Rule2022-09425
Special Conditions: Robinson Helicopter Company Model R66 Helicopter; Pressure Refueling Provisions
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
May 3, 2022
Effective
June 2, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
These special conditions are issued for the Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) Model R66 helicopter. This helicopter will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for normal category helicopters. This design feature is a pressure refueling system. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These 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.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 85 (Tuesday, May 3, 2022)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 3, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26123-26124]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-09425]
========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 85 / Tuesday, May 3, 2022 / Rules and
Regulations
[[Page 26123]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 27
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0943; Special Conditions No. 27-057-SC]
Special Conditions: Robinson Helicopter Company Model R66
Helicopter; Pressure Refueling Provisions
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final special conditions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Robinson
Helicopter Company (RHC) Model R66 helicopter. This helicopter will
have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of
technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for normal
category helicopters. This design feature is a pressure refueling
system. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain
adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These
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: Effective June 2, 2022.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monica Abboud, Propulsion Section,
AIR-794, Los Angeles ACO Branch, Aircraft Certification Service,
Federal Aviation Administration, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood,
California 90712; telephone (562) 627-5223; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#04696b6a6d67652a692a6566666b7160446265652a636b72"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6b06040502080a4506450a0909041e0f2b0d0a0a450c041d">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On July 15, 2021, RHC applied for a change to Type Certificate No.
R00015LA for the Model R66 helicopter. This change incorporates a
pressure fueling system in the Model R66 helicopter. The RHC Model R66
helicopter, which is a derivative of the earlier models of the Model
R66 helicopter currently approved under Type Certificate No. R00015LA,
is a part 27 normal category helicopter. It is a single turbine engine
helicopter with a four-passenger maximum passenger capacity and has a
maximum gross weight, with no external load, of up to 2,700 pounds
depending on the model configuration.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.101, RHC must show that the Model
R66 helicopter, as changed, continues to meet the applicable provisions
of the regulations listed in Type Certificate No. R00015LA or the
applicable regulations in effect on the date of application for the
change, except for earlier amendments as agreed upon by the FAA.
If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness
regulations (e.g., 14 CFR part 27) do not contain adequate or
appropriate safety standards for the RHC Model R66 helicopter because
of a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed
under the provisions of Sec. 21.16.
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 feature, or should any other model already included on
the same type certificate be modified to incorporate the same novel or
unusual design feature, these special conditions would also apply to
the other model under Sec. 21.101.
In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, the RHC Model R66 helicopter must comply with the noise
certification requirements of 14 CFR part 36.
The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in
accordance with Sec. 11.38, and they become part of the type
certification basis under Sec. 21.101.
Novel or Unusual Design Feature
The RHC Model R66 helicopter will incorporate the following novel
or unusual design feature:
A pressure refueling system, which will allow for optional pressure
fueling.
Discussion
RHC will modify the Model R66 helicopter by incorporating a
pressure refueling system that allows for optional pressure fueling
from a fueling port on the right side of the fuselage and the existing
gravity system via the fuel filler cap on top of the main fuel tank.
This modification provides faster, easier, and safer refueling when the
engines are running and rotors turning compared to the existing fueling
system located on the top of the main fuel tank. The pressure refueling
system includes a crash-resistant fuel hose that runs from the fueling
port on the right side to an inlet at the top of the fuel tank on the
helicopter's left side. The system does not accommodate defueling.
Part 27 does not contain requirements for pressure refueling for
normal category helicopters. However, 14 CFR 29.979, amendment 29-12,
effective February 1, 1977, provides these requirements for transport
category helicopters. Accordingly, these special conditions are based
on Sec. 29.979 to provide requirements for the inclusion of the
optional pressure refueling system on the Model R66 helicopters.
Section CFR 29.979 includes standards for pressure refueling and
fueling provisions below fuel level on transport category rotorcraft.
Section 29.979(a) is intended to prevent hazards to ground crew,
flight crew, and occupants by reducing the probability of exposure to
hazardous quantities of fuel resulting from spillage and ensuring the
pressure refueling/defueling system is designed to prevent overfilling
the fuel tank and to withstand an ultimate load overpressure event
without failure.
Section 29.979(a) requires each fueling connection below the fuel
level in each tank to have a means to prevent the escape of hazardous
quantities of fuel from that tank in case of malfunction of the fuel
entry valve.
Section 29.979(b) requires systems intended for pressure refueling
to have a means in addition to the normal means for limiting the tank
content to prevent damage to the tank in case of failure of the normal
means.
Section 29.979(c) requires the rotorcraft pressure fueling system
(not fuel tanks and fuel tank vents) to withstand an ultimate load that
is 2.0 times the load arising from the maximum pressure, including
surge,
[[Page 26124]]
that is likely to occur during fueling. The maximum surge pressure must
be established with any combination of tank valves being either
intentionally or inadvertently closed.
Section 29.979(d) requires the rotorcraft defueling system (not
including fuel tanks and fuel tank vents) to withstand an ultimate load
that is 2.0 times the load arising from the maximum permissible
defueling pressure (positive or negative) at the rotorcraft fueling
connection. The design by RHC does not include defueling capability.
These 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.
Discussion of Comments
The FAA issued Notice of Proposed Special Conditions No. 27-21-01-
SC for the RHS Model R66 helicopter, which published in the Federal
Register on February 4, 2022 (87 FR 6437). The FAA received two
comments from individuals in support of these special conditions.
Applicability
As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the
RHC Model R66 helicopter. Should RHC apply at a later date for a change
to the type certificate to include another model incorporating the same
novel or unusual design feature, these special conditions would apply
to that model as well.
Conclusion
This action affects only a certain novel or unusual design feature
on one model of helicopter. It is not a rule of general applicability.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 27
Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Authority Citation
The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702, 44704.
The Special Conditions
[ssquf] Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by
the Administrator, the following special conditions are issued as part
of the type certification basis for Robinson Helicopter Company Model
R66 helicopters.
The pressure refueling system must be designed and installed as
follows:
(a) Each fueling connection below the fuel level in each tank must
have the means to prevent the escape of hazardous quantities of fuel
from that tank in case of malfunction of the fuel entry valve.
(b) For systems intended for pressure refueling, a means in
addition to the normal means for limiting the tank content must be
installed to prevent damage to the fuel tank in case of failure of the
normal means.
(c) The rotorcraft pressure fueling system (not fuel tanks and fuel
tank vents) must withstand an ultimate load that is 2.0 times the load
arising from maximum pressure, including a surge, that is likely to
occur during fueling. The maximum surge pressure must be established
with any combination of tank valves being either intentionally or
inadvertently closed.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 27, 2022.
Patrick R. Mullen,
Manager, Technical Innovation Policy Branch, Policy and Innovation
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-09425 Filed 5-2-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 3, 2022.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.