[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 97 (Tuesday, May 20, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 27625]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-12641]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Docket No. FAA-2003-15158


Technical Standard Order--C37e, VHF Radio Communications 
Transmitting Equipment Operating Within the Radio Frequency Range 
117.975 to 137.000 Megahertz

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 revised Technical Standard Order (TSO)-C37e, VHF Radio 
Communications Transmitting Equipment Operating Within the Radio 
Frequency Range 117.975 to 137.000 Megahertz. The revised TSO tells 
manufacturers seeking TSO authorization or letter of design approval 
what minimum performance standards (MPS) their VHF radio communications 
transmitting equipment must first meet for approval and identification 
with the applicable TSO markings.

DATES: Submit comments on or before June 19, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed TSO revision to: Federal 
Aviation Administration, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service, Room 815, AIR-130, 800 Independent Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20591. Attn: Mr. Moin Abulhosn, AIR-130. You may deliver 
comments to: Federal Aviation Administration, Room 815, 800 Independent 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Moin Abulhosn, AIR-130, Room 815, 
Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft Engineering Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service, 800 Independent Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20591, telephone (202) 385-4648, Fax: (202) 385-4651.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    You are invited to comment on the proposed revised TSO listed in 
this notice by submitting written data, views, or arguments to the 
address listed above. Your comments should identify ``Comments to TSO-
C37e.'' You can examine all comments on the proposed revised TSO before 
and after the comment closing date at the Federal Aviation 
Administration, Room 815, 800 Independent Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591, weekdays except Federal holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 
p.m. The Director of the Aircraft Certification Service will consider 
all communications received on or before the closing date before 
issuing the final revised TSO.

Background

    This proposed revision to TSO-C37d includes the latest TSO 
boilerplate language. This language incorporates a Functionality 
definition used to specify the Function Hazard Classification. 
Furthermore, the data required with the TSO application has been 
slightly modified to include:
    a. The minimum operational performance standards defined by RTCA/
DO-186A, ``Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Airborne Radio 
Communications Equipment Operating Within the Radio Frequency Range 
117.975-137.00 Mhz,'' Section 2.0, dated October 20, 1995, including 
Change 1, dated September 29, 1998, and Change 2, dated March 5, 2002.
    b. The minimum requirements of 8.33 kHz channel spacing 
transmitters (Class 5 and 6) as defined by RTCA/DO-186A, including 
Changes 1 and 2, while retaining requirements of 25 kHz channel spacing 
transmitters (Class 3 and 4) of TSO-37d.
    c. By reference to RTCA/DO-186A, including Channels 1 and 2, 
addresses the electromagnetic compatibility with the Global Navigation 
Satellite System (GNSS).
    d. The environmental conditions and test procedures specified in 
RTCA/DO-160D, including Changes 1, 2, and 3.
    The basic TSO provides minimum performance standards for VHF radio 
communications transmitting equipment. Incorporated within this 
standard are equipment characteristics that should be useful to users, 
designers, manufacturers, and installers of VHF radio communications 
transmitting equipment.

How To Obtain Copies

    You may get a copy of the proposed revised TSO from the Internet 
at: http://av-info.faa.gov./tso/Tsopro/Proposed.htm. You may also 
request a copy from Mr. Moin Abulhosn. See the section entitled FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT for the complete address.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 14, 2003.
David W. Hempe,
Manager, Aircraft Engieering Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-12641 Filed 5-19-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M