The US Federal Aviation Administration is asking for certification changes for how new and some existing aircraft can withstand the tools of the terrorism trade, a $500 million effort the agency says would provide $1.2 billion in benefits and bring the USA more in line with international standards.
A notice of proposed rulemaking due for release late last week calls for manufacturers of new aircraft with more than 60 seats or maximum take-off weight of more than 45,400kg (100,000lb) to fortify aircraft in several ways:
- strengthen bulkheads, walls, grilles and floors around the cockpit to the same standards as the cockpit doors
- limit penetration of smoke, fumes or gas from incendiary devices entering the cockpit and cabin
- install cargo bay fire suppression systems that will survive an explosion
- separate redundant flight critical systems to maximise their ability to survive an explosion or fire
- design interiors "to deter the easy concealment of weapons or explosives or other objects, and lessen the likelihood of overlooking those items in a search".
An additional proposed rule deals with where to put an explosive device if found on board. The FAA says it is common practice for manufacturers to compute the least-risk bomb location (LRBL), but it is not required. Under the proposed regulation, manufacturers would have to include the location in new aircraft and would have one year to determine the LRBL for existing aircraft.
Source: Flight International
