96-2633. Revised Discrete Gust Load Design Requirements  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 28 (Friday, February 9, 1996)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 5218-5222]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-2633]
    
    
    
    
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    Part V
    
    
    
    
    
    Department of Transportation
    
    
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    14 CFR Part 25
    
    
    
    Revised Discrete Gust Load Design Requirements; Final Rule
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 28 / Friday, February 9, 1996 / Rules 
    and Regulations
    
    [[Page 5218]]
    
    
    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 25
    
    [Docket No. 27902; Amdt. No. 25-86]
    RIN 2120-AF27
    
    
    Revised Discrete Gust Load Design Requirements
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: This amendment revises the gust load design requirements for 
    transport category airplanes. This amendment replaces the current 
    discrete gust requirement with a new requirement for a discrete tuned 
    gust; modifies the method of establishing the design airspeed for 
    maximum gust intensity; and provides for an operational rough air 
    speed. These changes are made in order to provide a more rational basis 
    of accounting for the aerodynamic and structural dynamic 
    characteristics of the airplane. These changes also provide for 
    harmonization of the discrete gust requirements with the Joint Aviation 
    Requirements (JAR) of Europe as recently amended.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: March 11, 1996.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    James Haynes, Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ANM-112, Transport 
    Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, FAA, 1601 Lind 
    Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98055-4056; telephone (206) 227-2131.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    
    Background
    
        The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the 
    predecessor of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
    (NASA), began an inflight gust measurement program in 1933 to assist in 
    the refinement of gust load design criteria. Using unsophisticated 
    analog equipment, that program resulted in the development of the 
    improved design requirements for gust loads that were issued in part 04 
    of the Civil Aeronautics Regulations (CAR) in the 1940's. The 
    corresponding Civil Aeronautics Manual (CAM) 04 provided a simplified 
    formula from which to derive the design gust loads from the specified 
    design gust velocities. These criteria were based on an analytical 
    encounter of the airplane with a discrete ramp-shaped gust with a 
    gradient distance (the distance necessary for the gust to build to a 
    peak) of 10 times the mean chord length of the airplane wing. An 
    alleviation factor, calculated from wing loading, was provided in order 
    to account for the relieving effects of rigid body motion of the 
    airplane as it penetrated the gust. With the development of the VGH 
    (velocity, load factor, height) recorder in 1946, NASA began collecting 
    a large quantity of gust load data on many types of aircraft in airline 
    service. Although that program was terminated for transport airline 
    operations in 1971, the data provided additional insight into the 
    nature of gusts in the atmosphere, and resulted in significant changes 
    to the gust load design requirements. The evolution of the discrete 
    gust design criteria from part 04 through part 4b of the CAR to current 
    part 25 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) (which 
    contains the design requirements for transport category airplanes) 
    resulted in the establishment of a prescribed gust shape with a 
    specific gust gradient distance and increased peak gust design 
    velocities. The prescribed shape was a ``one-minus-cosine'' gust shape 
    with a specified gust gradient distance of 12.5 times the mean chord 
    length of the airplane wing. The gust gradient distance, for that 
