Certificatin Memrandum Certificatin f airbrne systems using Light Amplificatin by Stimulated Emissin f Radiatin (LASER) with high energy EASA CM N.: CM AS-006 Issue 01 issued 10 June 2016 Regulatry requirement(s): CS 23.1301, CS 23.1309, CS 25.1301, CS 25.1309, CS 27.1301, CS 27.1309, CS 29.1301, CS 29.1309 EASA Certificatin Memranda clarify the Eurpean Aviatin Safety Agency s general curse f actin n specific certificatin items. They are intended t prvide guidance n a particular subject and, as nn-binding material, may prvide cmplementary infrmatin and guidance fr cmpliance demnstratin with current standards. Certificatin Memranda are prvided fr infrmatin purpses nly and must nt be miscnstrued as frmally adpted Acceptable Means f Cmpliance (AMC) r as Guidance Material (GM). Certificatin Memranda are nt intended t intrduce new certificatin requirements r t mdify existing certificatin requirements and d nt cnstitute any legal bligatin. EASA Certificatin Memranda are living dcuments int which either additinal criteria r additinal issues can be incrprated as sn as a need is identified by EASA. Page 1 f 11
Lg f issues Issue Issue date Change descriptin 01 10.06.2016 First issue. Table f Cntent Lg f issues... 2 Table f Cntent... 2 1. Intrductin... 3 1.1. Purpse and scpe... 3 1.2. References... 3 1.3. Abbreviatins... 4 2. Backgrund... 5 3. EASA Certificatin Plicy... 6 3.1. EASA Plicy... 6 3.2. Airwrthiness Certificatin... 8 3.3. Wh this Certificatin Memrandum affects... 11 4. Remarks... 11 Page 2 f 11
1. Intrductin 1.1. Purpse and scpe The purpse f this Certificatin Memrandum (CM) is t prvide specific guidance supprting the certificatin fr installatin f airbrne systems based n Light Amplificatin by Stimulated Emissin f Radiatin (LASER r laser) with high energy while shwing cmpliance with certificatin specificatins CS XX.1301 and XX.1309. Other aspects f the installatins such as aerdynamic effects f the external installatins are nt cnsidered in the scpe f the CM. Mrever, this CM intends t prvide guidance fr prtectin f grund persnnel, third parties and ther aircraft crew frm hazards caused by the use f lasers in free airspace. 1.2. References It is intended that the fllwing reference materials be used in cnjunctin with this Certificatin Memrandum: Reference Title Cde Issue Date Regulatin (EC) N 216/2008 Annex Part 21 t Cmmissin Regulatin (EU) N 748/2012 21.A.31 21.A.91 CS 23.1301 CS 23.1309 CS 23.1529 CS 23.1581 Regulatin (EC) N 216/2008 f the Eurpean Parliament and f the Cuncil n cmmn rules in the field f civil aviatin and establishing a Eurpean Aviatin Safety Agency Cmmissin Regulatin (EU) N 748/2012 laying dwn implementing rules fr the airwrthiness and envirnmental certificatin f aircraft and related prducts, parts and appliances, as well as fr the certificatin f design and prductin rganisatins Type design Classificatin f changes t a type-certificate Certificatin Specificatins fr Nrmal, Utility, Aerbatic, and Cmmuter Categry Aerplanes --- --- --- --- --- --- CS-23 --- --- Page 3 f 11
Reference Title Cde Issue Date CS 25.1301 CS 25.1309 CS 25.1529 CS 25.1581 CS 27.1301 CS 27.1309 CS 27.1529 CS 27.1581 CS 29.1301 CS 29.1309 CS 29.1529 CS 29.1581 Certificatin Specificatins and Acceptable Means f Cmpliance fr Large Aerplanes Certificatin Specificatins fr Small Rtrcrafts Certificatin Specificatins fr Large Rtrcrafts CS-25 --- --- CS-27 --- --- CS-29 --- --- 21 CFR 1040.10 21 CFR 1040.11 Perfrmance standards fr light emitting prducts US Cde f Federal Regulatins Title 21 - part 1040 --- --- IEC 60825 Safety f Laser Prducts IEC 60825-1 3 15 May 2014 ED-135/ ARP4761 Guidelines and Methds fr Cnducting the Safety Assessment Prcess n Civil Airbrne Systems and Equipment EUROCAE ED-135/ SAE ARP 4761 --- December 1996 ED-79A/ ARP4754A Guidelines fr the develpment f civil aircraft and systems EUROCAE ED-79A/ SAE ARP 4754A A December 2010 ED-80/DO-254 Design Assurance Guidance fr Airbrne Electrnic Hardware. EUROCAE ED-80/ RTCA DO-254 --- April 2000 AMC 20-115C Sftware Cnsideratins fr Certificatin f Airbrne Systems and Equipment AMC 20 Amendment 10 C 12 September 2013 ICAO Dc 9815 Manual n Laser Emitters and Flight Safety Dc 9815 / AN-447 1 2003 1.3. Abbreviatins AFM Aircraft Flight Manual Page 4 f 11
