[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 6, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8905-8907]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5185]



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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 87

[WT Docket No. 96-1, FCC 96-2]


Automatic Operation of Aeronautical Advisory Stations (Unicoms)

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Commission has adopted a Notice of Proposed Rule Making 
(NPRM) which seeks to permit unattended, automatic operation of 
aeronautical advisory stations (unicoms) to enhance service to the 
general aviation community. This action stems from a Petition for Rule 
Making filed by Potomac Aviation Technology Corporation (PATC). The 
proposed rules would facilitate more efficient use of previously-
allocated radio spectrum, make unicom services more widely available 
within the general aviation community, and increase safety in air 
navigation.

DATES: Comments must be filed on or before March 29, 1996, and reply 
comments must be filed on or before April 29, 1996. Written comments by 
the public on the proposed and/or modified information collections are 
due on or before March 29, 1996, and reply comments on or before April 
29, 1996. Written comments must be submitted by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) on the proposed and/or modified information 
collections on or before May 6, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20554. In addition to filing comments with the 
Secretary, a copy of any comments on the information collections 
contained herein should be submitted to Dorothy Conway, Federal 
Communications Commission, Room 234, 1919 M Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20554, or via the Internet to [email protected], and to Timothy Fain, OMB 
Desk Officer, 10236 NEOB, 725--17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503 
or via the Internet to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger Noel of the Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau at (202) 418-0680. For additional information 
concerning the information collections contained in this NPRM contact 
Dorothy 

[[Page 8906]]
Conway at 202-418-0217, or via the Internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's NPRM, 
WT Docket No. 96-1, FCC 96-2, adopted January 11, 1996, and released 
January 29, 1996. The full text of this NPRM is available for 
inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC 
Reference Center (Room 239) 1919 M Street, NW., Washington, DC. The 
complete text may be purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, 
ITS, Inc., 2100 M Street NW., Suite 140, Washington, DC 20037, 
telephone (202) 857-3800. This NPRM contains proposed or modified 
information collections subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(PRA), Pub. L. No. 104-13. It has been submitted to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review under Section 3507(d) of the 
PRA. OMB, the general public, and other Federal agencies are invited to 
comment on the proposed or modified information collections contained 
in this proceeding.

Summary of Notice of Proposed Rule Making

    1. The unicom service was established in the 1950s to provide 
weather and runway advisories, radio checks, and other services 
necessary to the safe and expeditious operation of general aviation 
aircraft, and is a primary source of this type of information at many 
of the nation's 15,000 general aviation airfields. Many smaller 
airfields, however, cannot afford personnel to operate unicom stations 
full-time, nor can they afford other already-available but more complex 
automated advisory systems such as automatic weather observation 
stations (AWOS) or automatic terminal information stations (ATIS). The 
instant proceeding was initiated by a petition for rulemaking filed by 
Potomac Aviation Technology Corporation (PATC). PATC has been operating 
several automatic unicom stations under a developmental license since 
February, 1994.
    2. The Commission proposes to expand the unicom service by 
permitting unicom stations to transmit in automatic mode without a live 
operator at the control point. Unicoms operating in automatic mode will 
be subject to all of the rules applicable to non-automatic unicoms. In 
order to reduce the potential for increased congestion on the unicom 
frequencies, however, unicoms in automatic mode must be configured to 
imitate basic congestion-reducing techniques employed by live 
operators.
    3. Specifically, unicoms in automatic mode must transmit only in 
response to pilot interrogation via brief keyed RF signals from 
aircraft stations (generated by briefly depressing the ``push-to-talk'' 
button on an aircraft's microphone), monitor the unicom frequency 
before transmitting, and transmit only when the frequency has been 
silent for at least three seconds.
    4. Under the proposed rules, only one unicom station will be 
permitted to operate in automatic mode at any airport. There will be no 
special licensing requirements for automated unicom operation beyond 
those applicable to a non-automatic unicom station; however, if an 
automatic unicom is to operate at an airport where more than one unicom 
station has been authorized, all of the unicom operators at that 
airport must come to an arrangement concerning who will control the 
automatic operations or how control will be shared. The Commission 
seeks specific comments concerning the proposed rule amendments set 
forth at the end of this document.
    5. This NPRM is issued under the authority of sections 4(i), 4(j), 
and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 
154(i), 154(j), and 303(r).

Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

Reason for Action

    The Commission proposes to permit Aeronautical Advisory Stations 
(Unicoms) to operate in automatic mode.

Objectives

    We seek to increase unicom service availability without allocating 
new spectrum to the service or causing an increase in congestion on the 
unicom frequencies.

Legal Basis

    The proposed action is authorized under Sections 4(i) and 303(r) of 
the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. Secs. 154(i) and 303(r).

Reporting, Recordkeeping and Other Compliance Requirements

    Our proposed addition of 47 CFR Sec. 87.219 would require all 
unicom licensees at airports having more than one unicom to jointly 
sign a letter of agreement, prior to the operation of a unicom in 
automatic mode at such an airport, stating the name(s) of the 
licensee(s) who will control the automatic unicom and, if applicable, 
how control of the automatic unicom will be divided.

Federal Rules Which Overlap, Duplicate or Conflict With These Rules

    None; however, FAA Advisory Circular 150/5340, ``Air-to-Ground 
Radio Control of Airport Lighting Systems'' addresses the method of 
activating automated systems contained in our proposed amendments and 
permitted under our current rules. Any proposed changes to 47 CFR. 
Sec. 87.187(y) should be fully compatible with the FAA Advisory 
Circular.

Description, Potential Impact, and Small Entities Involved

    Permitting Aeronautical Advisory Stations (Unicoms) to operate in 
automatic mode will make efficient use of previously-allocated spectral 
resources, will make unicom services more widely available within the 
general aviation community, will likely create a small number of 
manufacturing jobs, and will benefit pilots who rely on unicom 
information.

Any Significant Alternatives Minimizing the Impact on Small Entities 
Consistent With the Stated Objectives

    None.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This NPRM contains either a proposed or modified information 
collection. The Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce 
paperwork burdens, invites the general public and the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) to comment on the information collections 
contained in this NPRM, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995, Pub. L. No. 104-13. Public and agency comments are due at the 
same time as other comments on this NPRM; OMB comments are due 60 days 
from date of publication of this NPRM in the Federal Register. Comments 
should address: (a) whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the 
Commission, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimates; (c) 
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on the respondents, including the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    OMB Approval Number: N/A.
    Title: Proposed 87.219 Automatic operations (NPRM in WT Dck No 96-
1).
    Form No.: N/A.
    Type of Review: New collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    
[[Page 8907]]

    Number of Respondents: 50.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 0.7 hour.
    Total Annual Annualized Cost: $5,500.
    Total Annual Burden: 35.
    Needs and Uses: This rule requires that if airports have control 
towers or FAA flight service stations, and more than one licensee and 
want to have an automated aeronautical advisory station (unicom), they 
must write an agreement outlining who will be responsible for the 
unicom's operation, sign the agreement and keep a copy of the agreement 
with each licensee's station authorization. The information will be 
used by compliance personnel for enforcement purposes and by licensees 
to clarify responsibility in operating unicom.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 87

    Communications equipment, Radio, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.

Proposed Rules

    Chapter I of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 87, 
is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 87--AVIATION SERVICES

    The authority citation for Part 87 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 
unless otherwise noted. Interpret or apply 48 Stat. 1064-1068, 1081-
1105, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 151-156, 301-609.

    Section 87.5 is amended by revising the definition of ``automatic 
weather observation station'' to read as follows:


Sec. 87.5  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Automatic weather observation station (AWOS) or automatic surface 
observation station (ASOS). A land station located at an airport and 
used to automatically transmit weather information to aircraft.
* * * * *
    3. Section 87.187 is amended by revising paragraph (y) introductory 
text and the first sentence in paragraph (y)(4) to read as follows:


Sec. 87.187  Frequencies.