    particular shape, was equal to one-half the total gust length. A 
    simplified analytical method similar to the methodology of CAM 04 was 
    provided along with an improved alleviation factor that accounted for 
    unsteady aerodynamic forces, gust shape, and the airplane rigid body 
    vertical response.
        The increasing speed, size, and structural flexibility of transport 
    airplanes resulted in the need to consider not only the rigid body 
    response of the airplane, but also structural dynamic response and the 
    effects of structural deformation on the aerodynamic parameters. Early 
    attempts to account for structural flexibility led to a ``tuned'' gust 
    approach in which the analysis assumed a flexible airplane encountering 
    gusts with various gradient distances in order to find the most 
    critical gust gradient distance for use in design for each major 
    component. A tuned discrete gust approach became a requirement for 
    compliance with the British Civil Airworthiness Requirements.
        Another method of accounting for the structural dynamic effects of 
    the airplane involved the power spectral density (PSD) analysis 
    technique which accounted for the statistical distribution of gusts in 
    continuous turbulence in conjunction with the aeroelastic and 
    structural dynamic characteristics of the airplane. In the 1960's, the 
    Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded study contracts to Boeing 
    and Lockheed for the purpose of assisting the FAA in developing the PSD 
    gust methodology into continuous gust design criteria with analytical 
    procedures. The final PSD continuous turbulence criteria were based on 
    those studies and were codified in Appendix G to part 25 in 1980.
        Recognizing that the nature of gusts was not completely defined, 
    and that individual discrete gusts might exist outside the normal 
    statistical distribution of gusts in continuous turbulence, the FAA 
    retained the existing criteria for discrete gusts in addition to the 
    new requirement for continuous turbulence. The current discrete gust 
    criteria in Subpart C of part 25 require the loads to be analytically 
    developed assuming the airplane encounters a gust with a fixed gradient 
    distance of 12.5 mean chord lengths. For application of the current 
    criteria, it is generally assumed that the airplane is rigid in 
    determining the dynamic response to the gust while the effects of wing 
    elastic deflection on wing static lift parameters are normally taken 
    into account. The minimum value of the airplane design speed for 
    maximum gust intensity, VB, is also established from the discrete 
    gust criteria.
        Recent flight measurement efforts by FAA and NASA have been aimed 
    at utilizing measurements from the digital flight data recorders (DFDR) 
    to derive gust load design information for airline transport airplanes. 
    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of the United Kingdom has also been 
    conducting a comprehensive DFDR gust measurement program for transport 
    airplanes in airline service. The program, called CAADRP (Civil 
    Aircraft Airworthiness Data Recording Program), uses data sampling 
    rates that allow the measurement of a wide range of gust gradient 
    distances. The CAADRP program is still continuing and has resulted in 
    an extensive collection of reliable gust data.
        In 1988, the FAA, in cooperation with the JAA and organizations 
    representing the American and European aerospace industries, began a 
    process to harmonize the airworthiness requirements of the United 
    States and the airworthiness requirements of Europe in regard to gust 
    requirements. The objective was to achieve common requirements for the 
    certification of transport airplanes without a substantive change in 
    the level of safety provided by the regulations. Other airworthiness 
    authorities such as Transport Canada have also participated in this 
    process.
        In 1992, the harmonization effort was undertaken by the Aviation 
    Regulatory Advisory Committee (ARAC). A working group of industry and 
    
