4 DASSAULT :-"',-;-']T0-

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A VI A T I O N 

DIRECTION GEN^RALE TECHNIQUE 

^•-•Lr;:T i 

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Saint Cloud, 2 8 JUIL W i 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Docket Operations 

West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE. 

Washington, DC 20590 

USA 

DGT-DTC/CER 581326 

FA/FT 

Please contact Frederic TARDY Tel: +33 (0) 147 115 497 Fax : +33 (0) 147 115 745 

SUBJECT: Falcon 900 Series - Petition for exemption regarding 14 CFR Part 25.813(e) 

Applicable to: Doors between passenger compartments 

Dear Administrator, 

In accordance with 14 CFR Part 11, we respectfully request that you consider the petition for 

exemption, document reference DGT/DTC/CER 351327 dated 21-JUL-2011, that is attached to this 

letter. 

This petition for exemption asks for relief from the compliance to the FAR 25.813 entitled 

"Emergency Exit Access" requested by airworthiness regulation 14 CFR Part 25 applicable to Falcon 

900 Series. 

As per FAR 11.81(a), please do not hesitate to contact us at the following address: 

Frederic TARDY 

DASSAULT AVIATION 

Certification Directorate 

78, quai Marcel Dassault 

92214 St Cloud Cedex - France 

Phone / fax : +33 (0)1 47 11 54 97 / 57 45 

e-mail : frederic.tardyfg.dassault-aviation.com 

Thank you for your assistance. 
4 DASSAULT 

A VI A r I O N 

Best regards. 

^^^r^D^ott^^?^ 

F. BALTZINGER J.P. DARGENTOLLE 

Evidence of signature is provided by a red electronic stamp on the first page left hand margin. 

Att: 

DGT351327: ''Falcon 900 series - Petition for exemption regardins 14 CFR Part 25.813(e) Applicable 

to: Doors between passenser compartments'' 

Above link(s) can be used to access the document(s) 

DGT-DTC/CER 581326 2/4 
4 DASSAULT 

A VI A T I O N 

SUBJECT : Falcon 900 Series - Petition for exemption regarding 14 CFR Part 25.813(e) 

Applicable to: door between passenger compartment 

EXTERNAL COPIE(S) : 

M D. JACQUET 

T. RODRIGUEZ 

C. DARTOIS 

FAA 

FAA 

EASA 

Renton 

Renton 

Cologne 

(P.J) 

(P.J) 

(P.J) 

DGT-DTC/CER 581326 3/4 
^ DASSAULT 

/ ^ A VI A T I O N 

DIRECTION G^N^RALE TECHNIQUE 

Saint Cloud, July 21^2011 

DGT351327 

FA/FT 

Please contact Frederic TARDY Tel : +33 (0) 147 115 497 Fax : +33 (0) 147 115 745 

SUBJECT: Falcon 900 Series - Petition for exemption regarding 14 CFR Part 25.813(e) 

Applicable to: Doors between passenger compartments 

1. Summary ofthe Petition for Publication [as per FAR Part 11.81 (b) and (f)] 

On behalf of Falcon 900 Series owners/operators, DASSAULT AVIATION petitions for an 

exemption from FAR 25.813(e) to allow the installation of a latchable sliding door which can 

be stored in a cabin partition during takeoffs, landings and emergency conditions. 

When latched the door permits totally free access to the cabin aisle and emergency exits. 

In support of this request, DASSAULT AVIATION is proposing alternative design 

requirements to provide a level of safety appropriate to the operation of such aircraft' which 

are equipped with cabin partitions with doors. DA proposition takes benefit from previous 

certificates of exemption issued by FAA that permit installation of doors between passenger 

compartments provided that certain limitations are met for these aircraft. 

Based on those factors, DASSAULT AVIATION is officially applying for a permanent 

exemption to the following rule: 14 CFR Part 25.813(e). 

2. Background / Extent of relief and reason [as per Part 11.81(c)] 

The Falcon 900 Series is designed to meet the requirements of 14 CFR Part 25 for Transport 

Category aircraft. These rules were addressed basically to Transport Category Airplanes that 

are used for the carriage of fare paying passengers from the general public, utilizing aircraft 

with a large passenger seating capacity up to 555. In contrast. Falcon 900 Series is Type 

Certified for a maximum of 19 passengers (average capacity of 12) - (Cf TCDS 

FAA.A46.EU) 

^ Business jets from DASSAULT AVIATION and competitors. 
4 DASSAULT 

A VI A T I O N 

The differences between the commercial Transport Category aircraft used in airline operation 

and business aircraft are not segregated in FAR 25. DASSAULT AVIATION contends that 

Falcon 900 Series should be eligible by exemption from certain cabin features and facilities 

which do not comply with the full requirements of FAR 25, provided an equivalent level of 

safety is provided and can be demonstrated. 

