2010-32236. Special Conditions: Gulfstream Model GVI Airplane; High Incidence Protection

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed special conditions.

SUMMARY:

This action proposes special conditions for the Gulfstream GVI airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes associated with the use of high incidence protection. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. 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 February 7, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

You must mail two copies of your comments to: Federal Aviation Administration, Transport Airplane Directorate, Attn: Rules Docket (ANM-113), Docket No. NM438, 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. NM438. 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:

Joe Jacobsen, FAA, Airplane & Flightcrew Interface Branch, ANM-111, Transport Standards Staff, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington, 98057-3356; telephone [phone]; facsimile [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 29, 2005, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (hereafter referred to as “Gulfstream”) applied for an FAA type certificate for its new Gulfstream Model GVI passenger airplane. Gulfstream later applied for, and was granted, an extension of time for the type certificate, which changed the effective application date to September 28, 2006. The Gulfstream Model GVI airplane will be an all-new, two-engine jet transport airplane with an executive cabin interior. The maximum takeoff weight will be 99,600 pounds, with a maximum passenger count of 19 passengers.

Type Certification Basis

Under provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.17, Gulfstream must show that the Gulfstream Model GVI airplane (hereafter referred to as “the GVI”) meets the applicable provisions of 14 CFR part 25, as amended by Amendments 25-1 through 25-119, 25-122, and 25-124. 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 GVI because of a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed under the provisions of § 21.16.

In addition to complying with the applicable airworthiness regulations and special conditions, the GVI 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 must also issue a finding of regulatory adequacy pursuant to section 611 of Public Law 92-574, the “Noise Control Act of 1972.”

The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance with § 11.38, and they become part of the type certification basis under § 21.17(a)(2).

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 features, the special conditions would also apply to the other model under provisions of § 21.101.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

The GVI is equipped with a novel or unusual design feature: A high incidence protection system that replaces the stall warning system during normal operating conditions, prohibits the airplane from stalling, limits the angle of attack at which the airplane can be flown during normal low speed operation, and cannot be overridden by the flight crew. The system's application of this angle of attack limit impacts the stall speed determination, the stall characteristics, the stall warning demonstration, and the longitudinal airplane handling characteristics. The current regulations, including §§ 25.103, 25.145, 25.201, 25.203, 25.207 and 25.1323, do not address this type of protection feature.

Discussion of Proposed Special Conditions

Special conditions are proposed to address this novel or unusual design feature of the GVI. These special conditions, which include airplane performance requirements, will establish a level of safety equivalent to the current regulations for reference stall speeds, stall warning, stall characteristics, and miscellaneous other minimum reference speeds.

Applicability

As discussed above, these proposed special conditions are applicable to the high incidence protection system on the GVI. Should Gulfstream apply at a later date for a change to the type certificate to include another model incorporating the same novel or unusual design features, these proposed special conditions would apply to that model as well.

Conclusion

This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features of the GVI. It is not a rule of general applicability.

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 the GVI airplanes.

1. Definitions. For terminology that does not appear in the regulations, the following definitions apply to these proposed special conditions:

(a) Electronic Flight Control System (EFCS)—The electronic and software command and control elements of the flight control system.

(b) High Incidence Protection Function—An airplane level function that automatically limits the maximum angle of attack that can be attained to a value below that at which an aerodynamic stall would occur.

(c) Alpha-Limit—The maximum angle of attack at which the airplane stabilizes with the high incidence protection function operating and the longitudinal control held on its aft stop.

(d) Vmin—The minimum stabilized flight speed in calibrated airspeed obtained when the airplane is decelerated at an entry rate not exceeding 1 knot/sec until the longitudinal pilot control is on the aft stop with the high incidence protection function operating.

(e) Vmin1g—Vmin corrected to 1g conditions. The minimum calibrated airspeed at which the airplane can develop a lift force normal to the flight path and equal to its weight when at an angle of attack not greater than that determined for Vmin.

2. Capability and Reliability of the High Incidence Protection System—In lieu of §§ 25.103, 25.145, 25.201, 25.203, 25.207 and 25.1323 the following special conditions are proposed for capability and reliability requirements:

(a) It must not be possible during pilot-induced maneuvers to encounter a stall, and handling characteristics must be acceptable as required by paragraphs 5 and 6 of this proposed special condition.

(b) The airplane must be protected against stalling due to the effects of environmental conditions such as windshear and gusts at low speeds as required by paragraph 7 of this proposed special condition.

(c) The ability of the high incidence protection function to accommodate any reduction in stalling angle of attack resulting from flight in the atmospheric icing conditions of 14 CFR part 25, appendix C, must be verified.

