[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 4, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 24704]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-10123]


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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.

ACTION: Notice of availability and requests for public comment.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the re-issuance of the proposed 
Technical Standard Order (TSO)-C166, Extended Squitter Automatic 
Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and Traffic Information 
Service (TIS-B) Equipment Operating on the Radio Frequency of 1090 
Megahertz (MHz). Comments received from the initial August 11, 2003, 
presentation resulted in significant changes to the TSO, including the 
addition of an Appendix A to address corrections to the proposed RTCA 
Inc., Document (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. The resulting changes to 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 be received on or before May 31, 2004.

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, 800 Independence Avenues, SW., Washington, DC 20591. ATTN: Mr. 
Robert Duffer. Or deliver comments to: Federal Aviation Administration, 
Room 815, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Duffer, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Aircraft Certification service, Aircraft Engineering 
Division, Avionic Systems Branch, AIR-30, 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 Buildings, 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

    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 receive subsystem, and Class B( 
) equipment which supports broadcast only. It should be noted that upon 
final issuance of TSO-C166 the FAA will no longer accept applications 
for the incorporation of 1090 MHz Modes S Extended Squitter Broadcast 
under TSO-C112, unless the equipment also meets the minimum performance 
requirements of TSO-C166.

How To Obtain Copies

    You may get a copy of the proposed TSO from the Internet at: http://av-info.faa.gov/tso/Tsopro/Proposed.htm. See section entitled FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: for the complete address if requesting a 
copy by mail. You may inspect the RTCA document at the FAA office 
location listed under ADDRESS. Note however, RTCA documents are 
copyrighted and may be reproduced without the written consent of RTCA, 
Inc. You may purchase copies of RTCA, Inc. documents from: RTCA, Inc., 
1828 L Street, NW., Suite 815, Washington, DC 20036, or directly form 
their web-site; http://www.rtca.org/.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 27, 2004.
Susan J. M. Cabler,
Assistant Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-10123 Filed 5-3-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M