Exemption No. 10611

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON, DC 20591

In the matter of the petition of

AIRBUS OPERATIONS GmbH Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2012-0429

for an exemption from § 121.344(f) and Appendix M of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations

GRANT OF EXEMPTION

By letter dated April 3, 2012, Mr. Peter Anders, Certification Manager Recording System s, Airbus, Kreetslag 10, 21129 Hamburg, Germany petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on behalf of U.S. operators of certain Airbus airplanes for an exemption from § 121.344(f) and Appendix M of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). This exemption, if granted, would a llow certain U.S. operated single-aisle Airbus 318, 319, 320, and 321 airplanes manufactured after August 19, 2002 to continue to operate without complying with the digital flight data recorder (DFDR) sampling rate requirement of 14 CFR § 121.344(f)(1) and Appendix M, parameter 68.

The petitioner requests relief from the following regulation: Section 121.344(f)(1) requires that all turbine-engine-powered transport category airplanes manufactured after August 19, 2002, record the parameters listed in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(88) of that section within the ranges, accuracies, resolutions, and recording intervals specified in Appendix M to part 121. Specifi cally, Airbus is requesting relief from the sampling interval requirement for parameter 68 “Brake Pressure (left and right)” for the affected airplanes.

AFS-12-321-E2

The petitioner supports its request with the following information: Airbus states that for up to 345 of its single-aisle airplanes manufactured after August 19, 2002 and delivered to U.S. operators, the flight data recording specification for normal brake pressure (parameter 68) was established and certified for airplanes with a full landing gear configuration. The petitioner goes on to describe this landing gear configuration as four wheels on the main landing gear with an option for an additional four wheels on a “bogie” landing gear. The petitioner states that the normal brake pressure recorded data is acquired from the braking and steering control unit (BSCU) and data samples are acquired for each wheel every four seconds. If the bogie landing gear option is not installed on the airplane, then the data from the main landing gear’s four wheels (two representing the right side and two representing the left side) are recorded in th e first two seconds of the four second cycle. The petitioner states that the sampling that occurs in the third and fourth-second of the four second cycle records non-computed data, and therefore results in a two-second gap of data within the four-second cycle. The data frame was certified to record the maximum number of samples that would be with the optional landing gear installed, but the data frame was not modifiable to address the other c onfiguration, which revealed this problem.

Airbus states that although the configuration does not fully comply with the regulations, there are mitigations in place to assist accident investigators. In the event of an accident investigation, the missing two seconds of brake pressure data can be partially reconstructed. Airbus explains that during periods of normal brake pressure in manual brake mode, the two missing samples can be reconstructed with the data from parameter 69 “brake pedal application (left and right).” The petitioner states that this reconstruction has limitations caused by the anti-skid function and differences between commanded and real pressure. The petitioner states that interpolation between the recorded samples of the main landing gear’s four wheels is only possible in the auto mode scenario. Airbus notes that in both brake pressure reconstruction scenarios, the solutions do not guarantee compliance with the accuracy requirement for parameter 68. However, the petitioner states that the subject airplanes comply with 14 CFR § 121.344(f) if the backup brake pressure hydraulic system is used.

The petitioner is proposing to address the noncompliance with the requirements for parameter 68 by developing a service bulletin that will include software updates of the DFDR data frame in the flight data interface management units to provide a consistent sampling of brake pressure (left and right) at the required sampling interval independent of landing gear configuration. Airbus estimates that it will take two years to develop the service bulletin covering these changes.

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for waiving the requirement for Federal Register publication because the exemption, if granted, would not set a precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to Airbus.

The FAA’s analysis is as follows:3

The FAA commends the petitioner’s efforts in disclosing compliance issues with the existing U.S. fleet of Airbus model 318, 319, 320, and 321 airplanes. The FAA agrees that brake pedal pressure parametric data can be partially reconstructed either by interpolating two subsequent brake pressure data samples in each four-second cycle operating in the auto-brake mode or by using brake application data in the manual brake mode. The FAA finds that recording brake pressure (left and right), as described above, and using the suggested mitigation techniques temporarily provides an acceptable method for continued operation of the subject airplanes for a limited period of time. However, the FAA does not agree with Airbus that the described mitigation meets th e requirement of § 121.344(f). As Airbus noted, these efforts result at best in partial reconstruction of the required data. To continue operating these noncompliant airplanes, an exemption is required.

In order to assess the impact of this problem on the U.S. Airbus fleet, the FAA requested, and Airbus provided, a complete list of the serial and tail numbers of the Airbus model 318, 319, 320, and 321 airplanes affected by this discovery. Airbus identified at least 13 part 121 operators that have one or more airplanes that are affected by this petition based on the registration at the time the list was provided.

