[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 249 (Wednesday, December 27, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 81733-81737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32730]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Parts 121 and 125
[Docket Nos. 121-271, 121-278, 125-32 & 125-34]
RIN 2120-AG-88
Corrections to Flight Data Recorder Specifications
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; correction.
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SUMMARY: This action corrects errors introduced into the flight data
recorder specifications in two final rules. The FAA intended to add
certain information by footnote in the appendices that contain the
flight recorder specification charts, but inadvertently caused material
to be deleted. This correction reinstates that material.
DATES: Effective December 27, 2000.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Petronis, Senior Attorney for
Regulations, AGC-200, Office of the Chief Counsel, Federal Aviation
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591;
telephone 202-267-3073.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA published final rule amending the
flight data recorder specifications for certain Airbus airplanes in the
Federal Register on August 24, 1999 [64 FR 46117]. The intent of that
final rule was to establish different criteria for certain flight data
recorder parameters that are recorded by Airbus airplanes. The changes
were introduced as footnotes. The footnote numbers were to appear with
the name of the parameter in the ``Parameters'' columns of 14 CFR part
121 appendix M and part 125 appendix E.
Instead of inserting the footnotes numbers in the column and adding
the noted information at the bottom of the chart, the amendatory
language that was used resulted in information being deleted from the
five remaining columns of the chart for each of the parameters affected
by the rule. A similar attempted amendment in August 2000 [65 FR 51745,
August 24, 2000] caused the same result.
Accordingly, the FAA is republishing the affected parameter
specifications to reinstate them in the appendix M chart. The identical
corrections are being made to Part 125 Appendix E, which contains the
identical information. The FAA never intended to change any of the
information that was effective at the time of the August 1999 final
rule, and no intent may be implied by the absence of this information
from the printed 2000 CFR. The FAA has no information to suggest that
any operator subject to the affected regulations has taken any action
based on the unintended deletion of the information. The required
specifications are well established and not easily changed in
operational flight data recorder system equipment.
Since no rule change was ever intended, there is no economic impact
that is attributable to this correction.
Any operator that finds itself adversely affected by reliance on
any omission from the 2000 CFR is advised to contract the FAA
immediately for resolution of any problems.
Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration amends Title 14 of
the Code of Federal Regulations parts 121 and 125 as follows:
Part 121 [Corrected]
Appendix M [Corrected]
1. Correct Appendix M to part 121, by revising item numbers, 1, 7,
9, 12b, 13b, 14a, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 37, 42 and 57 to read
as follows (Note: The footnote text remains unchanged):
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Accuracy (sensor second per sampling
Parameters Range input) interval Resolution Remarks
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1. Time or Relative Times 24 Hrs, 0 to 4095..... +/-0.125% Per Hour.... 4.................... 1 sec................ UTC time preferred
Counts.\1\. when available.
Count increments
each 4 second of
system operation.
7. Roll attitude \2\............... +/-180 deg............ +/-2 deg.............. 1 or 0.5 for 0.5.................. A sampling rate of
airplanes operated 0.5 is recommended.
under Sec.
121.344(f).
[[Page 81734]]
9. Thrust/Power on Each Engine-- Full Range Forward.... +/-2%................. 1 (per engine)....... 0.2% of full range... Sufficient parameters
primary flight crew reference.\14\. (e.g. EPR, NI or
Torque, NP) as
appropriate to the
particular engine be
recorded to
determine power in
forward and reverse
thrust, including
potential over-speed
condition.
12b. Pitch Control(s) position (fly- Full Range............ +/-2 deg. Unless 0.5 or 0.25 for 0.2% of full range...
by-wire systems).\3\. Higher Accuracy airplanes operated
Uniquely Required.. under Sec.
121.344(f)..
13b. Lateral Control position(s) Full Range............ +/-2 deg. Unless 0.5 or 0.25 for 0.2% of full range...
(fly-by-wire).\4\. Higher Accuracy airplanes operated
Uniquely Required. under Sec.
121.344(f).
14a. Yaw Control position(s) (non- Full Range............ +/-2 deg. Unless 0.5.................. 0.2% of full range... For airplanes that
fly-by-wire).\5\. Higher Accuracy have a flight
Uniquely Required. control break away
capability that
allows either pilot
to operate the
controls
independently,
record both control
inputs. The control
inputs may be
sampled alternately
once per second to
produce the sampling
interval of 0.5.
