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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 3, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19982-19983]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-07662]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 33

[EDocket No. FAA-2012-1085; Special Conditions No. 33-013-SC]

Special Conditions: Turbomeca Ardiden 3K Turboshaft Engine

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special condition.

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SUMMARY: We are issuing these special conditions for the Turbomeca 
Ardiden 3K model engines. This engine model will have a novel or 
unusual design feature that is a 30-minute all engines operating (AEO) 
power rating for hovering at increased power (HIP). This rating is 
primarily intended for high-power hovering operations that are normal 
mission functions. 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 FAA 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 May 3, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical questions concerning 
these special conditions, contact Tara Fitzgerald, ANE-111, Engine and 
Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803-5299; telephone: (781) 
238-7130; facsimile: (781) 238-7199; email: tara.fitzgerald@faa.gov. 
For legal questions concerning these special conditions, contact 
Vincent Bennett, ANE-7 Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, 
Massachusetts 01803-5299; telephone: (781) 238-7044; facsimile: (781) 
238-7055; email: vincent.bennett@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On September 15, 2010, Turbomeca S.A. (Turbomeca) applied for a 
type certificate for their new Ardiden 3K turboshaft engine. The 
Ardiden 3K engine is the first variant in the new Ardiden 3 series. 
This engine incorporates a two-stage centrifugal compressor that is 
driven by a single-stage high-pressure turbine. A two-stage power 
turbine drives the engine output shaft. The control system includes a 
dual-channel full-authority digital-electronic control.
    The engine will incorporate a novel or unusual design feature, 
which is a 30-minute hovering at increased power (HIP) rating. The 
applicant requested this rating to support extended hover operations at 
high power.
    Special conditions are necessary to apply additional requirements 
for rating definition, instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA), 
instrumentation, and endurance testing because the applicable 
airworthiness standards do not contain adequate or appropriate 
airworthiness standards to address this design feature. The ICA 
requirement addresses the unknown nature of actual rating usage and 
associated engine deterioration. The applicant is expected to assess 
the expected usage, and publish ICA and Airworthiness Limitations 
Section limits in accordance with those assumptions, such that engine 
deterioration is not excessive. The instrumentation requirement is to 
ensure that operators use this high-power rating within its limits, and 
that engine integrity is maintained. The endurance test requirement of 
25 hours operation at 30-minutes HIP is similar to other special 
conditions recently issued. Because the Ardiden 3K model has a 
continuous one engine inoperative (OEI) rating with limits equal to or 
higher than the proposed 30-minute HIP rating, the applicant may credit 
the test time performed at the continuous OEI rating toward the 25-hour 
requirement. However, test time spent at other rating elements of the 
test, such as takeoff or other OEI ratings (that are equal to or higher 
than HIP rating values), cannot be counted toward the 25 hours of 
required running.
    These special conditions contain the additional airworthiness 
standards necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to the 
level intended by the applicable standards of airworthiness in effect 
on the date of application.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17 and 21.101(a), Turbomeca must 
show that the model Ardiden 3K turboshaft engine meets the provisions 
of the applicable regulations in effect on the date of application, or 
later amendment if so elected. Accordingly, the certification basis for 
the Ardiden model turboshaft engine is determined to be part 33, 
effective February 1, 1965, as amended by Amendments 33-1 through 33-
31.
    If because of a novel or unusual design feature, we find that the 
applicable airworthiness regulations in part 33, as amended, do not 
contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for the Turbomeca 
model Ardiden 3K turboshaft engine, special conditions are prescribed 
under the provisions of Sec.  21.16.
    We issue special conditions, as defined by 14 CFR 11.19, under 14 
CFR 11.38, which become part of the type certification basis as 
specified in Sec.  21.17(a)(2).
    Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which 
they are issued. If the type certificate for that model is amended 
later to include another related model that incorporates the same or 
similar novel or unusual design feature, or if any other model already 
included on the same type certificate is modified to incorporate the

[[Page 19983]]

same or similar novel or unusual design feature, the special conditions 
would also apply to the other model.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The Turbomeca model Ardiden 3K turboshaft engine will incorporate a 
30-minute HIP rating, for use up to 30 minutes at any time between 
take-off and landing. The 30-minute time limit applies to each instance 
the rating is used. However, there is no limit to the number of times 
the rating can be used during any one flight and there is no cumulative 
time limitation. These special conditions for a 30-minute HIP rating 
apply to address this novel and unusual design feature.