AMC CM CS EASA FAA FDA FLIR GM ICA IEC LASER LIDAR NOHD RFM STC TC TCDS Acceptable Means f Cmpliance Certificatin Memrandum Certificatin Specificatin Eurpean Aviatin Safety Agency Federal Aviatin Administratin Fd and Drug Administratin Frward Lking InfraRed Guidance Material Instructins fr Cntinued Airwrthiness Internatinal Electrtechnical Cmmissin Light Amplificatin by Stimulated Emissin f Radiatin Light Detectin and Ranging Nminal Ocular Hazard Distance Rtrcraft Flight Manual Supplemental Type Certificate Type Certificate Type Certificate Data Sheet 2. Backgrund There are many airbrne laser systems that may be used fr multiple missins and applicatins by different peratrs, including but nt limited t: - Laser pinters - Laser range finders - Laser illuminatrs - Target designatrs - LIDAR ( Light Detectin and Ranging) sensrs Laser systems can be used t pint bject r lcatins n the grund r t determine distance (range) t an bject fr different purpses f law enfrcement, search and rescue, military, etc. The laser illuminatrs can light up large areas with near-infrared r invisible light and require the use f special viewing devices (e.g., night visin gggles r infrared cameras). Lasers may be als used t perfrm imaging by measuring the reflected return f a prjected laser beam; these devices can be used fr grund mapping, atmspheric measuring, surveillance, etc. and can emit visible r invisible laser energy. Page 5 f 11
Airbrne lasers may present unique hazards t flight crews, passengers, and peple n ther aircraft, maintenance persnnel and the nn-flying public. Expsure t laser light can cause temprary blindness (nly if visible) t the flight crew r crews f ther aircraft, as well as significant and smetimes permanent injury t the eyes and skin, r damage t the aircraft structure, depending n the laser type, wavelength, pwer, pulsatin, expsure time, distance, beam characteristics and ther factrs. The classificatin f laser radiatin accrding t the different available standards is: IEC 60825-1 21 CFR 1040.10 (US FDA/CDRH) Class Descriptin Class Descriptin 1 Nt cnsidered t be hazardus I Nt cnsidered t be hazardus fr cntinuus viewing 1M N knwn hazards unless cllecting ptics are used - - - - IIa Cnsidered a chrnic hazard depending n the amunt f time viewed 2 N knwn hazard within 0.25 secnds (aversin respnse time) II Laser radiatin is a chrnic viewing hazard 2M Nt knwn t cause eye r skin damage within the aversin respnse time unless cllecting ptics are used - - 3R Direct expsure is ptentially hazardus. Risk f injury is greater than fr the lwer classes but nt as high as fr class 3B. IIIa Laser radiatin is hazardus t the eyes 3B Radiatin is very likely t be dangerus and can be a hazard t the eye r skin. IIIb Acute hazard t skin and eyes frm direct radiatin 4 The laser is very dangerus fr the eyes and dangerus fr the skin. It can ptentially cause fires and explsins. IV Cnsidered an acute hazard t skin and eyes frm direct r scattered radiatin 3. EASA Certificatin Plicy 3.1. EASA Plicy The fllwing plicy prvides guidelines fr systems that cntain lasers, while shwing cmpliance with CS XX.1301 and CS XX.1309. 3.1.1 The installatin f equipment that nly emits Class 1, 1M, 2, 2M r 3R laser energy des nt typically require majr mitigatin fr the laser feature as a cnditin fr the installatin apprval. Such a change shall be classified in accrdance with Part 21.A.91. Page 6 f 11