The FAA has determined from the information provided that good cause exists for granting this exemption. However, as the aircraft manufacturer and not a U.S. operator, Airbus cannot be granted an exemption from U.S. operating requirements. Exemption from an operating rule can be granted only to affected operators. Since the 345 affected airplanes represent a significant portion of the U.S. fleet, it is in the public interest for the FAA to allow the continued operation of the airplanes subject to certain conditions. Accordingly, the FAA will grant the relief requested by Airbus to the operators of these airplanes when requested.

To make this exemption effective, each affected operator must submit to the FAA a request to use this exemption for its affected airplanes that includes a list of the affected airplanes that it operates, and each operator must comply with the conditions and limitations of this exemption cited below. Failure of an operator to apply for eligibility to use this exemption in the time stated in condition 2 will be subject to enforcement action for failure to comply with the requirements of Section 121.344(f) and Appendix M for parameter 68.

The FAA urges Airbus to accelerate the introduction of the service bulleting to its operators. Because of the amount of time the airplanes ha ve been out of compliance and the estimated time proposed by Airbus to make the service information available, the FAA will not consider any extensions of time for this exemption beyond that granted here, including time needed for introduction of the service bulletin requirements.

The FAA’s Decision: In consideration of the foregoing, I find that a grant of exem ption is in the public interest. Therefore, pursuant to the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. §§ 40113 and 44701, delegated to me by the Administrator, the petition for an exemption from 14 CFR § 121.344(f) and Appendix M is granted to the extent necessary to allow the operators of the Airbus model4

318, 319, 320 and 321airplanes listed herein, to temporarily operate these airplanes subject to the conditions and limitations listed below.

Conditions and Limitations:

1. This exem ption only applies to the airplanes listed in the attached table.

2. In order to continue the operation of any airplane listed in this exemption, each operator of an affected airplane must, within 90 days of the issuance of this exemption, submit a letter to its principal inspector that includes a request to use this exemption and:

a. A list of the airplanes that the operator has determined are subject of this exemption, identified by model, serial and current registration numbers; and

b. Acknowledgement of the conditions and limitations listed in this exemption as the basis for continued operation of the airplane.

3. The letter required in item 2 must also be filed in Regulatory Docket No. FAA2012-0429 by the operator requesting the relief.

4. This exemption allows the subject airplanes to operate with the DFDR recording the normal brake pressure parameter with a two-second ‘gap’ of data within each four-second cycle as described in this exemption. No other relief from any flight recorder provision is granted by this exemption.

5. Use of this exemption does not transfer to subsequent operators of an affected airplane without the prior written approval of the FAA, including compliance with the filing requirements of this exemption by the operator to which an airplane is transferred.

6. A copy of this exemption must be retained with the operator’s DFDR correlation documentation as specified in 14 CFR 121.344(j) until the airplane identified in this exemption has been modified to correct this noncompliance.

7. In the event of an accident or incident after which the DFDR data must be sent to the FAA or the National Transportation Safety Board, the operator must provide a copy of this exemption.

8. Within 90 days of receipt of the Airbus modification service bulletins, the operator must provide to its principal avionics inspector a schedule for the completion of the new installation. Such schedule may not extend beyond the date of termination of this exemption.

This exemption terminates on the sooner of the installation of the software update correcting the problem as stated above

, or 24 months after the date of the exemption

, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.5

/s/ Raymond Towles Acting Director, Flight Standards Service

Issued in Washington, DC, on August 28, 2012.6

Airplane Type Prod Delivery date Model Registration Manufacturer’s Serial Number (MSN) A318 22. Feb 07 318-111 N8808FR 3038 A318 10. Nov 04 318-111 N590EL 2328 A318 15. Nov 04 318-111 N591EL 2333 A318 10. Dec 04 318-111 N592EL 2358 A318 18. Jan 05 318-111 N593EL 2367 A318 19. Jan 05 318-111 N594EL 2377 A318 10. Feb 05 318-111 N595EL 2394 A318 20. Jul 05 318-111 N596EL 2523 A318 17. Aug 05 318-111 N597EL 2544 A318 08. Sep 05 318-111 N598EL 2552 A318 12. Oct. 05 318-111 N589AV 2575 A318 21. Jul 03 318-111 N801FR 1939 A318 30. Jul 03 318-111 N802FR 1991 A318 12. Sep 03 318-111 N803FR 2017 A318 22. Oct. 03 318-111 N804FR 2051 A318 10. Mai 04 318-111 N806FR 2218 A318 25. Oct. 04 318-111 N807FR 2276 A319 10. Sep 02 319-111 N912FR 1803 A319 13. Nov 02 319-111 N914FR 1841 A319 26. Mar 03 319-111 N918FR 1943 A319 05. Jun 03 319-111 N919FR 1980 A319 30. Jun 03 319-111 N920FR 1997 A319 15. Aug 03 319-111 N922FR 2012 A319 24. Sep 03 319-111 N921FR 2010 A319 07. Nov 03 319-111 N923FR 2019 A319 05. Dec 03 319-111 N924FR 2030 A319 20. Feb 04 319-111 N925FR 2103 A319 05. Apr 04 319-111 N926FR 2198 A319 07. Mai 04 319-111 N927FR 2209 A319 03. Jun 04 319-111 N928FR 2236 A319 04. Jun 04 319-111 N929FR 2240 A319 08. Jun 04 319-111 N930FR 2241 A319 22. Jun 04 319-111 N931FR 2253 A319 28. Jun 04 319-111 N932FR 2258 A319 06. Jul 04 319-111 N933FR 2260 A319 29. Sep 04 319-111 N934FR 2287 A319 22. Oct. 04 319-111 N935FR 2318 A319 08. Feb 05 319-111 N936FR 2392 A319 18. Feb 05 319-111 N937FR 24007

