[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 136 (Monday, July 18, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41134-41135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14036]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 121

[Docket No. FAA-2003-15682]
RIN 2120-AH81


Digital Flight Data Recorder Requirements

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; technical amendment.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is making minor 
technical changes to a final rule published in the Federal Register on 
July 18, 2003 (68 FR 42932). That final rule amended appendices in 14 
CFR parts 121, 125, and 135. In that final rule the FAA inadvertently 
did not make conforming amendments to two parts of Appendix M of part 
121.

DATES: Effective July 18, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Davis, Flight Standards Service, 
Air Transportation Division, AFS-201A, Federal Aviation Administration, 
800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 
267-8166; facsimile (202) 267-5229; e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA published a final rule on July 18, 2003, that made changes 
to recording specifications for digital flight data recorders required 
in 14 CFR parts 121, 125, and 135. Since that rulemaking, two editions 
of the Code of Federal Regulations have been published (2004, 2005), 
and each new edition includes two small errors that we are correcting 
with this technical amendment. Both errors are found in Appendix M of 
part 121. This appendix lists airplane flight recorder specifications 
for all 88 parameters that are required for aircraft operating under 
the rules of part 121.
    One error is found in parameter 12a, Pitch Control(s) (non fly-by-
wire systems), and the other is found in parameter 19, Pitch trim 
surface position. These errors were brought to out attention in May 
2005 and we are correcting them as quickly as possible. The first error 
lists a ``%'' sign under the ``Accuracy (sensor input) for parameter 
12a, but a ``[deg]'' (for ``degree'') sign should be listed. The second 
error is a spelling error in parameter 19. Parameter 19 currently 
reads, ``Pitch trime,'' when it should read ``Pitch trim.''

Need for Correction

    The two errors published in current versions of 14 CFR are very 
minor. It is possible that an operator subject to the requirements 
described in Appendix M, part 121, could be confused by what is 
published. It is unlikely that these errors will directly affect 
safety, but it is necessary for us to make sure that all information in 
the appendix is 100% accurate.

Technical Amendment

    The technical amendment will correct parameters 12a and 19 in 14 
CFR, part 121, Appendix M.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 121

    Air carriers, Aircraft, Airmen, Alcohol abuse, Aviation safety, 
Charter flights, Drug abuse, Drug testing, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Safety, Transportation.


0
Accordingly, Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 121 
is amended as follows:

PART 121--OPERATING REQUIREMENTS: DOMESTIC, FLAG, AND SUPPLEMENTAL 
OPERATIONS

0
1. The authority citation for part 121 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 40119, 41706, 44101, 44701-
44702, 44705, 44709-44711, 44713, 44716-44717, 44722, 46105.


0
2. Amend Appendix M to part 121 by revising parameter 12a and parameter 
19 to read as follows:

Appendix M to Part 121--Airplane Flight Recorder Specifications

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[[Page 41135]]



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                                                                Accuracy (sensor     Seconds per sampling
             Parameters                       Range                  input)                interval              Resolution               Remarks
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12a. Pitch Control(s) position (non- Full Range............  2[deg]     0.5 or 0.25 for        0.5% of full range....  For airplanes that
 fly-by-wire systems).                                        Unless Higher          airplanes operated                             have a flight
                                                              Accuracy Uniquely      under Sec.                                     control break away
                                                              Required.              121.344(f).                                    capability that
                                                                                                                                    allows either pilot
                                                                                                                                    to operate the
                                                                                                                                    controls
                                                                                                                                    independently,
                                                                                                                                    record both control
                                                                                                                                    inputs. The control
                                                                                                                                    inputs may be
                                                                                                                                    sampled alternately
                                                                                                                                    once per second to
                                                                                                                                    produce the sampling
                                                                                                                                    interval of 0.5 or
                                                                                                                                    0.25, as applicable.
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
19. Pitch Trim Surface Position....  Full Range............  3[deg]     1....................  0.6% of full range....  .....................
                                                              Unless Higher
                                                              Accuracy Uniquely
                                                              Required.
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
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    Issued in Washington, DC on July 11, 2005.
Rebecca B. MacPherson,
Assistant Chief Counsel for Regulations.
[FR Doc. 05-14036 Filed 7-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P