[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 129 (Tuesday, July 7, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36731-36732]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-17943]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) Airborne 
Equipment, TCAS II

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability for public comment.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and requests 
comments on a proposed Technical Standard Order (TSO) pertaining to 
traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) airborne equipment, 
TCAS II. The proposed TSO prescribes the minimum operational 
performance standards that TCAS II equipment must meet to be identified 
with the marking ``TSO-C119b.''


[[Page 36732]]


DATES: Comments must identify the TSO file number and be received on or 
before August 17, 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, 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 
Programs 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 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

    This TSO is proposed to provide for performance enhancement to 
Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System II (TCAS II) Airborne 
Equipment. There have been a significant number of changes to the TCAS 
II software. Version 7.0 of the TCAS II will also be utilized by ICAO 
member states with the mandates for equipage of Airborne Collision 
Avoidance System (ACAS II). Areas of improvement include TCAS-TCAS 
reversal, horizontal miss distance filtering, surveillance improvements 
to extend effective range and reduce interference in high density 
traffic areas, reduction of nuisance Traffic Advisories operating in 
Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) airspace, etc. Also, display 
and aural changes were made to improve flight crew recognition and 
understanding issues.
    Marking is addition to those required by 14 CFR 21.607 would be 
required for TSO-C119b articles.
    The proposed TSO would require the TSOA holder to provide the 
article purchaser with certain data described in Paragraph 5 of 
proposed TSO-C119b. Data that would be furnished with each manufactured 
article includes operating instructions and equipment limitations, 
installation procedures, limitations, and related information, 
equipment specifications and designations, maintenance instructions, 
and environmental qualification forms. Additional information would be 
required for articles that accomplish additional functions; that 
information would need to be sent to the purchaser once, even if 
several identical articles are purchased.

How to Obtain Copies

    A copy of the proposed TSO-C119b may be obtained via Internet 
(http:/www.faa.gov/avr/air/100home.htm) or on request from the office 
listed under for Further Information Contact. Copies of RTCA, Inc. 
Document No. DO-185A, ``Minimum Operational Performance Standards for 
An Active Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System II (TCAS II) 
Airborne Equipment,'' dated December 16, 1997. RTCA Document No. 160D, 
``Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne 
Equipment,'' dated July 29, 1997; and RTCA Document No. DO-178B, 
``Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment 
Certification,'' dated 1, 1992, may be purchased from the RTCA Inc., 
1140 Connecticut Avenue, NW., Suite 1020, Washington, DC 20036.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 30, 1998.
Abbas A. Rizvi,
Acting Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-17943 Filed 7-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M