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37994 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No.

126 / Friday, July 1, 2005 / Rules and Regulations

the activity of each radionuclides must be by the installation of this Inflatable interested persons, both before and after
determined to verify the shipment is less Safety Belt, will have novel and unusual the closing date for comments. A report
than the Category 1 or 2 limits of Table 1, as design features associated with the summarizing each substantive public
appropriate. If the calculated sum of the upper-torso restraint portions of the contact with FAA personnel concerning
fractions ratio, using the following equation,
is greater than or equal to 1.0, then the
four-point safety belt, which contains an this rulemaking will be filed in the
import or export shipment exceeds the integrated airbag device. The applicable docket. Commenters wishing the FAA to
threshold limits of Table 1 and the applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain acknowledge receipt of their comments
security provisions of this part apply. adequate or appropriate safety standards submitted in response to this notice
II. Use the equation below to calculate the for this design feature. These special must include a self-addressed, stamped
sum of the fractions ratio by inserting the conditions contain the additional safety postcard on which the following
actual activity of the applicable standards that the Administrator statement is made: ‘‘Comments to
radionuclides or of the individual sources (of considers necessary to establish a level CE223.’’ The postcard will be date
the same radionuclides) in the numerator of of safety equivalent to that established stamped and returned to the
the equation and the corresponding threshold
by the existing airworthiness standards. commenter.
activity limit from the Table 1 in the
denominator of the equation. Ensure the DATES: The effective date of these
Background
numerator and denominator values are in the special conditions is June 23, 2005.
same units and all calculations must be Comments must be received on or On September 24, 2004, Cirrus Design
performed using the TBq (i.e., metric) values before August 1, 2005. Corporation requested a Type Design
of Table 1. ADDRESSES: Comments on these special Project, for the installation of an
R1 = activity for radionuclides or source conditions may be mailed in duplicate AMSAFE four-point safety belt restraint
number 1 to: Federal Aviation Administration system incorporating an inflatable
R2 = activity for radionuclides or source (FAA), Regional Counsel, ACE–7, airbag for the pilot and co-pilot seats of
number 2 the Cirrus Design Corporation model
RN = activity for radionuclides or source
Attention: Rules Docket, Docket No.
CE223, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas SR20 and SR22 airplanes. The Cirrus
number n
AR1 = activity limit for radionuclides or City, Missouri 64106, or delivered in models SR20 and SR22 are single
source number 1 duplicate to the Regional Counsel at the engine, four-place airplanes.
AR2 = activity limit for radionuclides or above address. Comments must be The inflatable restraint system is four-
source number 2 marked: CE223. Comments may be point safety belt restraint system
ARN = activity limit for radionuclides or inspected in the Rules Docket consisting of a lap belt and dual
source number n weekdays, except Federal holidays, shoulder harnesses. An inflatable airbag
between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. is attached to one of the shoulder
n
 R R2 R  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. harnesses, and the other shoulder
∑  AR1 + + n  ≥1
AR 2 AR n  Mark James, Federal Aviation harness is of conventional construction.
1  1
Administration, Aircraft Certification The inflatable portion of the restraint
Service, Small Airplane Directorate, system will rely on sensors to
Dated in Rockville, Maryland, this 27th
day of June, 2005. ACE–111, 901 Locust, Kansas City, electronically activate the inflator for
Missouri, 816–329–4137, fax 816–329– deployment. The inflatable restraint
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
4090, e-mail mark.james@faa.gov. system will be installed on both the
Annette L. Vietti-Cook,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA
pilot and co-pilot seats.
