[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 71 (Friday, April 13, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18597-18598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-7065]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 71 / Friday, April 13, 2007 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 18597]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. NM364 Special Conditions No. 25-07-01-SC]


Special Conditions: Boeing Model 787-8 Airplane; Systems and Data 
Networks Security--Isolation or Protection From Unauthorized Passenger 
Domain Systems Access

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions.

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SUMMARY: This notice proposes special conditions for the Boeing Model 
787-8 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 novel 
or unusual design features are associated with connectivity of the 
passenger domain systems to the airplane critical systems and data 
networks. For these design features, the applicable airworthiness 
regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for 
protection and security of airplane systems and data networks against 
unauthorized access. These proposed 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. Additional special conditions will be 
issued for other novel or unusual design features of the Boeing Model 
787-8 airplanes.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 29, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this proposal may be mailed in duplicate to: 
Federal Aviation Administration, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Attention: Rules Docket (ANM-113), Docket No. NM364, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; or delivered in duplicate to the 
Transport Airplane Directorate at the above address. All comments must 
be marked Docket No. NM364. Comments may be inspected in the Rules 
Docket weekdays, except Federal holidays, between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Will Struck, FAA, Airplane and Flight 
Crew Interface, ANM-111, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-
3356; telephone (425) 227-2764; facsimile (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this 
rulemaking by submitting 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 ask that you send us two copies of written 
comments.
    We will file in the docket all comments we receive as well as a 
report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning these proposed special conditions. The docket is available 
for public inspection before and after the comment closing date. If you 
wish to review the docket in person, go to the address in the ADDRESSES 
section of this notice between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.
    We will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing 
date for comments. We will consider comments filed late if it is 
possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. We may change the 
proposed special conditions based on comments we receive.
    If you want the FAA to acknowledge receipt of your comments on this 
proposal, include with your comments a pre-addressed, stamped postcard 
on which the docket number appears. We will stamp the date on the 
postcard and mail it back to you.

Background

    On March 28, 2003, Boeing applied for an FAA type certificate for 
its new Boeing Model 787-8 passenger airplane. The Boeing Model 787-8 
airplane will be an all-new, two-engine jet transport airplane with a 
two-aisle cabin. The maximum takeoff weight will be 476,000 pounds, 
with a maximum passenger count of 381 passengers.

Type Certification Basis

    Under provisions of 14 CFR 21.17, Boeing must show that Boeing 
Model 787-8 airplanes (hereafter referred to as ``the 787'') meet the 
applicable provisions of 14 CFR part 25, as amended by Amendments 25-1 
through 25-117, except Sec. Sec.  25.809(a) and 25.812, which will 
remain at Amendment 25-115. If the Administrator finds that the 
applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for the 787 because of a novel or unusual 
design feature, special conditions are prescribed under provisions of 
14 CFR 21.16.
    In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special 
conditions, the 787 must comply with the fuel vent and exhaust emission 
requirements of 14 CFR part 34 and the noise certification requirements 
of part 36. In addition, the FAA must issue a finding of regulatory 
adequacy pursuant to section 611 of Public Law 92-574, the ``Noise 
Control Act of 1972.''
    Special conditions, as defined in Sec.  11.19, are issued in 
accordance with Sec.  11.38 and become part of the type certification 
basis in accordance with Sec.  21.17(a)(2).
    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 or similar 
novel or unusual design feature, the special conditions would also 
apply to the other model under the provisions of Sec.  21.101.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The digital systems architecture for the 787 consists of several 
networks connected by electronics and embedded software. This proposed 
network architecture is used for a diverse set of functions, including 
the following.
    1. Flight-safety-related control and navigation and required 
systems (Aircraft Control Domain).
    2. Airline business and administrative support (Airline Information 
Services Domain).
    3. Passenger entertainment, information, and Internet services

[[Page 18598]]

(Passenger Information and Entertainment Services Domain).
    The proposed architecture of the 787 is different from that of 
existing production (and retrofitted) airplanes. It allows new kinds of 
passenger connectivity to previously isolated data networks connected 
to systems that perform functions required for the safe operation of 
the airplane. Because of this new passenger connectivity, the proposed 
data network design and integration may result in security 
vulnerabilities from intentional or unintentional corruption of data 
and systems critical to the safety and maintenance of the airplane. The 
existing regulations and guidance material did not anticipate this type 
of system architecture or electronic access to aircraft systems that 
provide flight critical functions. Furthermore, 14 CFR regulations and 
current system safety assessment policy and techniques do not address 
potential security vulnerabilities that could be caused by unauthorized 
access to aircraft data buses and servers. Therefore, a special 
condition is proposed to ensure that security, integrity, and 
availability of the aircraft systems and data networks are not 
compromised by certain wired or wireless electronic connections between 
airplane data buses and networks.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these proposed special conditions are 
applicable to the 787. Should Boeing apply at a later date for a change 
to the type certificate to include another model incorporating the same 
novel or unusual design features, these proposed special conditions 
would apply to that model as well under the provisions of Sec.  21.101.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
of the 787. It is not a rule of general applicability, and it affects 
only the applicant that applied to the FAA for approval of these 
features on the airplane.

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 Proposed Special Conditions

    Accordingly, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) proposes the following special conditions as part 
of the type certification basis for the Boeing Model 787-8 airplane.

    The design shall prevent all inadvertent or malicious changes 
to, and all adverse impacts upon, all systems, networks, hardware, 
software, and data in the Aircraft Control Domain and in the Airline 
Information Domain from all points within the Passenger Information 
and Entertainment Domain.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 5, 2007.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-7065 Filed 4-12-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P