[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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M