2024-00549

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-2022-1763] 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 Wing Aviation LLC (Wing) Hummingbird unmanned aircraft (UA). This document sets forth the airworthiness criteria that the FAA finds to be appropriate and applicable for the UA design. DATES: These airworthiness criteria are effective February 12, 2024. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mack A. Martinez, Product Policy Management—Emerging Aircraft Section, AIR-62B, Technical Policy Branch, Policy and Standards Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Room 335/339, Des Plaines, IL 60018, telephone (847) 294-7481. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Wing Aviation LLC (Wing) applied to the FAA on September 19, 2018, for a special class type certificate (TC) under 14 CFR 21.17(b) for the Model Hummingbird UA. The Model Hummingbird consists of a fixed-wing airplane UA and its associated elements (AE) including communication links and components that control the UA. The Model Hummingbird UA has a maximum gross takeoff weight of approximately 15 pounds. It is approximately 3.4 feet in width, 4.2 feet in length, and 9.4 inches in height. The Model Hummingbird UA is battery powered using electric motors for vertical takeoff, landing, and forward flight. The unmanned aircraft system (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. Wing intends for the Model Hummingbird to be used to deliver packages. The proposed concept of operations (CONOPS) for the Model Hummingbird includes a maximum operating altitude of 400 feet above ground level, a maximum cruise speed of 68 knots, operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), and operations over people (OOP). Wing has not requested approval for flight into known icing for the Model Hummingbird UA. Under § 21.17(c), an application for type certification is effective for 3 years. Section 21.17(d) provides that where a TC has not been issued within that 3-year time limit, the applicant may file for an extension and update the designated applicable regulations in the type certification basis. The effective date of the applicable airworthiness requirements for the updated type certification basis must not be earlier than 3 years before the date of issue of the TC. Since the project was not certificated within 3 years after the application date above, the FAA approved the applicant's request to extend the application for type certification. As a result, the date of the updated type certification basis is September 26, 2022. The FAA issued a notice of proposed airworthiness criteria for the Wing Model Hummingbird UA, which published in the Federal Register on February 8, 2023 (88 FR 8333). Discussion of Comments The FAA received responses from 5 commenters. The comments came from industry organizations such as the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Coalition, the Commercial Drone Alliance, and Wing Aviation LLC. Specific Issues Raised Within the Scope of the Notice D&R.100…

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