15. Pitch Control Surface(s) Full Range............ +/- deg. Unless Higher 0.5 or 0.25 for 0.2% of full range... For airplanes fitted
Position.\6\. Accuracy Uniquely airplanes operated with multiple or
Required. under Sec. split surfaces, a
121.344(f). suitable combination
of inputs is
acceptable in lieu
or recording each
surface separately.
The control surfaces
may be sampled
alternately to
produce the sampling
interval of 0.5 or
0.25.
16. Lateral Control Surface(s) Full Range............ +/-2 deg. Unless 0.5 or 0.25 for 0.2% of full range... A suitable
Position.\7\. Higher Accuracy airplanes operated combination of
Uniquely Required. under Sec. surface position
121.344(f). sensors is
acceptable in lieu
of recording each
surface separately.
The control surfaces
may be sampled
alternately to
produce the sampling
interval of 0.5 or
0.25.
17. Yaw Control Surface(s) Full Range............ +/-2 deg. Unless 0.5.................. 0.2% of full range... For airplanes with
Position.\8\. Higher Accuracy multiple or split
Uniquely Required. surfaces, a suitable
combination of
surface position
sensors is
acceptable in lieu
of recording each
surface separately.
The control surfaces
may be sampled
alternately to
produce the sapling
interval of 0.5.
19. Pitch Trim Surface Position.\9\ Full Range............ +/-3 deg. Unless 1.................... 0.3% of full range...
Higher Accuracy
Uniquely Required.
[[Page 81735]]
20. Trailing Edge Flap or Cockpit Full Range or Each +/-3 deg. or as 2.................... 0.5% of full range... Flap position and
Control Selection.\10\. Position (discrete). Pilot's indicator. cockpit control may
each be sampled at 4
second intervals, to
give a data point
every 2 seconds.
21. Leading Edge Flap or Cockpit Full Range or Each +/-3 deg. or as 2.................... 0.5% of full range... Left and right sides,
Control Selection.\11\. Discrete Position. Pilot's indicator and or flap position and
sufficient to cockpit control may
determine each each be sampled at 4
discrete position. second intervals, so
as to give a data
point every 2
seconds.
23. Ground Spoiler Position or Full Range or Each +/-2 deg. Unless 1 or 0.5 for 0.2% of full range...
Speed Brake Selection.\12\. Position (discrete). Higher Accuracy airplanes operated
Uniquely Required. under Sec.
121.344(f).
24. Outside Air Temperature or -50 deg.C to +90 deg.C +/-2 deg.C............ 2.................... 0.3 deg.C............
Total Air Temperature.\13\.
37. Drift Angle.\15\............... As installed.......... As installed.......... 4.................... 0.1 deg..............
42. Throttle/power Leverl Full Range............ +/-2%................. 1 for each lever..... 2% of full range..... For airplanes with
position.\16\. non-mechanically
linked cockpit
engine controls.
57. Thrust command.\17\............ Full Range............ +/-2%................. 2.................... 2% of full range.....
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Part 121 [Corrected]
Appendix E [Corrected]
2. Correct appendix E to part 125, by revising item numbers 1, 7,
9, 12b, 13b, 14a, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 37, 42 and 57 to read
as follows (Note: The footnote text remains unchanged):
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accuracy (sensor Seconds per sampling
Parameters Range input) interval Resolution Remarks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Time or Relative Times 24 Hrs, 0 to 4095..... +/-0.125% Per Hour.... 4.................... 1 sec................ UTC time preferred
Counts.\1\. when available.
Count increments
each 4 seconds of
system operation.
7. Roll Attitude \2\............... +/-180 deg............ +/-2 deg.............. 1 or 0.5 for 0.5 deg.............. A sampling rate of
airplanes operated 0.5 is recommended.
under Sec.
121.344(f).
9. Thrust/Power on Each Engine- Full Range Forward.... +/-2%................. 1 (per engine)....... 0.2% of full range... Sufficient parameters
primary flight crew reference.\14\. (e.g. EPR, N1 or
Torque, NP) as
appropriate to the
particular engine be
recorded to
determine power in
forward and reverse
thrust, including
potential over-speed
condition.
