38798 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 129 / Tuesday, July 7, 2015 / Notices 

Access Control System (VACS–D) 

database. Please see the Security 

Records System of Records Notice 

(State–36) at http://www.state.gov/

documents/organization/103419.pdf for 

additional information. 

For additional information, contact 

Melike Yetken, Office of Economic 

Policy Analysis and Public Diplomacy, 

Bureau of Economic and Business 

Affairs, at (202) 647–2744, or 

YetkenMA@state.gov 

Dated: June 29, 2015. 

Melike A. Yetken, 

Designated Federal Official, U.S. Department 

of State. 

[FR Doc. 2015–16616 Filed 7–6–15; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4710–08–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

Emergency Locator Transmitters 

(ELTs) 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final notice recommending 

voluntary change to securing existing 

ELTs as specified in Technical Standard 

Order (TSO)–C126b, 406MHz 

Emergency Locator Transmitter. 

SUMMARY: This notice summarizes the 

inadequacies of hook and loop fasteners 

as a means for securing automatic fixed 

(AF) and automatic potable (AP) ELTs, 

and avoids placing an undue burden on 

aircraft owners while acknowledging 

the voluntary efforts of ELT 

manufacturers to improve designs. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. 

Charisse R. Green, AIR–131, Federal 

Aviation Administration, 470 L’Enfant 

Plaza, Suite 4102, Washington, DC 

20024. Telephone (202) 267–8551, fax 

(202) 267–8589, email to: 

Charisse.Green@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

On March 10, 2015, the Federal 

Aviation Administration (FAA) 

published in the Federal Register, (80 

FR 12697 (2015)), a Notice announcing 

the recommendation of voluntary 

change to a metal strap type restraint 

method for securing ELTs. The FAA 

recommends voluntary changes to 

existing ELTs installed with hook and 

loop fasteners because of their tendency 

to become dislodged from their 

mounting trays on impact. The 

separation of those ELTs from their 

mounting trays caused their antenna 

connection to sever, thus rendering the 

ELTs to be ineffective and unable to 

perform their intended function. The 

FAA also evaluated the retention tests 

specified by TSO–C91a, TSO–C126, and 

TSO–C126a and determined these 

standards did not adequately address 

the use of hook and loop fasteners. Hook 

and loop fasteners were not an 

acceptable means of compliance to meet 

the mounting and retention 

requirements of the ELT TSOs. While 

the evaluation of installation approval 

using hook and loop fasteners may meet 

the TSO requirements for retention 

forces in laboratory conditions, accident 

investigations found these fasteners did 

not perform their intended function. 

Technical Standard Order TSO–C126b, 

406 MHz Emergency Locator 

Transmitters, already excludes hook and 

loop fasteners as the primary method of 

ELT attachment. 

FAA Concerns 

The agency identified the following 

concerns after completing its evaluation 

of the use of hook and loop fasteners: 

(1) Hook and loop fasteners fail to 

retain the ELT when insufficient tension 

is applied to close the fastener. There is 

no repeatable method for installation 

and no method to evaluate the tension 

of the hook and loop fastener. The 

allowance for pilots to secure ELTs to 

the aircraft when changing ELT batteries 

further increases the potential for 

inconsistent and unsatisfactory 

installations. 

(2) Hook and loop fasteners closed 

with proper tension may stretch or 

loosen over time due to wear, fluids, 

vibration, and repeated use, leading to 

insufficient tension to retain the ELT. 

(3) Hook and loop fasteners closed 

with proper tension do not provide 

stated retention capability due to debris 

which can contaminate the hooks and 

loops of the fastener. 

(4) Hook and loop fasteners closed 

with proper tension degrade due to 

environmental factors such as repeated 

heating and cooling cycles, temperature 

extremes, and contamination resulting 

from location in equipment areas. 

Comments 

The FAA received one comment in 

response to the March 10, 2015, Federal 

Register Notice. The comment, by 

ELTA, stated that there is some 

potential confusion as to which ELTs 

were applicable under the FAA’s 

proposed voluntary change from the use 

of hook and loop fasteners to metallic 

straps. Some customers could assume 

the Federal Register notice is applicable 

to all types of ELTs, including the 

survival type ELT. 