Secretary of the Commission. In the event of an emergency landing,
[FR Doc. 05–12985 Filed 6–30–05; 8:45 am] has determined that notice and
opportunity for prior public comment is the airbag will inflate and provide a
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
impractical because these procedures protective cushion between the
would significantly delay issuance of occupant’s head and structure within
approval and thus delivery of the the airplane. This will reduce the
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION affected aircraft. In addition, the potential for head and torso injury. The
substance of these special conditions inflatable restraint behaves in a manner
Federal Aviation Administration that is similar to an automotive airbag,
has been subject to the public comment
process in several prior instances with but in this case, the airbag is integrated
14 CFR Part 23 into one of the shoulder harnesses.
no substantive comments received. The
[Docket No. CE223, Special Conditions No. FAA, therefore, finds that good cause While airbags and inflatable restraints
23–163–SC] exists for making these special are standard in the automotive industry,
conditions effective upon issuance. the use of an inflatable four-point
Special Conditions: AMSAFE, restraint system is novel for general
Incorporated; Cirrus Design Comments Invited aviation operations.
Corporation SR20 and SR22; Inflatable Interested persons are invited to The FAA has determined that this
Four-Point Restraint Safety Belt with submit such written data, views or project will be accomplished on the
an Integrated Airbag Device arguments, as they may desire. basis of providing the same current level
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Communications should identify the of safety of the Cirrus Design
Administration (FAA), DOT. regulatory docket or special condition Corporation Models SR20 and SR22
number and be submitted in duplicate occupant restraint systems. The FAA
ACTION: Final special conditions; request
to the address specified above. All has two primary safety concerns with
for comments.
communications received on or before the installation of airbags or inflatable
SUMMARY: These special conditions are the closing date for comments will be restraints:
issued for the installation of an considered by the Administrator. The • That they perform properly under
AMSAFE, Inc., Inflatable Four-Point special conditions may be changed in foreseeable operating conditions; and
Restraint Safety Belt with an Integrated light of the comments received. All • That they do not perform in a
Airbag Device on Cirrus Models SR20 comments received will be available in manner or at such times as to impede
and SR22. These airplanes, as modified the Rules Docket for examination by the pilot’s ability to maintain control of
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 126 / Friday, July 1, 2005 / Rules and Regulations 37995

the airplane or constitute a hazard to the electromagnetic fields (HIRF) and deploy. As an alternative, Cirrus Design
airplane or occupants. lightning. Since the sensors that trigger Corporation may show that such
The latter point has the potential to be deployment are electronic, they must be deployment is not hazardous to the
the more rigorous of the requirements. protected from the effects of these occupant and will still provide the
An unexpected deployment while threats. To comply with HIRF and required protection.
conducting the takeoff or landing phases lightning requirements, the AMSAFE, The cabins of the Cirrus model
of flight may result in an unsafe Inc., inflatable restraint system is airplanes identified in these special
condition. The unexpected deployment considered a critical system, since its conditions are confined areas, and the
may either startle the pilot, or generate inadvertent deployment could have a FAA is concerned that noxious gasses
a force sufficient to cause a sudden hazardous effect on the airplane. may accumulate in the event of airbag
movement of the control yoke. Either Given the level of safety of the current deployment. When deployment does
action could result in a loss of control Cirrus Design Corporation SR20 and occur, either by design or inadvertently,
of the airplane, the consequences of SR22 occupant restraints, the inflatable there must not be a release of hazardous
which are magnified due to the low restraint system must show that it will quantities of gas or particulate matter
operating altitudes during these phases offer an equivalent level of protection in into the cockpit.
of flight. The FAA has considered this the event of an emergency landing. In An inflatable restraint should not
when establishing these special the event of an inadvertent deployment, increase the risk already associated with
conditions. the restraint must still be at least as fire. Therefore, the inflatable restraint
The inflatable restraint system relies strong as a Technical Standard Order should be protected from the effects of
on sensors to electronically activate the approved belt and shoulder harnesses. fire, so that an additional hazard is not
inflator for deployment. These sensors There is no requirement for the created by, for example, a rupture of the
could be susceptible to inadvertent inflatable portion of the restraint to offer inflator.