12b. Pitch Control(s) position (fly- Full Range............ +/-2 deg. Unless 0.5 or 0.25 for 0.2% of full range...
by-wire systems).\3\. Higher Accuracy airplanes operated
Uniquely Required. under Sec.
121.344(f).
13b. Lateral Control position(s) Full Range............ +/-2 deg. Unless 0.5 or 0.25 for 0.2% of full range...
(fly-by-wire).\4\. Higher Accuracy airplanes operated
Uniquely Required. under Sec.
121.344(f).
[[Page 81736]]
14a. Yaw Control position(s) (non- Full Range............ +/-2 deg. Unless 0.5.................. 0.2% of full range... For airplanes that
fly-by-wire).\5\. Higher Accuracy have a flight
Uniquely Required. control break away
capability that
allows either pilot
to operate the
controls
independently,
record both control
inputs. The control
inputs may be
sampled alternately
once per second to
produce the sampling
interval of 0.5.
15. Pitch Control Surface(s) Full Range............ +/-2 deg. Unless 0.5 or 0.25 for 0.2% of full range... For airplanes fitted
Position.\6\. Higher Accuracy airplanes operated with multiple or
Uniquely Required. under Sec. split surfaces, a
121.344(f). suitable combination
of inputs is
acceptable in lieu
or recording each
surface separately.
The control surfaces
may be sampled
alternately to
produce the sampling
interval of 0.5 or
0.25.
16. Lateral Control Surface(s) Full Range............ +/-2 deg. Unless 0.5 or 0.25 for 0.2% of full range... A suitable
Position.\7\. Higher Accuracy airplanes operated combination of
Uniquely Required. under Sec. surface position
121.344(f). sensors is
acceptable in lieu
of recording each
surface separately.
The control surfaces
may be sampled
alternately to
produce the sampling
interval of 0.5 or
0.25.
17. Yaw Control Surface(s) Full Range............ +/-2 deg. Unless 0.5.................. 0.2% of full range... For airplanes with
Position.\8\. Higher Accuracy multiple or split
Uniquely Required. surfaces, a suitable
combination of
surface position
sensors is
acceptable in lieu
of recording each
surface separately.
The control surfaces
may be sampled
alternately to
produce the sapling
interval of 0.5.
19. Pitch Trim Surface Position.\9\ Full Range............ +/-3 deg. Unless 1.................... 0.3% of full range...
Higher Accuracy
Uniquely Required.
20. Trailing Edge Flap or Cockpit Full Range or Each +/-3 deg. or as 2.................... 0.5% of full range... Flap position and
Control Selection.\10\. Position (discrete). Pilot's indicator. cockpit control may
each be sampled at 4
second intervals, to
give a data point
every 2 seconds.
21. Leading Edge Flap or Cockpit Full Range or Each +/-3 deg. or as 2.................... 0.5% of full range... Left and right sides,
Control Selection.\11\. Discrete Position. Pilot's indicator and or flap position and
sufficient to cockpit control may
determine each each be sampled at 4
discrete position. second intervals, so
as to give a data
point every 2
seconds.
23. Ground Spoiler Position or Full Range or Each +/-2 deg. Unless 1 or 0.5 for 0.2% of full range...
Speed Brake Selection.\12\. Position (discrete). Higher Accuracy airplanes operated
Uniquely Required. under Sec.
121.344(f).
[[Page 81737]]
24. Outside Air Temperature or -50 deg.C to +90 deg.C +/-2 deg.C............ 2.................... 0.3 deg.C............
Total Air Temperature.\13\.
37. Drift Angle.\15\............... As installed.......... As installed.......... 4.................... 0.1%.................
42. Throttle/power lever Full Range............ +/-2%................. 1 for each lever..... 2% of full range..... For airplanes with
position.\16\. non-mechanically
linked cockpit
engine controls.
57. Thrust command.\17\............ Full Range............ +/-2%................. 2.................... 2% of full range.....
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Issued in Washington, DC, on December 18, 2000.
Donald P. Byrne,
Assistant Chief Counsel for Regulations.
[FR Doc. 00-32730 Filed 12-26-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M