Airplane Type Prod Delivery date Model Registration Manufacturer’s Serial Number (MSN) A319 01. Mar 05 319-111 N938FR 2406 A319 25. Apr 05 319-111 N939FR 2448 A319 12. Mai 05 319-111 N940FR 2465 A319 23. Jun 05 319-111 N942FR 2497 A319 21. Apr 06 319-111 N945FR 2751 A319 22. Jun 06 319-111 N947FR 2806 A319 12. Nov 03 319-112 N992TA 2066 A319 23. Jan 06 319-112 N266CT 2662 A319 10. Jun 03 319-112 N259AD 1963 A319 14. Jun 05 319-112 N941FR 2483 A319 15. Jul 05 319-112 N943FR 2518 A319 20. Jul 06 319-112 N948FR 2836 A319 17. Aug 06 319-112 N949FR 2857 A319 09. Dec 09 319-112 N951FR 4127 A319 24. Feb 10 319-112 N952FR 4204 A319 29. Mar 10 319-112 N953FR 4254 A319 28. Jun 06 319-112 N522VA 2811 A319 28. Aug 02 319-114 N346NB 1796 A319 29. Aug 02 319-114 N347NB 1800 A319 23. Sep 02 319-114 N348NB 1810 A319 25. Sep 02 319-114 N349NB 1815 A319 10. Oct. 02 319-114 N351NB 1820 A319 22. Oct. 02 319-114 N352NB 1824 A319 25. Oct. 02 319-114 N353NB 1828 A319 07. Nov 02 319-114 N354NB 1833 A319 14. Nov 02 319-114 N355NB 1839 A319 19. Dec 02 319-114 N357NB 1875 A319 26. Feb 03 319-114 N359NB 1923 A319 18. Mar 03 319-114 N358NB 1897 A319 08. Mai 03 319-114 N360NB 1959 A319 21. Mai 03 319-114 N361NB 1976 A319 05. Jun 03 319-114 N362NB 1982 A319 20. Jun 03 319-114 N363NB 1990 A319 27. Jun 03 319-114 N364NB 2002 A319 05. Aug 03 319-114 N365NB 2013 A319 04. Sep 03 319-114 N366NB 2026 A319 09. Oct. 03 319-114 N368NB 2039 A319 07. Nov 03 319-114 N369NB 2047 A319 09. Dec 03 319-114 N370NB 2087 A319 12. Dec 03 319-114 N371NB 20958

Airplane Type Prod Delivery date Model Registration Manufacturer’s Serial Number (MSN) A319 11. Mai 06 319-115 N3618F 2748 A319 26. Sep 08 319-115 N647AV 3647 A319 07. Nov 08 319-115 N691AV 3691 A319 26. Feb 10 319-115 N422AV 4200 A319 15. Mai 06 319-115 N521VA 2773 A319 09. Jul 07 319-115 N523VA 3181 A319 08. Aug 07 319-115 N524VA 3204 A319 03. Dec 07 319-115 N525VA 3324 A319 09. Jan 08 319-115 N526VA 3347 A319 03. Mar 08 319-115 N527VA 3417 A319 28. Mar 08 319-115 N528VA 3445 A319 03. Nov 08 319-115 N529VA 3684 A319 03. Nov 08 319-115 N530VA 3686 A319 29. Mar 05 319-132 N502NK 2433 A319 23. Mai 05 319-132 N503NK 2470 A319 31. Mai 05 319-132 N504NK 2473 A319 21. Jun 05 319-132 N505NK 2485 A319 24. Jun 05 319-132 N506NK 2490 A319 29. Sep 05 319-132 N507NK 2560 A319 27. Oct. 05 319-132 N508NK 2567 A319 28. Nov 05 319-132 N509NK 2603 A319 06. Dec 05 319-132 N510NK 2622 A319 02. Feb 06 319-132 N512NK 2673 A319 07. Feb 06 319-132 N514NK 2679 A319 14. Mar 06 319-132 N517NK 2711 A319 23. Mar 06 319-132 N516NK 2704 A319 09. Nov 06 319-132 N522NK 2893 A319 09. Nov 06 319-132 N523NK 2898 A319 09. Nov 06 319-132 N524NK 2929 A319 29. Nov 06 319-132 N525NK 2942 A319 07. Dec 06 319-132 N526NK 2963 A319 10. Jan 07 319-132 N527NK 2978 A319 19. Jan 07 319-132 N528NK 2983 A319 01. Feb 07 319-132 N529NK 3007 A319 09. Feb 07 319-132 N530NK 3017 A319 28. Feb 07 319-132 N531NK 3026 A319 18. Jun 07 319-132 N532NK 3165 A319 06. Feb 08 319-132 N533NK 3393 A319 15. Feb 08 319-132 N534NK 3395 A319 30. Jun 03 319-132 N476TA 19349

