[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 21, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 3181]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1377]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Aircraft Portable Megaphones

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability for public comment.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and request comments 
on proposed technical standard order (TSO) pertaining to aircraft 
portable megaphones. The proposed TSO prescribes the minimum 
performance standards that aircraft portable megaphones must meet to be 
identified with the marking ``TSO-C137.''

EFFECTIVE DATE: Comments must be received on or before April 24, 1998.

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-C137, 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. Comments must identify the TSO file number.

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, FAX No. (202) 267-5340.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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., 
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

    Proposed TSO-C137 establishes the basic requirements for the design 
and performance of aircraft portable megaphones.
    This TSO was designed with the intent of being used predominately 
in transport category air carrier operations. However, the proposed TSO 
will be suitable for any aircraft application.
    The proposed TSO references the SAE AS 4950 ``Design and 
Performance Criteria for Transport Aircraft Portable megaphones.'' The 
TSO also references RTCA Document Number DO-160D which sets forth the 
environmental test standards for articles manufactured under this TSO. 
Compliance with this TSO is predicated, in part, on meeting the 
standards set forth in these documents, with the exception of certain 
requirements in SAE AS 4950. Specifically, this TSO substitutes 
different data requirements that the manufacturer must have available 
for FAA review for those that appear in SAE AS 4950.
    In addition to marking requirements specified in 14 CFR 21.607(d), 
each separate component that is easily removable (without hand tools), 
an interchangeable element, or a separate sub-assembly of the article 
must be permanently and legibly marked with at least the name of the 
manufacturer, the manufacturer's part number, and the TSO number. This 
TSO also permits optional marking to denote aircraft-specific 
installation limitations on the article. These exceptions to SAE AS 
4950 are detailed in Appendix 1 of this TSO.

How to Obtain Copies

    A copy of the proposed TSO-C137, 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 Society of 
Automotive Engineers, Inc. (SAE) Aerospace Standard (AS) AS 4950 may be 
purchased from the SAE Inc., Department 331, 400 Commonwealth Drive, 
Warrendale, PA 15096-0001. Copies of RTCA, Inc. Document No. 160D, 
``Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne 
Equipment,'' dated July 29, 1997 may be purchased from the RTCA, Inc., 
1140 Connecticut Avenue, NW., Suite 1020, Washington, DC 20036.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 13, 1998.
Abbas A. Rizvi,
Acting Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-1377 Filed 1-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M