2022-03867

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: • the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document • the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to • the agency docket number / agency internal file number • the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration • 14 CFR Part 21 • [Docket No. FAA-2020-1085] AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Issuance of final airworthiness criteria. SUMMARY: The FAA announces the special class airworthiness criteria for the Matternet, Inc. Model M2 unmanned aircraft (UA). This document sets forth the airworthiness criteria the FAA finds to be appropriate and applicable for the UA design. DATES: These airworthiness criteria are effective March 28, 2022. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher J. Richards, Emerging Aircraft Strategic Policy Section, AIR-618, Strategic Policy Management Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 6020 28th Avenue South, Room 103, Minneapolis, MN 55450, telephone (612) 253-4559. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Matternet, Inc. (Matternet) applied to the FAA on May 21, 2018, for a special class type certificate under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.17(b) for the Model M2 unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The Model M2 consists of a rotorcraft UA and its associated elements (AE) including communication links and components that control the UA. The Model M2 UA has a maximum gross takeoff weight of 29 pounds. It is approximately 50 inches in width, 50 inches in length, and 10 inches in height. The Model M2 UA uses battery-powered electric motors for vertical takeoff, landing, and forward flight. The UAS operations would rely on high levels of automation and may include multiple UA operated by a single pilot, up to a ratio of 20 UA to 1 pilot. Matternet anticipates operators will use the Model M2 for transporting medical materials. The proposed concept of operations (CONOPS) for the Model M2 identifies a maximum operating altitude of 400 feet above ground level (AGL), a maximum cruise speed of 39 knots (45 mph), operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) of the pilot, and operations over human beings. Matternet has not requested type certification for flight into known icing for the Model M2. The FAA issued a notice of proposed airworthiness criteria for the Matternet M2 UAS, which published in the Federal Register on November 20, 2020 (85 FR 74294). Summary of Changes From the Proposed Airworthiness Criteria Based on the comments received, these final airworthiness criteria reflect the following changes, as explained in more detail under Discussion of Comments: A new section containing definitions; revisions to the CONOPS requirement; changing the term “critical part” to “flight essential part” in D&R.135; changing the basis of the durability and reliability testing from population density to limitations prescribed for the operating environment identified in the applicant's CONOPS per D&R.001; and, for the demonstration of certain required capabilities and functions as required by D&R.310. Additionally, the FAA re-evaluated its approach to type certification of low-risk UA using durability and reliability testing. Safe UAS operations depend and rely on both the UA and the AE. As explained in FAA Memorandum AIR600-21-AIR-600-PM01, dated July 13, 2021, the FAA has revised the airworthiness criteria to define a boundary between the UA type certification and subsequent operational evaluations and approval processes for the UAS ( i.e., waivers, exemptions, and/or operating certificates). …

Fonte: Federal Register (federalregister.gov). Texto original em inglês. Conteúdo sanitizado por segurança.