    [[Page 5219]]
    government structural loads specialists of Europe, the United States, 
    and Canada was chartered by notice in the Federal Register (58 FR 
    13819, March 15, 1993) to harmonize certain specific sections of part 
    25, including the requirements related to discrete gusts. The 
    harmonization task concerning discrete gusts was completed by the 
    working group and recommendations were submitted to FAA by letter dated 
    October 15, 1993. The FAA concurred with the recommendations and 
    proposed them in Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) No. 94-29 which 
    was published in the Federal Register on September 16, 1994, (59 FR 
    47756).
    
    Discussion of Comments
    
        Comments were received from domestic and foreign aviation 
    manufacturers and foreign airworthiness authorities. The majority of 
    the commenters agreed with the proposal and recommended its adoption. 
    However, some commenters disagreed substantially with the proposal 
    while providing alternative proposals that appeared to merit further 
    consideration by the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee. Therefore 
    the FAA tasked the ARAC Loads and Dynamics Working Group by notice in 
    the Federal Register (60 FR 18874, April 13, 1995) to consider the 
    comments and provide recommendations for the disposition of the 
    comments along with any recommendations for changes to the proposal. 
    The disposition of comments that follows is based on the recommendation 
    submitted to the FAA by ARAC on July 14, 1995.
        One commenter suggests that the new method for calculating the 
    minimum VB results in lower values at altitude than the current 
    method provided in the Joint Aviation Requirements (JAR) and could 
    provide unrealistic margins above the stalling speed. The FAA 
    disagrees. The commenter provides no data or other information that 
    shows the new VB calculations to be unrealistic. The new method 
    for calculating the minimum VB is approximately the same as in the 
    current FAR and JAR; the main difference being that revised gust speeds 
    are used in the calculation. These gust speeds are based on actual 
    measurements in aircraft operation and are considered to result in a 
    realistic and conservative VB speed, even if it is somewhat lower 
    than the current requirements at some altitudes. In addition, a new 
    operational rough air speed, VRA, is provided in order to ensure 
    adequate stall margins while operating in rough air. As part of the 
    effort to harmonize the airworthiness requirements, the JAA is also 
    considering adopting this method of calculating the minimum VB 
    speeds. This commenter, along with several other, also points out an 
    error in the formula for the design speed for maximum gust intensity, 
    VB, in Sec. 25.335(d) and this error has been corrected.
        One commenter suggests that the proposed tuned gust criteria do not 
    fully account for the dynamic response of the airplane and therefore 
    could produce unconservative results and seriously underpredict the 
    gust design loads. The commenter suggests that the proposal be replaced 
    by an entirely new method of accounting for discrete gusts. This method 
    is known in the industry as the statistical discrete gust method (SDG). 
    In response to the task defined in the Federal Register, the ARAC Loads 
    and Dynamics Working Group considered the commenters comments and the 
    alternate proposal in considerable detail. It is recognized by the 
    working group that the current proposed tuned gust criteria have some 
    limitations and that the suggested SDG method may have some promising 
    applications for predicting gust loads. However, the SDG method is in a 
    developmental stage, and there is currently no established industry 
    process for using this method in predicting gust design loads. The FAA 
    will retain the commenters proposal for possible consideration in 
    future rulemaking actions. In response to the commenters specific 
    concerns, neither ARAC nor the FAA agree that the tuned gust method 
    will result in unconservative design loads. In addition, for the 
    extreme gust gradient distances where the commenter questions the 
    adequacy of the tuned gust method to fully account for dynamic 
    response, the FAA considers that the additional continuous gust 
    criteria of Sec. 25.341(b) will compensate for any possible 
    deficiencies. The commenter provides some comparisons of loads produced 
    by the SDG method with the results of the proposed tuned gust method. 
    These results show no significant differences in overall load levels 
    when all factors are considered, and in some cases the SDG method 
    actually provided lower design loads. Therefore, except for an 
    editorial correction to the mathematical equation noted above, the 
    amendment is adopted as proposed.
    
    Regulatory Evaluation Summary
    
    Regulatory Evaluation, Regulatory Flexibility Determination, and Trade 
    Impact Assessment
    
        Changes to federal regulations must undergo several economic 
    analyses. First, Executive Order 12866 directs Federal agencies to 
    promulgate new regulations or modify existing regulations only if the 
    potential benefits to society justify its costs. Second, the Regulatory 
    Flexibility Act of 1980 requires agencies to analyze the economic 
    impact of regulatory changes on small entities. Finally, the Office of 
    Management and Budget directs agencies to assess the effects of 
    regulatory changes on international trade. In conducting these 
    assessments, the FAA has determined that this rule: (1) will generate 
    benefits exceeding its costs and is not ``significant'' as defined in 
    Executive Order 12866; (2) is not ``significant'' as defined in DOT's 
    Policies and Procedures; (3) will not have a significant impact on a 
    substantial number of small entities; and (4) will not constitute a 
    barrier to international trade. These analyses, available in the 
    docket, are summarized below.
    
    Costs and Benefits
    
        The changes will have economic consequences. The costs will be the 
    incremental costs of meeting the tuned discrete gust requirements 
    rather than the current static discrete gust requirements. The benefits 
    will be the cost savings from not meeting two different sets of 
    discrete gust requirements, i.e., the requirements in the current FAR 
    and the requirements in the JAR. In order to sell their transport 
    category airplanes in a global marketplace, manufacturers usually 
    certify their products under both sets of regulations.
        Industry sources provided information on the additional costs and 
    cost savings that would result from the rule. Based on this 
    information, a range of representative certification costs and savings 
    are shown below. The costs and savings per certification are those 
    related to meeting discrete gust load requirements, including related 
    provisions of the final rule.
    
      Per Certification Costs and Savings Associated With Revised Discrete  
                             Gust Load Requirements                         
                            [in thousands of dollars]                       
                                                                            
                                                                            
    Current FAA certification requirement costs.............  $29-$115      
    Current JAA certification requirement costs.............  $70-$145      
    Current joint certification requirement costs...........  $100-$150     
    Revised FAA certification requirement costs.............  $70-$145      
    
    [[Page 5220]]
                                                                            
    Revised joint certification requirement costs...........  $70-$145      
    Savings (current joint certification costs minus revised                
     joint certification costs).............................   $5-$30       
    
    
    
