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. 2022-07932 · Docket No. FAA-2022-0125; Special Conditions No. 25-808-SC · 14 CFR 25

Summary

These special conditions are issued for the Dassault Aviation (Dassault) Model Falcon 6X airplane. This airplane 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 an Electronic Flight Control System (EFCS) that limits pitch and roll functions to prevent the airplane from attaining certain pitch attitudes and roll angles. 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 Dassault on April 14, 2022. Send comments on or before May 31, 2022.

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. 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 July 1, 2012, Dassault Aviation applied for a type certificate for its new Model Falcon 5X airplane. However, Dassault has decided not to release an airplane under the model designation Falcon 5X, instead choosing to change that model designation to Falcon 6X. In February of 2018, due to engine supplier issues, Dassault extended the type certificate application date for its Model Falcon 5X airplane under new Model Falcon 6X. This airplane is a twin-engine business jet with seating for 19 passengers, and has a maximum takeoff weight of 77,460 pounds. Type Certification Basis Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17, Dassault must show that the Model Falcon 6X airplane meets the applicable provisions of 14 CFR part 25, as amended by amendments 25-1 through 25-146. 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 Dassault Model Falcon 6X airplane 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 Dassault Model Falcon 6X airplane 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 § 21.17(a)(2). Novel or Unusual Design Features The Dassault Aviation Model Falcon 6X airplane will incorporate the following novel or unusual design features: An Electronic Flight Control System (EFCS) that limits pitch and roll functions to prevent the airplane from attaining certain pitch attitudes and roll angles. Discussion Part 25 of 14 CFR does not specifically relate to flight characteristics associated with fixed-attitude limits. The Dassault Aviation Model Falcon 6X airplane will incorporate pitch and roll attitude-limiting functions, via the Electronic Flight Control System (EFCS) normal modes, to prevent airplane pitch attitudes greater than +30 degrees and less than −15 degrees, and roll angles greater than plus or minus 67 degrees. In addition, positive spiral stability is introduced for roll angles greater than 35 degrees at speeds below V ^MO /M ^MO . At speeds greater than V ^MO and up to V ^DF , maximum aileron control force is limited to only 45 degrees maximum bank angle. The installed attitude-limiting functions are designed such that, at V ^MO + 6 knots or M ^MO + 0.012, an automatic nose-up pitch is applied with phase advance in case of high acceleration. The speed stabilizes at V ^D /M ^D if the stick is full forward, or the speed will return to V ^MO /M ^MO if the stick is released. The basic envelope-protection requirement, historically applied, is to not unduly limit the maneuver capability of the airplane, nor interfere with its ability to perform maneuvers required for normal and emergency operations. The design details for the Dassault Model Falcon 6X support the objective of not unduly limiting the maneuver capability, while also protecting the airplane from adverse attitudes. These special conditions are in addition to the requirements of 14 CFR 25.143. 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 Dassault Model Falcon 6X airplane. Should Dassault 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 of airplane. 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 Dassault Aviation Model Falcon 6X airplanes. In addition to § 25.143, the following requirements apply: 1. The pitch-limiting function must not impede normal maneuvering for pitch angles up to the maximum required for normal maneuvering, including a normal all-engines-operating takeoff, plus a suitable margin to allow for satisfactory speed control. 2. The pitch- and roll-limiting functions must not restrict, or prevent attaining pitch attitudes necessary for, emergency maneuvering, or roll angles up to 66 degrees with flaps up, or 60 degrees with flaps down. Spiral stability, which is introduced above 35 degrees roll angle, must not require excessive pilot strength to achieve these roll angles. Other protections, which further limit the roll capability under certain extreme angle-of-attack, attitude, or high-speed conditions, are acceptable, if they allow at least 45 degrees of roll capability. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 8, 2022. Patrick R. Mullen, Manager, Technical Innovation Policy Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-07932 Filed 4-13-22; 8:45 am]