[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 18, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27662-27665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-11828]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. NM428; Notice No. 25-99-11-SC]


Special Conditions: Boeing 747-468, Installation of a Medical 
Lift

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed special conditions.

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SUMMARY: This action proposes special conditions for the Boeing 747-468 
airplane. This airplane, as modified by Jet Aviation, will have a novel 
or unusual design feature associated with the installation of a medical 
lift. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate 
or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. 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.

DATES: We must receive your comments by June 17, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You must mail two copies of your comments to: Federal 
Aviation Administration, Transport Airplane Directorate, Attn: Rules 
Docket (ANM-113), Docket No. NM428, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356. You may deliver two copies to the Transport 
Airplane Directorate at the above address. You must mark your comments: 
Docket No. NM428. You can inspect comments in the Rules Docket 
weekdays, except Federal holidays, between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jayson Claar, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2194; facsimile 
(425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 27663]]

Comments Invited

    We invite interested people to take part in this rulemaking by 
sending 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 special conditions. You can inspect the docket 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 preamble 
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 
these special conditions based on the comments we receive.
    If you want us to acknowledge receipt of your comments on this 
proposal, include with your comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard 
on which you have written the docket number. We will stamp the date on 
the postcard and mail it back to you.

Background

    On March 2, 2007, Jet Aviation Engineering Services L.P. (JAES), of 
Teterboro, New Jersey, applied for a supplemental type certificate for 
a reconfiguration of an aircraft interior in a 747-468. The Boeing 
Model 747-468 airplane is FAA approved under Type Certificate A20WE as 
a large transport-category airplane that is limited to 660 passengers 
or fewer, depending on the interior configuration.
    This modification includes the installation of a medical lift 
between the main deck and upper deck. The lift allows the transport of 
a single occupant between the decks during cruise or ramp operations. 
The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for this design feature.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) 21.101, JAES must show that the 747-468, as changed, continues to 
meet the applicable provisions of the regulations incorporated by 
reference in Type Certificate A20WE, or of the applicable regulations 
in effect on the date of application for the change. The regulations 
incorporated by reference in the type certificate are commonly referred 
to as the ``original type-certification basis.'' The regulations 
incorporated by reference in Type Certificate A20WE are as follows:
    <bullet> Part 36, as amended by Amendments 36-1 through 36-15, and 
any later amendments in existence at the time of certification.
    <bullet> Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) 27, as amended 
by Amendments 27-1 through 27-6 and any later amendments in existence 
at the time of type certification.
    <bullet> Part 25, effective February 1, 1965, as amended by 
Amendments 25-1 through 25-59, and the part 25 section-number 
exceptions itemized in Type Certificate A20WE.
    The following special conditions, exemptions, and equivalent safety 
findings, which are part of the Model 747-300 certification basis, are 
also part of the certification basis for the Model 747-400.
    The special conditions include those enclosed with an FAA letter to 
The Boeing Company dated February 20, 1970, and the following:
    1. Special Condition 4A, revised to apply to airplanes with the 
landing-gear load-evener system deleted, was recorded as an enclosure 
to an FAA letter to The Boeing Company dated May 12, 1971.
    2. Special Condition No. 25-61-NW-1, for occupancy not to exceed 32 
passengers on the upper deck of airplanes with a spiral staircase, was 
transmitted to The Boeing Company by FAA letter dated February 26, 
1975.
    3. Special Condition No. 25-71-NW-3, for occupancy not to exceed 45 
passengers on the upper deck of airplanes with a straight-segmented 
stairway, was transmitted to The Boeing Company by FAA letter dated 
September 8, 1976.
    4. Modification of Special Condition No. 25-71-NW-3, for occupancy 
not to exceed 110 passengers on the upper deck of airplanes with a 
straight-segmented stairway, was transmitted to The Boeing Company by 
FAA letter dated August 3, 1981.
    5. Special Condition No. 25-77-NW-4, modification of the autopilot 
system to approve the airplane for use of the system under Category 
IlIb landing conditions, was transmitted to The Boeing Company by FAA 
letter dated July 8, 1977.
    6. Special Condition No. 25-ANM-16, for use of an overhead crew-
rest area, occupancy not to exceed ten crewmembers, was transmitted to 
The Boeing Company by FAA letter dated November 19, 1987. The FAA-
approved procedures required for compliance with paragraph 13 of the 
special condition are located in Boeing Document D926U303, Appendix D.
    7. Special Condition No. 25-ANM-24, applicable to flight-deck 
displays and propulsion-control systems, was provided to Boeing on 
December 22, 1988.
    8. Special Condition No. 25-ANM-25, which established lightning-and 
radio- frequency-energy protection requirements, was provided to Boeing 
on December 22, 1988.