        The costs and cost savings of specific certifications may vary from 
    these estimates. In all cases where a manufacturer seeks both FAA and 
    JAA certification, however, the cost savings realized through 
    harmonized requirements will outweigh the expected incremental costs of 
    the rule. The FAA did not receive comments concerning this 
    quantification of costs during the comment period; therefore, the FAA 
    holds that these are representative costs and savings.
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Determination
    
        The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA) was enacted by 
    Congress to ensure that small entities are not unnecessarily and 
    disproportionately burdened by Federal regulations. The RFA requires 
    agencies to review rules which may have ``a significant economic impact 
    on a substantial number of small entities.'' FAA Order 2100.14A 
    outlines FAA's procedures and criteria for implementing the RFA.
        An aircraft manufacturer must employ 75 or fewer employees to be 
    designated as a ``small'' entity. A substantial number of small 
    entities is defined as a number that is 11 or more and which is more 
    than one-third of the small entities subject to a proposed or final 
    rule. None of the manufacturers of transport category airplanes qualify 
    as small entities under this definition. Therefore, the final rule will 
    not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
    entities.
    
    International Trade Impact Assessment
    
        The rule will not constitute a barrier to international trade, 
    including the export of American goods and services to foreign 
    countries and the import of foreign goods and services into the United 
    States. The discrete gust load requirements in this rule will harmonize 
    with those of the JAA and will, in fact, lessen the restraints on 
    trade.
    
    Federalism Implications
    
        The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct 
    effects on the states, on the relationship between the national 
    government and the states, or on the distribution of power and 
    responsibilities among the various level of government. Thus, in 
    accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 
    proposal does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
    the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    
    Conclusion
    
        Because the proposed changes to the gust design criteria are not 
    expected to result in a substantial economic cost, the FAA has 
    determined that this proposed regulation would not be significant under 
    Executive Order 12866. Because this is an issue that has not promoted a 
    great deal of public concern, the FAA has determined that this action 
    is not significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 
    11034; February 25, 1979). In addition, since there are no small 
    entities affected by this rulemaking, the FAA certifies that the rule 
    would not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on 
    a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the 
    Regulatory Flexibility Act, since none would be affected. A copy of the 
    regulatory evaluation prepared for this project may be examined in the 
    Rules Docket or obtained fro the person identified under the caption 
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    
    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25
    
        Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety, Gusts.
    
    The Amendments
    
        In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
    Administration (FAA) amends 14 CFR Part 25 of the Federal Aviation 
    Regulations (FAR) as follows:
    
    PART 25--AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES
    
        1. The authority citation for part 25 is revised to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702 and 44704.
    
    
    Sec. 25.305  [Amended]
    
        2. By amending Sec. 25.305 by removing and reserving paragraph (d).
        3. By amending Sec. 25.321 by adding new paragraphs (c) and (d) to 
    read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 25.321  General.
    
    * * * * *
        (c) Enough points on and within the boundaries of the design 
    envelope must be investigated to ensure that the maximum load for each 
    part of the airplane structure is obtained.
        (d) The significant forces acting on the airplane must be placed in 
    equilibrium in a rational or conservative manner. The linear inertia 
    forces must be considered in equilibrium with the thrust and all 
    aerodynamic loads, while the angular (pitching) inertia forces must be 
    considered in equilibrium with thrust and all aerodynamic moments, 
    including moments due to loads on components such as tail surfaces and 
    nacelles. Critical thrust values in the range from zero to maximum 
    continuous thrust must be considered.
        4. By amending Sec. 25.331 by revising the title and paragraph (a) 
    introductory text, by removing paragraphs (a) (1) and (2) and 
    redesignating paragraphs (a) (3) and (4) as (a) (1) and (2) 
    respectively and revising them to read as set forth below, and by 
    removing paragraph (d).
    
    
    Sec. 25.331  Symmetric maneuvering conditions.
    
        (a) Procedure. For the analysis of the maneuvering flight 
    conditions specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, the 
    following provisions apply:
        (1) Where sudden displacement of a control is specified, the 
    assumed rate of control surface displacement may not be less than the 
    rate that could be applied by the pilot through the control system.
        (2) In determining elevator angles and chordwise load distribution 
    in the maneuvering conditions of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this 
    section, the effect of corresponding pitching velocities must be taken 
    into account. The in-trim and out-of-trim flight conditions specified 
    in Sec. 25.255 must be considered.
    * * * * *
        5. By amending Sec. 25.333 by revising the title and paragraph (a) 
    to read as follows, and by removing paragraph (c).
    
