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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 116 (Wednesday, June 17, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34533-34534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-14904]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2014-1079; Special Conditions No. 25-585-SC]

Special Conditions: Gulfstream Model GVII Series Airplanes; Limit 
Pilot Forces for Side-Stick Controller

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions.

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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Gulfstream Model 
GVII-G500 (GVII series) airplanes. These airplanes 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 associated with side-stick controllers that 
require limited pilot force because they are operated by one hand only. 
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: Effective July 17, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Martin, FAA, Airframe and Cabin 
Safety Branch, ANM-115, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington, 98057-
3356; telephone 425-227-1178; facsimile 425-227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 29, 2012, Gulfstream Aerospace applied for a type 
certificate for their new Model GVII-G500 airplane.
    The Model GVII series airplanes are large-cabin business jets 
capable of accommodating up to 19 passengers. The GVII series will 
certify a base configuration GVII-G500, which incorporates a low, 
swept-wing design with winglets and a T-tail. The airplanes have two 
aft-fuselage-mounted Pratt & Whitney turbofan engines. Avionics include 
four primary display units and multiple touchscreen controllers. The 
flight-control system is a three-axis, fly-by-wire system using active 
control/coupled side sticks.
    The GVII-G500 has a wingspan of 87 ft. and a length of 91 ft. 
Maximum takeoff weight is 76,850 lbs. Maximum takeoff thrust is 15,135 
lbs., maximum range is 5,000 nautical miles (nm), and maximum operating 
altitude is 51,000 ft.
    The Model GVII series airplanes are equipped with two side-stick 
controllers instead of the conventional control columns and wheels. 
This side-stick controller is designed for one-hand operation. The 
requirement of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
25.397(c), which defines limit pilot forces and torques for 
conventional wheel or stick controls, is not adequate for a side-stick 
controller. Special conditions are necessary to specify the appropriate 
loading conditions for this controller design.

Type-Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) 21.17, Gulfstream must show that the Model GVII-G500 airplane 
meets the applicable provisions of 14 CFR part 25, as amended by 
Amendments 25-1 through 25-137.
    The certification basis of the GVII-G500 airplane is 14 CFR part 
25, effective February 1, 1965, including Amendments 25-1 through 25-
137; 14 CFR part 34, as amended by Amendments 34-1 through the most 
current amendment at the time of design approval; and 14 CFR part 36, 
Amendment 36-29. In addition, the certification basis includes special 
conditions and equivalent-safety findings related to the flight-control 
system.
    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 Model GVII series airplanes 
because of a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are 
prescribed under 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 or similar 
novel or unusual design feature, these special conditions would also 
apply to the other model under Sec.  21.101.
    In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special 
conditions, the Model GVII series airplanes 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 issue 
a finding of regulatory adequacy under Sec.  611 of Public Law 92-574, 
the ``Noise Control Act of 1972.''
    The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, 
under Sec.  11.38, and they become part of the type-certification basis 
under Sec.  21.17(a)(2) for new type certificates, and Sec.  21.101 for 
amended type certificates.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The Gulfstream Model GVII series airplanes will incorporate the 
following novel or unusual design feature:
    A side-stick controller for one-hand operation requiring wrist 
motion only, not arms.

Discussion

    Current regulations reference pilot-effort loads for the flight 
deck pitch-and-roll controls that are based on two-handed effort. 
Special conditions are required for the Gulfstream Model GVII series 
airplanes based on similar airplane programs that include side-stick 
controllers. These special conditions are also appropriate for the 
Model GVII series airplane's side-stick controller.
    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.

Discussion of Comments

    Notice of proposed special conditions no. 25-15-01-SC for the 
Gulfstream Model GVII series airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on February 26, 2015 (80 FR 10422). No substantive comments 
were received, and the special conditions are adopted as proposed.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions apply to Gulfstream 
Model GVII series airplanes. Should Gulfstream apply later for a change 
to the type certificate to include another model incorporating the same 
or similar novel or unusual design feature, these special conditions 
would apply to that model as well.

[[Page 34534]]

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on the Gulfstream Model GVII series airplanes. 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, in lieu of 
Sec.  25.397(c), as part of the type-certification basis.
    For Gulfstream Model GVII series airplanes equipped with side-stick 
controls designed for forces to be applied by one wrist and not arms, 
the limit pilot forces are as follows.
    1. For all components between and including the side-stick control-
assembly handle and its control stops:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Pitch                                Roll
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nose up, 200 lbf..........................  Nose left, 100 lbf.
Nose down, 200 lbf........................  Nose right, 100 lbf.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2. For all other components of the side-stick control assembly, but 
excluding the internal components of the electrical sensor assemblies, 
to avoid damage to the control system as the result of an in-flight 
jam:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Pitch                                Roll
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nose up, 125 lbf..........................  Nose left, 50 lbf.
Nose down, 125 lbf........................  Nose right, 50 lbf.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 2, 2015.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-14904 Filed 6-16-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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