Airplane Type Prod Delivery date Model Registration Manufacturer’s Serial Number (MSN) A319 26. Nov 03 319-132 N477TA 1952 A319 19. Nov 04 319-132 N478TA 2339 A319 14. Apr 05 319-132 N479TA 2444 A319 14. Mar 07 319-132 N480TA 3057 A319 10. Sep 07 319-132 N520TA 3248 A319 18. Oct. 07 319-132 N521TA 3276 A319 19. Nov 02 319-132 N833AW 1844 A319 04. Oct. 04 319-132 N834AW 2302 A319 12. Mai 05 319-132 N835AW 2458 A319 12. Oct. 05 319-132 N836AW 2570 A319 04. Nov 05 319-132 N837AW 2595 A319 17. Nov 05 319-132 N838AW 2615 A319 01. Feb 06 319-132 N839AW 2669 A319 13. Feb 06 319-132 N840AW 2690 A319 18. Apr 08 319-132 N502VL 3463 A319 21. Apr 08 319-132 N503VL 3491 A319 22. Jul 08 319-132 N504VL 3590 A319 19. Jan 07 319-133 N501VL 2979 A320 20. Nov 03 320-211 N377NW 2082 A320 18. Dec 03 320-211 N378NW 2092 A320 31. Oct. 08 320-214 N664AV 3664 A320 07. Jul 09 320-214 N961AV 3961 A320 27. Jul 09 320-214 N980AV 3980 A320 03. Aug 09 320-214 N398AV 3988 A320 10. Aug 09 320-214 N992AV 3992 A320 14. Aug 09 320-214 N401AV 4001 A320 03. Sep 09 320-214 N411AV 4011 A320 22. Sep 09 320-214 N426AV 4026 A320 01. Oct. 09 320-214 N446AV 4046 A320 15. Oct. 09 320-214 N451AV 4051 A320 19. Jan 10 320-214 N416AV 4167 A320 09. Feb 10 320-214 N417AV 4175 A320 05. Mai 10 320-214 N281AV 4281 A320 18. Mai 10 320-214 N284AV 4284 A320 01. Jul 10 320-214 N345AV 4345 A320 30. Aug 10 320-214 N481AV 4381 A320 13. Dec 04 320-214 N204FR 2325 A320 07. Feb 08 320-214 N201FR 3389 A320 06. Mar 08 320-214 N202FR 3431 A320 30. Mar 10 320-214 N205FR 425310

