Tue, Jul 05, 2011
Two Levels Of Protection For Systems Based On Known
Failures
The FAA has amended the lightning protection airworthiness
standards by establishing new lightning protection regulations for
electrical and electronic systems installed on aircraft
certificated under Parts 23, 27 and 29, and revises lightning
protection regulations for electrical and electronic systems
installed on airplanes certificated under Part 25.
This rule establishes two levels of lightning protection for
aircraft systems based on consequences of system function failure:
Catastrophic consequences which would prevent continued safe flight
and landing; and hazardous or major consequences which would reduce
the capability of the aircraft or the ability of the flightcrew to
respond to an adverse operating condition. This rule also
establishes lightning protection for aircraft systems according to
the aircraft's potential for lightning exposure. The airworthiness
standards establish consistent lightning protection requirements
for aircraft electrical and electronic systems.
According to the FAA, the existing regulations for the lightning
protection of electrical and electronic systems installed on
aircraft certificated under Parts 23, 27 and 29 of Title 14, Code
of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) require the type certification
applicant only to "consider" the effects of lightning. Unlike
system lightning protection regulations for Part 25 airplanes,
these regulations have not been significantly amended since they
were first adopted, and do not reflect current advances in
technology.
Adopted in the 1960s, these regulations require that the aircraft
be protected against catastrophic effects of lightning, but do not
have specific requirements for electrical and electronic system
lightning protection. At the time, most aircraft contained
mechanical systems, or simple electrical and electronic systems.
Airframe components were made from aluminum materials, with high
electrical conductivity, and offered good protection against
lightning. The early 1980s ushered in Part 25 transport airplane
designs that routinely included more complex electrical and
electronic systems. In addition, there has been a trend for
increased use of composite aircraft materials with less inherent
lightning protection than aluminum. As electrical and electronic
systems became more common on Part 25 airplanes, the FAA issued
Sec. 25.1316 on April 28, 1994 (59 FR 22112), specifically
requiring protection for electrical and electronic systems on Part
25 transport category airplanes.
The NPRM, Notice No. 10-05, published
in the Federal Register on April 2, 2010 (75 FR 16676), proposed
the establishment of consistent performance standards for lightning
protection of aircraft electrical and electronic systems against
the catastrophic, hazardous or major failures of the functions
these systems provide.
AEA is encouraging its members to
review the final rule. This rule was developed
specifically for protections for electrical and electronic systems.
As a result, this change in standards will have a direct impact on
avionics certifications and installations in legacy aircraft.
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