FAA Proposes Advisory Circular for Flammability Testing of Aircraft Cabin Interior Panels After Alterations

SUMMARY:  This advisory circular addresses flammability testing of aircraft cabin interior materials when new finishes are used on existing aircraft cabin interior panels (Draft AC 20-Panel Flam).

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS:  This advisory circular describes acceptable methods to test aircraft cabin interior materials when new finishes are used on existing aircraft cabin interior panels, typically done on supplemental type certificates or major alterations.

Apply this AC to materials for self-extinguishing flammability only. This AC does not apply to materials that must meet heat release or smoke emissions standards established by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 25 Amendment 25-61 and 14 CFR Part 121 Amendment 121-289.

The Federal Aviation Administration has written this AC for applicants, offering several methods for demonstrating compliance, which may be more cost-effective and less time-consuming than current methods.

Comments are due March 18, 2012.

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.

Regulatory