[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 25, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28236-28237]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13232]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Airworthiness and Operational Approval of Digital Flight Data 
Recorder 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 an advisory circular (AC) that provides guidance on design, 
installation, and continued airworthiness of Digital Flight Data 
Recorder Systems (DFDRS). The AC applies to applicants for type 
certificates and supplemental type certificates for aircraft that are 
required to have a digital flight data recorder installed. It also 
applies to operators of those aircraft. Specifically, the AC provides 
guidance for design approval, schedule of compliance, and post-
installation actions, including functional and operational checks, 
demonstrations, documentation and maintenance program changes.

DATES: Comments submitted must be received on or before June 25, 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 persons 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

    AC 20-DFDRS, Airworthiness and Operational Approval of Digital 
Flight Data Recorder Systems, provides guidance on design, 
installation, and continued airworthiness of DFDRS. On July 17, 1997, 
the FAA revised 14 CFR parts 121, 125, 129, and 135 to require that 
certain aircraft be equipped to accommodate additional flight data 
recorder parameters. The purpose of this revision was to provide 
additional information to enable the National Transportation Safety 
Board to conduct more thorough investigations of accidents and 
incidents. The additional information would also be available to 
manufacturers and operators to detect and evaluate trends that may be 
useful in determining modifications or other actions to avoid accidents 
and incidents. The FAA determined that an AC should be published to 
include guidance for type certificate and supplemental type certificate 
applicants as well as certificate holders operating under 143 CFR Parts 
121, 125, 129, and 135. The AC would address the type certification 
requirements of parts 21, 23, 25, 27, and 29 and the operating 
requirements of parts 121, 125, 129 or 135, emphasizing the changes 
introduced on July 17, 1997.
    The AC is effective on publication. Should the FAA determine that 
changes are required as a result of comments received, a revised AC 
will be published.

How To Obtain Copies

    A copy of the proposed AC 20-DFDRS may be obtained via Internet 
(http://www.faa.gov/avr/air/airhome.htm) or on request from the

[[Page 28237]]

office listed under ``For Further Information Contact.''

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 19, 1999.
James C. Jones,
Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-13232 Filed 5-24-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M