Airplane Type Prod Delivery date Model Registration Manufacturer’s Serial Number (MSN) A320 27. Apr 10 320-214 N206FR 4272 A320 11. Mai 10 320-214 N207FR 4307 A320 28. Oct. 02 320-214 N263AV 1860 A320 21. Nov 02 320-214 N264AV 1867 A320 09. Nov 09 320-214 N125UW 4086 A320 23. Dec 09 320-214 N126UW 4149 A320 24. Feb 10 320-214 N127UW 4202 A320 26. Mar 10 320-214 N128UW 4242 A320 23. Feb 06 320-214 N621VA 2616 A320 23. Mar 06 320-214 N622VA 2674 A320 11. Apr 06 320-214 N623VA 2740 A320 30. Mai 06 320-214 N624VA 2778 A320 19. Jun 06 320-214 N625VA 2800 A320 11. Jul 06 320-214 N626VA 2830 A320 24. Aug 06 320-214 N627VA 2851 A320 18. Jan 07 320-214 N628VA 2993 A320 26. Jan 07 320-214 N639VA 3016 A320 23. Feb 07 320-214 N629VA 3037 A320 27. Apr 07 320-214 N630VA 3101 A320 25. Mai 07 320-214 N631VA 3135 A320 12. Jun 07 320-214 N632VA 3155 A320 13. Sep 07 320-214 N633VA 3230 A320 18. Dec 07 320-214 N640VA 3349 A320 14. Jan 08 320-214 N634VA 3359 A320 19. Feb 08 320-214 N635VA 3398 A320 15. Apr 08 320-214 N636VA 3460 A320 15. Apr 08 320-214 N637VA 3465 A320 08. Mai 08 320-214 N638VA 3503 A320 27. Oct. 08 320-214 N641VA 3656 A320 03. Nov 08 320-214 N642VA 3670 A320 27. Sep 10 320-214 N835VA 4448 A320 29. Oct. 10 320-214 N836VA 4480 A320 09. Sep 02 320-232 N547JB 1849 A320 04. Dec 02 320-232 N554JB 1898 A320 17. Dec 02 320-232 N552JB 1861 A320 18. Dec 02 320-232 N556JB 1904 A320 29. Jan 03 320-232 N558JB 1915 A320 06. Feb 03 320-232 N559JB 1917 A320 12. Feb 03 320-232 N561JB 1927 A320 12. Mar 03 320-232 N562JB 194811

Airplane Type Prod Delivery date Model Registration Manufacturer’s Serial Number (MSN) A320 21. Mai 03 320-232 N563JB 2006 A320 04. Jun 03 320-232 N564JB 2020 A320 18. Jun 03 320-232 N565JB 2031 A320 30. Jun 03 320-232 N566JB 2042 A320 30. Jul 03 320-232 N568JB 2063 A320 20. Aug 03 320-232 N569JB 2075 A320 01. Oct. 03 320-232 N570JB 2099 A320 05. Nov 03 320-232 N571JB 2125 A320 12. Nov 03 320-232 N579JB 2132 A320 17. Nov 03 320-232 N580JB 2136 A320 07. Jan 04 320-232 N583JB 2150 A320 14. Jan 04 320-232 N584JB 2149 A320 11. Feb 04 320-232 N585JB 2159 A320 17. Feb 04 320-232 N586JB 2160 A320 31. Mar 04 320-232 N587JB 2177 A320 13. Mai 04 320-232 N588JB 2201 A320 03. Jun 04 320-232 N589JB 2215 A320 28. Jun 04 320-232 N590JB 2231 A320 04. Aug 04 320-232 N591JB 2246 A320 01. Sep 04 320-232 N592JB 2259 A320 29. Sep 04 320-232 N593JB 2280 A320 12. Oct. 04 320-232 N594JB 2284 A320 14. Oct. 04 320-232 N595JB 2286 A320 09. Nov 04 320-232 N597JB 2307 A320 18. Nov 04 320-232 N598JB 2314 A320 15. Dec 04 320-232 N599JB 2336 A320 12. Jan 05 320-232 N603JB 2352 A320 10. Feb 05 320-232 N605JB 2368 A320 23. Feb 05 320-232 N606JB 2384 A320 24. Feb 05 320-232 N607JB 2386 A320 13. Apr 05 320-232 N608JB 2415 A320 26. Mai 05 320-232 N612JB 2447 A320 15. Jun 05 320-232 N613JB 2449 A320 20. Jun 05 320-232 N615JB 2461 A320 20. Jul 05 320-232 N618JB 2489 A320 21. Jul 05 320-232 N621JB 2491 A320 10. Aug 05 320-232 N623JB 2504 A320 31. Aug 05 320-232 N624JB 2520 A320 28. Sep 05 320-232 N625JB 2535 A320 03. Nov 05 320-232 N627JB 257712