    
    Sec. 25.333  Flight maneuvering envelope.
    
        (a) General. The strength requirements must be met at each 
    combination of airspeed and load factor on and within the boundaries of 
    the representative maneuvering envelope (V-n diagram) of paragraph (b) 
    of this section. This envelope must also be used in determining the 
    airplane structural operating limitations as specified in Sec. 25.1501.
    * * * * *
        6. By amending Sec. 25.335 by revising paragraph (d) to read as 
    follows:
    
    
    Sec. 25.335  Design airspeeds.
    
    * * * * *
        (d) Design speed for maximum gust intensity, VB.
        (1) VB may not be less than
    
    [[Page 5221]]
        [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMMITTED] TR09FE96.016
        
    
    where--
    VS1=the 1-g stalling speed based on CNAmax with the flaps 
    retracted at the particular weight under consideration;
    Vc=design cruise speed (knots equivalent airspeed);
    Uref=the reference gust velocity (feet per second equivalent 
    airspeed) from Sec. 25.341(a)(5)(i);
    w=average wing loading (pounds per square foot) at the particular 
    weight under consideration.
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMMITTED] TR09FE96.017
    
    =density of air (slugs/ft3);
    c=mean geometric chord of the wing (feet);
    g=acceleration due to gravity (ft/sec2);
    a=slope of the airplane normal force coefficient curve, CNA per 
    radian;
    
        (2) At altitudes where VC is limited by Mach number--
        (i) VB may be chosen to provide an optimum margin between low 
    and high speed buffet boundaries; and,
        (ii) VB need not be greater than VC.
    * * * * *
        7. By revising Sec. 25.341 to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 25.341  Gust and turbulence loads.
    
        (a) Discrete Gust Design Criteria. The airplane is assumed to be 
    subjected to symmetrical vertical and lateral gusts in level flight. 
    Limit gust loads must be determined in accordance with the provisions:
        (1) Loads on each part of the structure must be determined by 
    dynamic analysis. The analysis must take into account unsteady 
    aerodynamic characteristics and all significant structural degrees of 
    freedom including rigid body motions.
        (2) The shape of the gust must be:
        [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMMITTED] TR09FE96.018
        
    for 0  s  2H
    where--
    s=distance penetrated into the gust (feet);
    Uds=the design gust velocity in equivalent airspeed specified in 
    paragraph (a)(4) of this section; and
    H=the gust gradient which is the distance (feet) parallel to the 
    airplane's flight path for the gust to reach its peak velocity.
    
        (3) A sufficient number of gust gradient distances in the range 30 
    feet to 350 feet must be investigated to find the critical response for 
    each load quantity.
        (4) The design gust velocity must be:
        [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMMITTED] TR09FE96.019
        
    where--
    Uref=the reference gust velocity in equivalent airspeed defined in 
    paragraph (a)(5) of this section.
    Fg=the flight profile alleviation factor defined in paragraph 
    (a)(6) of this section.
    
        (5) The following reference gust velocities apply:
        (i) At the airplane design speed VC: Positive and negative 
    gusts with reference gust velocities of 56.0 ft/sec EAS must be 
    considered at sea level. The reference gust velocity may be reduced 
    linearly from 56.0 ft/sec EAS at sea level to 44.0 ft/sec EAS at 15000 
    feet. The reference gust velocity may be further reduced linearly from 
    44.0 ft/sec EAS at 15000 feet to 26.0 ft/sec EAS at 50000 feet.
        (ii) At the airplane design speed VD: The reference gust 
    velocity must be 0.5 times the value obtained under 
    Sec. 25.341(a)(5)(i).
        (6) The flight profile alleviation factor, Fg, must be 
    increased linearly from the sea level value to a value of 1.0 at the 
    maximum operating altitude defined in Sec. 25.1527. At sea level, the 
    flight profile alleviation factor is determined by the following 
    equation:
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMMITTED] TR09FE96.020
    
    Zmo=Maximum operating altitude defined in Sec. 25.1527.
    
