[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 198 (Tuesday, October 14, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59232-59233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-25436]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Proposed Technical Standard Order (TSO)-C167, Personnel Carrying 
Device Systems (PCDS), Also Known as Human Harnesses

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 proposed Technical Standard Order (TSO)-C167, Personnel 
Carrying Device Systems (PCDS), also known as Human Harnesses. This 
proposed TSO tells PCDS manufacturers what minimum performance 
standards (MPS) their systems must first meet to obtain approval and 
identification with the applicable TSO marking.

DATES: Comments must identify the TSO and arrive by January 31, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed TSO to: Federal Aviation 
Administration, Aircraft Certification Service, Aircraft Engineering 
Division, Technical Programs and Continued Airworthiness Branch, AIR-
120, Room 815, 800 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20591. ATTN: 
Mr. Dave Rich, AIR-120. Or, deliver comments to: Federal Aviation 
Administration, Room 815, 800 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 
20591.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Dave Rich, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Aircraft Certification Service, Aircraft Engineering 
Division, Technical Programs and Continued Airworthiness Branch, AIR-
120, Room 815, 800 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20591. 
Telephone (202) 267-7141, fax (202) 267-5340, e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    You may comment on the proposed TSO listed in this notice by 
sending written data, views, or arguments to the above listed address. 
You may also examine comments received on the proposed TSO, before and 
after the comment closing date, in Room 815, FAA Headquarters, 800 
Independence 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 by the 
closing date before issuing the final TSO.

Background

    This TSO gives the MPS for personnel carrying device systems. The 
MPS are based on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1983, 
Standard on Fire Service Life Safety Rope and System Components, 2001 
edition, and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Aerospace Standard 
(AS) 8043, Revision A, Restraint Systems for Civil Aircraft, issued 
March 2000. We modified NFPA 1983 and SAE AS 8043, and show those 
modifications in Appendix 1 of the proposed TSO. This TSO's standards 
apply to equipment intended to allow personnel to be transported 
external

[[Page 59233]]

from a helicopter (human external cargo (HEC) operations).

How To Get Copies

    You may get a copy of the proposed TSO 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.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 2, 2003.
David W. Hempe,
Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-25436 Filed 10-10-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M