2022-05608

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-2020-1087] AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Issuance of final airworthiness criteria. SUMMARY: The FAA announces the special class airworthiness criteria for the Wingcopter GmbH Model 198 US 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 April 18, 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: ( printed page 15056) Background Wingcopter GmbH (Wingcopter) applied to the FAA on March 17, 2020, for a special class type certificate under title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), § 21.17(b) for the Model 198 US unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The Model 198 US consists of a powered lift UA and its associated elements (AE) including communication links and components that control the UA. The Model 198 US UA has a maximum gross takeoff weight of 53 pounds. It has a wingspan of approximately 78 inches, is approximately 60 inches in length, and 22 inches in height. The Model 198 US 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. Wingcopter anticipates operators will use the Model 198 US for delivering packages. The proposed concept of operations (CONOPS) for the Model 198 US identifies a maximum operating altitude of 400 feet above ground level (AGL), a maximum cruise speed of 70 knots, operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) of the pilot, and operations over human beings. Wingcopter has not requested type certification for flight into known icing for the Model 198 US. The FAA issued a notice of proposed airworthiness criteria for the Wingcopter 198 US UAS, which published in the Federal Register on November 20, 2020 (85 FR 74275). 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 certif…

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