3.1.2 Due t the hazardus effect f laser systems installatins that emit effective 1 Class 3B and 4 lasers external t the equipment shuld be classified as a majr change t a type certificate in accrdance with Part 21.A.91. Therefre, the applicant shuld apply fr a Majr Change Apprval r fr a Supplemental Type Certificate, whichever is applicable. Hazards frm laser systems that may emit Class 3B r 4 laser energy shuld be identified and mitigatin measures shuld be included in the installatin. 3.1.3 The fllwing hazards shuld be addressed (but are nt necessarily limited t): Resulting lcal heating f material and/r human skin, inside and utside the aircraft Eye expsure t direct and indirect beam light inside and utside the aircraft including unintended events taking int cnsideratin expected beam directin(s). 3.1.4 Mitigatin strategies may cnsist f, but are nt limited t, the fllwing measures: Design related: Operatinal: Autmatic deactivatin Diffusin f the beam Divergence f the beam Scanning safeguard Usage f prtectin cvers Limitatin f the beam angle envelpe Operatinal restrictins Ensuring safe distance It may be useful t use autmatic deactivatin at distances less than the Nminal Ocular Hazard Distance (NOHD). When viewing thrugh ptical aids, this is termed extended NOHD (ENOHD). Sme systems may be able t calculate the distance t a target. The use f height abve the terrain sensrs as the nly mean may nt be cnsidered ptimal as it is nt addressing terrain variatins and nt taking int accunt the aircraft rientatin. Certificatin guidance fr these systems are presented in para 3.2.1. The fully enclsed Class 3B r 4 laser device that des nt emit r transmit laser energy external t the system, r a system that includes such a laser (Class 3B r 4) that thrugh sme internal mechanism diffuses the laser energy dwn t a Class 1, 1M, 2, 2M r 3R laser at emissin, is a specific case and may be acceptable fr installatin and use withut requiring disabling capability as a cnditin f the installatin apprval. Certificatin guidance fr these types f systems can be fund in 3.2.2. If the Class 3B r 4 laser system is t be used fr carrying ut peratins which are excluded frm the remit f Regulatin (EC) N 216/2008 (refer t Art. 1.2) (military, custms, plice, search and rescue, firefighting, castguard r similar activities), it is acknwledged that the installatin may nt be cmpliant with EASA airwrthiness requirements. Hwever, if the applicant wishes the aircraft t remain cmpliant with an EASA type certificatin basis, it shuld satisfy either the guidance materials laid dwn in para 3.2.1 and 3.2.2 f this 1 Classificatin f laser prducts is nrmally dne by the manufacturer f the laser prduct, but where this is nt the case (e.g. laser cmpnents, experimental r prttype systems), then the user shuld ensure that the effective class f the laser is determined based n the level f its accessible emissin in accrdance with IEC 60825. Page 7 f 11
CM respectively r the design f the installatin must shw that the laser feature is disabled. The same applies t mdificatins that set the aircraft in the Annex II f the Regulatin (EC) N 216/2008. Fr disabled laser installatins, certificatin guidance can be fund in para 3.2.3 belw. In these cases, EASA shuld nt assess all hazards assciated with laser peratins. Nevertheless, althugh the laser is t be perated in an EASA unapprved cnfiguratin, it shuld be demnstrated that its use is nt causing any damage t aircraft systems s that airwrthiness is cmprmised, when the aircraft is reverted t the EASA apprved cnfiguratin. 3.2. Airwrthiness Certificatin 3.2.1 Certificatin prvisins fr effective Class 3B and 4 lasers n bard aircraft t be used during peratins under the remit f the Regulatin (EC) N 216/2008. These specific plicy guidelines help applicants t cmply with all relevant requirements pertaining t installatin f such systems by the apprpriate Certificatin Specificatin (CS). a) The develpment assurance levels fr sftware and airbrne electrnic hardware shuld be cmmensurate with the failure cnditin categry assciated with the intentinal and inadvertent emissin f the laser beam external t the system. Guidance prvided in the ED-79A culd be used. The applicant can incrprate design installatin mitigatins intended t address the assessed hazards (e.g., altitude interlcks). There shuld be n direct r