[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 177 (Friday, September 12, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53776-53777]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-23302]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Proposed Technical Standard Order--TSO-C39c, 9g Transport 
Airplane Seats Certified by Static Testing

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 proposed Technical Standard Order (TSO) C39c, 9g Transport 
Airplane Seats Certified by Static Testing. The proposed TSO-C39c 
prescribes the minimum performance standard (MPS) that a seat to be 
used in a 9g transport category airplane must meet in order to bear the 
TSO number on its identification plate. This notice also proposes how 
existing TSO-C39b will be approved for future TSO applications for 
seats used in normal, utility and acrobatic airplanes and rotorcraft.

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

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed technical standard order 
to: Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft Certification Service, 
Aircraft Engineering Division, Room 815, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20591. ATTN: Mr. Hal Jensen, AIR-120. Or, deliver 
comments to: Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft Engineering 
Division, Room 815, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Hal Jensen, FAA, Aircraft 
Certification Service, Aircraft Engineering Division, Technical 
Programs Branch, AIR-120, Room 835, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC, 20591; telephone: (202) 267-8807; fax: (202) 267-5340; 
e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed TSO by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments, as they desire, to 
the aforementioned specified address. Comments received on the proposed 
TSO may be examined, before the 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 will be 
considered by the Director of the Aircraft Certification Service before 
issuing the final TSO.

Background

    In response to a recommendation the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA) streamline the aircraft seat certification processes, we issued a 
proposed Technical Standard Order (TSO)--C39c, Aircraft Seats and 
Berths, dated July 12, 2003. The purpose of the proposed TSO-C39c, was 
to improve the consistent application and interpretation in certifying 
the 9g static requirement for aircraft seats, and those aircraft seats 
that must meet the 9g static and 16g dynamic requirements of TSO-C127 
and TSO-C127a (TSO-C127/127a).
    After considering the comments received, based on our July 12, 
2003, request, we decided the FAA and the public would not benefit by 
combining the static requirements of TSO-C39c with the static 
requirements of TSO-C127a in this proposed revision. Therefore, 
proposed TSO-C39c will reference the Society of Automotive Engineers 
(SAE) Aerospace Standard (AS) 8049, Performance Standards for Seats in 
Civil Rotorcraft, Transport Aircraft, and General Aviation Aircraft, 
Rev. A., resulting in the TSO applying only to 9g transport category 
airplane seats certified by static testing. Note however, the 
applicability of TSO-C39b, referencing the National Aircraft Standard 
(NAS) 809, Specification--Aircraft Seats and Berths, will apply to 
approval of aircraft berths and 9g seats in normal and utility (Type 
II), acrobatic (Type III), and rotorcraft (Type IV) only.
    Although this proposal splits the TSO-C39 by revisions based on the 
seat's aircraft applicability, we believe it will resolve more issues 
than other options would introduce. Therefore, based on the public 
comments received, we determined the technical and procedural issues of 
standardizing the static requirements of TSO-C39b and

[[Page 53777]]

TSO-C127/127a for transport airplanes is achievable. We also determined 
standardizing would provide little benefit and potentially higher cost 
for manufacturers of aircraft seats used in non-transport category 
airplanes. We accomplish this by referencing the proper industry 
standard, NAS 809 or SAE AS8049, based on seat ``Type'' used in TSO-
C39b and TSO-C39c respectively.

How To Obtain Copies

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

    Dated: Issued in Washington, DC, on September 8, 2003.
David W. Hempe,
Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-23302 Filed 9-11-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M