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33148 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No.

115 / Friday, June 15, 2007 / Rules and Regulations

not health-related. In addition, the payments under § 550.404, which states § 550.409 Evacuation payments during a
agency suggested there is no need for that evacuation payments must be based pandemic health crisis.
the new regulations at § 550.409. The on the rate of pay to which the (a) An agency may order one or more
agency recommended deleting § 550.409 employee was entitled immediately employees to evacuate from their
and suggested adding the term ‘‘such as before the issuance of the order to worksite and perform work from their
a pandemic health crisis’’ after ‘‘other evacuate. The commenter recommended home (or an alternative location
reasons’’ to the regulations at revising the regulations to clarify that mutually agreeable to the agency and
§ 550.401(a). We are not adopting these evacuation payments must be based on the employee) during a pandemic health
recommendations. Unlike emergency the rate of pay to which the employee crisis without regard to whether the
situations where employees may be was entitled immediately before the agency and the employee have a
ordered to evacuate a designated issuance of the order to evacuate, telework agreement in place at the time
geographic area (including evacuating notwithstanding an agency’s policy or the order to evacuate is issued.* * *
their worksites and homes), during a collective bargaining agreement * * * * *
pandemic health crisis employees may regarding an employee’s entitlement to
likely be ordered to evacuate their [FR Doc. E7–11584 Filed 6–14–07; 8:45 am]
a noncompetitive temporary promotion
worksites to promote ‘‘social when the employee is required to BILLING CODE 6325–39–P

distancing’’ but not ordered to evacuate perform higher-level duties during the
their homes. Because of these unique period of evacuation. We are not
conditions, we believe it is imperative adopting this recommendation. While DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
to limit the use of the evacuation there may be circumstances in which it
payment authority in § 550.409 to a Federal Aviation Administration
will be necessary to temporarily
pandemic health crisis. suspend certain provisions of an agency
One agency recommended revising 14 CFR Part 25
policy or a collective bargaining
§ 550.409(a) to make clear that an agreement in an emergency, it would be [Docket No. NM379 Special Conditions No.
agency’s authority during a pandemic inappropriate to provide such a broad 25–07–12–SC]
health crisis to order an employee to authorization to do so. The decision to
evacuate from his or her worksite and take such action must be made on a Special Conditions: Boeing Model 777–
perform work from the employee’s case-by-case basis taking into 300ER Airplane; Lithium Ion Battery
home includes the situation where the consideration the facts and Installation
agency and the employee do not have a circumstances that exist at that time. AGENCY: Federal Aviation
telework agreement in place at the time
E.O. 12866, Regulatory Review Administration (FAA) DOT.
the order to evacuate is issued. We agree
and have revised § 550.409(a). The ACTION: Final special conditions; request
The Office of Management and Budget for comments.
agency also recommended that OPM has reviewed this rule in accordance
