[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 18, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 19443]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-9502]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Airborne Weather Radar With Forward-Looking Windshear Capability

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration.

ACTION: Notice of availability for public comment.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and request comments 
on a proposed technical standard order (TSO) pertaining to airborne 
weather radar with forward-looking windshear capability. The proposed 
TSO prescribes the minimum performance standards that airborne weather 
radar with forward-looking windshear capability must meet to be 
identified with the marking ``TSO-C134.''

DATES: Comments must identify the TSO file number and be received on or 
before July 20, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed technical standard order 
to: Technical Program and Continued Airworthiness Branch, AIR-120, 
Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification Service--File No. 
TSO-C134, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20591. Or deliver comments to: Federal Aviation 
Administration, Room 804, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591.

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, Telephone (202) 267-9546.

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 804, 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 is a new TSO that sets forth minimum operational performance 
standards for airborne weather radar with forward-looking windshear 
detection capability.
    For windshear detection, the airborne radar equipment must detect 
areas containing windshear activity. It must be capable of correlating 
and generating appropriate alerts based on F factor. This output must 
be clear, automatic, concise and distinct to allow for rapid pilot 
interpretation. The selection of the windshear detection mode must be 
done automatically during takeoff and landing phases of flight.
    This TSO contains standards for weather detection and ground 
mapping. In the case of weather detection, the airborne radar equipment 
must detect and display echoes from precipitation in a way that will 
allow flight crew analysis of probable turbulent areas ahead. In the 
case of ground mapping, the airborne radar equipment must be able to 
detect and display echoes from the surface of the earth to allow in-
flight analysis.

How to Obtain Copies

    A copy of the proposed TSO-C134 may be obtained by contacting For 
Further Information Contact. Copies of RTCA Document No. DO-220, 
``Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Airborne Weather Radar 
with Forward-Looking Windshear Capability,'' may be purchased from the 
RTCA Inc., 1140 Connecticut Avenue, NW., Suite 1020, Washington, DC 
20036.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 12, 1995.
John K. McGrath,
Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-9502 Filed 4-17-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M