[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 211 (Wednesday, October 30, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56084-56085]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-27876]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Cancellation of Technical Standard Orders; Comment Requests

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration.

ACTION: Cancellation of Technical Standard Orders (TSOs) C37, C37a, 
C37b, C38, C38a, C38b; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This is a cancellation of TSOs-C37, Very High Frequency 
Communications Transmitting Equipment Operating within 118-132 
Megacycles, C37a, Very High Frequency Communications Transmitting 
Equipment Operating within 118-132 Megacycles, C37b, Very High 
Frequency Communications Transmitting Equipment Operating within 118-
136 Megacycles, C38, Very High Frequency Communications Receiving 
Equipment Operating within 118-132 Megacycles, C38a, Very High 
Frequency Communications Receiving Equipment Operating within 118-132 
Megacycles, and C38b, Very High Frequency Communications Receiving 
Equipment Operating within 118-136 Megacycles. Cancellation of these 
TSOs are necessary to comply with a Federal Communications Commission 
(FCC) Notice, DA 95-2441, ``Aircraft Radios to be replaced by January 
1, 1997'', dated 12/11/95. The FCC ordered that all aircraft operating 
within the United States airspace using VHF radios with 50 kilohertz or 
greater channel spacing and a frequency tolerance greater than 30 part 
per million will no longer be authorized for use in FCC licensed 
aircraft stations. FCC licensed aircraft stations operating within 
United States airspace radios must be converted to 25 kilohertz channel 
spacing and have a frequency tolerance of 30 parts per million or less 
by January 1, 1997.

EFFECTIVE DATES: January 1, 1997. Comments for inclusion in the TSO's 
Docket Files must be received on or before November 29, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), Technical Programs and Continued Airworthiness Branch (AIR-120), 
Attention: File No. TSO-C37, C37a, C37b, C38, C38a, and C38b, 800 
Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20591.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Bobbie J. Smith, Technical Program and Continued Airworthiness 
Branch, AIR-120, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20591, Telephone (202) 267-9546, and FAX Number 202-267-
5340.

[[Page 56085]]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    This is a notice cancels of the following TSOs: TSO-C37, Very High 
Frequency (VHF) Radio Communication Transmitting Equipment Operating 
Within the Radio Frequency Range of 118-132 Megacycles (For Air Carrier 
Aircraft), dated 11/1/55, TSO C37a, Very High Frequency (VHF) Radio 
Communication Transmitting Equipment Operating Within the Radio 
Frequency Range of 118-132 Megacycles (For Air Carrier Aircraft), dated 
9/1/59, TSO C37b, Very High Frequency (VHF) Radio Communication 
Transmitting Equipment Operating Within the Radio Frequency Range of 
118-136 Megacycles, dated 10/22/62, TSO C38, Very High Frequency (VHF) 
Radio Communication Receiving Equipment Operating Within the Radio 
Frequency Range of 118-132 Megacycles (For Air Carrier Aircraft), dated 
11/1/55, TSO C38a, Very High Frequency (VHF) Radio Communication 
Receiving Equipment Operating Within the Radio Frequency Range of 118-
132 Megacycles (For Air Carrier Aircraft), dated 9/1/59, and TSO C38b, 
Very High Frequency (VHF) Radio Communication Receiving Equipment 
Operating Within the Radio Frequency Range of 118-136 Megacycles, dated 
10/22/62. This cancellation will insure that future FCC licensed 
aircraft stations are compliant with FCC Notice DA-95-2441. This action 
is necessary to increase the number of Air Traffic Control channels 
available, reduce delays in FAA controlled airspace and to take 
advantage of newly available aviation frequencies in the 136-137 
Megacycles band. The FCC Notice calls out an FCC order whose 
implementation has been delayed for 13 years. The commission indicated 
that aircraft stations operating on 50 kilohertz or greater channel 
spacing and a frequency tolerance greater than 30 parts per million 
were no longer authorized for use in the 118-137 band. The commission 
noted that the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the 
Experimental Aircraft Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers 
Association, and the Helicopter Association International wanted the 
FCC to indefinitely grandfather the use of radios with 50 kilohertz 
channel spacing and frequency tolerances greater than 30 parts per 
million. The commission indicated in its notice that adequate time has 
been granted for all aircraft owners to comply with the order and that 
no further extensions would be granted. Based on the FCC notice and 
referenced order, the FAA must cancel the above mentioned TSOs.

The Cancellation Procedure

    The FAA anticipates that this cancellation will not result in 
adverse or negative comments, and therefore is issuing it without prior 
opportunity to comments. TSOs C37c, C37d, C38c, and C38d remain in 
effect and the majority of the manufacturers are producing units under 
these standards. Unless a written adverse or negative comment, or a 
written notice of intent to submit an adverse or negative comment is 
received within the comment period, the regulation will become 
effective on the date specified above. After the close of the comment 
period, the FAA will published a document in the Federal Register 
indicating that no adverse or negative comments were received and 
confirming that date on which the cancellation become effective. If the 
FAA does receive, within the comment period, an adverse or negative 
comment, or written notice of intent to submit a comment, a document 
withdrawing the cancellation will be published in the Federal Register.

 Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final cancellation and not 
preceded by a notice, comments are invited. Interested persons are 
invited to comment this cancellation by submitting such written data, 
views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications should identify 
the TSO Docket File number and be submitted to the address specified 
under the caption ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before 
the closing date for comments will be considered. Factual information 
that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely 
helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of this action and determining 
whether additional action would be needed.

    Issued in Washington, DC., on October 24, 1996.
John K. McGrath,
Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-27876 Filed 10-29-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M