[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 129 (Tuesday, July 7, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36731-36732]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-17943]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) Airborne
Equipment, TCAS II
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 (TSO) pertaining to
traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) airborne equipment,
TCAS II. The proposed TSO prescribes the minimum operational
performance standards that TCAS II equipment must meet to be identified
with the marking ``TSO-C119b.''
[[Page 36732]]
DATES: Comments must identify the TSO file number and be received on or
before August 17, 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, 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
Programs 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
This TSO is proposed to provide for performance enhancement to
Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System II (TCAS II) Airborne
Equipment. There have been a significant number of changes to the TCAS
II software. Version 7.0 of the TCAS II will also be utilized by ICAO
member states with the mandates for equipage of Airborne Collision
Avoidance System (ACAS II). Areas of improvement include TCAS-TCAS
reversal, horizontal miss distance filtering, surveillance improvements
to extend effective range and reduce interference in high density
traffic areas, reduction of nuisance Traffic Advisories operating in
Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) airspace, etc. Also, display
and aural changes were made to improve flight crew recognition and
understanding issues.
Marking is addition to those required by 14 CFR 21.607 would be
required for TSO-C119b articles.
The proposed TSO would require the TSOA holder to provide the
article purchaser with certain data described in Paragraph 5 of
proposed TSO-C119b. Data that would be furnished with each manufactured
article includes operating instructions and equipment limitations,
installation procedures, limitations, and related information,
equipment specifications and designations, maintenance instructions,
and environmental qualification forms. Additional information would be
required for articles that accomplish additional functions; that
information would need to be sent to the purchaser once, even if
several identical articles are purchased.
How to Obtain Copies
A copy of the proposed TSO-C119b 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, Inc.
Document No. DO-185A, ``Minimum Operational Performance Standards for
An Active Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System II (TCAS II)
Airborne Equipment,'' dated December 16, 1997. RTCA Document No. 160D,
``Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne
Equipment,'' dated July 29, 1997; and RTCA Document No. DO-178B,
``Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment
Certification,'' dated 1, 1992, may be purchased from the RTCA Inc.,
1140 Connecticut Avenue, NW., Suite 1020, Washington, DC 20036.
Issued in Washington, DC, on June 30, 1998.
Abbas A. Rizvi,
Acting Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-17943 Filed 7-6-98; 8:45 am]
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