[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 60 (Thursday, March 28, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 15005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-7505]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Airworthiness Approval of Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance 
Systems and Mode S Transponders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and requests 
comments on a revised draft Advisory Circular (AC) 20-131B 
Airworthiness Approval of Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems 
(TCAS II) and Mode S Transponders. The draft AC provides guidance 
material for the airworthiness approval of Traffic Alert and Collision 
Avoidance Systems (TCAS II) certified to Technical Standard Order 
(TSO)--C119b and Mode S transponders.

DATES: Comments submitted must be received on or before June 26, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed advisory circular to: 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Aircraft Certification Service, 
Aircraft Engineering Division, Avionic Systems Branch, AIR-13, 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: Mary Grice, Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Aircraft Certification Service, Aircraft 
engineering Division, Avoionic Systems Branch AIR-130, 800 Independence 
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591, Telephone: (202) 267-9897, FAX: (202) 
267-5340.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to comment on the draft AC listed in 
this notice by submitting such written data, views, or arguments, as 
they desire, to the aforementioned specified address. Comments must be 
marked ``Comments to AC 20-131B.'' Comments received on the draft 
advisory circular may be examined, both before and after the closing 
date, in Room 815, FAA Headquarters Building (FOB-10A), 800 
Independence Avenue, S.W., 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 will be 
considered by the Director of the Aircraft Certification Service before 
issuing the final AC.

Background

    The FAA is developing a new Advisory Circular, AC 20-131B, 
Airworthiness Approval of Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems 
(TCAS II) and Mode S Transponders. This advisory circular (AC) provides 
guidance material for the airworthiness approval of Traffic Alert and 
Collision Avoidance systems (TCAS II) and Mode transponders. This 
revision to the current AC is prompted by the development of TCAS II 
version 7 and the publication of Technical Standard Order (TSO) C-119b, 
Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance system (TCAS) Airborne Equipment, 
TCAS II, dated 18 December, 1998. At this time, there is no plan to 
mandate an upgrade of existing TCAS II units to version 7. TCAS II 
version 7 was developed to be interoperable with existing TCAS II 
version v6.04a equipment. Version 7 includes numerous software changes 
improving surveillance performance and providing other improved 
capabilities such as in multiple aircraft encounters. This AC also 
proposes a reduction or elimination of flight test requirements under 
certain conditions when upgrading existing TCAS II units.

How To Obtain Copies

    A copy of the revised draft AC may be obtained via Internet, 
(http://www.faa.gov/avr/air/airhome.htm), or on request from the 
individual listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 14, 2002.
John W. McGraw,
Acting Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-7505 Filed 3-27-02; 8:45 am]
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