        (7) When a stability augmentation system is included in the 
    analysis, the effect of any significant system nonlinearities should be 
    accounted for when deriving limit loads from limit gust conditions.
        (b) Continuous Gust Design Criteria. The dynamic response of the 
    airplane to vertical and lateral continuous turbulence must be taken 
    into account. The continuous gust design criteria of Appendix G of this 
    part must be used to establish the dynamic response unless more 
    rational criteria are shown.
        8. By amending Sec. 25.343 by revising paragraph (b)(1)(ii) to read 
    as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 25.343  Design fuel and oil loads.
    
        (a) * * *
        (b) * * *
        (1) * * *
        (ii) The gust conditions of Sec. 25.341(a) but assuming 85% of the 
    design velocities prescribed in Sec. 25.341(a)(4).
    * * * * *
        9. By amending Sec. 25.345 by revising paragraphs (a) and (c) to 
    read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 25.345  High lift devices.
    
        (a) If wing flaps are to be used during takeoff, approach, or 
    landing, at the design flap speeds established for these stages of 
    flight under Sec. 25.335(e) and with the wing flaps in the 
    corresponding positions, the airplane is assumed to be subjected to 
    symmetrical maneuvers and gusts. The resulting limit loads must 
    correspond to the conditions determined as follows:
        (1) Maneuvering to a positive limit load factor of 2.0; and
        (2) Positive and negative gusts of 25 ft/sec EAS acting normal to 
    the flight path in level flight. Gust loads resulting on each part of 
    the structure must be determined by rational analysis. The analysis 
    must take into account the unsteady aerodynamic characteristics and 
    rigid body motions of the aircraft. The shape of the gust must be as 
    described in Sec. 25.341(a)(2) except that--
    
    Uds=25 ft/sec EAS;
    H=12.5 c; and
    c=mean geometric chord of the wing (feet).
    
        (b) * * *
        (c) If flaps or other high lift devices are to be used in en route 
    conditions, and with flaps in the appropriate position at speeds up to 
    the flap design speed chosen for these conditions, the airplane is 
    assumed to be subjected to symmetrical maneuvers and gusts within the 
    range determined by--
        (1) Maneuvering to a positive limit load factor as prescribed in 
    Sec. 25.337(b); and
        (2) The discrete vertical gust criteria in Sec. 25.341(a).
    * * * * *
        10. By amending Sec. 25.349 by revising the introductory text and 
    paragraph (b) to read as follows:
    
    [[Page 5222]]
    
    
    
    Sec. 25.349  Rolling conditions.
    
        The airplane must be designed for loads resulting from the rolling 
    conditions specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section. 
    Unbalanced aerodynamic moments about the center of gravity must be 
    reacted in a rational or conservative manner, considering the principal 
    masses furnishing the reaching inertia fores.
        (a) * * *
        (b) Unsymmetrical gusts. The airplane is assumed to be subjected to 
    unsymmetrical vertical gusts in level flight. The resulting limit loads 
    must be determined from either the wing maximum airload derived 
    directly from Sec. 25.341(a), or the wing maximum airload derived 
    indirectly from the vertical load factor calculated from 
    Sec. 25.341(a). It must be assumed that 100 percent of the wing air 
    load acts on one side of the airplane and 80 percent of the wing air 
    load acts on the other side.
        11. By amending Sec. 25.351 by revising the introductory text and 
    by removing and reserving paragraph (b).
    
    
    Sec. 25.351  Yawing conditions.
    
        The airplane must be designed for loads resulting from the 
    conditions specified in paragraph (a) of this section. Unbalanced 
    aerodynamic moments about the center of gravity must be reacted in a 
    rational or conservative manner considering the principal masses 
    furnishing the reacting inertia forces:
    * * * * *
        12. By revising Sec. 25.371 to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 25.371  Gyroscopic loads.
    
        The structure supporting the engines and the auxiliary power units 
    must be designed for the gyroscopic loads associated with the 
    conditions specified in Secs. 25.331, 25.341(a), 25.349 and 25.351 with 
    the engine or auxiliary power units at maximum continuous rpm.
        13. By amending Sec. 25.373 by revising paragraph (a) to read as 
    follows:
    
    
    Sec. 25.373  Speed control devices.
    
