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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 53 (Friday, March 18, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14795-14796]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-6333]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. NM437; Special Conditions No. 25-422-SC]

Special Conditions: Gulfstream Model GVI Airplane; Electronic 
Flight Control System Mode Annunciation.

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions.

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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Gulfstream GVI 
airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features when 
compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness 
standards for transport category airplanes. These design features 
include an electronic flight control system. 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: Effective Date: April 18, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Jacobsen, FAA, Airplane and Flight 
Crew Interface Branch, ANM-111, Transport Standards Staff, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2011; facsimile 
(425) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On March 29, 2005, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (hereafter 
referred to as ``Gulfstream'') applied for an FAA type certificate for 
its new Gulfstream Model GVI passenger airplane. Gulfstream later 
applied for, and was granted, an extension of time for the type 
certificate, which changed the effective application date to September 
28, 2006. The Gulfstream Model GVI airplane will be an all-new, two-
engine jet transport airplane with an executive cabin interior. The 
maximum takeoff weight will be 99,600 pounds, with a maximum passenger 
count of 19 passengers.

Type Certification Basis

    Under provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
21.17, Gulfstream must show that the Gulfstream Model GVI airplane 
(hereafter referred to as ``the GVI'') meets the applicable provisions 
of 14 CFR part 25, as amended by Amendments 25-1 through 25-119, 25-122 
and 25-124. 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 GVI 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 type certificate for that model be amended 
later to include any other model that incorporates the same novel or 
unusual design features, the special conditions would also apply to the 
other model under the provisions of Sec.  21.101.
    In addition to complying with the applicable airworthiness 
regulations and special conditions, the GVI 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 must also issue a 
finding of regulatory adequacy pursuant to section 611 of Public Law 
92-574, the ``Noise Control Act of 1972.''
    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.  21.17(a)(2).

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The GVI will have a fly-by-wire electronic flight control system. 
This system provides an electronic interface between the pilot's flight 
controls and the flight control surfaces for both normal and failure 
states, and it generates the actual surface commands that provide for 
stability augmentation and control about all three airplane axes. 
Because electronic flight control system technology has outpaced 
existing regulations (primarily Sec. Sec.  25.671 and 25.672), a 
special condition is needed to ensure appropriate mode recognition by 
the flight crew for events which significantly change the operating 
mode of the electronic flight control system.

Discussion of Comments

    Notice of proposed special conditions No. 25-10-02-SC for 
Gulfstream GVI airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
December 13, 2010 (75 FR 77569). Only one comment was received.

Clarification of Conditions That Should Be Annunciated

    The commenter, Gulfstream, requested that the special conditions be 
revised to clarify the conditions in which the mode annunciation should 
occur. Gulfstream suggested that additional annunciation should not be 
required when transitioning from one normal operation mode to another 
in response to flight crew actions, such as extending flaps or landing 
gear.
    We do not agree with the commenter's recommendation. The current 
verbiage clearly states that the mode annunciation is only required 
when ``normal handling or operational characteristics'' of the airplane 
are significantly changed or degraded. In the scenario that Gulfstream 
refers to, there would be no change to the ``normal handling or 
operational characteristics.'' Therefore, no annunciation would be 
required. No changes were made as a result of this comment and the 
special conditions are adopted as proposed.

[[Page 14796]]

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
GVI. Should Gulfstream apply at a later date for a change to the type 
certificate to include another model on the same type certificate 
incorporating the same novel or unusual design feature, the special 
conditions would apply to that model as well.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on one airplane model. It is not a rule of general applicability.

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 GVI airplanes.

    If the design of the flight control system has multiple modes of 
operation, a means must be provided to indicate to the flight crew 
any mode that significantly changes or degrades the normal handling 
or operational characteristics of the airplane.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 9, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-6333 Filed 3-17-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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