[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 125 (Wednesday, June 30, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39538-39539]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-14870]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Technical Standard Order--C157, Aircraft Flight Information 
Services--Broadcast (FIS-B) Data Link Systems and Equipment

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)-C157, Aircraft Flight 
Information Services--Broadcast (FIS-B) Data Link Systems and 
Equipment. The proposed TSO tells manufacturers seeking TSO 
authorization or letter of design approval what minimum performance 
standards (MPS) their FIS-B Data Link System and Equipment must first 
meet for approval and identification with the applicable TSO markings.

DATES: Submit comments on or before August 3, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed TSO-C157 to: Federal 
Aviation Administration, Aircraft Certification Service, Aircraft 
Engineering Division, Avionic Systems Branch, AIR-130, Room 815, 800 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591. ATTN. Mr. Kevin 
Bridges, AIR-130. You may deliver comments to: Federal Aviation 
Administration, Room 815, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Kevin Bridges, AIR-130, Room 815, 
Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft Certification Service, 
Aircraft Engineering Division, 800 Independence

[[Page 39539]]

Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, Telephone (202) 385-4627, FAX: (202) 
385-4651, or e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    You are invited to comment on the proposed TSO identified in this 
notice by submitting written data, views, or arguments to the address 
listed above. Your comments should identify ``Comments to proposed TSO-
C157''. You may examine all comments revised on the proposed TSO before 
and after the comment closing date at the Federal Aviation 
Administration, Room 815, 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 on or before the closing date before 
issuing the final TSO.

Background

    This TSO's standards apply to equipment intended to display weather 
and National Airspace System (NAS) status information. FIS-B equipment 
is intended to promote pilot awareness of reported weather and NAS 
status. The operational goal of FIS-B equipment is to enhance pilot 
decision-making during strategic flight planning. We consider FIS-B 
products to be advisory information only. As such, FIS-B is non-binding 
advice and information provided to help pilots fly safely. The 
standards of this TSO do not cover integration with other avionics and 
airborne applications, such as integration of FIS-B displays with 
displays of terrain, aircraft traffic information, moving maps, and 
flight plan overlays.

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. You may also request a copy 
from Mr. Kevin Bridges. See the section entitled FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT for the complete address.

    Issued on Washington, DC, on June 23, 2004.
Susan J.M. Cabler,
Acting Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-14870 Filed 6-29-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M