Airplane Type Prod Delivery date Model Registration Manufacturer’s Serial Number (MSN) A320 03. Nov 05 320-232 N629JB 2580 A320 22. Dec 05 320-232 N630JB 2640 A320 11. Jan 06 320-232 N632JB 2647 A320 01. Feb 06 320-232 N633JB 2671 A320 13. Mar 06 320-232 N634JB 2710 A320 03. Apr 06 320-232 N636JB 2755 A320 04. Apr 06 320-232 N635JB 2725 A320 23. Mai 06 320-232 N637JB 2781 A320 14. Jun 06 320-232 N638JB 2802 A320 28. Jun 06 320-232 N639JB 2814 A320 12. Jul 06 320-232 N640JB 2832 A320 02. Aug 06 320-232 N641JB 2848 A320 07. Sep 06 320-232 N643JB 2871 A320 20. Sep 06 320-232 N644JB 2880 A320 05. Oct. 06 320-232 N645JB 2900 A320 15. Nov 06 320-232 N646JB 2945 A320 06. Dec 06 320-232 N649JB 2977 A320 07. Dec 06 320-232 N648JB 2970 A320 10. Jan 07 320-232 N651JB 2992 A320 07. Feb 07 320-232 N652JB 3029 A320 15. Feb 07 320-232 N653JB 3039 A320 22. Mar 07 320-232 N655JB 3072 A320 04. Apr 07 320-232 N656JB 3091 A320 04. Mai 07 320-232 N657JB 3119 A320 06. Jun 07 320-232 N658JB 3150 A320 18. Jul 07 320-232 N659JB 3190 A320 07. Sep 07 320-232 N661JB 3228 A320 03. Oct. 07 320-232 N662JB 3263 A320 26. Oct. 07 320-232 N663JB 3287 A320 13. Dec 07 320-232 N665JB 3348 A320 30. Jan 08 320-232 N703JB 3381 A320 27. Feb 08 320-232 N705JB 3416 A320 27. Mar 08 320-232 N706JB 3451 A320 23. Apr 08 320-232 N708JB 3479 A320 07. Mai 08 320-232 N709JB 3488 A320 12. Jun 08 320-232 N712JB 3517 A320 17. Jul 08 320-232 N715JB 3554 A320 06. Aug 08 320-232 N729JB 3572 A320 24. Sep 08 320-232 N746JB 3622 A320 27. Oct. 08 320-232 N760JB 365913

Airplane Type Prod Delivery date Model Registration Manufacturer’s Serial Number (MSN) A320 25. Nov 08 320-232 N763JB 3707 A320 11. Dec 08 320-232 N766JB 3724 A320 28. Jan 09 320-232 N768JB 3760 A320 20. Feb 09 320-232 N775JB 3800 A320 11. Mar 09 320-232 N779JB 3811 A320 04. Mar 10 320-232 N601NK 4206 A320 08. Apr 10 320-232 N602NK 4264 A320 27. Mai 10 320-232 N603NK 4321 A320 14. Sep 10 320-232 N604NK 4431 A320 30. Aug 02 320-232 N495UA 1842 A320 05. Sep 02 320-232 N494UA 1840 A320 12. Sep 02 320-232 N496UA 1845 A320 18. Sep 02 320-232 N497UA 1847 A320 17. Oct. 02 320-232 N498UA 1865 A320 17. Jun 03 320-232 N601AW 1935 A320 05. Mai 04 320-232 N672AW 2193 A320 19. Nov 04 320-232 N673AW 2312 A320 31. Mar 05 320-232 N675AW 2405 A320 28. Apr 05 320-232 N676AW 2422 A320 06. Mai 05 320-232 N677AW 2430 A320 28. Jun 05 320-232 N678AW 2482 A320 05. Dec 05 320-232 N679AW 2613 A320 20. Dec 05 320-232 N680AW 2630 A320 25. Oct. 04 320-233 N490TA 2282 A320 08. Nov 04 320-233 N491TA 2301 A320 13. Mai 05 320-233 N492TA 2434 A320 23. Oct. 06 320-233 N493TA 2917 A320 22. Feb 07 320-233 N494TA 3042 A320 17. Apr 07 320-233 N495TA 3103 A320 27. Apr 07 320-233 N496TA 3113 A320 24. Jan 08 320-233 N497TA 3378 A320 03. Mar 08 320-233 N498TA 3418 A320 09. Jun 08 320-233 N499TA 3510 A320 02. Jul 08 320-233 N680TA 3538 A320 13. Aug 08 320-233 N681TA 3577 A320 26. Aug 08 320-233 N682TA 3581 A321 17. Jul 08 321-211 N193UW 3584 A321 28. Aug 08 321-211 N194UW 3629 A321 08. Sep 08 321-211 N195UW 3633 A321 24. Apr 09 321-211 N196UW 387914

Airplane Type Prod Delivery date Model Registration Manufacturer’s Serial Number (MSN) A321 03. Jun 09 321-211 N197UW 3928 A321 06. Jun 05 321-231 N587NK 2476 A321 28. Oct. 05 321-231 N588NK 2590 A321 22. Sep 05 321-231 N566TA 2553 A321 16. Nov 05 321-231 N567TA 2610 A321 17. Feb 06 321-231 N568TA 2687 A321 04. Oct. 06 321-231 N564TA 2862 A321 29. Apr 09 321-231 N570TA 3869 A321 20. Nov 08 321-231 N507AY 3712 A321 19. Dec 08 321-231 N508AY 3740 A321 17. Feb 09 321-231 N509AY 3796 A321 31. Mar 09 321-231 N510UW 3858 A321 23. Apr 09 321-231 N519UW 3881 A321 28. Mai 09 321-231 N520UW 3924 A321 18. Jun 09 321-231 N521UW 3944 A321 10. Jul 09 321-231 N523UW 3960 A321 20. Jul 09 321-231 N524UW 3977 A321 30. Jul 09 321-231 N534UW 3989 A321 30. Jul 09 321-231 N535UW 3993 A321 29. Sep 09 321-231 N537UW 4041 A321 08. Oct. 09 321-231 N536UW 4025 A321 08. Oct. 09 321-231 N538UW 4050 A321 30. Oct. 09 321-231 N539UW 4082 A321 07. Dec 09 321-231 N541UW 4123 A321 10. Dec 09 321-231 N540UW 4107 A321 15. Dec 09 321-231 N542UW 4134Greg Bresee <greg.bresee@virginamerica.com>



