the approved electronic system security 
safeguards.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 14, 2025.
Patrick R. Mullen,
Manager, Technical Policy Branch, Policy and Standards Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-04664 Filed 3-19-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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