Rules and Regulations. Final special conditions; request for comments

Agency: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT
Action: Final special conditions; request for comments
Citation: FR Doc. 2011-27198 · Docket No. FAA-2011-1140; Special Conditions No. 25-450-SC · 14 CFR 25

Summary

These special conditions are issued for the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GIV-X airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features associated with connectivity of the passenger domain computer systems to the airplane critical systems and data networks. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. 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

The effective date of these special conditions is October 13, 2011. We must receive your comments by December 5, 2011.

Supplementary Information

The FAA has determined that notice of, and opportunity for prior public comment on, these special conditions are impracticable because these procedures would significantly delay issuance of the design approval and thus delivery of the affected aircraft. In addition, the substance of these special conditions has been subject to the public comment process in several prior instances with no substantive comments received. The FAA therefore finds that good cause exists for making these special conditions effective upon issuance. 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 April 21, 2011, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (hereafter referred to as “Gulfstream”) applied for a supplemental type certificate to install a new interior design configuration in the Gulfstream Model GIV-X passenger airplane. The Gulfstream Model GIV-X is a two-engine jet transport airplane with a maximum takeoff weight of 47,600 pounds and an interior configuration for a maximum of 19 passengers. Type Certification Basis Under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.101, Gulfstream must show that the Gulfstream Model GIV-X airplane (hereafter referred to as the “GIV-X”), as changed, continues to meet the applicable provisions of the regulations incorporated by reference in Type Certificate No. A12EA 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 regulations incorporated by reference in Type Certificate No. A12EA are as follows: 14 CFR part 25, effective February 1, 1965, including Amendments 25-1 through 25-56, except for the following sections which are limited to showing compliance with the amendments indicated: Part 25 effective February 1, 1965, §§ 25.109, 25.571, and 25.813; part 25 Amendment 25-22, § 25.571; and part 25 Amendment 25-15, § 25.807(c)(2). In addition, the certification basis includes certain special conditions, exemptions, and equivalent safety findings that are not relevant to these special conditions. 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 GIV-X 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 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, the special conditions would also apply to the other model. In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special conditions, the GIV-X 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 the type certification basis under § 21.101. Novel or Unusual Design Features The GIV-X will incorporate the following novel or unusual design features: Digital systems architecture composed of several connected networks. The proposed architecture and network configuration may be used for, or interfaced with, a diverse set of functions, including: 1. Flight-safety related control, communication, and navigation systems (aircraft control domain); 2. Airline business and administrative support (airline information domain); 3. Passenger information and entertainment systems (passenger entertainment domain); and 4. The capability to allow access to or by external sources. Discussion The GIV-X integrated network configuration may allow increased connectivity with external network sources and will have more interconnected networks and systems, such as passenger entertainment and information services, than previous Gulfstream airplane models. This may allow the exploitation of network security vulnerabilities and increased risks potentially resulting in unsafe conditions for the airplane and its occupants. This potential exploitation of security vulnerabilities may result in intentional or unintentional destruction, disruption, degradation, or exploitation of data and systems critical to the safety and maintenance of the airplane. The existing regulations and guidance material did not anticipate these types of system architectures. Furthermore, 14 CFR regulations and current system safety assessment policy and techniques do not address potential security vulnerabilities which could be exploited by unauthorized access to airplane networks and servers. Therefore, these special conditions are being issued to ensure that the security (i.e., confidentiality, integrity, and availability) of airplane systems is not compromised by unauthorized wired or wireless electronic connections between airplane systems and networks and the passenger entertainment domain. Applicability As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the Gulfstream Model GIV-X. Should Gulfstream apply at a later date for a supplemental type certificate to modify any other model included on the Type Certificate No. A12EA to incorporate the same novel or unusual design features, these special conditions would apply to that model as well. Conclusion This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features on one model of airplane. 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 these special conditions has been subjected to the notice and comment period 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. Therefore, 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 for Gulfstream Model GIV-X airplanes. 1. The applicant must ensure that the design provides isolation from, or airplane electronic system security protection against, access by unauthorized sources internal to the airplane. The design must prevent inadvertent and malicious changes to, and all adverse impacts upon, airplane equipment, systems, networks, or other assets required for safe flight and operations. 2. 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 Renton, Washington, on October 13, 2011. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2011-27198 Filed 10-19-11; 8:45 am]