delete the provision in § 550.409(a) with E.O. 12866. SUMMARY: These special conditions are
which limits an agency’s authority to issued for the Boeing Model 777–300ER
order an employee to perform work Regulatory Flexibility Act
airplane. This airplane as modified by
from a location other than the I certify that these regulations will not the Boeing Commercial Airplane
employee’s home to a location that is have a significant economic impact on Company will have a novel or unusual
‘‘mutually agreeable to the agency and a substantial number of small entities design feature associated with the use of
the employee.’’ The agency believes it is because they will apply only to Federal lithium ion battery technology in on-
impractical to require an agency and an agencies and employees. board systems. The applicable
employee to engage in discussions with airworthiness regulations do not contain
the intent of reaching an agreement as List of Subjects in 5 CFR Parts 531 and
550 adequate or appropriate safety standards
to where the employee is going to work, for this design feature. These special
especially in the context of an Administrative practice and conditions contain the additional safety
emergency health crisis. We are not procedure, Claims, Government standards that the Administrator
adopting this recommendation. During a employees, Law enforcement officers, considers necessary to establish a level
pandemic health crisis, if an employee Wages. of safety equivalent to that established
does not comply with his or her
Office of Personnel Management. by the existing airworthiness standards.
agency’s order to work from home, or
the agency and the employee cannot Linda M. Springer, DATES: The effective date of these
agree on an alternative work location, Director. special conditions is June 1, 2007. We
the agency may disapprove the ■Accordingly, the interim rule must receive your comments by July 30,
employee’s evacuation payments. Under amending 5 CFR parts 531 and 550, 2007.
these circumstances, the employee may which was published at 71 FR 47692 on ADDRESSES: Comments on this rule may
be required to use his or her accrued August 17, 2006, is adopted as final be mailed in duplicate to: Federal
annual leave (i.e., ‘‘enforced leave’’), with the following change: Aviation Administration, Transport
may be furloughed, or disciplined, as Airplane Directorate, Attention: Rules
appropriate. PART 550—PAY ADMINISTRATION Docket (ANM–113), Docket No. NM379,
One agency noted that the issue of (GENERAL) 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
temporary promotion pay is not clearly Washington 98057–3356; or delivered in
addressed in the regulations. Under ■ 1. The authority citation for subpart D duplicate to the Transport Airplane
§ 550.409(a), evacuated employees may of part 550 continues to read as follows: Directorate at the above address. All
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be assigned to perform any work Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5527; E.O. 10982, 3 comments must be marked Docket No.
necessary or required to be performed CFR parts 1959–1963, p. 502. NM379. Comments may be inspected in
without regard to his or her grade, level, ■ 2. Amend § 550.409 by revising the the Rules Docket weekdays, except
or title. The regulations also require first sentence of paragraph (a) to read as Federal holidays, between 7:30 a.m. and
agencies to compute evacuation follows: 4 p.m.