(d) The reliability of the high incidence protection function and the effects of failures must be acceptable in accordance with § 25.1309.

(e) The high incidence protection function must not impede maneuvering for pitch angles up to the maximum required for normal maneuvering including an all-engines operating takeoff plus a suitable margin to allow for satisfactory speed control.

3. Minimum Steady Flight Speed and Reference Stall Speed—In lieu of the requirements of § 25.103, the following special condition is proposed:

(a) Vmin—The minimum steady flight speed, for the airplane configuration under consideration and with the high incidence protection function operating, is the final stabilized calibrated airspeed obtained when the airplane is decelerated at an entry rate not exceeding 1 knot per second until the longitudinal pilot control is on its stop.

(b) The minimum steady flight speed, Vmin, must be determined with:

(1) The high incidence protection function operating normally.

(2) Idle thrust.

(3) All combinations of flap settings and landing gear positions.

(4) The weight used when V_SR is being used as a factor to determine compliance with a required performance standard.

(5) The most unfavorable center of gravity allowable.

(6) The airplane trimmed for straight flight at a speed selected by the applicant, but not less than 1.13 V_SR and not greater than 1.3 V_SR.

(7) The settings of the high incidence protection function, stall warning system, and stall identification system (if applicable) set at the low angle of attack tolerance limit, unless the production tolerances are acceptably small so as to produce insignificant changes in performance determinations.

(c) Vmin1g—Vmin corrected to 1g conditions, which is the minimum calibrated airspeed at which the airplane can develop a lift force normal to the flight path and equal to its weight when at an angle of attack not greater than that determined for Vmin. Vmin1g is defined as follows:

Where:

n_ZW = load factor normal to the flight path at V_min.

(d) The reference stall speed, V_SR, is a calibrated airspeed selected by the applicant. V_SR may not be less than a 1g stall speed. V_SR is expressed as:

Where:

V_CLMAX is the calibrated airspeed obtained when the load factor-corrected lift coefficient

is first a maximum during the maneuver prescribed in paragraph 3(e)(7) of this special condition.

n_ZW = Load factor normal to the flight path at V_CLMAX

W = Airplane gross weight;

S = Aerodynamic reference wing area; and

q = Dynamic pressure.

(e) V_SR must be determined with the following conditions:

(1) Engines idling, or, if that resultant thrust causes an appreciable decrease in stall speed, not more than zero thrust at the stall speed.

(2) The airplane in other respects (such as flaps and landing gear) in the condition existing in the test or performance standard in which V_SR is being used.

(3) The weight used when V_SR is being used as a factor to determine compliance with a required performance standard.

(4) The center of gravity position that results in the highest value of reference stall speed.

(5) The airplane trimmed for straight flight at a speed selected by the applicant, but not less than 1.13 V_SR and not greater than 1.3 V_SR.

(6) The high incidence protection function disabled, or adjusted to a high enough incidence to allow full development of the maneuver to the angle of attack corresponding to V_SR.

(7) From the stabilized trim condition, apply the longitudinal control to decelerate the airplane so that the speed reduction does not exceed one knot per second.

(f) The flight characteristics at the angle of attack corresponding to V_SR must be suitable in the traditional sense at forward and aft center of gravity in straight and turning flight at IDLE power.

(g) If V_SR is chosen equal to V_MIN,1g, an equivalent safety finding to the intent of § 25.103 may be considered to have been met. The applicant may choose V_SR to be less than V_MIN,1g but not less than V_S1g if compensating factors are provided to ensure safe characteristics.

4. Stall Warning

(a) Normal Operation—If the conditions of paragraph 2 of this proposed special condition are satisfied, a level of safety equivalent to that intended by § 25.207, Stall warning, will have been met.

(b) Failure Cases—Following failures of the high incidence protection function not shown to be extremely improbable, if the function no longer satisfies paragraphs 2(a), 2(b), and 2(c) of this proposed special condition, stall warning must be provided in accordance with § 25.207. The stall warning should prevent inadvertent stall in the following conditions:

(1) Power off straight stall approaches to a speed 5 percent below the warning onset.

(2) Turning flight stall approaches with at least 1.5g load factor normal to the flight path at an entry rate of at least 2 knots per second when recovery is initiated not less than one second after the warning onset.

5. High Incidence Handling Demonstrations—In lieu of the requirements of § 25.201, the following special conditions are proposed:

(a) Maneuvers to the limit of the longitudinal control, in the nose up direction, must be demonstrated in straight flight and in 30 degree banked turns under the following conditions:

(1) The high incidence protection function operating normally.

(2) Power off.

