[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 157 (Thursday, August 14, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48658-48659]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-20773]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Proposed Technical Standard Order (TSO)-C166, Extended Squitter 
Automatic Dependent Surveillance--Broadcast (ADS-B) and Traffic 
Information Service--Broadcast (TIS-B) Equipment Operating on the Radio 
Frequency of 1090 Megahertz (MHz).

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of availability and requests for public comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and requests 
comments on a proposed Technical Standard Order (TSO)-C166, Extended 
Squitter Automatic Dependent Surveillance--Broadcast (ADS-B) and 
Traffic Information Service--Broadcast (TIS-B) Equipment Operating on 
the Radio Frequency of 1090 Megahertz (MHz). This proposed TSO tells 
persons seeking a TSO authorization or letter of design approval what 
minimum performance standards (MPS) their Extended Squitter ADS-B and 
TIS-B equipment must meet to be identified with the applicable TSO 
marking.

DATES: Comments must identify the TSO file number and be received on or 
before September 15, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed technical standard order 
to: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Aircraft Certification 
Service, Aircraft Engineering Division, Avionic Systems Branch, AIR-
130, File No. TSO-C166, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591. ATTN: Mr. Robert Duffer. Or deliver comments to: Federal 
Aviation Administration, Room 815, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20591.

[[Page 48659]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Duffer, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Aircraft Certification Service, Aircraft Engineering 
Division, Avionic Systems Branch, AIR-120, 800 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20591. Telephone (202) 385-4557, FAX: (202) 385-
4651.

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, 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

    This proposed TSO prescribes the MPS for airborne equipment to 
support Automatic Dependent Surveillance--Broadcast (ADS-B) using 
Extended Squitter equipment operating on the frequency of 1090 MHz. 
ADS-B is a system by which aircraft and certain equipped surface 
vehicles can share position, velocity, and other information with one 
another, and with ground-based facilities such as air traffic services 
via radio broadcast techniques. Extended Squitter ADS-B will also 
support the reception of Traffic Information Service--Broadcast (TIS-B) 
messages. Two major classes of 1090 MHz Extended Squitter ADS-B 
equipment are supported by this proposed TSO; Class A() equipment which 
incorporates both a broadcast and received subsystem, and Class B() 
equipment which supports broadcast only.

How to Obtain Copies

    A copy of the proposed TSO-C166 may be obtained via the information 
contained in section titled ``For Further Information Contact'', or 
from the FAA Internet Web site at http://www.faa.gov/certification/aircraft/tsoa.htm.
    Copies of RTCA Document No's. RTCA/DO-160D, ``Environmental 
Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment,'' dated July 29, 
1997; RTCA/DO-178B, ``Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and 
Equipment Certification,'' dated December 1, 1992; and RTCA/DO-260A, 
``Minimum Operational Performance Standards for 1090 MHz Extended 
Squitter Automatic Dependent Surveillance--Broadcast (ADS-B) and 
Traffic Information Services--Broadcast (TIS-B),'' dated April 10, 
2003, may be purchased from RTCA, Inc., 1828 L Street, NW., Suite 815, 
Washington, DC 20036. Copies can also be obtained through the RTCA 
Internet Web site at http://www.rtca.org/.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 11, 2003.
Susan J. M. Cabler,
Deputy Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-20773 Filed 8-13-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M