activation, causing deployment in a protection during multiple impacts, Finally, the airbag is likely to have a
potentially unsafe manner. The where more than one impact would large volume displacement, and
consequences of an inadvertent require protection. possibly impede the egress of an
deployment must be considered in The inflatable restraint system must occupant. Since the bag deflates to
establishing the reliability of the system. deploy and provide protection for each absorb energy, it is likely that the
Cirrus Design Corporation must show occupant under a crash condition. The inflatable restraint would be deflated at
that the effects of an inadvertent seats of the models SR20 and SR22 are the time an occupant would attempt
deployment in flight are not a hazard to certificated to the structural egress. However, it is appropriate to
the airplane or that an inadvertent requirements of § 23.562. Therefore, the specify a time interval after which the
deployment is extremely improbable. In test crash pulses identified in § 23.562 inflatable restraint may not impede
addition, general aviation aircraft are must be used to satisfy this requirement. rapid egress. Ten seconds has been
susceptible to a large amount of It is possible a wide range of chosen as reasonable time. This time
cumulative wear and tear on a restraint occupants will use the inflatable limit will offer a level of protection
system. It is likely that the potential for restraint. Thus, the protection offered by throughout the impact event.
inadvertent deployment increases as a this restraint should be effective for
Type Certification Basis
result of this cumulative damage. occupants that range from the fifth
Therefore, the impact of wear and tear percentile female to the ninety-fifth Under the provisions of § 21.101,
on inadvertent deployment must be percentile male. Energy absorption must Cirrus Design Corporation, must show
considered. Due to the effects of this be performed in a consistent manner for that the Cirrus models SR20 and SR22,
cumulative damage, a life limit must be this occupant range. as changed, continue to meet the
established for the appropriate system In support of this operational applicable provisions of the regulations
components in the restraint system capability, there must be a means to incorporated by reference in Type
design. verify the integrity of this system before Certificate No. A00009CH or the
There are additional factors to be each flight. As an option, AMSAFE, applicable regulations in effect on the
considered to minimize the chances of Inc., can establish inspection intervals date of application for the change. The
inadvertent deployment. General where they have demonstrated the regulations incorporated by reference in
aviation airplanes are exposed to a system to be reliable between these the type certificate are commonly
unique operating environment, since the intervals. referred to as the ‘‘original type
same airplane may be used by both It is possible that an inflatable certification basis.’’ The regulations
experienced and student pilots. The restraint will be ‘‘armed’’ even though incorporated by reference are as follows:
effect of this environment on no occupant is using the seat. While Cirrus SR20: Part 23 of the Federal
inadvertent deployment must be there will be means to verify the Aviation Regulations dated February 1,
understood. Therefore, qualification integrity of the system before flight, it is 1965, as amended by 23–1 through 23–
testing of the firing hardware/software also prudent to require that unoccupied 47 except as follows: FAR 23.573,
must consider the following: seats with active restraints not 23.575, 23.611, 23.657, 23.673 through
• The airplane vibration levels constitute a hazard to any occupant. Amendment 23–48. FAR 23.783, 23.785,
appropriate for a general aviation This will protect any individual 23.867, 23.1303, 23.1307, 23.1309,
airplane; and performing maintenance inside the 23.1311, 23.1321, 23.1323, 23.1329,
• The inertial loads that result from cockpit while the aircraft is on the 23.1361, 23.1383, 23.1401, 23.1431,
typical flight or ground maneuvers, ground. The restraint must also provide 23.1435 through Amendment 23–49.
including gusts and hard landings. suitable visual warnings that would FAR 23.3, 23.25, 23.143, 23.145, 23.155,
Any tendency for the firing alert rescue personnel to the presence of 23.1325, 23.1521, 23.1543, 23.1555,
mechanism to activate as a result of an inflatable restraint system. 23.1559, 23.1567, 23.1583, 23.1585,
these loads or acceleration levels is In addition, the design must prevent 23.1589 through Amendment 23–50.
