Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/05/05/2017-09173/special-conditions-amac-aerospace-switzerland-ag-boeing-model-737-700-airplane-installation-of-a
Timestamp: 2018-02-18 07:26:59
Document Index: 71025697

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 25', '§\u200921', 'art 34', 'art 36', '§\u200925', '§\u200925', '§\u200925']

Federal Register :: Special Conditions: AMAC Aerospace Switzerland AG, Boeing Model 737-700 Airplane; Installation of a Therapeutic Oxygen System for Medical Use
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-09173 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-09173
Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2017-0341 using any of the following methods:
Bob Hettman, FAA, Propulsion and Mechanical Systems, ANM-112, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-2683; facsimile 425-227-1320.
In addition, the substance of these special conditions has been previously subject to the public comment process with no substantive comments received. The FAA therefore finds it unnecessary to delay the effective date and finds that good cause exists for making these special conditions effective upon publication in the Federal Register.
On September 7, 2016, AMAC applied for a supplemental type certificate (STC) for the installation of a supplemental therapeutic oxygen system, for medical use, in a Boeing Model 737-700 airplane configured by a separate STC with a business-cabin interior. This Boeing Model 737-700 airplane, as modified by AMAC, is a narrow-body, business-cabin interior, twin jet-engine powered airplane with seating for 15 passengers, 1 cabin crewmember, and four flightcrew members. The maximum takeoff weight is 171,000 pounds.
Under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.101, AMAC must show that the Boeing Model 737-700 airplane, as changed, continues to meet the applicable provisions of the regulations listed in Type Certificate No. A16WE 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 (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for the Boeing Model 737-700 airplane because of a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed under the provisions of § 21.16.Start Printed Page 21111
In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special conditions, the Boeing Model 737-700 airplane 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 Boeing Model 737-700 airplane, as changed, will incorporate the following novel or unusual design features:
The installation of a supplemental therapeutic oxygen system, for medical use, in a private, not-for-hire, not-for-common-carriage airplane.
AMAC has applied to modify a private business jet, a Boeing 737-700 airplane, to include an oxygen supply for a dedicated medical-oxygen system. The gaseous passenger-oxygen system will be modified to include additional supply cylinders and several therapeutic oxygen outlets located throughout the airplane cabin. Each therapeutic outlet will provide a constant flow of oxygen at either 2 or 4 liters per minute.
The flightcrew controls the flow of therapeutic oxygen at all times during flight. Therapeutic oxygen systems have been previously certified and were generally considered an extension of the passenger-oxygen system for the purpose of defining the applicable regulations. As a result, the applicable regulations included those that applied to oxygen systems in general, or supplemental oxygen systems.
Section 25.1445 includes standards for oxygen-distribution systems when oxygen is supplied to crew and passengers. If a common source of supply is used, § 25.1445(a)(2) requires a means to separately reserve the minimum supply required for the flightcrew. This requirement was originally added to Civil Air Regulation (CAR) 4b.831 at amendment 4b-13, effective September 21, 1949, and was included in § 25.1445 when the regulations were codified.
The regulation is intended to protect the flightcrew by ensuring that an adequate supply of oxygen is available to complete a descent and land following a loss of cabin pressure. When the regulation was written, the only passenger-oxygen system designs were supplemental-oxygen systems intended to protect passengers from hypoxia in the event of cabin decompression. Present designs of passenger-oxygen systems do not include design features that allow the crew to offer oxygen to passengers during flight.
Furthermore, the potential hazard that can exist when the oxygen content of an enclosed area becomes too high because of system leaks, malfunction, or damage from external sources, make it necessary to ensure that adequate safety standards are applied to the design and installation of the oxygen system. These potential hazards also necessitate development and application of appropriate additional design and installation standards.
As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the Boeing Model 737-700 airplane. Should AMAC apply at a later date for a supplemental type certificate to modify any other model included on Type Certificate no. A16WE to incorporate the same novel or unusual design feature, these special conditions would apply to that model as well.
This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features on one model of airplane. It is not a rule of general applicability and affects only the applicant who applied to the FAA for approval of this feature on the airplane.
The substance of these special conditions has been subject to the notice and comment period in several prior instances and has been derived without substantive change from those previously issued. It is unlikely that prior public comment would result in a significant change from the substance contained herein. Therefore, because a delay would significantly affect the certification of the airplane, which is imminent, the FAA has determined that prior public notice and comment are unnecessary and impracticable, and good cause exists for adopting these special conditions upon publication in the Federal Register.
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 Boeing Model 737-700 airplanes as modified by AMAC Aerospace Switzerland AG.
The distribution system for the therapeutic-oxygen system must be designed and installed to meet requirements similar to § 25.1445(a) as follows:
[FR Doc. 2017-09173 Filed 5-4-17; 8:45 am]