Business aircraft generally carry passengers who are used to travel in this kind of aircraft. 

Also, unlike an airliner, the crew of a business aircraft has day to day contact with their 

passengers, thus simplifying and reinforcing communication about safety concerns. 

Add to this, the fact that these aircraft are generally operated continuously by a limited 

number of crewmembers who are intimately familiar with the specific aircraft involved, 

further enhances the safety environment. Therefore, the combination of these factors provides 

a level of safety which is not easily achieved in commercial carrier aircraft. In order to 

maintain a high level of safety, we have incorporated mechanical features in our cabin door 

design which will enhance the safety of the Falcon 900 Series aircrafts equipped with a 

partition and door dividing the passenger seating area. Thus, consequences on occupants of 

the room are limited. 

A similar exemption (7590 - see table in §5) addressing the installation of single door 

between passenger compartments for Falcon 900 has already been granted by the FAA to 

Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation. 

Considering latest grant of exemptions dealing with FAR 25.813(e), DASSAULT 

AVIATION understands that the notification "each passenger must be informed that the 

airplane does not comply with occupant safety requirements mandated for the airplane type in 

general" has become unnecessary in accordance with FAA answer to exemptions N°8123, 

8199 and 9506. 

Finally since DASSAULT AVIATION has more and more customer requesting to have an 

aircraft capable of both private and public transportation we would like FAA to consider the 

possibility to allow the installation of a mid cabin partition, even for public operation, 

considering that the door must be blocked open. In case the customer/operator wants to switch 

to private configuration, a maintenance operation (i.e. not possible to be executed by crew or 

passenger), will be necessary to unblock the door (of course, a reverse operation will be 

necessary to go back to public configuration). This will give to the customer a more flexible 

way to switch from private to public configuration without having to remove the door from 

the aircraft. 

Description ofthe partition and door 

I. The cabin ofthe Falcon 900 Series is approximately 7 feet wide. Thus, some customers 

request to divide the cabin full width laterally, to produce a private area, because a side 

corridor is impractical. The doors to be installed would be single (or dual) pocket sliding 

door(s) retracting into the partition on one (or both) side(s) of the aircraft. The doors will 

require a retracting footer because with a cabin head-room of 6 ft the door must slide 
4 DASSAULT 

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downward tangential to the fuselage contour. The door would be frangible to enable it to be 

broken open in an emergency, in addition to having blow-out capability for decompression. 

2. Only one partition ofthe passenger seating area with a door installed would be permitted. 

This will allow one section of the passenger seating area to be used as a private office or 

bedroom during long duration flights. The proposed door would have a placard, requiring it to 

be open for take-off and landing. Any other partitions of the passenger area would be closed 

out with a curtain. 

3. The door would also be equipped vdth redundant means of locking the door in the open 

position, such that the probability of unlocking due to distortion of the fuselage in an 

emergency landing would be minimized. Either means will be capable of supporting the 

inertia loads specified in FAR 25.561. 

4. By similarity to lavatory door, the door between passenger compartments will allow 

persons on either side of the door to unlock or unlatch the door without the use of tools 

(regardless of where it is located in relation to the emergency exits). 

5. Furthermore, lighted signs will be installed on the forward and aft face of the partition 

stating that the door must be open for takeoff and landing. A amber light will be installed in 

the cockpit. The lighted signs and warning will be controlled by the cockpit *No Smoking" 

switch and will be on whenever the *No Smoking" signs are on and the door is closed. The 

signs and warning will remain illuminated until the door is secured in the open position at 

which time it will extinguish. 

6. The emergency exit sign requirements will be addressed separately to ensure that the level 

of passenger guidance required to find an exit will be provided. This will be customized on 

each aircraft since there are often differences between the individual aircraft interior 

arrangements. 

3. Public Interest [as per Part 11.81(d)] 

DASSAULT AVIATION believes that the installation of the combination latchable sliding 

door and cabin partition is in the public's best interest. It will permit the conduct of important 

business meetings which because of their sensitivity, require an atmosphere of complete 

privacy. 

It is a well established fact that an enormous amount of commercial activity occurs on board 

the United States business aviation fleet. Such commercial activity, including private business 

meetings where important commercial decisions are made, are vital to maintaining the 

competitiveness and overall strength of the U.S. economy (Business Aircraft Utilization 

Strategy - NBAA). 
4 DASSAULT 

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For example, business aircraft reduce not only flight time but also total travel time by 

providing point to point service and their ability to utilize smaller airports closer to final 

destinations. In addition, the "office" environment which exists within the business aircraft 

allows travel time of busy executives and their guests, to become productive time. Business 

aviation enables a company to maximize its two most important assets: people and time. 