reflected path (e.g. ff the skids, carg mirrr, spinner, landing gear) frm the laser int the cckpit r cabin exceeding the relevant expsure limits (MPE, AEL, r the visual interference levels in case f visible laser). Mechanical stps r shielding may be used t ensure the laser emissins cannt be unintentinally aimed r reflected int the cckpit r cabin, thus expsing the ccupants t the emissins. A systems safety analysis shuld be cnducted t identify hazards and determine the develpment assurance levels t mitigate unintentinal expsure f crew and passengers t laser energy. If using electrnic stps instead f mechanical stps r shielding, the assciated Develpment Assurance Level (DAL) shuld be equal t r greater than the failure cnditin categry assciated with the hazard f unintentinally expsing the pilt, crew r passengers t laser emissins. Nte: Cmmercial ff the shelf systems typically have n Develpment Assurance qualificatin and may be used fr applicatins having N Safety Effects (NSE) nly. The direct expsure f ccupants, pilt, crew r passengers t laser emissins Class 3B and 4 is cnsidered a hazardus failure cnditin and culd be catastrphic if cntinued safe flight is nt pssible because f the severity f the laser damage t the pilt s eye r skin in the sense f CS XX.1309. Risk t the nn-flying public shuld be peratinally treated in a similar way t basic regulatin (EC) 216/2008, ANNEX I, item 2 Airwrthiness aspects f prduct peratin. b) The laser installatin shuld include safety interlck, remte interlck cnnectr, key cntrl and an emissins indicatr. In additin, the laser installatin shuld cmply with the laser labelling requirements. The Internatinal Standard IEC 60825 is hereby referred fr 3.2.1 b) requirements. c) T prevent unintentinal grund emissin and t minimise any hazards t nn-flying public, the installatin shuld include a safety firing interlck, such as altitude and directin limiters. The firing interlck can use a radi altimeter r ther means t prevent laser emissin while n the grund r belw a prescribed height abve the terrain (e.g., 1,000ft abve grund level). If a radi altimeter safety interlck is used, an analysis shuld be prvided that demnstrates the safety interlck will prtect the nn-flying public fr all terrain types t include cities with tall buildings. The interlck system design shuld ptimally cntrl pwer t the laser emitter. The applicant may prpse ther interlck means. Page 8 f 11
d) Detailed type design and engineering data shuld be prvided fr thse aspects f the laser system where malfunctins culd create hazards in rder t ensure adequate manufacturing quality and cnfiguratin design cntrl measures t mitigate laser hazards f subsequent installatins. e) Prvisins shuld be implemented fr safety f peratin and cntinued airwrthiness and there shuld be peratinal and maintenance prcedures t prtect the flight crew, the flying and nnflying public, and maintenance and grund persnnel frm the laser hazard. This hazard shall include ptential laser expsure such as irradiance at anticipated expsure distances, expected reflectin characteristics and ther physical cnsideratins, e. g., windw transmittance at peratinal laser wavelength(s). Placards, peratin manuals, flight manuals and maintenance manuals shuld define safe peratinal practices and prcedures, identify hazards and prvide apprpriate limitatins. As a further mean t minimise the risk fr the nn-flying public, a limitatin culd be set s, that pwer t the system and its peratin is prhibited when flying ver densely ppulated areas. f) The fllwing laser characteristics shuld be prvided by the applicant, (mre data may be required): (1) Maximum permissible expsure (MPE), (2) Nminal cular hazard distance(nohd), (3) Accessible Emissin Limit (AEL) (4) Parameters : wavelength, divergence, emissin duratin, expsure time, and pwer In additin fr the characteristics 1 t 3 the ratinal and evidence hw thse characteristics have been established shuld be prvided as well. The Internatinal Standard IEC 60825-1 Safety f