The FAA acknowledges this 

comment. This final Federal Register 

notice clarifies the FAA recommends 

voluntary changes to the securing 

mechanisms for automatic fixed and 

automatic portable ELTs. Additionally, 

the requirements section of TSO–C126b 

specifies the use of hook and loop 

fasteners is not an acceptable means of 

attachment when showing compliance 

with the Crash Safety requirements of 

RTCA/DO–204A, section 2.2.5. Section 

2.2.5 of this RTCA document applies 

only to AF and AP ELTs. 

Conclusion 

The FAA evaluated the mounting 

requirements and retention test and 

determined the standards do not 

adequately address the use of hook and 

loop fasteners. Upon completion of the 

evaluation, the FAA identified 

numerous concerns with the use of hook 

and loop fasteners and continues to 

recommend voluntary changes of 

securing mechanisms for existing ELTs 

which utilize hook and loop fasteners. 

The FAA also asks aircraft owners/

operators with ELTs secured with hook 

and loop fasteners in their aircraft to 

voluntarily switch to a metal strap type 

restraint method. 

Issued in Washington, DC, on June 30, 

2015. 

Susan J.M. Cabler, 

Acting Manager, Design, Manufacturing, & 

Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 

Service. 

[FR Doc. 2015–16557 Filed 7–6–15; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

Alaska: Fixed Wing Aircraft External 

Loads as a Restricted Category 

Special Purpose Flight Operation 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of availability and 

request for public comments. 

SUMMARY: This notice announces the 

availability of and request comments on 

the proposed authorization of Alaska 

Fixed Wing External Loads (FWEL) as a 

new restricted category special purpose 

operation, pursuant to Title 14 of the 

Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 

21.25(b)(7), for operations within the 

State of Alaska. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before August 6, 2015. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Federal Aviation Administration, 

Design Manufacturing and 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 129 / Tuesday, July 7, 2015 / Notices 38799 

Airworthiness Division, Design 

Certification Section (AIR–111), 950 

L’Enfant Plaza SW., Washington, DC 

20024. ATTN: Mr. Graham Long. 

Telephone (202) 267–1624, fax 202– 

267–1813, email to: graham.long@

faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant 

to the Reauthorization Act of 1966 (110 

Sat. 3213) SEC. 1205., Regulations 

Affecting Intrastate Aviation in Alaska, 

modifying regulations contained in Title 

14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 

in a manner affecting intrastate aviation 

in Alaska became law. The 

Administrator of the Federal Aviation 

Administration considered the extent to 

which Alaska is not served by 

transportation modes other than 

aviation, established such regulatory 

distinctions as deemed appropriate. 

The Design, Manufacturing and 

Airworthiness Division (AIR–100) 

proposes Alaskan Fixed Wing External 

Loads (FWEL) as a recognized special 

purpose operation in the restricted 

category, under Title 14 of the Code of 

Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 

§ 21.25(b)(7). Alaskan FWEL is the 

carriage of external loads temporarily 

attached to small, fixed-wing aircraft 

operating within the state of Alaska. 

This approval is issued with the 

following requirements: 

1. Alaskan FWEL must be performed 

in conjunction with the procedures 

contained in FAA Notice N8900.272 (or 

its successor policy). 

2. An airplane eligible for the carriage 

of external loads must: 

a. Be a small propeller-driven airplane 

type-certificated in accordance with 14 

CFR part 23 (or its predecessor 

regulations) in the normal, utility, or 

acrobatic category, and have a valid 

airworthiness certificate in that 

category. 

b. Have a maximum certificated 

takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or less. 

3. The airworthiness limitations 

issued with the airworthiness certificate 

must include a requirement for training 

in the carriage of FWEL. The pilot must 

have sufficient knowledge of (1) 

external load attaching methods; (2) the 

airplane operating limitations issued for 

the external load operation; and (3) how 

the external load may affect the flight 

characteristics of the airplane. 

