[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 113 (Wednesday, June 12, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 40375]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14755]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Proposed Technical Standard Order TSO-C RIPS, Recorder 
Independent Power Supply

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability and requests for public comment.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and request comments 
on a draft Technical Standard Order (TSO) C RIPS, Recorder Independent 
Power Supply (RIPS). The draft TSO-C RIPS prescribes the minimum 
performance standard (MPS) that a RIPS must meet in order to bear the 
TSO number on its identification plate. The RIPS is to be used to 
provide emergency power to a cockpit voice recorder or combination 
voice/data recorder.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 22, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed technical standard order 
to: Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft Certification Service, 
Aircraft Engineering Division, Technical Programs and Continued 
Airworthiness Branch, AIR-120, ATTN: Bobbie J. Smith, Room 815, 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: Ms. Bobbie J. Smith, Program Support 
Specialist, AIR-120, Aircraft Certification Service, Aircraft 
Engineering Division, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, Telephone (202) 267-9546.

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 TSO 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

    Since 1983, there have been 52 accidents and incidents in which 
data was not available from either the cockpit voice recorder or the 
flight data recorder or both. In each of the incidences the non-
availability of data was due to interruption of electrical power 
following engine failure, generator failure, or crew action.
    Recent innovation in recorder and power supply technology have made 
it possible to provide an independent power source that would provide 
sufficient power to operate a solid-state flight recorder for 10 
minutes. As such, the FAA proposes the availability of recorded voice 
and data information throughout the flight up until a brief period (10 
minutes) after loss of electrical power. Such data would be beneficial 
to accident investigators in rapidly assessing the events leading up to 
and possibly the cause of accidents and incidents. Such rapid 
assessment would provide the information that the FAA and aircraft 
industry requires in order to implement any necessary corrective 
action.

 How To Obtain Copies

    A copy of the proposed TSO may be obtained via the information 
contained in section titled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, or the 
Internet at http://www.faa.gov/certification/aircraft/TSOA.htm.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 6, 2002.
Kim K. Smith,
Acting Deputy Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-14755 Filed 6-11-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M