laser prducts and the assciated parts f IEC 60825 are hereby referred as a guide fr these calculatins. Fr visible lasers, distances where beams are bright enugh t distract aircrews r create aftereffects n persns are f cncern. Laser-beam Sensitive, Laser-beam Critical and Laser-beam Free Flight Znes shuld be calculated. Thse distances and the assciated emissin level shall be cmplied. If the calculated visual effect distance is less (shrter distance) than the NOHD, it shall be warned Less than NOHD. The ICAO Dc 9815 Manual n Laser Emitters and Flight Safety is hereby referred as a guide fr visible lasers. g) The fllwing mitigating factrs shuld be prvided as well: (1) Cntrl measure peratin and reliability: Cntrl measure reliability, cnditins under which cntrl measures might fail r be defeated, any peratin when the cntrl measures are defeated fr service r maintenance and hw the cntrl measures mitigate laser hazards. (2) Aircraft rientatins: Orientatins f the aircraft such as banking angles and the safety ramificatins f flying belw surrunding terrain as these factrs may have a direct implicatin that the radar altitude is nt a measure fr the shrtest distance t the nn-flying public n the grund. (3) Flight cnditins: A list f acceptable flight cnditins fr use f the laser system and a descriptin f hw the system will remain safe in thse cnditins (e.g., turbulence and rain). (4) Effects n ther aircraft: This includes pssible effects n ther aircraft and the persnnel abard thse aircraft. Page 9 f 11
(5) Service and maintenance: a descriptin f effects f service and maintenance n safety and hw these effects are mitigated. This may include test prcedure, calibratin certificatin, etc. h) The AFM/RFM (Aircraft Flight Manual/Rtrcraft Flight Manual) r the crrespnding supplement shuld include infrmatin, limitatins, prcedures, as well as cautins and warnings, deriving frm manufacturer s safety r hazard assessments in rder t warn the peratr abut the safety risk f the laser, as well as t ensure a safe peratin, bth in nrmal and failure cnditin, as well as prtectin f the flight crew, the flying and nn-flying public and grund persnnel frm laser hazards. Limitatins shuld be included s that the laser emissin is deactivated r the laser beam blcked during taxi, take-ff and landing. i) Manufacturers shuld establish prcedures with the pertinent warnings and precautins t prtect persns while perating the laser n grund. 3.2.2 Certificatin guidance fr fully enclsed Class 3B and 4 lasers r lasers with internal diffusin mechanisms nbard civil registered aircraft t be used during peratins under the remit f the Regulatin (EC) N 216/2008. This sectin identifies specific certificatin guidance fr installatin f a fully enclsed Class 3B r 4 laser feature that des nt emit r transmit laser energy external t the system; r a system that includes such a laser, but thrugh sme internal mechanism, diffuses the laser energy dwn t a Class 1, 1M, 2, 2M r 3R laser at emissin. Classificatin f the change shall be dne in accrdance with Part 21.A.91. In any case, a system safety analysis shuld be cnducted t identify failure effects. The effect f mechanical failures such as breaking f lens, prism, mirrr, ptical fiber, etc. shuld be included. Where the failure effect is classified catastrphic r hazardus, the change shuld be classified majr and prvisins in 3.2.1 apply. Where the failure effect is classified Majr the criteria set in the Appendix A t GM 21.A.91 paragraph 4(ii) applies. 