[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 156 (Tuesday, August 13, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49318-49319]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19478]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Docket No FAA-2013-0485]


Availability of Draft Advisory Circular (AC) 90-106A and AC 20-
167A

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Availability for Comment

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of draft Advisory 
Circular (AC) 90-106A, Enhanced Flight Vision Systems and draft AC 20-
167A, Airworthiness Approval of Enhanced Vision System, Synthetic 
Vision System, Combined Vision System, and Enhanced Flight Vision 
System Equipment documents that were developed by the FAA. These 
documents are available for public review, download, and comment.

DATES: Send comments on or before October 15, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2013-0485 
using any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. 
Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room 
W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket 
Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.
    Privacy: The FAA will post all comments it receives, without 
change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal 
information the commenter provides. Using the search function of the 
docket Web site, anyone can find and read the electronic form of all 
comments received into any FAA dockets, including the name of the 
individual sending the comment (or signing the comment for an 
association, business, labor union, etc.). DOT's complete Privacy Act 
Statement can be found in the Federal Register published on April 11, 
2000 (65 FR 19477-19478), as well as at http://DocketsInfo.dot.gov.
    Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at 
http://www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions 
for accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 
of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical questions concerning 
draft AC 90-106A, contact Terry King, Flight Technologies and 
Procedures Division, AFS-400, Flight Standards Service, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 
20591; telephone (202) 385-4586; email [email protected]. For 
technical questions concerning draft AC 20-167A, contact Trent Prange, 
Aircraft Engineering Division, AIR-100, Aircraft Certification Service, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 385-4866; email 
[email protected]. For legal questions concerning this action 
contact Paul G. Greer, Office of the Chief Counsel, Regulations 
Division, AGC-200, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-3073; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 11, 2013, the FAA published a Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register titled Revisions 
to Operational Requirements for the Use of Enhanced Flight Vision 
Systems (EFVS)

[[Page 49319]]

and to Pilot Compartment View Requirements for Vision Systems (78 FR 
34935-34958) (Docket No.: FAA-2013-0485; Notice No. 1209). AC 90-106A, 
Enhanced Flight Vision Systems, and AC 20-167A, Airworthiness Approval 
of Enhanced Vision System, Synthetic Vision System, Combined Vision 
System, and Enhanced Flight Vision System Equipment, have been revised 
to incorporate the operational and airworthiness proposals contained in 
the NPRM.
    AC 90-106A provides information about the operating rules 
pertaining to EFVS operations and explains how to obtain authorization 
to conduct EFVS operations. AC 20-167A provides guidance on 
airworthiness approvals of EFVS, Enhanced Vision System (EVS), 
Synthetic Vision System (SVS), and Combined Vision System (CVS) 
equipment installation.
    AC 90-106A is for persons operating aircraft under Title 14 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 91, 121, 125, 129, or 135 who 
seek approval to use an EFVS in lieu of natural vision to either 
descend below decision altitude/decision height (DA/DH) or minimum 
descent altitude (MDA) to 100 feet height above touchdown zone 
elevation (HAT) from a straight-in Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP), 
or descend below DA/DH to touchdown and rollout from a straight-in 
precision IAP or a straight-in IAP with approved (published) vertical 
guidance.
    AC 90-106A applies to all EFVS operations that are conducted to 100 
feet HAT and all EFVS operations that would be conducted to touchdown 
and rollout under proposed Sec. Sec.  91.176, 121.651, 125.381, 129, 
and 135.225. AC 90-106A also applies to the proposed EFVS provisions of 
Sec. Sec.  121.613, 121.615, 125.361, 125.363, and 135.219 for 
dispatch, flight release, and takeoff under IFR when the reported or 
forecast visibility at the destination airport is below authorized 
minimums. In addition, AC 90-106A applies to the proposed EFVS 
provisions of Sec. Sec.  121.651, 125.325, 125.381, and 135.225 for 
initiating or continuing an approach when the destination airport 
weather is below authorized visibility minimums for the runway of 
intended landing. This AC also contains information about the proposed 
requirements for pilot training under Sec.  61.31 and the proposed 
recent flight experience and proficiency requirements under Sec.  
61.57.
    AC 90-106A provides information on the regulatory background of 
EFVS operations, the levels of EFVS operations which can be currently 
approved, the concept of operation associated with each level of EFVS 
operation, and how to obtain operational approval to conduct EFVS 
operations. AC 90-106A also provides information on the regulatory 
requirements for conducting EFVS operations, including operating, 
equipment, training, recent flight experience, proficiency, dispatch 
and flight release, and maintenance requirements.
    Public comments on draft AC 90-106A should be submitted on the 
comment form titled Comment Form for Advisory Circular (AC) 90-106A, 
Enhanced Flight Vision Systems. An electronic copy of this form can be 
downloaded from the docket.
    AC 20-167A is for airplane and rotorcraft manufacturers, modifiers, 
and type certification engineers seeking certification or installation 
guidance for their visual display system. Sections 23.773, 25.773 
27.773 and 29.773 address vision systems using a transparent display 
surface located in the pilot's outside view, such as a head-up-display, 
head-mounted display, or other equivalent display. Such ``vision 
systems'' include any EVS, EFVS, SVS, or CVS.
    AC 20-167A applies to all applicants for a new type certificate 
(TC), an amended type certificate (ATC), or a supplemental type 
certificate (STC) who install vision systems and equipment. The method 
of compliance described in AC 20-167A can be used to obtain a TC, STC, 
or ATC for an airplane or rotorcraft equipped with EVS, EFVS, SVS, or 
CVS equipment.
    AC 20-167A describes system performance, provides methods, 
procedures, and practices acceptable to the FAA for complying with 
regulations, and addresses specific installation guidance for vision 
systems on an airplane or on rotorcraft. This AC also provides EFVS 
safety standards and sample flight test considerations for EFVS 
operations conducted to 100 feet HAT and for EFVS operations conducted 
to touchdown and rollout.
    Public comments on the available drafts should be submitted on the 
forms provided. Electronic copies of these forms can be downloaded from 
the docket: FAA-2013-0485.
    Both ACs provide methods, procedures, and practices acceptable to 
the FAA for complying with regulations. They are a means, but not the 
only means, of obtaining approval to conduct EFVS operations and to 
install and obtain airworthiness approval for vision systems. These ACs 
do not alter regulatory requirements.

    Issued in Washington, DC on August 7, 2013.
Lirio Liu,
Director, Office of Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 2013-19478 Filed 8-12-13; 8:45 am]
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