2026-08938

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 27 • [Docket No. FAA-2025-2303; Special Conditions No. 27-059-SC] AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final special conditions. SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R66 helicopter. This helicopter, as modified by Skyryse, will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for normal category rotorcraft. This design features a four-axis full authority digital fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control system (FCS), which provides aircraft control through pilot input or coupled autopilot modes. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards. DATES: Effective June 5, 2026. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mitch Soth, Product Policy Management, AIR-62B, Technical Policy Branch, Policy and Standards Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA Southwest Regional Office, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5104; email mitch.soth@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On April 10, 2023, Skyryse applied for a supplemental type certificate (STC) for the installation of novel control inputs and an FBW system in the Model R66 helicopter. The Robinson Model R66 helicopter, currently approved under Type Certificate No. R00015LA, is a single-engine, five-passenger helicopter with a maximum takeoff weight of 2,700 pounds. Title 14 CFR 27.171, 27.173, and 27.175 establish the minimum requirements for static longitudinal stability for operation under visual flight rules, and appendix B of part 27, sections IV and VII, “Airworthiness Criteria for Helicopter Instrument Flight,” provides the airworthiness criteria for helicopter instrument flight. However, these requirements are inadequate for the Robinson Model R-66 helicopter as modified by Skyryse because the longitudinal control laws may permit neutral or negative static stability rather than requiring positive static stability throughout the approved flight envelope. Type Certification Basis Under the provisions of § 21.101, Skyryse must show that the Robinson Model R66 helicopter, as changed, continues to meet the applicable provisions of the regulations incorporated by reference in Type Certificate No. R00015LA or with the regulations in effect on the date of the application for the change. If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness regulations ( i.e.,14 CFR part 27) do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for the Robinson Model R66 helicopter because of a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed under the provisions of § 21.16. Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which they are issued. Should the applicant apply for an STC to modify any other model included on the same type certificate to incorporate the same novel or unusual design feature, these special conditions would also apply to the other model under § 21.101. In addition to the applicable airworthiness…

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