Exemptions From Part 25

    Exemption no. 1013A, dated December 24, 1969: Exemption from 
Section 25.471(b) to allow lateral displacement of the center of 
gravity from the airplane centerline.
    The following optional requirements, which are part of the Model 
747-300 certification basis, apply also to the 747-400:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Requirement                            Section
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ditching provisions..........................................    25.801
Ice-protection provisions....................................    25.1419
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    The following equivalent-safety findings, previously made for 
earlier models under the provisions of Sec.  21.21(b)(1), are also 
applicable to the Model 747-400:

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                  Requirement                                                Section
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Width of aisle................................  25.815.
Pilot-compartment view........................  25.773.
Use of 1-g stall speed (nonstructural items)..  Several (747-400 only).
Use of 1-g stall speed (structural items).....  Several (747-400 only).
Position-light distribution and intensities...  25.1389(b)(3) (747-400 only).
Fire-detection system.........................  25.1203 (See Note 1).
Pressure relief...............................  25.1103(d) (See Note 1).
Emergency-locator transmitter (ELT)...........  25.1415(d).

[[Page 27664]]

 
Emergency-exit marking........................  25.811(f).
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    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 747-468 because of a novel or 
unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed under the 
provisions of Sec.  21.16.
    In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special 
conditions, the 747-468 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 issues special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in 
accordance with Sec.  11.38, and they become part of the type-
certification basis under Sec.  21.101.
    Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which 
they are issued. Should the applicant apply for a supplemental type 
certificate to modify any other model included on the same type 
certificate to incorporate the same or similar novel or unusual design 
feature, the special conditions would also apply to the other model 
under Sec.  21.101.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The original aircraft configuration included a straight stairway 
between the main deck and upper deck at FS 870. The stairway is 
relocated in the new configuration, and the existing stairway is 
replaced with an electrically powered medical lift using the opening in 
the upper deck formerly occupied by the stairs. When the lift is not in 
operation, the upper-deck opening is covered by floor panels. These 
floor panels are opened up prior to operation of the lift and form a 
protective fencing around the upper-deck opening.
    The purpose of the medical lift is to move an occupant between the 
master lounge in the upper deck and the medical room on the lower deck.
    The lift platform is driven by two redundant electrical motors, 
mounted to the rear wall, between the struts. A lifting gear-drive with 
shafts and gear boxes is powered on the front and rear of the lift 
platform. The spindles are supported at the lifting gear on the lower 
support structure and with a strut support on the upper deck. The lift 
platform is guided in lateral directions with the guiding rails mounted 
on the struts.

