Special Condition: European Helicopter Industries, Ltd., Model EH-101 Helicopter, Electronic Instrument System

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 29

[Docket No. 93-AWS-1; Special Condition No. 29-ASW-12]

Special Condition: European Helicopter Industries, Ltd., Model

EH-101 Helicopter, Electronic Instrument System

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final special condition.

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SUMMARY: This special condition is issued for the European Helicopter

Industries, Ltd., Model EH-101 helicopter. This helicopter will have a

novel or unusual design feature associated with the Electronic

Instrument System. This special condition contains additional safety

standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a

level of safety equivalent to that provided by the applicable

airworthiness standards.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 2, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Carroll Wright, FAA, Rotorcraft

Directorate, Regulations Group, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111; telephone

(817) 222-5120.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

European Helicopter Industries, Ltd., which consists of Westland

Helicopters of England and Agusta Helicopters of Italy, submitted

applications for type certificates dated September 20, 1988, to the FAA

Brussels Certification Office through the Civil Airworthiness

Authorities of the United Kingdom for the passenger carrying version of

the EH-101 and through the Registro Aeronautico Italiano of Italy for

the utility version.

The passenger version is a 30 passenger, long range helicopter

powered by three GE CT 7-6A engines with a maximum takeoff weight of

31,000 lbs. The utility version is a cargo or mixed passenger and cargo

helicopter that differs principally from the passenger version in that

the utility version has a ramp door incorporated in the rear fuselage.

Type Certification Basis

The certification basis established for the Model EH-101 helicopter

consists of 14 CFR part 29, including Amendments 29-1 through 29-27,

and 14 CFR parts 21 and 36; Amendments 21-61 and 36-14, respectively.

If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness

regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for

these helicopters because of a novel or unusual design feature, special

conditions are prescribed under the provisions of Sec. 21.16 to

establish a level of safety equivalent to that established in the

regulations.

Special conditions, as appropriate, are issued in accordance with

14 CFR 11.49 after public notice, as required by Secs. 11.28 and

11.29(b), and become part of the type certification basis in accordance

with Sec. 21.101(b)(2) for changes to the type certificates. In

addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special

conditions, the Model EH-101 must comply with the noise certification

requirements of part 36, Amendments 36-1 through 36-14.

Novel or Unusual Design Feature

The European Helicopter Industries, Ltd., Model EH-101 helicopter,

at the time of application, was identified as incorporating one and

possibly more electrical or electronic systems that will be performing

functions critical to the continued safe flight and landing of the

helicopter. The Electronic Instrument System displays attitude, flight

data, navigation data, engine, and transmission information. The

display of attitude, altitude, and airspeed to the pilot is critical to

the continued safe flight and landing of the helicopter for instrument

flight rules (IFR) operations in Instrument Meteorological Conditions.

If it is determined that this helicopter will incorporated other

electrical or electronic systems performing critical functions, those

systems also will be required to comply with the requirements of this

special condition.

Discussion of Comments

Notice of Proposed Special Condition No. SC-93-1-SW was published

in the Federal Register on January 8, 1993 (58 FR 3239). No comments

were received. Therefore, the special condition is adopted as proposed.

Conclusion

This action affects only certain unusual or novel design features

on one model of helicopter. It is not a rule of general applicability

and affects only the applicant who applied to the FAA for approval of

these features on the affected helicopter.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 29

Aircraft, Air transportation, Aviation safety, Rotorcraft, Safety.

The authority citation for this special condition is as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 1344, 1348(c), 1352, 1354(a), 1355, 1421

through 1431, 1502, 1651(b)(2); 42 U.S. 1857f-10, 4321 et seq.; E.O.

11514, 49 U.S.C. 106(g).

The Special Condition

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the following special condition is issued as part of the

type certification basis for the European Helicopter, Ltd., Model EH-

101 helicopter.

Protection for Electrical and Electronic Systems From High Intensity

Radiated Fields

Each system that performs critical functions must be designed and

installed to ensure that the operation and operational capabilities of

these critical functions are not adversely affected when the helicopter

is exposed to high intensity radiated fields external to the

helicopter.

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 14, 1994.

Mark R. Schilling,

Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 94-10287 Filed 4-29-94; 8:45 am]

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