Note: Airplane Handling and Flight 

Characteristics: When carrying external 

loads, aerodynamic forces and the weight of 

an external load change an airplane’s 

handling and flight characteristics. These 

forces can negatively affect airplane 

performance (takeoff, climb, cruise, and 

landing), airplane stability, flight control 

effectiveness, vibration, fuel consumption, 

and engine cooling, among other 

characteristics. The operator must take care 

when selecting and mounting an external 

load and also exercise prudence to avoid 

operation outside the airplane’s approved 

weight & balance envelope, and to avoid 

aerodynamic effects that make operations 

unsafe. 

4. The aircraft must be operated in 

accordance with the gross weight and 

flight envelope limitations when in the 

restricted category. 

5. No passengers are permitted on 

board when in restricted category. All 

persons onboard must be flight crew 

members, flight crew member trainees, 

persons who perform an essential 

function in connection with the special 

purpose operation, or persons necessary 

to accomplish the work activity directly 

associated with the special purpose 

operation. 

Issued in Washington, DC, on June 30, 

2015. 

Susan J.M. Cabler, 

Acting Manager, Design, Manufacturing and 

Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 

Service. 

[FR Doc. 2015–16558 Filed 7–6–15; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

Advisory Circular (AC) 20–159, 

Obtaining Design and Production 

Approval of Airport Moving Map 

Display Applications Intended for 

Electronic Flight Bag Systems 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of intent to cancel AC 

20–159, Obtaining Design and 

Production Approval of Airport Moving 

Map Display Applications Intended for 

Electronic Flight Bag Systems. 

SUMMARY: This notice announces the 

Federal Aviation Administration’s 

(FAA) intent to cancel AC 20–159. This 

cancellation will result in no new 

approval of technical standard order 

authorizations (TSOA) for an 

‘‘incomplete system’’ issued for 

Technical Standard Order (TSO) C–165, 

Electronic Map Display Equipment for 

Graphical Depiction of Aircraft Position. 

Therefore, the guidance contained in AC 

20–159 allowing applicants to obtain a 

design and production approval using 

the software and database for an airport 

moving map display (AMMD) intended 

for use on a Class 2 electronic flight bag 

(EFB) for ground operations, will no 

longer be available. FAA AC 120–76C, 

Guidelines for the Certification, 

Airworthiness, and Operational Use of 

Electronic Flight Bags, dated May 9, 

2014, replaces AC 20–159 and provides 

guidance for applicants seeking 

authorization to display an own-ship 

symbol limited to the airport surface as 

a Type B application for use on any 

EFB. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To 

obtain additional details, please contact: 

Mr. Brad Miller, AIR–130, Federal 

Aviation Administration, Aircraft 

Certification Service, Systems and 

Equipment Standards Branch, 470 

L’Enfant Plaza Suite 4102, Washington, 

DC 20024, Telephone (202) 267–8533, 

FAX: (202) 267–267–8589, Email: 

brad.miller@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

In mid-March 2007, the FAA 

Administrator directed FAA to publish 

guidance by the end of April 2007 to 

facilitate the use of an AMMD 

application on EFBs and to streamline 

the certification means to deploy this 

safety enhancement to address airport 

runway incursions. AC 20–159 provided 

EFB AMMD applicant guidance to 

obtain TSO–C165 software-only TSO 

authorization requiring the need to 

obtain a design or production approval. 

However, AC 120–76C later introduced 

guidance to necessitate only an 

operator-based evaluation submitted to 

an FAA inspector for EFB hardware and 

software application authorization. The 

FAA envisions all new authorizations 

for use of AMMD functionality on EFBs 

be obtained under AC 120–76C as a 

Type B application. 

Issued in Washington, DC, on June 30, 

2015. 

Susan J.M. Cabler, 

Acting Manager, Design, Manufacturing, & 

Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 

Service. 

[FR Doc. 2015–16556 Filed 7–6–15; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Railroad Administration 

[Docket No. FRA–2015–0007–N–18] 

Agency Request for Emergency 

Processing of Collection of 

Information by the Office of 

Management and Budget 

AGENCY: Federal Railroad 

Administration (FRA), United States 

Department of Transportation (USDOT). 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: FRA hereby gives notice that 

it is submitting the following 

Information Collection request (ICR) to 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES