This paper studies the history of cabin pressurization regulations and makes policy recommendations to amend them in a manner that would encourage the design of all-new aircraft. One recently amended regulation (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Sec. 25.841) has an unintended byproduct. The Federal Aviation Administration must grant a compliance waiver in order to certify a new aircraft design with wing-mounted engines to fly at altitudes much above 40,000 ft. However, the Federal Aviation Administration grandfathers existing designs with higher certified ceilings and permits these designs to be modified under the Changed Product Rule (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Sec. 21.101). Because all but the largest commercial aircraft have their useful aerodynamic efficiency compromised if they are restricted to fly at or below 40,000 ft, the current regulation favors current production or derivative changes to existing certified aircraft over the development of an all-new modern airframe. Additional changes to this regulation could encourage the design of a new generation of aircraft with significantly lower fuel consumption. A proposed balancing test would address global environmental policy concerns against the foreseeable risks of sudden cabin depressurization.
Regulatory Changes to Enable the Development of More Efficient Transport Category Aircraft
Journal of Aircraft ; 50 , 5 ; 1353-1368
2013-07-17
16 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Regulatory Changes to Enable the Development of More Efficient Transport Category Aircraft
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