unacceptable. the inflatable seatbelt from being FAR 23.777, 23.779, 23.901, 23.907,
Other influences on inadvertent incorrectly buckled and/or installed 23.955, 23.959, 23.963, 23.965, 23.973,
deployment include high intensity such that the airbag would not properly 23.975, 23.1041, 23.1091, 23.1093,

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37996 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 126 / Friday, July 1, 2005 / Rules and Regulations

23.1107, 23.1121, 23.1141, 23.1143, electronically activate the inflator for submitted in response to the prior
23.1181, 23.1191, 23.1337 through deployment. opportunities for comment described
Amendment 23–51. FAR 23.1305 The Code of Federal Regulations state above.
through Amendment 23–52. FAR 36 performance criteria for seats and
restraints in an objective manner. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 23
dated December 1, 1969, as amended by
current amendment as of the date of However, none of these criteria are Aircraft, Aviation safety, Signs and
Type Certification. adequate to address the specific issues symbols.
Cirrus SR22: Part 23 of the Federal raised concerning inflatable restraints.
Aviation Regulations dated February 1, Therefore, the FAA has determined that, Citation
1965, as amended by 23–1 through 23– in addition to the requirements of part ■ The authority citation for these special
53 except as follows: FAR 23.301 21 and part 23, special conditions are conditions is as follows:
through Amendment 47. FAR 23.855, needed to address the installation of this
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113 and
23.1326, 23.1359, not applicable. FAR inflatable restraint.
44701; 14 CFR 21.16 and 21.101; and 14 CFR
36 dated December 1, 1969, as amended Accordingly, these special conditions 11.38 and 11.19.
by current amendment as of the date of are adopted for the Cirrus Design
Type Certification. Corporation models equipped with the The Special Conditions
For all the models listed above, the AMSAFE, Inc., four-point inflatable ■ The FAA has determined that this
certification basis also includes all restraint. Other conditions may be project will be accomplished on the basis
exemptions, if any; equivalent level of developed, as needed, based on further of not lowering the current level of safety
safety findings, if any; and special FAA review and discussions with the of the Cirrus Design Corporation models
conditions not relevant to the special manufacturer and civil aviation SR20 and SR22 occupant restraint
conditions adopted by this rulemaking authorities. system. Accordingly, pursuant to the
action. Applicability authority delegated to me by the
The Administrator has determined
As discussed above, these special Administrator, the following special
that the applicable airworthiness
conditions are applicable to the Cirrus conditions are issued as part of the type
regulations (i.e., part 23 as amended) do
Design Corporation models SR20 and certification basis for these models, as
not contain adequate or appropriate
SR22 equipped with the AMSAFE, Inc., modified by AMSAFE, Incorporated.
safety standards for the AMSAFE, Inc.,
four-point inflatable restraint system. Inflatable Four-Point Restraint Safety
inflatable restraint as installed on these
Should Cirrus Design Corporation, at a Belt with an Integrated Airbag Device on
Cirrus Design Corporation models
later date, request to modify any other the Pilot and Copilot Seats of the Cirrus
because of a novel or unusual design
model on the Type Certificate identified Design Corporation Models SR20 and
feature. Therefore, special conditions
in these special conditions to SR22.
are prescribed under the provisions of
incorporate the same novel or unusual 1. It must be shown that the inflatable
§ 21.16.
Special conditions, as appropriate, as design feature, the special conditions restraint will deploy and provide
defined in § 11.19, are issued in would apply to that model as well protection under crash conditions.
accordance with § 11.38, and become under the provisions of § 21.101. Compliance will be demonstrated using
part of the type certification basis in the dynamic test condition specified in
Conclusion 14 CFR part 23, § 23.562(b)(2). It is not
accordance with § 21.101.
