New Cert Standards To Protect Electrical Systems

The Aircraft Electronics Association tells ANN on August 6, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published in the Federal Register a final rule directed at High Intensity Radiation Fields in all classes of aircraft.

This final rule amends FAA regulations by adding airworthiness certification standards to protect aircraft electrical and electronic systems from HIRF. This action was deemed necessary by the FAA due to the vulnerability of aircraft electrical and electronic systems and the increasing use of high-power radio frequency transmitters.

AEA says the final rule amends the airworthiness standards for normal, utility, acrobatic, and commuter category airplanes certificated under Part 23; transport category airplanes certificated under Part 25; normal category rotorcraft certificated under Part 27; and transport category rotorcraft certificated under Part 29.

Under the rule, applicants for certification of aircraft under these parts are required to demonstrate that any electrical and electronic system that performs a function whose failure would prevent the continued safe flight and landing of the aircraft must be designed and installed so that:

• Each function is not adversely affected during and after the time the aircraft is exposed to a specifically designated HIRF environment (HIRF environment I);
• Each electrical and electronic system automatically recovers normal operation of that function, in a timely manner, after the aircraft is exposed to HIRF environment I, unless this conflicts with other operational or functional requirements of that system; and
• Each electrical and electronic system is not adversely affected during and after the aircraft is exposed to a less severe, but more commonly encountered HIRF environment (HIRF environment II).

These amendments become effective September 5, 2007.

FMI: www.aea.net, Read The Final Rule (.pdf)