    * * * * *
        (a) The airplane must be designed for the symmetrical maneuvers 
    prescribed in Sec. 25.333 and Sec. 25.337, the yawing maneuvers 
    prescribed in Sec. 25.351, and the vertical and later gust conditions 
    prescribed in Sec. 25.341(a), at each setting and the maximum speed 
    associated with that setting; and
    * * * * *
        14. By amending Sec. 25.391 by revising the introductory text and 
    paragraph (e) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 25.391  Control surface loads: general.
    
        The control surfaces must be designed for the limit loads resulting 
    from the flight conditions in Secs. 25.331, 25.341(a), 25.349 and 
    25.351 and the ground gust conditions in Sec. 25.415, considering the 
    requirements for--
    * * * * *
        (e) Auxiliary aerodynamic surfaces, in Sec. 25.445.
        15. By revising Sec. 25.427 to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 25.427  Unsymmetrical loads.
    
        (a) In designing the airplane for lateral gust, yaw maneuver and 
    roll maneuver conditions, account must be taken of unsymmetrical loads 
    on the empennage arising from effects such as slipstream and 
    aerodynamic interference with the wing, vertical fin and other 
    aerodynamic surfaces.
        (b) The horizontal tail must be assumed to be subjected to 
    unsymmetrical loading conditions determined as follows:
        (1) 100 percent of the maximum loading from the symmetrical 
    maneuver conditions of Sec. 25.331 and the vertical gust conditions of 
    Sec. 25.341(a) acting separately on the surface on one side of the 
    plane of symmetry; and
        (2) 80 percent of these loadings acting on the other side.
        (c) For empennage arrangements where the horizontal tail surfaces 
    have dihedral angles greater than plus or minus 10 degrees, or are 
    supported by the vertical tail surfaces, the surfaces and the 
    supporting structure must be designed for gust velocities specified in 
    Sec. 25.341(a) acting in any orientation at right angles to the flight 
    path.
        (d) Unsymmetrical loading on the empennage arising from buffet 
    conditions of Sec. 25.305(e) must be taken into account.
        16. By amending Sec. 25.445 by revising the title and revising 
    paragraph (a) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 25.445  Auxiliary aerodynamic surfaces.
    
        (a) When significant, the aerodynamic influence between auxiliary 
    aerodynamic surfaces, such as outboard fins and winglets, and their 
    supporting aerodynamic surfaces, must be taken into account for all 
    loading conditions including pitch, roll, and yaw maneuvers, and gusts 
    as specified in Sec. 25.341(a) acting at any orientation at right 
    angles to the flight path.
    * * * * *
        17. By amending Sec. 25.571 by revising paragraphs (b)(2) and 
    (b)(3) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 25.571  Damage-tolerance and fatigue evaluation of structure.
    
    * * * * *
        (b) * * *
        (2) The limit gust conditions specified in Sec. 25.341 at the 
    specified speeds up to VC and in Sec. 25.345.
        (3) The limit rolling conditions specified in Sec. 25.349 and the 
    limit unsymmetrical conditions specified in Secs. 25.367 and 25.427 (a) 
    through (c), at speeds up to VC.
    * * * * *
        18. By adding a new Sec. 25.1517 to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 25.1517  Rough air speed, VRA.
    
        A rough air speed, VRA, for use as the recommended turbulence 
    penetration airspeed in Sec. 25.1585(a)(8), must be established, 
    which--
        (1) Is not greater than the design airspeed for maximum gust 
    intensity, selected for VB; and
        (2) Is not less than the minimum value of VB specified in 
    Sec. 25.335(d); and
        (3) Is sufficiently less than VMO to ensure that likely speed 
    variation during rough air encounters will not cause the overspeed 
    warning to operate too frequently. In the absence of a rational 
    investigation substantiating the use of other values, VRA must be 
    less than VMO--35 knots (TAS).
    
        Issued in Washington, DC, on February 2, 1996.
    David R. Hinson,
    Administrator.
    [FR Doc. 96-2633 Filed 2-8-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-M
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
3/11/1996
Published:
02/09/1996
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
96-2633
Dates:
March 11, 1996.
Pages:
5218-5222 (5 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 27902, Amdt. No. 25-86
RINs:
2120-AF27
PDF File:
96-2633.pdf
CFR: (21)
14 CFR 25.341(a)
14 CFR 25.341(a)(5)(i)
14 CFR 25.337(b)
14 CFR 25.335(d)
14 CFR 25.305
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