Discussion of Comments

    A notice of proposed special conditions, Notice 33-12-02-SC for the 
Turbomeca model Ardiden 3K turboshaft engine was published on November 
8, 2012 (77 FR 66936). We received no comments.

Applicability

    These special conditions are applicable to Turbomeca model Ardiden 
3K turboshaft engines. If Turbomeca applies later for a change to the 
type certificate to include another closely related model incorporating 
the same novel or unusual design feature, these special conditions 
would apply to that model as well. This is true, if the certification 
basis is the same or contains later amendments that satisfy the 
certification basis discussed in the section titled ``Type 
Certification Basis.''

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and have determined that air safety 
and the public interest require adopting these special conditions as 
proposed. This action affects certain novel or unusual design features 
on the Turbomeca Model Ardiden 3K turboshaft engine. It is not a rule 
of general applicability, and applies only to Turbomeca, that requested 
FAA approval for these engine features.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR part 33

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

0
The authority citation for these special conditions continues to read 
as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701-44702, 44704.

The Special Conditions

0
Accordingly, the FAA issues the following special conditions as part of 
the type certification basis for the Turbomeca model Ardiden 3K 
turboshaft engine.

1. Part 1 Definitions

    Unless otherwise approved by the Administrator and documented in 
the appropriate manuals and certification documents, the following 
definition applies to these special conditions: ``Rated 30-Minute Hover 
at Increased Power (HIP),'' means the approved shaft horsepower 
developed under static conditions at the specified altitude and 
temperature, and within the operating limitations established under 
part 33, and limited in use to periods not exceeding 30 minutes.

2. Part 33 Requirements

    (a) Sections 33.1 Applicability and 33.3 General. As applicable, 
all documentation, testing and analysis required to comply with the 
part 33 certification basis must account for the 30-minute HIP rating, 
limits, and usage.
    (b) Section 33.4, Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA). 
In addition to the requirements of Sec.  33.4, the ICA must:
    (1) Include instructions to ensure that in-service engine 
deterioration due to rated 30-minute HIP usage will not be excessive, 
meaning that all approved ratings, including One Engine Inoperative 
(OEI), are available (within associated limits and assumed usage) for 
each flight; and that deterioration will not exceed that assumed for 
declaring a Time Between Overhaul period.
    (2) Validate the adequacy of the maintenance actions required under 
paragraph (b)(1) above.
    (3) Include in the Airworthiness Limitations section, any mandatory 
inspections and serviceability limits related to the use of the 30-
minute HIP rating.
    (c) Section 33.29, Instrument Connection. The engine must have a 
means or a provision for a means, which alerts the pilot when the 30-
minute HIP rating time limit has expired.
    (d) Section 33.87, Endurance Test. In addition to the applicable 
requirements of Sec. Sec.  33.87(a), 33.87(d) and 33.87(e) (for engines 
that combine 2.5 minute and continuous OEI ratings):
    (1) The overall test run must include a minimum of 25 hours of 
operation at 30-minute HIP rating and limits, divided into periods of 
not less than 30 minutes but not more than 60 minutes, with alternate 
periods at maximum continuous power or less.
    (2) Each Sec.  33.87(d)(3) continuous OEI rating test period of 60 
minutes duration run at power and limits equal to or higher than the 
30-minute HIP rating, may be credited toward this requirement. Note 
that you may not count the test time required for the takeoff or other 
OEI ratings toward the 25 hours of testing required at the 30-minute 
HIP rating.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 5, 2013.
Colleen M. D'Alessandro,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-07662 Filed 4-2-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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