### ATA 31 - FDR BRAKE PRESSURE (L H and RH) PARAMETER RECORDING ISSUE 1 message

OIT-Dispatch, AIRBUS <Airbus.OIT-Dispatch@airbus.com> Tue, Jun 5, 2012 at 8:06 AM To: ENGINEERING@virginamerica.com, ANA.DINIS@virginamerica.com, BETH.MEDLEN@virginamerica.com, BO B.WEATHERLY@virginamerica.com, CHRISTINA.BRUNN@virginamerica.com, DONALD.OLSEN@virginamerica.com, ED.TURNER@virginamerica.com, MAINTE NANCE.CONTROL@virginamerica.com, MARK.BIANCHI@virginamerica.com, MARK.BREGAR@virginamerica.com, NICHOLAS.BROHM@virginamerica.com, TECHPUBS@virg inamerica.com, TIM.HANEY@virginamerica.com, TIM.THORNTON@virginame rica.com, TOM.KILBOU RN@virginamerica.com Cc: VRDSFO <VRDSFO@airbus.com>

FROM : AIRBUS CUSTOMER SERVICES TOULOUSE

TO : ALL A318/A319/A320/A321 OPERATORS

OPERATOR INFORMATION TRANSMISSION - OPERATOR INFORMAT ION TRANSMISSION

SUBJECT: ATA 31 - FDR Br ake pressure (LH & RH) pa rameter recording issue

OUR REF.: 999.0046/12 DATED 05 Jun 2012.

OIT CATEGORY: AIRWORTHINESS

NOTICE: This OIT provides information on continuous airworthiness subjects or documents. It is each Operator's respon sibility to distribute this OIT, orto distribute the information cont ained in this OIT, to all of their applicable Maintenance and Engineering organi zations for information and application of the recommendation.

REFERENCED DOCUMENTS:

Ref.1: Airbus OIT 999.0112/97 RE VISION 03 DATED 21 DEC 2000 Ref.2: Airbus Petition letter for Exemption, FAR 121.344, Appendix M to FAR 121.344, Parameter 68 "Brake Pressure (left and right)", reference: SA31M12009739 Ref.3: Airbus - Exemption/Rulemaking Document ID: FAA-2012-0429-0001 Docket ID: FAA-2012-0429

1. PURPOSE

The aim of this OIT is to inform all A320 family operators about a recording issue affecting #Brake Pressure# parameter M68 in the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and the impact on the compliance with FAA rule 14 CFR 121.344 Appendix M.

2. APPLICABILITY

All A320 family aircraft fitted with Sagem or Teledy ne FDIU software with a 256 words/second recording speed. The 256 w/s recording speed is activated with MOD 32339 (SB 31-1212) or MOD 32452 (SB 31-1384). Pa g e 1 of 3 Vir g in America Mail - ATA 31 - FDR BR AKE PRESSURE (LH and RH) PARAMETE R

...

6/5/2012 http s://mail. g oo g le.com/mail/u/0/?ui= 2&ik=f9a0bbef12&view= p t&search=inbox&th=137b

...Aircraft fitted with a 1024 words/second FDR record ing speed are not impacted by this parameter M68 issue. 1024 words/second FDR recording speed is activated with optional MOD 151637, MOD 151680 or MOD 153923. No standard SB is available.

3. BACKGROUND

FDIU software with a 256 words/se cond recording speed were developed to add several parameters on FDR and also to comply with FAR 121.344 requirements (see Ref.1).

The new parameter M68 #Brake Pressure (left and right )# introduced in the 256 w/s FDR frame allows to determine pressure delivered to the brakes through brake pedals or by autobrake system.

The brake pressure data is acquired by FDIU software from the Braking and Steering Control Unit (BSCU) and then recorded on FDR M68 parameter. The M68 pa rameter is composed of several #sub-parameters# (M68a01 to M68a19) to gather information on aircraft braking system. The M68 parameter definition only takes into account full landing gear configuration i.e. with 8 wheels (4 wheels on main landing gear + 4 wheels for aircraft fitted with bogie landing gear). Bogie Landing Gear is installed through MOD 20139 and can be removed with MOD 22129.

