Certification Procedures for Altered Interior Surfaces

1
Certification Procedures for Altered Interior
Surfaces
Tim Marker
FAA Technical Center
2
Certification Procedures for Altered Interior
Surfaces
FAA Objective Improve consistency and
standardization of practices by ACOs and DERs
Any altered (re-painted, re-laminated, or
otherwise resurfaced) interior panel must remain
compliant with the original type certification
basis of the aircraft
If a majority of the interior panel surfaces will
be altered, this constitutes a substantially
complete replacement, and all surfaces must meet
the current 65/65/200 requirements, regardless
of original type certification basis
Hardship encountered when original panel spares
representing interior panel composition are not
available
3
How do we run a qualification test?
Various alternatives exist by which altered
panels can be qualified in the absence of exact
panel spares

• Cut-out of in service panel

• Substitute Panel, which is the same generic
  construction as the original,
• including core type and thickness, type and
  number of pre-preg plies, and
• any original surfacing such as paint or decorative

• Critical Panel (Surrogate), which has burn length
  or heat release numbers
• close to the limit (i.e., a burn length of 5
  inches and a heat release rate of
• 60/60)

4

• Cut-out of in service panel

Advantages Simple, Accurate, Quick
Disadvantages Destructive test requires
replacement of entire panel, curvature of actual
panel limits number of samples possible

• Substitute Panel

Advantages Once produced, numerous tests can be
run on abundant samples
Disadvantages Cost, Time, Accuracy

• Critical Panel (Surrogate),

Advantages Once produced, numerous tests can be
run on abundant samples, same panel can be used
for qualification of variety of in-service
alterations
Disadvantages Cost, Time, Accuracy (effects of
synergism can not be accurately predicted)