[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 98 (Wednesday, May 21, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27832-27833]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-13267]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Rotorcraft, Transport Airplane, and Normal and Utility Airplane 
Seating Systems

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration.

ACTION: Notice of availability for public comment.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and requests 
comments on a proposed revision to the Technical Standard Order 
pertaining to aircraft seating systems. The proposed TSO prescribes the 
minimum performance standards that aircraft seating systems must meet 
to be identified with the marking ``TSO-C127a.''

DATES: Comments must identify the TSO file number and be received on or 
before August 29, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed Technical Standard Order 
to: Technical Programs and Continued Airworthiness Branch, AIR-120, 
Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification Service--File No. 
TSO-C127a, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20591. Or deliver comments to: Federal Aviation 
Administration, Room 815, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Bobbie J. Smith, Technical Programs 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.

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed revision 
to TSO-C127 listed in this notice by submitting such written data, 
views, or arguments as they desire to the above specified address. 
Comments received on the proposed technical standard order may be 
examined, before and after the comment closing date, in Room 815, FAA 
Headquarters Building (FOB-10A), 800 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20591, weekdays except Federal holidays, between 8:30 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m. All communications received on or before the closing 
date for comments specified above will be considered by the Director of 
the Aircraft Certification Service before issuing the final TSO.

Background

    The FAA held two public meetings on 16-g dynamic testing seat 
compliance in March and November 1995. In consideration of comments 
received at these meetings regarding the difficulties associated with 
demonstrating compliance with the requirements of TSO-C127, the FAA 
decided that a revision to TSO-C127 would be

[[Page 27833]]

beneficial in eliminating some of the stated constraints and speed up 
TSO approvals.
    TSO articles are considered ``stand alone'' items with broad 
application and are intended to be design and production approvals 
independent of installation. The existing TSO provided performance 
standards for aircraft seating systems and incorporated a number of 
installation requirements related to head impacts and emergency 
evacuation. The proposed revision to TSO-C127, which references Society 
of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Aerospace Standard (AS) 8049, includes 
the following: deletes the pass/fail criteria for permanent structural 
deformation, head injury criteria (HIC), and femur loads; expands the 
belt angle between applicability to general aviation by including 
additional requirements for compliance with 14 CFR Sec. 23.562; 
includes a general design requirement specifying that seat the belt and 
the seat pan (horizontal), be 45-55 degrees; requires additional 
marking to include the seating system, safety belt and seat cushion 
part numbers, and minimum seat pitch; permits optional marking to allow 
aircraft-specific installation limitations; and requires additional 
data requirements for the manufacturer to report HIC, head strike path, 
permanent deformations, and femur loads results to the installer/user.

How To Obtain Copies

    A copy of the proposed TSO-C127a may be obtained by contacting 
``For Further Information Contact.''
    Copies of SAE Aerospace Standard (AS) 8049, ``Performance Standards 
for Seats in Civil Rotocraft and Transport Airplanes,'' dated July 
1990, may be purchased from the Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., 
Department 331, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 16, 1997.
John K. McGrath,
Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-13267 Filed 5-20-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M