2011-4570. Special Conditions: Pratt and Whitney Canada Model PW210S Turboshaft Engine

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed special conditions.

SUMMARY:

This action proposes special conditions for Pratt and Whitney Canada (PWC) model PW210S engines. The engine model will have a novel or unusual design feature which is a 30-Minute All Engines Operating (AEO) power rating. This rating is intended to be used for hovering at increased power for search and rescue missions. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed special conditions contain the added 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 March 31, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

You must mail two copies of your comments to: Federal Aviation Administration, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Attn: Marc Bouthillier, Rules Docket (ANE-111), Docket No. NE131, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803-5299. You may deliver two copies to the Engine and Propeller Directorate at the above address. You must mark your comments: Docket No. NE131. 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:

For technical questions concerning this proposed rule contact Marc Bouthillier, ANE-111, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803-5299; telephone [phone]; facsimile [phone]; e-mail [e-mail]. For legal questions concerning this proposed rule contact Vincent Bennett, ANE-7 Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803-5299; telephone [phone]; facsimile [phone]; e-mail [e-mail].

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 about 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 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

We will consider all comments we receive by 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 let you know we received your comments on this proposal, send us a pre-addressed, stamped postcard on which the docket number appears. We will stamp the date on the postcard and mail it back to you.

Background

On December 5, 2005, PWC applied for type certification for a new model PW210S turboshaft engine. This engine incorporates a two stage compressor driven by a single stage un-cooled turbine and a two stage free power turbine driving a two stage reduction gearbox. The control system includes a dual channel full authority digital electronic control. The engine will incorporate a novel or unusual design feature which is a 30-Minute All Engine Operating (AEO) power rating. This rating was requested by the applicant to support rotorcraft search and rescue missions that require extensive hover operations at high power.

The applicable airworthiness standards do not contain adequate or appropriate airworthiness standards to address this design feature. Therefore a special condition is necessary to apply additional requirements for rating definition, instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) and endurance testing. The 30 minute time limit applies to each instance the rating is used; however there is no limit to the number of times the rating can be used during any one flight, and there is no cumulative time limitation. The ICA requirement is intended to address the unknown nature of actual rating usage and associated engine deterioration. The applicant is expected to make an assessment of the expected usage and publish ICA's and ALS limits in accordance with those assumptions, such that engine deterioration is not excessive. The endurance test requirement of 25 hours operation at 30 minutes AEO is similar to several special conditions issued over the past 20 years. Because the PWC model PW210S turboshaft engine has a continuous OEI rating and limits equal or higher than the 30 minute AEO rating, the test time performed at the continuous OEI rating may be credited toward the 25 hour requirement. However, test time spent at other rating elements of the test, such as takeoff or other OEI ratings (that may be equal to or higher values), may not be counted toward the 25 hours of required running.

These special conditions contain the additional airworthiness standards necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to the level that would result from compliance with the applicable standards of airworthiness in effect on the date of application.

Type Certification Basis

Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17, PWC must show that the model PW210S turboshaft engine meets the provisions of the applicable regulations in effect on the date of application. The application date is December 5, 2005, which corresponds to 14 CFR part 33 Amendment 20. However, PWC has elected to demonstrate compliance to later amendments of part 33 for this model. Therefore, the certification basis for the PW210S model turboshaft engine will be part 33, effective February 1, 1965, as amended by Amendments 33-1 through 33-24.

If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness regulations in part 33, as amended, do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for the PWC model PW210S turboshaft engine, because of a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed under the provisions of § 21.16.

The FAA issues special conditions, as defined by 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance with 14 CFR 11.38, which become part of the type certification basis in accordance with § 21.17(b)(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 another related model that incorporates the same or similar novel or unusual design feature, or should any other model already included on the same type certificate be modified to incorporate the same or similar novel or unusual design feature, the special conditions would also apply to the other model.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

The Pratt and Whitney Canada (PWC) model PW210S turbo shaft engine will incorporate a novel or unusual design feature which is a 30-Minute All Engine Operating (AEO) power rating, for use up to 30 minutes at any time between the take-off and landing phases of a flight. Special conditions for a 30-Minute AEO rating are proposed to address this novel and unusual design feature. The special conditions are discussed below.

Discussion

The PWC model PW210S turboshaft engine is a free turbine turboshaft designed for a transport category twin-engine helicopter. The helicopter manufacturer anticipates that for search and rescue, extended hovering maneuvers may require more than maximum continuous power for periods up to 30 minutes. PWC has requested a 30-Minute All Engine Operating (AEO) rating, for use up to 30 minutes at any time between the take-off and landing phases of a flight. PWC has indicated that the number of times this rating can be used in one flight is not limited.

Applicability

As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to PWC model PW210S turbo shaft engines. If Pratt and Whitney Canada applies later for a change to the type certificate to include another closely related model incorporating the same novel or unusual design feature, these special conditions would apply to that model as well.

Conclusion

This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features on one model of engine. 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 engine.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 33

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Safety

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 Pratt and Whitney Canada (PWC) model PW210S turbo shaft engines.

1. PART 1 DEFINITION. Unless otherwise approved by the Administrator and documented in the appropriate manuals and certification documents, the following definition applies to this special condition: “Rated 30 Minute AEO Power”, means the approved brake horsepower developed under static conditions at the specified altitude and temperature, and within the operating limitations established under part 33, and limited in use to periods not exceeding 30 minutes each.

2. PART 33 REQUIREMENTS.

(a) Sections 33.1 Applicability and 33.3 General: As applicable, all documentation, testing and analysis required to comply with the part 33 certification basis, must account for the 30 minute AEO rating, limits and usage.

(b) Section 33.4, Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA). In addition to the requirements of § 33.4, the ICA must:

(1) Include instructions to ensure that in-service engine deterioration due to rated 30 minute AEO power usage will not be excessive, meaning that all other approved ratings, including one engine inoperative (OEI), are available (within associated limits and assumed usage) for each flight; and that deterioration will not exceed that assumed for declaring a time between overhaul (TBO) period.

(i) The applicant must validate the adequacy of the maintenance actions required under paragraph (b)(1) above.

(2) Include in the airworthiness limitations section (ALS), any mandatory inspections and serviceability limits related to the use of the 30-minute AEO rating.

(c) Section 33.87, Endurance Test. In addition to the requirements of §§ 33.87(a) and 33.87(d), the overall test run must include a minimum of 25 hours of operation at 30 minute AEO power and limits, divided into periods of 30 minutes AEO power with alternate periods at maximum continuous power.

(1) Each § 33.87(d) continuous one-engine-inoperative (OEI) rating test period of 30 minutes or longer, run at power and limits equal to or higher then the 30 minute AEO rating, may be credited toward this requirement.

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts on February 1, 2011.

Peter A. White,

Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.