[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 72 (Thursday, April 15, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18652-18653]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9430]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Design Approval of Aircraft Data Communications Systems

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 proposed Advisory Circular (AC) 20-DC, Guidelines for 
Design Approval of Aircraft Data Communication Systems. The proposed AC 
provides guidelines for design approval of aircraft data communication 
systems and applications primarily used for Air Traffic Services (ATS). 
This AC is issued to provide installation guidelines and to outline a 
method of compliance with airworthiness standards contained in Title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Chapter 1, Subchapter C.

DATES: Comments submitted must be received on or before May 24, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed advisory circular to: 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Aircraft Certification Service, 
Aircraft Engineering Division, Avionic Systems Branch, AIR-130, 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: Michelle Swearingen, Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) Aircraft Certification Service, Aircraft 
Engineering Division, Avionic Systems Branch, AIR-130, 800 Independence 
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20591, Telephone: (202) 267-3817, FAX: (202) 
493-5173.

Comments Invited

    Interested person are invited to comment on the proposed advisory 
circular listed in this notice by submitting such written data, views, 
or arguments, as they desire, to the specified address. Comments 
received on the proposed advisory circular 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 AC.

Background

    The AC is intended to provide a means of compliance for both safety 
of flight, and non-safety of flight, data link communications. In 
addition to discussing the minimum control, display and alerting 
standards, this AC suggests that the applicant submit a description of 
the envisioned operational environment and subsequently perform a 
safety assessment. The resultant safety assessment classifications are 
then easily mapped into existing hardware and software design 
methodology for aircraft certification type design approval. A defined 
operational environment will form the basis for defining the 
interoperability expectations and allow for assessment of impact to the 
derived safety and performance assumptions.
    The FAA is currently developing operational environment 
descriptions and safety assessment, interoperability and performance 
definitions for those services supported by the NAS infrastructure. The 
guidelines specified in this AC provide a means, but not the only 
means, of demonstrating compliance to Title 14, CFR, Chapter 1, 
Subchapter C, for airborne data link equipment installation on any 
airframe and intended for any data link service.

[[Page 18653]]

How To Obtain Copies

    A copy of the proposed AC 20-DC may be obtained via Internet 
(http://www.faa.gov/avr/air/air100/100home.htm) or on request from the 
office listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 9, 1999.
Richard E. Jennings,
Acting Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-9430 Filed 4-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M