3.2.3 Certificatin prvisins fr effective Class 3B and 4 lasers nbard civil registered aircraft t be used during peratins nt under the remit f Regulatin (EC) N 216/2008 This sectin identifies several prvisins fr the installatin f Class 3B and 4 laser system nbard civil registered aircraft t be used fr carrying ut peratins which are excluded frm the remit f Regulatin (EC) N 216/2008. The AFM/RFM (supplement) and placard prvisins are intended t alert wners and peratrs that the laser has been deliberately disabled in the EASA apprved cnfiguratin. These specific plicy guidelines help applicants t cmply with relevant regulatins pertaining t installatin f such systems. a) Wiring and switch prvisins t disable the laser shuld be part f the apprved type design. Fr the laser feature, the type design data shuld shw that the laser features are disabled. The installatin shuld be designed in a way that during an peratin under the remit f Regulatin (EC) N 216/2008: The crew cannt activate the laser The disabling status f the laser can be checked befre starting the peratin Wiring fr the nn-laser features f the installatin (e.g. Frward Lking InfraRed (FLIR)) can be electrically enabled and peratinal.. b) Fr installatins with a disabled laser feature, a limitatin shuld be included in the Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS), r in the Limitatins and Cnditins sectin f the Majr Change Apprval r f the Supplemental Type certificate, whichever is applicable, stating as fllws: Laser peratin is nt EASA apprved. The laser is disabled. Page 10 f 11
c) Fr installatins with a disabled laser feature, the AFM/RFM (supplement) shuld include a limitatin that states: Laser peratin is nt EASA apprved. The laser is disabled. d) EASA des nt assess the cnsequences f a laser perated in a nn EASA certified cnfiguratin unless it causes permanent harm that may affect the safe peratin f the aircraft in an EASA certified cnfiguratin. 3.2.4 Aspects linked t the use f laser equipment prvided by third parties Detailed type design data shuld be prvided fr thse aspects f the laser system where malfunctins culd create hazards. This wuld ensure adequate manufacturing quality (as per Part 21.A.31(a)2) and cnfiguratin design cntrl (as per Part 21.A.31(a)1) f subsequent installatins perfrmed under the TC/STC apprval. a) If detailed type design data is nt available fr thse aspects f the laser system where malfunctins culd create hazards, the applicant shuld prpse a prcess by which cnfiguratin design cntrl can be maintained. This prcess shuld ensure that system design features f integrated vendr supplied parts are sufficiently dcumented s that subsequent changes t thse parts are identified and evaluated against any impact n cntinued safe peratin f the system. This may be accmplished thrugh the applicatin f a surce cntrl drawing r specificatin, r ther acceptable methd t maintain cnfiguratin cntrl. This prcess shuld ensure that system design features f integrated vendr supplied parts are sufficiently dcumented s that subsequent changes t thse parts are identified and evaluated against any impact n cntinued safe peratin f the system. b) The surce cntrl drawing r specificatin prvides a means by which the applicant can assure that changes in design r nn-cmpliances intrduced during manufacturing that culd cause a hazard if the equipment is installed with these changes will be detected. T determine the required infrmatin in a surce cntrl drawing r specificatin, the applicant shuld first identify the critical characteristics f the equipment that culd create safety hazards if changes r prblems with these critical characteristics are nt detected and managed thrugh a change cntrl prcess. Critical characteristics fr these systems may include the laser emissin pwer, dimensins, weight, electrical pwer, sftware, and hardware parts. 3.3. Wh this Certificatin Memrandum affects This Certificatin Memrandum affects applicants wh apply t install and perate laser equipment in CS-27 r CS-29 rtrcrafts r CS-23 r CS-25 aircraft. 4. Remarks 1. Suggestins fr amendment(s) t this EASA Certificatin Memrandum shuld be referred t the Certificatin Plicy and Safety Infrmatin Department, Certificatin Directrate, EASA. E-mail CM@easa.eurpa.eu. 2. Fr any questin cncerning the technical cntent f this EASA Certificatin Memrandum, please cntact: Name, First Name: Runge, Friedhelm Functin: Chief Expert - Avinics and Electrical Systems Phne: +49 (0)221 89990 4084 E-mail: friedhelm.runge@easa.eurpa.eu Page 11 f 11