Very often, conversations conducted on business aircraft are confidential and deal with 

commercially sensitive matters. Accordingly, owners of business aircraft strongly prefer to 

configure their cabins in such a way that special requirements of their operation can be met. 

One of the most popular configurations requested by a wide artay of business and public 

sector customers is a split cabin configuration where one sector is devoted to club seating 

used for individual work areas and dining areas while the second sector is devoted to private 

meetings and/or a rest area set off from the remainder ofthe cabin. 

The granting of this exemption will permit the most efficient use of the aircraft cabin for 

business meetings and other commercial activities which will significantly enhance the value 

ofthe aircraft to its owner/operator. Further, the granting ofthe petition will allow better and 

more comfortable rest area accommodations for busy executives and physically challenged 

passengers. 

For these reasons, we believe the exemption requested is clearly warranted. In addition, note 

that sick or infirmed passengers could be more comfortably transported with the divided cabin 

configuration. 

4. Reasons why granting the exemption will not adversely affect safety [as 

Part 11.81(e)] 

The effect of the safety features described above (cf §2) will ensure that there is always a 

clear path through the partition to an emergency exit. However even if some extreme 

condition should result in the door being closed or partially closed after an accident there are 

still simple, failsafe means to get through the door to reach an exit. The frangibility feature 

will be tested using a 5th percentile female, and the resulting aperture demonstrated to be large 

enough to allow for a 95th percentile male to escape. 

Because the basic issues concerning a passenger finding and reaching an exit in an emergency 

are addressed by the above features as well as the previously described safety parameters, it is 

our position that the exemption as requested would provide a level of safety for the passengers 

in a Falcon 900 which is equivalent to that required for commercial carrier aircraft. 

5. Additional information [as Part 11.81(g)] 

In the scope of this petition, DASSAULT AVIATION takes benefit from previous grant of 

exemptions issued by FAA dealing with doors between passengers' compartments. Please 
4 DASSAULT 

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note that FAA has previously granted exemptions to several models with larger passenger 

capacity and more complicated floor plan than the DASSAULT Falcon 900 Series. 

Exempt. 

No 

9506 

8767 

8621 

8616 

8199 

8123 

7590 

7259A 

7259 

Issue Date 

09/27/2007 

08/14/2006 

10/03/2005 

26/08/2005 

12/19/2003 

09/02/2003 

8/10/2001 

06/13/2005 

06/29/2000 

Expir. 

Date 

(NoExpire) 

(NoExpire) 

(NoExpire) 

(NoExpire) 

(NoExpire) 

(NoExpire) 

(NoExpire) 

(NoExpire) 

(NoExpire) 

FAA 

Office 

(NA) 

(NA) 

(NA) 

(NA) 

(NA) 

(NA) 

(NA) 

(NA) 

(NA) 

Disp. 

Granted 

Granted 

Granted 

Granted 

Granted 

Granted 

Granted 

Granted 

Granted 

Regulation 

25.813(e) 

25.813(e) 

25.813(d) 

25.813(e) 

25.813(e) 

25.813(e) 

25.813(e) 

25.813(e) 

25.813(e) 

25.813(e) 

Petitioner 

DASSAULT 

AVIATION 

Cessna 

Aircraft 

Company 

Cessna 

Aircraft 

Company 

Lufthansa 

Technik AG 

Gulfstream 

Aerospace 

Corporation 

Midcoast 

Aviation, Inc 

DASSAULT 

Falcon Jet 

Bombardier 

Aerospace 

Bombardier 

Aerospace 

Comparison with exemption n°7590: 

This petition for exemption is very similar to exemption n°7590 already granted to 

DFJC for Falcon 900 Series, but this petition asks also for : 

- Applicability to dual doors design, 

Removal of the notification '^each passenger must be informed that the airplane 

does not comply with occupant safety requirements mandated for the airplane type 

in general" in accordance with FAA answer to exemptions N°8123, 8199 and 

9506, 

- Authorization to allow the installation of a mid cabin partition, even for public 

operation, considering that the door will be blocked open by a maintenance 

operation in this case. 
4 DASSAULT 

A VI A T I O N 

6. Operation outside US [as per FAR Part 11.81(h)] 

Considering the multitude of countries in which Falcon 900 Series are sold and operated, it is 

very likely that this exemption should be recognized by some other countries usually agreeing 

with FAA position. 

Based on the information provided above, we request an official FAA position regarding our 

petition for exemption. 

Please do not hesitate to ask for any additional information which you may require in order to 

respond to this petition. 

Respectfully submitted, 

F. TARDY F. BALTZINGER