[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 141 (Wednesday, July 23, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39574-39575]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-19357]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Airborne Global Positioning System Antenna
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of availability for public comment.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and requests
comments on a proposed Technical Standard Order pertaining to airborne
Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna. The proposed TSO prescribes
the performance standards that manufacturer-specified appliances must
meet to be identified with the marking ``TSO-C144.''
DATES: Comments must identify the TSO file number and be received on or
before October 30, 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-C144, 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 TSO
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,
[[Page 39575]]
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
At the request of the FAA, the RTCA, Incorporated Special
Committee, SC-159, convened to develop standards for the use of the
Global Positioning System. The recommendations of this committee
provide the basis for the October 20, 1995 publication of the Minimum
Operational Performance Standards for Global Navigation Satellite
System (GNSS) Airborne Antenna Equipment, RTCA/DO-228, which is the
foundation for the requirements set forth in this proposed Technical
Standard Order.
The standards of proposed TSO-C144 apply to antenna used in
airborne GPS applications to provide signals to a GPS (or Wide Area
Augmentation System) sensor or system, which will then provide flight
path deviation commands for use by either the pilot or autopilot.
Proposed TSO-C144 does not address the use of signals received through
this antenna for any other applications.
Marking
To fulfill the requirements of 14 CFR 21.607(d), the manufacturer
would have to permanently and legibly mark at least one major component
of the article with the markings listed in that paragraph. In addition
to the requirements of 14 CFR 21.607, this TSO proposes requirements
for marking of separate components. Each separate component would have
to be permanently and legibly marked with the name of the manufacturer,
manufacturer's part number, and the TSO number.
If the component includes software, the part number would have to
include the hardware and software identification; that part number
would have to uniquely identify the hardware and software design,
including the modification status. Separate part numbers would be
acceptable for hardware and software.
Data Requirements
The proposed TSO has the following technical data submittal
requirements to comply with 14 CFR 21.605(a)(2):
1. Operating instructions and equipment limitations. The
limitations shall be sufficient to describe the operational capacity of
the equipment.
2. Installation procedures and limitations. The limitations shall
be sufficient to ensure that the article, when installed in accordance
with the installation procedures, continues to meet the requirements of
this TSO. The limitations shall also be sufficient to identify any
unique aspects of the installation. The limitations shall include at
least the following:
a. A note with the following statement:
``The conditions and tests required for TSO approval of this
article are minimum performance standards. It is the responsibility of
those desiring to install this article either on or within a specific
type or class of aircraft to determine that the article, when
installed, performs in accordance with the design specifications that
meet this TSO. The article may be installed only if further evaluation
by the applicant documents an acceptable installation and is approved
by the Administrator.''
b. Specification of whether the antenna incorporates a
preamplifier.
c. The currents and voltages induced by high current tests of
paragraph 23.6.3 of RTCA/DO-160C must be specified so that
compatibility with a receiver can be verified at installation.
d. When applicable, identification that the article is an
incomplete system or a multi-use system. This must describe the
functions that are intended to be provided by the article.
3. Schematic drawings as applicable to the installation procedures.
4. Wiring drawings as applicable to the installation procedures.
5. Specifications.
6. List of the components (by part number) that make up the
equipment system complying with the standards prescribed in this TSO.
7. Instructions for periodic maintenance and calibration which are
necessary to define the article's design.
8. An environmental qualifications form as described in RTCA/DO-
160C for each component of the system.
9. Manufacturer's TSO qualification test report.
10. Nameplate drawing.
11. A drawing list, enumerating all of the drawings and processes
that are necessary to define the article's design.
12. If the article includes software: Plan for Software Aspects of
Certification (PSAC), Software Configuration Index, and Software
Accomplishment Summary.
Note: The FAA recommends that the PSAC be submitted early in the
software development process. Early submittal will allow timely
resolution of issues such as partitioning and determination of
software levels.
Note that there is also data that must be made available upon the
request of the ACO manager. They are listed in Paragraph 5 of proposed
TSO C-144.
Data to be Furnished with Manufactured Articles
The proposed TSO would require the TSOA holder to provide the
article purchaser with certain data described in Paragraph 5 of
proposed TSO C-144.
How to Obtain Copies
A copy of the proposed TSO-C144 may be obtained via Internet
(http:/www.faa.gov/avr/air/100home.htm) or on request from the office
listed under ``For Further Information Contact.'' Copies of RTCA
Document No. DO-228, ``Minimum Operational Performance Standards for
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Airborne Antenna Equipment'',
dated October 20, 1995, may be purchased from RTCA, Inc., 1140
Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 1020, Washington, DC 20036.
Issued in Washington, DC on July 17, 1997.
John K. McGrath,
Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-19357 Filed 7-22-97; 8:45 am]
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