Special conditions are initially This action affects only certain novel necessary to account for floor warpage,
applicable to the model for which they or unusual design features on the as required by § 23.562(b)(3). The means
are issued. Should the applicant apply previously identified Cirrus models. It is of protection must take into
for a supplemental type certificate to not a rule of general applicability, and consideration a range of stature from a
modify any other model included on the it affects only the applicant who applied 5th percentile female to a 95th
same type certificate to incorporate the to the FAA for approval of these features percentile male. The inflatable restraint
same novel or unusual design feature, on the airplane. must provide a consistent approach to
the special conditions would also apply Under standard practice, the effective energy absorption throughout that
to that model under the provisions of date of final special conditions would range.
§ 21.101. be 30 days after the date of publication 2. The inflatable restraint must
in the Federal Register; however, the provide adequate protection for each
Novel or Unusual Design Features substance of these special conditions occupant. In addition, unoccupied seats
The Cirrus Design Corporation models has been subjected to the notice and that have an active restraint must not
SR20 and SR22 will incorporate the comment period in several prior constitute a hazard to any occupant.
following novel or unusual design instances and has been derived without 3. The design must prevent the
feature: substantive change from those inflatable restraint from being
The AMSAFE, Inc., Four-Point Safety previously issued. It is unlikely that incorrectly buckled and/or incorrectly
Belt Restraint System incorporating an prior public comment would result in a installed such that the airbag would not
inflatable airbag for the pilot and co- significant change from the substance properly deploy. Alternatively, it must
pilot seats. The purpose of the airbag is contained herein. For this reason, and be shown that such deployment is not
to reduce the potential for injury in the because a delay would significantly hazardous to the occupant and will
event of an accident. In a severe impact, affect the certification of the airplane, provide the required protection.
an airbag will deploy from one shoulder which is imminent, the FAA has 4. It must be shown that the inflatable
harness, in a manner similar to an determined that prior public notice and restraint system is not susceptible to
automotive airbag. The airbag will comment are unnecessary and inadvertent deployment as a result of
deploy between the head of the impracticable, and good cause exists for wear and tear or the inertial loads
occupant and airplane interior structure. adopting these special conditions upon resulting from in-flight or ground
Therefore, this will provide some issuance. The FAA is requesting maneuvers (including gusts and hard
protection to the head of the occupant. comments to allow interested persons to landings) that are likely to be
The restraint will rely on sensors to submit views that may not have been experienced in service.

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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 126 / Friday, July 1, 2005 / Rules and Regulations 37997

5. It must be extremely improbable for DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Coppertown 002° and Great Falls, MT, 222°
an inadvertent deployment of the radials; Great Falls; 73 miles, 56 MSL, Havre,
restraint system to occur, or an Federal Aviation Administration MT. The airspace within Restricted Area R–
6403 is excluded.
inadvertent deployment must not
impede the pilot’s ability to maintain 14 CFR Part 71 * * * * *
control of the airplane or cause an Issued in Washington, DC, on June 27,
unsafe condition (or hazard to the [Docket No. FAA–2005–19410; 2005.
airplane). In addition, a deployed Airspace Docket No. 04–ANM–09] Edith V. Parish,
inflatable restraint must be at least as RIN 2120–AA66 Acting Manager, Airspace and Rules.
strong as a Technical Standard Order [FR Doc. 05–13084 Filed 6–30–05; 8:45 am]
(C114) four-point harness. Revision of Federal Airways V–2, V– BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
257 and V–343; MT
6. It must be shown that deployment
of the inflatable restraint system is not AGENCY: Federal Aviation
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
hazardous to the occupant or result in Administration (FAA), DOT.
injuries that could impede rapid egress. ACTION: Final rule; correction. Federal Aviation Administration
This assessment should include
occupants whose restraint is loosely SUMMARY: This action corrects an error
14 CFR Part 71
fastened. in the airspace description of a final rule
that was published in the Federal [Docket No. FAA–2005–20055; Airspace
7. It must be shown that an Register on May 18, 2005 (70 FR 28423), Docket No. 05–AGL–01]
inadvertent deployment that could Airspace Docket No. 04–ANM–09.
cause injury to a standing or sitting Modification of Class E Airspace;
DATES: Effective Date: 0901 UTC,
person is improbable. In addition, the Muskegon, MI
September 1, 2005.
restraint must also provide suitable
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken AGENCY: Federal Aviation
visual warnings that would alert rescue Administration (FAA), DOT.
