Tue, Jun 29, 2010
NMPR For Transport Category Aircraft Published In Federal
Register
The FAA is proposing a significant expansion of its icing
certification standards, including a new requirement that
manufacturers show that airplanes can operate safely in freezing
drizzle or freezing rain, conditions that constitute an icing
environment known as "supercooled large drops" (SLDs).
The proposed regulations would improve safety by mandating that
new transport category aircraft most affected by SLD icing
conditions meet expanded safety standards, including additional
airplane performance and handling qualities. The rule also would
require all new transport category designs be able to fly in
conditions where supercooled liquid and ice crystals exist.
The FAA is also proposing changes that would expand the icing
certification requirements for engines, engine installations and
some airplane components (for example, angle of attack and airspeed
indicating systems). These systems would need to be able to perform
in freezing rain, freezing drizzle, ice crystals and combinations
of these icing phenomena.
"These new icing standards are part of our continuing effort to
make the world's safest aviation system even safer," said U.S.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
"These regulations will help ensure future aircraft can operate
safely in some of the toughest icing conditions," said FAA
Administrator Randy Babbitt.
The proposed rule is based largely on recommendations from the
FAA's Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) and the
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The FAA tasked the
ARAC to study how icing certification regulations should be
expanded after the tragic 1994 icing-related accident in Roselawn,
IL. The NTSB recommendations stemmed from the same accident.
Previously, the FAA issued 112 airworthiness directives for
transport category aircraft related to icing. Of the 112 ADs, 21
were specifically related to SLD. The ADs require flight crews to
exit icing conditions when they see visual cues indicating the
conditions exceed the capabilities of the aircraft's ice protection
equipment.
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