[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 189 (Thursday, September 30, 1999)] [Notices] [Page 52820] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-25454] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Proposed Advisory Circular 25.XX, Airworthiness Criteria for the Installation Approval of a Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) Approved Under Technical Standard Order (TSO) C151 AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed Advisory Circular 25.XX and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and requests comment on a proposed advisory circular (AC) that provides guidance on one method for obtaining airworthiness approval for the installation of a Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) approved under Technical Standard Order (TSO) C151. The guidance provided in the proposed AC is specific to installations of these systems on transport category airplanes. This notice is necessary to give all interested persons an opportunity to present their views on the proposed AC. DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 29, 1999. ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed AC to: Federal Aviation Administration, Attn: J. Kirk Baker, ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712. Comments may be inspected at the above address between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. weekdays, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jill DeMarco, Program Management Branch, ANM-114, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-1313. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed AC by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Commenters must identify the AC by title and submit comments in duplicate to the address specified above. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered by the Transport Airplane Directorate before issuing the final AC. Availability of Proposed AC The proposed AC can also be found and downloaded from the Internet at http://www.faa.gov/avr/air/airhome.htm, at the link titled ``Draft Advisory Circulars.'' A paper copy of the proposed AC may be obtained by contacting the person named above under the caption FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Discussion The FAA is proposing to issue an AC that describes an acceptable means, but not the only means, of obtaining airworthiness installation approval of a Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) that has been approved under Technical Standard Order (TSO) C151, ``Terrain Awareness and Warning System.'' A TAWS is a system that provides the flightcrew with sufficient information and alerting to detect a potentially hazardous terrain situation and take effective action. The guidance provided in the proposed AC is specific to installations of these systems on transport category airplanes. The FAA's TSO process is a means of obtaining FAA design and performance approval for an appliance, system, or product. However, the TSO does not provide installation approval or procedures for design or implementation of an installation. With heightened interest by manufacturers and operators to equip transport category airplanes with TAWS systems that are compliant with TSO-C151, the FAA has recognized the need to establish guidance material for the design and test requirements for the installation of such systems. This proposed AC has been developed as the means for providing such guidance for designing an acceptable installation for a TAWS that is compliant with TSO-C151. It describes the airworthiness considerations for such installations as they apply to the unique features of the TAWS and the interface of the TAWS with other systems on the airplane. Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 23, 1999. Vi L. Lipski, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 99-25454 Filed 9-29-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U