[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 21, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3181-3182]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1376]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Emergency Evacuation Slides, Ramps, and Slide/Raft Combinations

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability for public comment.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and request comments 
on proposed technical standard orders (TSO's) pertaining to emergency 
evacuation slides, ramps, and slide/raft combinations. The proposed 
TSO's prescribe the minimum performance standards that emergency 
evacuation slides, ramps, and slide/raft combinations must meet to be 
identified with the marking ``TSO-C69c.''

EFFECTIVE DATE: Comments must be received on or before April 24, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed technical standard order 
to: Technical Programs and Continued Airworthiness Branch, AIR-120, 
Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification Service--File No. 
TSO-C69c, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20591. Or deliver comments to: Federal Aviation 
Administration, Room 815, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591. Comments must identify the TSO file number.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Bobbie J. Smith, Technical Program and Continued Airworthiness 
Branch, AIR-120, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20591, FAX No. (202) 267-5340.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed TSO 
listed in this notice by submitting such written data, views, or 
arguments as they desire to the above specified address. Comments 
received on the proposed

[[Page 3182]]

technical standard order may be examined, before and after the comment 
closing date, in Room 815, FAA Headquarters Building (FOB-10A), 800 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, weekdays except Federal 
holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. All communications received 
on or before the closing date for comments specified above will be 
considered by the Director of the Aircraft Certification Service before 
issuing the final TSO.

Background

    Proposed TSO-C69c sets forth the basic requirements for the design 
and performance of emergency slides, ramps, and slide/raft 
combinations. The changes to this TSO include the addition of specific 
revisions to the requirements and tests for beam strength, attachment 
means, evacuation rate conditions, dark of night usability rate, and 
hot and cold soak. This revision also adds requirements for testing to 
ensure particular wind loading directions are added for devices which 
do not deploy perpendicular to the aircraft center line. In addition, 
Appendices 2 through 4 were added to include standardized definitions 
used in the TSO, described data collection procedures, and provide a 
detailed summary of changes contained in this latest TSO revision, 
respectively. The TSO has been reformatted. In addition, this revision 
incorporates two NTSB safety recommendations A-88-106 and A-88-107 
which calls for improvements to the construction and placarding of 
manual inflation handles and disconnect means.
    In addition to the requirements of 14 CFR 21.607(d), each separate 
component that is easily removable (without hand tools), an 
interchangeable element, or a separate sub-assembly of the article must 
be permanently and legibly marked with at least the name of the 
manufacturer, manufacturer's past number, and the TSO number.

How to Obtain Copies

    A copy of the proposed TSO-C69c, may be obtained via Internet 
(http:/www.faa.gov/avr/air100home.htm) or on request from the office 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Federal Aviation 
Administration Standards for Emergency Evacuation Slides, Ramps, and 
Slide/Raft Combinations may be obtained at the FAA Headquarters in the 
Aircraft Engineering Division (AIR-120), and all Aircraft Certification 
Offices (ACO's).

    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 13, 1998.
Abbas A. Rizvi,
Acting Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-1376 Filed 1-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M