REFERENCE: April 2, 2010 Federal Register
SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend the lightning protection airworthiness standards by establishing new lightning protection regulations for electrical and electronic systems installed on aircraft certificated under Parts 23, 27 and 29, and revising lightning protection regulations for electrical and electronic systems installed on airplanes certificated under Part 25.
MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS: The proposed rulemaking would establish two levels of lightning protection for aircraft systems based on consequences of system function failure:
- Catastrophic consequences, which would prevent continued safe flight and landing; or
- Hazardous or major consequences, which would reduce the capability of the aircraft or the ability of the flight crew to respond to an adverse operating condition.
The proposed rulemaking also would establish lightning protection for aircraft systems according to the aircraft’s potential for lightning exposure.
Compliance with the new requirements would be based on demonstration of effective lightning protection for electrical and electronic systems. The proposed airworthiness standards would establish consistent lightning protection requirements for electrical and electronic systems.
Comments on the proposal are due on or before July 1, 2010.
AEA COMMENTARY: This is an important change in the regulations for the certification (and, in some instances, the installations) of the next-generation systems that will be at the forefront of avionics installations for the next decade. AEA members are encouraged to review the proposal and submit comments to the FAA.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Ric Peri, AEA vice president of government and industry affairs, by email at ricp@aea.net or by phone at 202-589-1144.