Refer to M68 Parameter Recording Map in Appendix of this OIT.

Wheel 1 data is recorded on sub-parameter M68a0 1, Wheel 2 on M68a02... For more detailed information about the FDR data frame, refer to Flight Data Recording Parameter Library (FDRPL).

The brake pressure data is recorded on FDR Word 61 for LH wheels 1,2,5,6 and word 189 for RH wheels 3,4,7,8. The LH & RH brake pressure data is recorded every second i.e. once every four second per wheel. This results in following recording seque nce: LH: 1/2/5/6/1/2... RH: 3/4/7/8/3/4/... If a bogie landing gear is not installed (i.e MOD 20139 not embodied or MOD 20139 + 22129 embodied), then the brake pressure da ta on wheel 5,6,7,8 will be recorded as Non Computed Data (NCD). This results in a 2 second data gap within the 4 seconds fr ame (LH: 1/2/x/x/1/2... and RH 3/4/x/x/3/4...).

FAA rule 14 CFR 121.344 Appendix M requires that br ake pressure information is recorded every second on Left and Right side of the Landing gear. Such a ru le is applicable to all N-registered aircraft produced between 19 AUG 2002 and 06 DEC 2010. All these aircraft have been delivered with a 256 w/s recording speed FDIU softwa re(see Ref.1).

The M68 parameter "Brake Pressure (left and right)" is therefore not recorded wi thin the required ranges, accuracies, resolutions, and recording intervals when aircraft is not fitted with bogie landing gear and is in normal braking mode as specified in FAR 121.344, Appendix M.

From 06 DEC 2010, to comply with FAA rule 121.344 Appendix M amendment 121-349, new FDIU software with 1024 w/s recording speed were embodied on Airbus aircraft. Since recording rate of parameter M68 was increased to 1 second for each wh eel, these aircraft are t herefore not impacted by parameter M68 recording issue.

4. DESCRIPTION/RECOMMENDATION

Airbus has launched the development of new FDIUs so ftware based on 256 words/second DFDR recording speed. These software will record on FDR required sampling of Normal Brake Pressure (left & Right) independently of the aircraft Landing gear configuration (i.e. 4 or 8 wheels).

These new software are planned to be available on Q3 of 2013 through Service Bulletins (SB).

Airbus on behalf of affected operator s has sent to the FAA a Petition fo r Exemption letter (Ref.2) which has been published by FAA in (Ref.3) document.

http://www.regulations.gov/#!doc umentDetail;D=FAA-2012-0429-0001 Pa g e 2 of 3 Vir g in America Mail - ATA 31 - FDR BR AKE PRESSURE (LH and RH) PARAMETE R

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6/5/2012 http s://mail. g oo g le.com/mail/u/0/?ui= 2&ik=f9a0bbef12&view= p t&search=inbox&th=137b

...Operators may use this docket to submit comments or other useful information. FAA indicates that exemptions from operational CFR pa rts (e.g. part FAR 93, part 121) are usually granted to operators only. Therefore, the do cket may also be used by operators to submit petitions on the same topic.

However, in the current case, FAA may be able to grant exemptions to affected operators based on AIRBUS petition. This could be processed by FAA, after AIRBUS has provided FAA in the course of June 2012 with identification of all affected aircraft, regi stration numbers and owners. Such aircraft list may be shown on FAA docket.

For more information on FAR regulati on matters such as petition or exemption processes, please contact your FAA local representative.

5. FOLLOW UP

Operators will be kept advise d of progress on this issue via issuan ce early June of a new Technical FollowUp (TFU) ref 31.33.00.024.

6. CONTACTS

Questions about the technical content of this OIT are to be addressed to:

Sebastien DE MARCO Indicating & Recording Systems Engineer - SEEA1 CUSTOMER SERVICES Phone: +33 (0)5 67 19 52 02 Fax: +33 (0)5 61 93 44 25 Mailto: sebastien.s.de-marco@airbus.com

Best Regards,

Laurent ALEGRE Head of Avionics & Electrics Department - SEEA CUSTOMER SERVICES

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. The transmission ́s attachments (if any) can be down loaded from AirbusWorld via AirN@v/Engineering.

<<Appendix999.0046_12.PDF>>

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Appendix999.0046_12.PDF 15K Pa g e 3 of 3 Vir g in America Mail - ATA 31 - FDR BR AKE PRESSURE (LH and RH) PARAMETE R

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6/5/2012 http s://mail. g oo g le.com/mail/u/0/?ui= 2&ik=f9a0bbef12&view= p t&search=inbox&th=137b

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