(3) At a power level necessary to maintain level flight at 1.5 V_SR1, where V_SR1 is the reference stall speed with the flaps in the approach position, the landing gear retracted, and with the aircraft at its maximum landing weight. The flap position to be used to determine this power setting is that position in which the stall speed, V_SR1, does not exceed 110% of the stall speed, V_SR0, with the flaps in the most extended landing position.

(b) In each condition required by paragraph (a) of this section, it must be possible to meet the applicable requirements of § 25.203 defined in paragraph 6 of this proposed special condition with:

(1) Flaps, landing gear, and deceleration devices in any likely combination of positions not prohibited.

(2) Deceleration devices include spoilers and other drag devices when used as air brakes, and thrust reversers. High incidence maneuver demonstrations with deceleration devices deployed should be carried out with power off except where power is normally applied during operations (e.g., use of extended airbrakes during landing).

(3) Representative weights within the range for which certification is requested.

(4) The most adverse center of gravity.

(5) The airplane trimmed for straight flight at the speed prescribed in paragraph 3(e)(5) of this proposed special condition.

(6) The settings of the high incidence protection function, stall warning system, and stall identification system (if applicable) set at the high angle of attack tolerance limit, unless the production tolerances are acceptably small so as to produce insignificant changes in performance determinations.

(c) The following procedures must be used to show compliance with § 25.203 as amended by paragraph 6 of this proposed special condition:

(1) Starting at a speed sufficiently above the minimum steady flight speed to ensure that a steady rate of speed reduction can be established, apply the longitudinal control so that the speed reduction does not exceed one knot per second until the control reaches the stop.

(2) The longitudinal control must be maintained at the stop until the airplane has reached a stabilized flight condition and then recovered by normal recovery techniques.

(3) The requirements for turning flight maneuver demonstrations must also be met with accelerated rates of entry to the incidence limit, up to the maximum rate achievable.

6. Characteristics in High Incidence Maneuvers—In lieu of the requirements of § 25.203, the following special condition is proposed:

(a) Throughout maneuvers with a rate of deceleration of not more than 1 knot per second, both in straight flight and in 30 degree banked turns, the airplane's characteristics must be as follows:

(1) No abnormal airplane nose-up pitching.

(2) No uncommanded nose-down pitching (which is indicative of stall). However, reasonable attitude changes associated with stabilizing the incidence at alpha limit as the longitudinal control reaches the stop is acceptable. Any reduction of pitch attitude associated with stabilizing the incidence at the alpha limit should be achieved smoothly and at a low pitch rate, so it is not likely to be mistaken for natural stall identification.

(3) No uncommanded lateral or directional motion, and the pilot must retain good lateral and directional control by conventional use of the cockpit controls throughout the maneuver.

(4) The airplane must not exhibit buffeting of a magnitude or severity that would act as a deterrent to completing the maneuver specified in § 25.201(a) as amended by this proposed special condition.

(b) In maneuvers with increased rates of deceleration, some degradation of characteristics associated with a transient excursion beyond the stabilized alpha-limit is acceptable. However, the airplane must not exhibit dangerous characteristics or characteristics that would deter the pilot from holding the longitudinal control on the aft stop for a period of time appropriate to the maneuvers.

(c) It must always be possible to reduce incidence by conventional use of the longitudinal control.

(d) The rate at which the airplane can be maneuvered from trim speeds associated with scheduled operating speeds, such as V₂ and V_REF up to alpha-limit, should not be unduly damped or significantly slower than can be achieved on conventionally controlled transport airplanes.

7. Atmospheric Disturbances—Operation of the high incidence protection function must not adversely affect aircraft control during expected levels of atmospheric disturbances, nor impede the application of recovery procedures in case of windshear. Simulator tests and analysis may be used to evaluate such conditions, but must be validated by limited flight testing to confirm handling qualities at critical loading conditions.

8. Longitudinal Control—In lieu of the requirements of § 25.145(a), (a)(1) and (b)(6), the following special conditions are proposed:

(a) It must be possible, at any point between the trim speed prescribed in § 25.103(b)(6) as amended by this proposed special condition and Vmin, to pitch the nose downward so that the acceleration to this selected trim speed is prompt.

(b) With the landing gear extended, no change in trim control, or exertion of more than 50 pounds control force (representative of the maximum short-term force that can be applied readily by one hand) may be required for the following maneuver: With power off, flaps extended and the airplane trimmed at 1.3 V_SR1, obtain and maintain airspeeds between Vmin and either 1.6V_SR1 or V_FE, whichever is lower.

9. Airspeed Indicating System—In lieu of § 25.1323(c)(1) and (c)(2), the following special conditions are proposed:

(a) VMO to Vmin with the flaps retracted; and

(b) Vmin to VFE with flaps in the landing position.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 13, 2010.

Ali Bahrami,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.