Document ID: FAA-2021-0943-0004
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Special Conditions: Robinson Helicopter Company Model R66 Helicopter; Pressure Refueling Provisions
Posted Date: 2022-05-03T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 3, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26123-26124]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-09425]

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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 85 / Tuesday, May 3, 2022 / Rules and 
Regulations  

[[Page 26123]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 27

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0943; Special Conditions No. 27-057-SC]

Special Conditions: Robinson Helicopter Company Model R66 
Helicopter; Pressure Refueling Provisions

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions.

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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Robinson 
Helicopter Company (RHC) Model R66 helicopter. This helicopter will 
have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of 
technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for normal 
category helicopters. This design feature is a pressure refueling 
system. 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 June 2, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monica Abboud, Propulsion Section, 
AIR-794, Los Angeles ACO Branch, Aircraft Certification Service, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 
California 90712; telephone (562) 627-5223; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On July 15, 2021, RHC applied for a change to Type Certificate No. 
R00015LA for the Model R66 helicopter. This change incorporates a 
pressure fueling system in the Model R66 helicopter. The RHC Model R66 
helicopter, which is a derivative of the earlier models of the Model 
R66 helicopter currently approved under Type Certificate No. R00015LA, 
is a part 27 normal category helicopter. It is a single turbine engine 
helicopter with a four-passenger maximum passenger capacity and has a 
maximum gross weight, with no external load, of up to 2,700 pounds 
depending on the model configuration.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.101, RHC must show that the Model 
R66 helicopter, as changed, continues to meet the applicable provisions 
of the regulations listed in Type Certificate No. R00015LA or the 
applicable regulations in effect on the date of application for the 
change, except for earlier amendments as agreed upon by the FAA.
    If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations (e.g., 14 CFR part 27) do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for the RHC Model R66 helicopter because 
of a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed 
under the provisions of 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 novel or 
unusual design feature, or should any other model already included on 
the same type certificate be modified to incorporate the same 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 RHC Model R66 helicopter must comply with 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.

Novel or Unusual Design Feature

    The RHC Model R66 helicopter will incorporate the following novel 
or unusual design feature:
    A pressure refueling system, which will allow for optional pressure 
fueling.

Discussion

    RHC will modify the Model R66 helicopter by incorporating a 
pressure refueling system that allows for optional pressure fueling 
from a fueling port on the right side of the fuselage and the existing 
gravity system via the fuel filler cap on top of the main fuel tank. 
This modification provides faster, easier, and safer refueling when the 
engines are running and rotors turning compared to the existing fueling 
system located on the top of the main fuel tank. The pressure refueling 
system includes a crash-resistant fuel hose that runs from the fueling 
port on the right side to an inlet at the top of the fuel tank on the 
helicopter's left side. The system does not accommodate defueling.
    Part 27 does not contain requirements for pressure refueling for 
normal category helicopters. However, 14 CFR 29.979, amendment 29-12, 
effective February 1, 1977, provides these requirements for transport 
category helicopters. Accordingly, these special conditions are based 
on Sec.  29.979 to provide requirements for the inclusion of the 
optional pressure refueling system on the Model R66 helicopters. 
Section CFR 29.979 includes standards for pressure refueling and 
fueling provisions below fuel level on transport category rotorcraft.
    Section 29.979(a) is intended to prevent hazards to ground crew, 
flight crew, and occupants by reducing the probability of exposure to 
hazardous quantities of fuel resulting from spillage and ensuring the 
pressure refueling/defueling system is designed to prevent overfilling 
the fuel tank and to withstand an ultimate load overpressure event 
without failure.
    Section 29.979(a) requires each fueling connection below the fuel 
level in each tank to have a means to prevent the escape of hazardous 
quantities of fuel from that tank in case of malfunction of the fuel 
entry valve.
    Section 29.979(b) requires systems intended for pressure refueling 
to have a means in addition to the normal means for limiting the tank 
content to prevent damage to the tank in case of failure of the normal 
means.
    Section 29.979(c) requires the rotorcraft pressure fueling system 
(not fuel tanks and fuel tank vents) to withstand an ultimate load that 
is 2.0 times the load arising from the maximum pressure, including 
surge,

[[Page 26124]]

that is likely to occur during fueling. The maximum surge pressure must 
be established with any combination of tank valves being either 
intentionally or inadvertently closed.
    Section 29.979(d) requires the rotorcraft defueling system (not 
including fuel tanks and fuel tank vents) to withstand an ultimate load 
that is 2.0 times the load arising from the maximum permissible 
defueling pressure (positive or negative) at the rotorcraft fueling 
connection. The design by RHC does not include defueling capability.
    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

    The FAA issued Notice of Proposed Special Conditions No. 27-21-01-
SC for the RHS Model R66 helicopter, which published in the Federal 
Register on February 4, 2022 (87 FR 6437). The FAA received two 
comments from individuals in support of these special conditions.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
RHC Model R66 helicopter. Should RHC apply at a later date for a change 
to the type certificate to include another model incorporating the same 
novel or unusual design feature, these special conditions would apply 
to that model as well.

Conclusion

    This action affects only a certain novel or unusual design feature 
on one model of helicopter. It is not a rule of general applicability.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 27

    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

Authority Citation

    The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:

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

The Special Conditions

    [ssquf] Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by 
the Administrator, the following special conditions are issued as part 
of the type certification basis for Robinson Helicopter Company Model 
R66 helicopters.
    The pressure refueling system must be designed and installed as 
follows:
    (a) Each fueling connection below the fuel level in each tank must 
have the means to prevent the escape of hazardous quantities of fuel 
from that tank in case of malfunction of the fuel entry valve.
    (b) For systems intended for pressure refueling, a means in 
addition to the normal means for limiting the tank content must be 
installed to prevent damage to the fuel tank in case of failure of the 
normal means.
    (c) The rotorcraft pressure fueling system (not fuel tanks and fuel 
tank vents) must withstand an ultimate load that is 2.0 times the load 
arising from maximum pressure, including a surge, that is likely to 
occur during fueling. The maximum surge pressure must be established 
with any combination of tank valves being either intentionally or 
inadvertently closed.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 27, 2022.
Patrick R. Mullen,
Manager, Technical Innovation Policy Branch, Policy and Innovation 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-09425 Filed 5-2-22; 8:45 am]
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