* * * * *
    (y) Brief keyed RF signals (keying the transmitter by momentarily 
depressing the microphone ``push-to-talk'' button) may be transmitted 
from aircraft for the control of automated unicoms on the unicom 
frequencies listed in paragraph (y)(3) of this section, or for the 
control of airport lights on the following frequencies:
* * * * *
    (4) Aviation support station frequencies listed in Sec. 87.323(b): 
* * *
* * * * *
    4. A new Section 87.219 is added to Subpart G to read as follows:


Sec. 87.219  Automatic operations.

    (a) A station operator need not be present when an automated unicom 
is in operation.
    (b) In addition to the requirements applicable to non-automated 
unicom operations, unicoms operating in an automated mode must:
    (1) Monitor the unicom frequency prior to transmission, and 
transmit only when no detectable signals are received for at least 
three seconds;
    (2) Transmit only in response to brief keyed RF signals from 
aircraft stations as specified in Sec. 87.187(y);
    (3) Automatically shut down after three minutes of continuous 
transmission.
    (c) Automated advisory transmissions must be as brief as possible, 
and must include the time and date of the advisory message's last 
update in each transmission.
    (d) Only one automated unicom may be operated at an airport. Prior 
to the operation of an automated unicom at an airport with more than 
one unicom licensee, all of the licensees at that airport must sign a 
letter of agreement stating which licensee(s) control the automated 
unicom operations, and, if control is to be shared among several 
operators, how that control will be divided or scheduled. The original 
or a copy of the letter of agreement must be kept with each licensees' 
station records. Within 90 days of the date upon which a new unicom 
operator is licensed at an airport where more than one unicom is 
authorized, and an automated unicom is being operated, an amended 
letter of agreement that includes the new licensee's signature must be 
signed or automated unicom operations must cease.
    5. Section 87.419 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 87.419  Supplemental eligibility.

    Only one control tower or RCO will be licensed at an airport.
    6. Subpart S is amended by revising the heading to read as follows:

Subpart S--Automatic Weather Stations (AWOS/ASOS)

    7. Section 87.525 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 87.525  Scope of service.

    Automatic weather observation stations (AWOS) and automatic surface 
observation stations (ASOS) must provide up-to-date weather information 
including the time of the latest weather sequence, altimeter setting, 
wind speed and direction, dew point, temperature, visibility and other 
pertinent data needed at airports having neither a full-time control 
tower nor a full-time FAA Flight Service Station. When a licensee has 
entered into an agreement with the FAA, an AWOS or an ASOS may also 
operate as an automatic terminal information station (ATIS) during the 
control tower's operating hours.
    8. Section 87.527 is amended by revising the first sentence of 
paragraph (b) and paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec. 87.527  Supplemental eligibility.

* * * * *
    (b) Eligibility for an AWOS, an ASOS, or an ATIS is limited to the 
owner or operator of an airport or to a person who has entered into a 
written agreement with the owner or operator for exclusive rights to 
operate and maintain the station. Where applicable a copy of the 
agreement between the applicant and owner or operator of the airport 
must be submitted with an application. * * *
    (c) Only one AWOS, ASOS, or ATIS will be licensed at an airport.
    9. Section 87.529 is amended by revising the fourth and fifth 
sentences to read as follows:


Sec. 87.529  Frequencies.

    * * * Normally, frequencies available for air traffic control 
operations set forth in subpart E will be assigned to an AWOS, ASOS, or 
to an ATIS. When a licensee has entered into an agreement with the FAA 
to operate the same station as both an AWOS and as an ATIS, or as an 
ASOS and an ATIS, the same frequency will be used in both modes of 
operation.

[FR Doc. 96-5185 Filed 3-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P