Discussion

    Due to the novel or unusual features associated with the 
installation of this medical lift, the following special conditions are 
considered necessary to provide a level of safety equal to that 
established by the airworthiness regulations incorporated by reference 
in the type-certificate.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
747-468. Should JAES apply at a later date for a supplemental type 
certificate to modify any other model included on Type Certificate 
A20WE, to incorporate the same novel or unusual design feature, the 
special conditions would apply to that model as well.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on one model of airplanes. It is not a rule of general applicability 
and it affects only the applicant who 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes the 
following special conditions as part of the type-certification basis 
for Boeing 747-468 airplanes modified by JAES.
    1. A functional verification must be conducted to ensure the 
adequacy of the lift design features that are supposed to prevent 
injury to the lift occupant, lift operator, and lift observer.
    2. The occupied lift must be designed to withstand the non-
emergency load conditions imposed by the aircraft according to loads 
report SIE-327-301, revision D.
    3. Occupancy or operation of the lift must not be permitted during 
taxi, takeoff, landing (TTL), or turbulent conditions.
    4. The lift must be stowed for TTL. The stowed position requires 
the lift platform positioned at the main-deck level with the floor 
panels closed.
    5. A portable oxygen bottle must be present in the lift and easily 
accessible to the occupant.
    6. Occupancy of the lift must be limited to a single occupant 
secured in one of two possible configurations:
    a. The occupant must be secured to a medical stretcher that is 
attached to the lift platform. The occupied stretcher must be designed 
to withstand the non-emergency load conditions defined in loads report 
SIE-327-301, revision D.
    b. The occupant must be secured to a wheelchair that is attached to 
the lift platform.
    7. Control panels must be located on both main and upper decks, 
connected with full duplex audio communications. On both operator 
control units, an emergency shut-off switch must be installed. In an 
emergency, this switch must immediately interrupt the main power supply 
to the motors. Lift operation must be stopped until the emergency shut-
off switch is reset. As soon as one of the operators commands operation 
in a direction, the ``Up'' and ``Down'' option buttons must be disabled 
and the stop button enabled. Before one of the operators is able to 
change the lift-travel direction again, the lift must first be stopped.
    8. Lift operation must require a trained operator at the main-deck 
control panel and a trained observer at the upper-deck control panel.
    9. Sensors must be installed to detect the following conditions, 
and to prevent the start or continuation of lift travel if any 
conditions are not met:
    a. Upper-deck seat, located on the left side of the aircraft and 
just forward of the master-bath bulkhead, is in its most forward, 
outboard position.
    b. Upper-deck master-bedroom/lavatory port bulkhead is opened and 
secured.
    c. Upper-deck shower door is closed and secured.
    d. Upper-deck master-lavatory door is opened and secured.
    e. Upper-deck floor panels are opened and configured to form the 
protective fencing.
    f. Main-deck inboard doors are closed and secured. The doors must 
be lockable only from the outside of the lift. This ensures that the 
operator has control of this area and that nobody is located under the 
lift.
    g. Aircraft seat-belt-fasten signs must not be illuminated.
    10. Sensors must be installed to detect the following conditions 
during

[[Page 27665]]

operation, and to prevent continued lift travel if any of these 
conditions occur:
    a. Over-temperature of lift motors and/or power-frequency 
converter.
    b. Presence of smoke at motors and in electrical-control cabinet.
    c. Over-current at the lift motors.
    d. Asynchronous operation of the spindles.
    11. A built-in fire extinguisher must be installed in the motor and 
electrical-control cabinet. This fire extinguisher must be designed to 
discharge automatically upon the occurrence of a fire.
    12. The lift must have the provision for manual operation in the 
event of a malfunction such as a loss of power to the lift and/or 
associated systems.
    13. A separate battery backup system must provide lighting for the 
lift-control system, lift control/sensors, communication system, and 
lift lights for a minimum of 10 minutes in the event of loss of power 
to the lift and/or associated systems.
    14. Lift placards must be installed near or adjacent the control 
panels identified in special condition 7. The placards must be stated 
as follows:
    a. THIS LIFT IS APPROVED FOR MOVING ONLY A SINGLE OCCUPANT BETWEEN 
THE MAIN AND UPPER DECKS AND ONLY WHEN SECURED TO EITHER AN APPROVED 
MEDICAL STRETCHER OR WHEELCHAIR. NO OTHER USES OF THIS LIFT ARE 
APPROVED.
    b. DO NOT OPERATE LIFT DURING TAXI, TAKEOFF, LANDING, OR 
TURBULENCE.
    c. AN APPROVED MEDICAL STRETCHER OR WHEELCHAIR MUST BE PROPERLY 
SECURED TO THE LIFT PLATFORM BEFORE OPERATING THIS LIFT.
    d. THE LIFT MUST BE STOWED FOR TAXI, TAKEOFF, AND LANDING. THE 
STOWED POSITION REQUIRES THE LIFT PLATFORM POSITIONED AT THE MAIN-DECK 
LEVEL WITH THE FLOOR PANELS CLOSED.
    15. Instructions on how to:
    a. Configure the lift for operation.
    b. Operate the lift.
    c. Stow the lift for non-operation such as during TTL and 
turbulence.
    d. Operate the mechanical-override features in the event of a 
malfunction such as a loss of power to the lift and/or associated 
systems.
    16. Training and related manuals must include:
    a. Limitations and procedures for normal lift operation.
    b. Backup and override procedure for evacuating the lift and 
returning it to TTL configuration.
    17. Special conditions nos. 3. 4, and 14 must be documented in the 
Limitations section of the AFM.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 12, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-11828 Filed 5-17-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P