McElroy, Airspace and Rules, Office of
personnel to the presence of an
System Operations and Safety, Federal ACTION: Final rule.
inflatable restraint system.
Aviation Administration, 800
8. It must be shown that the inflatable Independence Avenue, SW., SUMMARY: This action modifies Class E
restraint will not impede rapid egress of Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) airspace at Muskegon, MI. Standard
the occupants 10 seconds after its 267–8783. Instrument Approach Procedures have
deployment. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
been developed for Grand Haven
Memorial Airpark. Controlled airspace
9. For the purposes of complying with History extending upward from 700 feet or more
HIRF and lightning requirements, the
On May 18, 2005, Airspace Docket above the surface of the earth is needed
inflatable restraint system is considered to contain aircraft executing these
a critical system since its deployment No. 04–ANM–09 was published in the
Federal Register (70 FR 28423), revising approaches. This action increases the
could have a hazardous effect on the area of existing controlled airspace for
airplane. VOR Federal Airway 257 (V–257) in
MT. In that rule, the airspace Grand Haven Memorial Airpark.
10. It must be shown that the description was incomplete. This action DATES: Effective Date: 0901 UTC,
inflatable restraints will not release corrects that error. September 1, 2005.
hazardous quantities of gas or FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: J.
particulate matter into the cabin. Correction to Final Rule
Mark Reeves, FAA, Terminal
11. The inflatable restraint system Accordingly, pursuant to the Operations, Central Service Office,
installation must be protected from the authority delegated to me, the legal Airspace and Procedures Branch, AGL–
effects of fire such that no hazard to description for V–257, MT, as published 530, Federal Aviation Administration,
occupants will result. in the Federal Register on May 18, 2005 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines,
(70 FR 28423), and incorporated by Illinois 60018, telephone (847) 294–
12. There must be a means to verify reference in 14 CFR 71.1, is corrected as 7477.
the integrity of the inflatable restraint follows:
activation system before each flight or it SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
must be demonstrated to reliably PART 71—[Amended] History
operate between inspection intervals.
§ 71.1 On Thursday, March 10, 2005, the
13. A life limit must be established for
Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic Federal FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 71
appropriate system components. to modify Class E airspace at Muskegon,
Airways
14. Qualification testing of the MI (70 FR 11886). The proposal was to
* * * * *
internal firing mechanism must be modify controlled airspace extending
performed at vibration levels V–257 [Corrected] upward from 700 feet or more above the
appropriate for a general aviation From Phoenix, AZ, via INT Phoenix 348° surface of the earth to contain
airplane. and Drake, AZ, 141° radials; Drake; INT Instrument Flight Rules operations in
Drake 003° and Grand Canyon, AZ, 211° controlled airspace during portions of
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on June 23, radials; Grand Canyon; 38 miles 12 AGL, 24
2005. the terminal operation and while
miles 125 MSL, 16 miles 95 MSL, 26 miles
transiting between the enroute and
John R. Colomy, 12 AGL, Bryce Canyon, UT; INT Bryce
Canyon 338° and Delta, UT, 186° radials, terminal environments.
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Interested parties were invited to
Delta; 39 miles, 105 MSL INT Delta 004° and
Aircraft Certification Service. participate in this rulemaking
Malad City, ID, 179° radials; 20 miles, 118
[FR Doc. 05–13093 Filed 6–30–05; 8:45 am] MSL, Malad City; Pocatello, ID; DuBois, ID; proceeding by submitting written
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P Dillon, MT; Coppertown, MT; INT comments on the proposal to the FAA.

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