[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 23, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 84666]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24764]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Docket No: FAA-2024-2434]


Notice of Virtual Meeting With Industry

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of virtual meeting for Prospective Manufacturers of 
Airborne Position Reference Tools (APRT).

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SUMMARY: The FAA is holding a virtual industry event to educate 
companies interested in manufacturing supplemental surveillance tools 
to increase airborne situational awareness. These ``Airborne Position 
Reference Tools'' (APRTs) will be available for purchase and operation 
by non-federal entities (e.g., airport authorities). APRTs are intended 
for use in air traffic control towers that are staffed by non-federally 
employed controllers and not equipped with Standard Terminal Automation 
Replacement Systems (STARS).

DATES: Wednesday December 11, 2024; 1:30-4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Schoen, Advanced Systems 
Design Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence 
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-9841; email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1875717b70797d743672366b7b70777d76587e7979367f776e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8ce1e5efe4ede9e0a2e6a2ffefe4e3e9e2cceaededa2ebe3fa">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Statutory authority

    The FAA is authorized to regulate aviation technologies that are 
manufactured for operation by non-federal entities in the National 
Airspace System (NAS). (49 U.S.C. 44708; 40102(4)(c).) The Advanced 
Systems Design Service is tasked to assess the suitability of 
technologies that industry proposes for non-federal use in the NAS. (14 
CFR part 171.75.)

II. Background

    Please join the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a virtual 
industry event to educate companies interested in manufacturing and 
selling supplemental surveillance tools to increase airborne 
situational awareness. These ``Airborne Position Reference Tools'' 
(APRTs) will be available for purchase and operation by non-federal 
entities (e.g., airport authorities). They are intended for use in air 
traffic control towers that are staffed by non-federally employed 
controllers and not equipped with Standard Terminal Automation 
Replacement Systems (STARS).
    The FAA does not operate every Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) 
in the National Airspace System (NAS). Some towers are staffed by non-
federally employed controllers, either via the FAA Contract Tower (FCT) 
program, or with non-federal funding. A number of these ``non-FAA'' 
towers do not have a Certified Tower Radar Display (i.e., STARS). 
Without radar data the controllers at those towers must rely on their 
own visual observations, and their radio communications with pilots. 
Many of these towers desire a tool that supplements situational 
awareness by providing controllers with a digital picture of their 
airspace.
    APRTs may only be used to supplement controllers' visual 
observations, and their radio communications with pilots. APRTs may not 
be used as the basis for maintaining separation between aircraft and 
they may not connect to FAA networks and/or FAA equipment.
    The FAA is not conducting an acquisition for APRTs. Sponsors who 
want to procure and operate an APRT must purchase FAA approved systems/
services. The FAA has developed minimum requirements that prospective 
manufacturers must meet and an approval process they must follow. 
Multiple vendors' systems/services may be approved for non-federal use 
under the APRT umbrella.
    On Wednesday December 11th from 1:30-4:30 p.m. the FAA will 
virtually brief that information to interested parties and entertain 
questions. We will also announce the date on which prospective 
manufacturers may submit their design approval requests.

III. How To Register for This Event

    This event will be held via video conference. Please use the 
following link to register for an event invitation: https://liveeventsfaa.wufoo.com/forms/industry-day-for-airborne-position-reference-tools/.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 9, 2024.
Shelly A. Beauchamp,
Team Manager, Advanced Systems Design Service (AJW-121).
[FR Doc. 2024-24764 Filed 10-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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