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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 115 / Friday, June 15, 2007 / Rules and Regulations 33149

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: airplane is a large twin engine airplane design feature, the special conditions
Nazih Khaouly, FAA, Airplane & Flight with a maximum passenger capacity of would also apply to the other model.
Crew Interface Branch, ANM–111, 550.
The regulations do not address the Novel or Unusual Design Features
Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service, 1601 Lind novel and unusual design features The Boeing Commercial Airplane
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington associated with the installation of an Group proposes using lithium ion
98057–3356; telephone (425) 227–2432; IFE system that uses lithium ion battery battery technology for the IFE system in
facsimile (425) 227–1149. technology. this airplane. High capacity,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA rechargeable lithium ion batteries are a
Type Certification Basis novel or unusual design feature in
has determined that notice and
opportunity for prior public comment Under the provisions of § 21.101 transport category airplanes. Because of
hereon are impracticable because these Boeing Commercial Airplane Group rapid improvements in airplane
procedures would significantly delay must show that the Boeing Model 777– technology, the applicable airworthiness
issuance of the design approval and 300ER, as changed, continues to meet regulations do not contain adequate or
thus delivery of the affected aircraft. In the applicable provisions of the appropriate safety standards for this
addition, these special conditions are regulations incorporated by reference in design feature. These special conditions
identical to those issued for another Type Certificate No. T00001SE or the for the 777–300ER contain the
model of airplane; those special applicable regulations in effect on the additional safety standards that the
conditions were subjected to prior date of application for the change. The Administrator considers necessary to
notice and public comment. The FAA regulations incorporated by reference in establish a level of safety equivalent to
therefore finds that good cause exists for the type certificate are commonly that established by the existing
making these special conditions referred to as the ‘‘original type airworthiness standards.
effective upon issuance. certification basis.’’ The regulations Lithium ion batteries have certain
incorporated by reference in T00001SE failure, operational, and maintenance
Comments Invited are Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations characteristics that differ significantly
We invite interested people to take (CFR), part 25, as amended by from those of the nickel-cadmium and
part in this rulemaking by sending Amendments 25–1 through 25–98, lead-acid rechargeable batteries
written comments, data, or views. The except for §§ 25.831(a) and (g) and currently approved for installation on
most helpful comments reference as 25.841(a), which remain at Amendment large transport category airplanes. The
specific portion of the special 25–86, and § 25.853(d)(3), which FAA is adopting these special
conditions, explain the reason for any remains at Amendment 25–82. Section conditions to require that (1) all
recommended change, and include 25.1517 is not part of the TC. Refer to characteristics of the lithium ion battery
supporting data. We ask that you send Type Certificate No. T00001SE, as and its installation that could affect safe
us two copies of written comments. applicable, for a complete description of operation of the 777–300ER are
We will file in the docket all the certification basis for this model, addressed, and (2) appropriate
comments we receive, as well as a including certain special conditions that maintenance requirements are
report summarizing each substantive are not relevant to these special established to ensure availability of
public contact with FAA personnel conditions. electrical power from the batteries when
about these special conditions. You can If the Administrator finds that the needed.
inspect the docket before and after the applicable airworthiness regulations
(part 25, as amended) do not contain Background
comment closing date. If you wish to
review the docket in person, go to the adequate or appropriate safety standards The current regulations governing
address in the ADDRESSES section of this for the Boeing Model 777–300ER installation of batteries in large
preamble between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., because of a novel or unusual design transport category airplanes were
Monday through Friday, except Federal feature, special conditions are derived from Civil Air Regulations
holidays. prescribed under the provisions of (CAR) part 4b.625(d) as part of the re-
We will consider all comments we § 21.16. codification of CAR 4b that established
receive by the closing date for In addition to the applicable 14 CFR part 25 in February, 1965. The
comments. We will consider comments airworthiness regulations and special new battery requirements, 14 CFR
filed late if it is possible to do so conditions, the Boeing Model 777– 25.1353(c)(1) through (c)(4), basically
without incurring expense or delay. We 300ER must comply with the fuel vent reworded the CAR requirements.
may change these special conditions and exhaust emission requirements of Increased use of nickel-cadmium
based on the comments we receive. 14 CFR part 34 and the noise batteries in small airplanes resulted in
If you want us to let you know we certification requirements of 14 CFR increased incidents of battery fires and
received your comments on these part 36. failures. This led to additional
special conditions, send us a pre- The FAA issues special conditions, as rulemaking affecting large transport
addressed, stamped postcard on which defined in § 11.19 and § 11.38 and they category airplanes as well a small
the docket number appears. We will become part of the type certification airplanes. On September 1, 1977, and
stamp the date on the postcard and mail basis under § 21.101. March 1, 1978, respectively the FAA
it back to you. Special conditions are initially issued 14 CFR 25.1353(c)(5) and (c)(6),
applicable to the model for which they governing nickel-cadmium battery
Background are issued. Should the type certificate installations on large transport category
On February 15, 2006, Boeing for that model be amended later to airplanes.
Commercial Airplane Group, Seattle, include any other model that The proposed use of lithium ion
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Washington, applied for an amended incorporates the same novel or unusual batteries for the IFE system on the
type certificate to install a new design feature, or should any other Boeing Model 777–300ER airplane has
Panasonic eX2 in-flight entertainment model already included on the same prompted the FAA to review the
(IFE) system in a Boeing 777–300ER type certificate be modified to adequacy of these existing regulations.
airplane. The Boeing Model 777–300ER incorporate the same novel or unusual Our review indicates that existing

