Special Conditions: Airbus A300 Model B2-1A, B2-1C, B4-2C, B2K-3C, B4-103, B2-203, B4-203 Airplanes; High Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF)

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final special conditions; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

These special conditions are issued for Airbus A300 Model B2-1A, B2-1C, B4-2C, B2K-3C, B4-103, B2-203, B4-203 airplanes modified by Electronic Cable Specialists. These airplanes will have novel and unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. The installation of Honeywell Classic Navigator Systems will use advanced electronics when compared to the Inertial Navigation Systems. The applicable type certification regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for the protection of this system from the effects of high-intensity radiated fields (HIRF). These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that provided by the existing airworthiness standards.

DATES:

The effective date of these special conditions is March 31, 2000. Comments must be received on or before May 26, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Comments on these special conditions may be mailed in duplicate to: Federal Aviation Administration, Transport Airplane Directorate, Attn: Rules Docket (ANM-114), Docket No. NM171, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington, 98055-4056; or delivered in duplicate to the Transport Airplane Directorate at the above address. Comments must be marked: Docket No. NM171. Comments may be inspected in the Rules Docket weekdays, except Federal holidays, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Connie Beane, FAA, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington, 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2796; facsimile (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for making these special conditions effective upon issuance; however, interested persons are invited to submit such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications should identify the docket and special conditions number and be submitted in duplicate to the address specified above. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered by the Administrator. These special conditions may be changed in light of the comments received. All comments submitted will be available in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons, both before and after the closing date for comments. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerning this rulemaking will be filed in the docket. Persons wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this request must submit with those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: “Comments to Docket No. NM171.” The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

Background

On November 29, 1999, Electronic Cable Specialists, 5300 West Franklin Drive, Franklin, Wisconsin 53132, applied for a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to modify Airbus A300 Model B2-1A, B2-1C, B4-2C, B2K-3C, B4-103, B2-203, B4-203 airplanes approved under Type Certificate No. A35EU. These are transport category airplanes with twin engines, and a seating capacity of up to 267 passengers. The modification incorporates the installation of Honeywell Classic Navigator Systems. Each system consists of a Honeywell HT-9100 Navigation Management System, a Super Attitude Heading Reference System, and a Digital to Analog Adapter. These advanced systems use electronics to a far greater extent than the original Inertial Navigation Systems and may be more susceptible to electrical and magnetic interference. This disruption of signals could result in loss of attitude or present misleading information to the pilot.

Type Certification Basis

Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.101, Electronic Cable Specialists must show that Airbus A300 Model B2-1A, B2-1C, B4-2C, B2K-3C, B4-103, B2-203, B4-203 airplanes, as changed, continue to meet the applicable provisions of the regulations incorporated by reference in Type Certificate No. A35EU, or the applicable regulations in effect on the date of application for the change. The regulations incorporated by reference in the type certificate are commonly referred to as the “original type certification basis.” The certification basis for the modified Airbus A300 Model B2-1A, B2-1C, B4-2C, B2K-3C, B4-103, B2-203, B4-203 airplanes includes 14 CFR part 25, dated February 1, 1965, as amended by Amendments 25-1 through 25-21.

If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness regulations (i.e., part 25, as amended) do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for the Airbus A300 Model B2-1A, B2-1C, B4-2C, B2K-3C, B4-103, B2-203, B4-203 airplanes because of novel or unusual design features, special conditions are prescribed under the provisions of § 21.16.

In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special conditions, the Airbus A300 Model B2-1A, B2-1C, B4-2C, B2K-3C, B4-103, B2-203, B4-203 airplanes must comply with the part 25 fuel vent and exhaust emission requirements of 14 CFR part 34 and the part 25 noise certification requirements of 14 CFR part 36.

Special conditions, as appropriate, are issued in accordance with § 11.49, as required by §§ 11.28 and 11.29(b), and become part of the type certification basis in accordance with § 21.101(b)(2).

Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which they are issued. Should Electronic Cable Specialists apply at a later date for a supplemental type certificate to modify any other model already 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 the provisions of § 21.101(a)(1).

Novel or Unusual Design Features

The Airbus A300 Model B2-1A, B2-1C, B4-2C, B2K-3C, B4-103, B2-203, B4-203 airplanes will incorporate a new navigation system, which was not available at the time of certification of these airplanes, that performs critical functions. This system may be vulnerable to high intensity radiated fields (HIRF) external to the airplane.

Discussion

There is no specific regulation that addresses protection requirements for electrical and electronic systems from HIRF. Increased power levels from ground-based radio transmitters and the growing use of sensitive electrical and electronic systems to command and control airplanes have made it necessary to provide adequate protection.

To ensure that a level of safety is achieved equivalent to that intended by the regulations incorporated by reference, special conditions are needed for the Airbus A300 Model B2-1A, B2-1C, B4-2C, B2K-3C, B4-103, B2-203, B4-203 airplanes, which require that new electrical and electronic systems, such as the Honeywell Navigator Systems, that perform critical functions be designed and installed to preclude component damage and interruption of function due to both the direct and indirect effects of HIRF.

High-Intensity Radiated Fields

With the trend toward increased power levels from ground-based transmitters, plus the advent of space and satellite communications coupled with electronic command and control of the airplane, the immunity of critical digital avionics systems to HIRF must be established.

It is not possible to precisely define the HIRF to which the airplane will be exposed in service. There is also uncertainty concerning the effectiveness of airframe shielding for HIRF. Furthermore, coupling of electromagnetic energy to cockpit-installed equipment through the cockpit window apertures is undefined. Based on surveys and analysis of existing HIRF emitters, an adequate level of protection exists when compliance with the HIRF protection special condition is shown with either paragraph 1, or 2 below:

1. A minimum threat of 100 volts per meter root-mean-square (rms) electric field strength from 10 KHz to 18 GHz.

a. The threat must be applied to the system elements and their associated wiring harnesses without the benefit of airframe shielding.

b. Demonstration of this level of protection is established through system tests and analysis.

2. A threat external to the airframe of the following field strengths for the frequency ranges indicated. Both peak and average field strength components from the table are to be demonstrated.

Applicability

As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable Airbus A300 Model B2-1A, B2-1C, B4-2C, B2K-3C, B4-103, B2-203, B4-203 airplanes modified by Electronic Cable Specialists. Should Electronic Cable Specialists apply at a later date 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 apply to that model as well under the provisions of § 21.101(a)(1).

Conclusion

This action affects only certain design features on Airbus A300 Model B2-1A, B2-1C, B4-2C, B2K-3C, B4-103, B2-203, B4-203 airplanes modified by Electronic Cable Specialists. 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.

The substance of the special conditions for this airplane has been subjected to the notice and comment procedure in several prior instances and has 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. For this reason, and because a delay would significantly affect the certification of the airplane, which is imminent, the FAA has determined that prior public notice and comment are unnecessary and impracticable, and good cause exists for adopting these special conditions upon issuance. The FAA is requesting comments to allow interested persons to submit views that may not have been submitted in response to the prior opportunities for comment described above.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25

• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Reporting and recordkeeping requirements

The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702, 44704.

The 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 Airbus A300 Model B2-1A, B2-1C, B4-2C, B2K-3C, B4-103, B2-203, B4-203 airplanes modified by Electronic Cable Specialists.

1. Protection from Unwanted Effects of High-Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF). Each electrical and electronic system that performs critical functions must be designed and installed to ensure that the operation and operational capability of these systems to perform critical functions are not adversely affected when the airplane is exposed to high intensity radiated fields.

2. For the purpose of these special conditions, the following definition applies: Critical Functions. Functions whose failure would contribute to or cause a failure condition that would prevent the continued safe flight and landing of the airplane.