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33150 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 115 / Friday, June 15, 2007 / Rules and Regulations

regulations do not adequately address battery installations are not hazardous Model 777–300ER airplane must be
several failure, operational, and or unreliable. To address these designed and installed as follows:
maintenance characteristics of lithium concerns, these special conditions adopt (1) Safe cell temperatures and
ion batteries that could affect the safety the following requirements: pressures must be maintained during
and reliability of the 777–300ER’s • Those sections of 14 CFR 25.1353 any foreseeable charging or discharging
lithium ion battery installation. that are applicable to lithium ion condition and during any failure of the
At present, there is limited experience batteries. charging or battery monitoring system
with use of rechargeable lithium ion • The flammable fluid fire protection not shown to be extremely remote. The
batteries in applications involving requirements of 14 CFR 25.863. In the lithium ion battery installation must
commercial aviation. However, other past, this rule was not applied to preclude explosion in the event of those
uses of this technology, ranging from batteries of transport category airplanes, failures.
wireless telephone manufacturing to the since the electrolytes used in lead-acid (2) Design of the lithium ion batteries
electric vehicle industry, have noted and nickel-cadmium batteries are not must preclude the occurrence of self-
safety problems with lithium ion flammable. sustaining, uncontrolled increases in
batteries. These problem include • New requirements to address the temperature or pressure.
overcharging, over-discharging, and hazards of overcharging and over- (3) No explosive or toxic gases
flammability of cell components. discharging that are unique to lithium emitted by any lithium ion battery in
ion batteries. normal operation, or as the result of any
1. Overcharging failure of the battery charging system,
• New maintenance requirements to
In general, lithium ion batteries are ensure that batteries used as spares are monitoring system, or battery
significantly more susceptible to maintained in an appropriate state of installation not shown to be extremely
internal failures that can result in self- charge. remote, may accumulate in hazardous
sustaining increases in temperature and quantities within the airplane.
pressure (thermal runaway) than their Applicability (4) Installations of lithium ion
nickel-cadmium or lead-acid As discussed above, these special batteries must meet the requirements of
counterparts. This is especially true for conditions are applicable to the Boeing 14 CFR 25.863(a) through (d).
overcharging, which causes heating and Model 777–300ER airplane. Should (5) No corrosive fluids or gases that
destabilization of the components of the Boeing apply at a later date for a change may escape from any lithium ion battery
cell, leading to formation (by plating) of to the type certificate to include another may damage surrounding structure or
highly unstable metallic lithium. The model incorporating the same novel or any adjacent systems, equipment, or
metallic lithium can ignite, resulting in unusual design feature, the special electrical wiring of the airplane in such
a self-sustaining fire or explosion. conditions would apply to that model as a way as to cause a major or more severe
Finally, the severity of thermal runaway well. failure condition, in accordance with 14
from overcharging increases with CFR 25.1309(b) and applicable
increasing battery capacity, because of Conclusion regulatory guidance.
the higher amount of electrolytes in This action affects only certain novel (6) Each lithium ion battery
large batteries. or unusual design features on one model installation must have provisions to
of airplane. It is not a rule of general prevent any hazardous effect on
2. Over-Discharging structure or essential systems caused by
applicability.
Discharge of some types of lithium Under standard practice, the effective the maximum amount of heat the
ion batteries beyond a certain voltage date of final special conditions would battery can generate during a short
(typically 2.4 volts) can cause corrosion be 30 days after the date of publication circuit of the battery or of its individual
of the electrodes of the cell, resulting in in the Federal Register; however, as the cells.
loss of battery capacity that cannot be certification date for the Boeing Model (7) Lithium ion battery installations
reversed by recharging. This loss of 777–300ER is imminent, the FAA finds must have a system to control the
capacity may not be detected by the that good cause exists to make these charging rate of the battery
simple voltage measurements special conditions effective upon automatically, so as to prevent battery
commonly available to flightcrews as a issuance. overheating or overcharging, and,
means of checking battery status. This is (i) A battery temperature sensing and
a problem shared with nickel-cadmium List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25 over-temperature warning system with a
batteries. Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting means for automatically disconnecting
and recordkeeping requirements. the battery from its charging source in
3. Flammability of Cell Components the event of an over-temperature
Unlike nickel-cadmium and lead-acid The authority citation for these
condition, or,
batteries, some types of lithium ion special conditions is as follows: (ii) A battery failure sensing and
batteries use liquid electrolytes that are Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701, warning system with a means for
flammable. The electrolytes can serve as 44702, 44704. automatically disconnecting the battery
a source of fuel for an external fire, if The Special Conditions from its charging source in the event of
there is a breach of the battery battery failure.
container. ■ Accordingly, pursuant to the authority (8) Any lithium ion battery
These problems experienced by users delegated to me by the Administrator, installation whose function is required
of lithium ion batteries raise concern the following special conditions are for safe operation of the airplane must
about their use in commercial aviation. issued as part of the type certification incorporate a monitoring and warning
The intent of these special conditions is basis for the Boeing Model 777–300ER feature that will provide an indication
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to establish appropriate airworthiness airplane. to the appropriate flight crewmembers


standards for lithium ion battery In lieu of the requirements of 14 CFR whenever the state of charge of the
installations in the Boeing Model 777– 25.1353(c)(1) through (c)(4), the batteries has fallen below levels
300ER airplane and to ensure, as following special conditions apply. considered acceptable for dispatch of
required by 14 CFR 25.601, that these Lithium ion batteries on the Boeing the airplane.

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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 115 / Friday, June 15, 2007 / Rules and Regulations 33151

(9) The Instructions for Continued Register approves this incorporation by management of aircraft operations
Airworthiness required by 14 CFR reference action under 1 CFR part 51, within the Chicago, Cleveland, and
25.1529 must contain maintenance subject to the annual revision of FAA Indianapolis ARTCCs’ areas of
requirements for measurements of Order 7400.9 and publication of responsibility.
battery capacity at appropriate intervals conforming amendments. The FAA has determined that this
to ensure that batteries whose function FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: regulation only involves an established
is required for safe operation of the Steve Rohring, Airspace and Rules body of technical regulations for which
airplane will perform their intended Group, Office of System Operations frequent and routine amendments are
function as long as the battery is Airspace and AIM, Federal Aviation necessary to keep them operationally
installed in the airplane. The Administration, 800 Independence current. Therefore, this regulation: (1) Is
Instructions for Continued Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’
Airworthiness must also contain telephone: (202) 267–8783. under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not
procedures for the maintenance of a ‘‘significant rule’’ under Department of
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
lithium ion batteries in spares storage to Transportation (DOT) Regulatory
prevent the replacement of batteries History Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034;
whose funciton is required for safe February 26, 1979); and (3) does not
On June 16, 2006, the FAA published
operation of the airplane with batteries warrant preparation of a regulatory
in the Federal Register a notice of
that have experienced degraded charge evaluation, as the anticipated impact is
proposed rulemaking to establish 16
retention ability or other damage due to so minimal. Since this is a routine
VOR Federal Airways (V–65, V–176, V–
prolonged storage at a low state of matter that will only affect air traffic
383, V–396, V–406, V–410, V–414, V–
charge. procedures and air navigation, it is
416, V–418, V–426, V–467, V–486, V–
Note: These special conditions are not 542, V–584, V–586, and V–609); modify certified that this rule, when
intended to replace 14 CFR 25.1353(c) in the 13 VOR Federal Airways (V–14, V–26, promulgated, will not have a significant
certification basis of the Boeing Model 777– economic impact on a substantial
300ER airplane. These special conditions
V–40, V–72, V–75, V–90, V–96, V–103,
apply only to lithium ion batteries and their V–116, V–133, V–297, V–435, and V– number of small entities under the
installations. The requirements of 14 CFR 526); and revoke one VOR Federal criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
25.1353(c) remain in effect for batteries and Airway (V–42) (71 FR 34854). Interested Environmental Review
battery installations of the Boeing Model parties were invited to participate in
777–300ER airplane that do not use lithium this rulemaking effort by submitting The FAA has determined that this
ion batteries. written comments on the proposal. No action qualifies for categorical exclusion
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 1, comments were received objecting to under the National Environment Policy
2007. the proposal. Act in accordance with 311a and 311b.,
Ali Bahrami, On January 18, 2007, the FAA FAA Order 1050.1E, ‘‘Environmental
published in the Federal Register a final Impacts: Policies and Procedures’’. This
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service. rule (72 FR 2182) taking action on all of airspace action is not expected to cause
the above proposed airway any potentially significant environment
[FR Doc. 07–2939 Filed 6–14–07; 8:45 am]
establishments, modifications and impacts, and no extraordinary
BILLING CODE 4910–13–M
revocations except V–65 and V–133. circumstances exist that warrant
Establishment of V–65 was deferred preparation of environmental
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION because the Sandusky VOR was out of assessment.
service. This action establishes V–65 List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Federal Aviation Administration now that the Sandusky VOR has been
returned to service. Modification of V– Airspace, Incorporation by reference,
14 CFR Part 71 133 was deferred because the original Navigation (air).
routing proposed in the NPRM did not
[Docket No. FAA–2006–24926; Airspace Adoption of the Amendment
Docket No. 06–ASW–1] pass flight check. Action on V–133 will
be taken under a separate rulemaking ■ In consideration of the foregoing, the
RIN 2120–AA66 action. Federal Aviation Administration
VOR Federal Airways are published amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:
Establishment, Modification and in paragraph 6010 of FAA Order
Revocation of VOR Federal Airways; 7400.9P dated September 1, 2006, and PART 71—DESIGNATION OF CLASS A,
East Central United States effective September 15, 2006, which is B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR
AGENCY: Federal Aviation incorporated by reference in 14 CFR TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND
Administration (FAA), DOT. 71.1. The VOR Federal Airways listed in REPORTING POINTS
ACTION: Final rule. this document will be published
subsequently in the Order. ■ 1. The authority citation for part 71
SUMMARY: This action establishes VOR continues to read as follows:
Federal Airway, V–65 over the East The Rule
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113,
Central United States in support of the This action amends Title 14 Code of 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959–
Midwest Airspace Enhancement Plan Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to 1963 Comp., p. 389.
(MASE). The FAA is taking this action establish VOR Federal Airway V–65
to enhance safety and to improve the over the East Central United States § 71.1 [Amended]
efficient use of the navigable airspace within the airspace assigned to the ■ 2. The incorporation by reference in
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assigned to the Chicago, Cleveland, and Chicago, Cleveland, and Indianapolis 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.9P,
Indianapolis Air Route Traffic Control ARTCCs. This action enhances safety Airspace Designations and Reporting
Centers (ARTCC). and facilitates the more flexible and Points, dated September 1, 2006, and
DATES: Effective Date: 0901 UTC, August efficient use of the navigable airspace. effective September 15, 2006, is
30, 2007. The Director of the Federal Further, this action enhances the amended as follows:

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