[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 211 (Wednesday, October 30, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56084-56085]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-27876]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Cancellation of Technical Standard Orders; Comment Requests
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration.
ACTION: Cancellation of Technical Standard Orders (TSOs) C37, C37a,
C37b, C38, C38a, C38b; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This is a cancellation of TSOs-C37, Very High Frequency
Communications Transmitting Equipment Operating within 118-132
Megacycles, C37a, Very High Frequency Communications Transmitting
Equipment Operating within 118-132 Megacycles, C37b, Very High
Frequency Communications Transmitting Equipment Operating within 118-
136 Megacycles, C38, Very High Frequency Communications Receiving
Equipment Operating within 118-132 Megacycles, C38a, Very High
Frequency Communications Receiving Equipment Operating within 118-132
Megacycles, and C38b, Very High Frequency Communications Receiving
Equipment Operating within 118-136 Megacycles. Cancellation of these
TSOs are necessary to comply with a Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) Notice, DA 95-2441, ``Aircraft Radios to be replaced by January
1, 1997'', dated 12/11/95. The FCC ordered that all aircraft operating
within the United States airspace using VHF radios with 50 kilohertz or
greater channel spacing and a frequency tolerance greater than 30 part
per million will no longer be authorized for use in FCC licensed
aircraft stations. FCC licensed aircraft stations operating within
United States airspace radios must be converted to 25 kilohertz channel
spacing and have a frequency tolerance of 30 parts per million or less
by January 1, 1997.
EFFECTIVE DATES: January 1, 1997. Comments for inclusion in the TSO's
Docket Files must be received on or before November 29, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), Technical Programs and Continued Airworthiness Branch (AIR-120),
Attention: File No. TSO-C37, C37a, C37b, C38, C38a, and C38b, 800
Independence Avenue, S.W., 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, and FAX Number 202-267-
5340.
[[Page 56085]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
This is a notice cancels of the following TSOs: TSO-C37, Very High
Frequency (VHF) Radio Communication Transmitting Equipment Operating
Within the Radio Frequency Range of 118-132 Megacycles (For Air Carrier
Aircraft), dated 11/1/55, TSO C37a, Very High Frequency (VHF) Radio
Communication Transmitting Equipment Operating Within the Radio
Frequency Range of 118-132 Megacycles (For Air Carrier Aircraft), dated
9/1/59, TSO C37b, Very High Frequency (VHF) Radio Communication
Transmitting Equipment Operating Within the Radio Frequency Range of
118-136 Megacycles, dated 10/22/62, TSO C38, Very High Frequency (VHF)
Radio Communication Receiving Equipment Operating Within the Radio
Frequency Range of 118-132 Megacycles (For Air Carrier Aircraft), dated
11/1/55, TSO C38a, Very High Frequency (VHF) Radio Communication
Receiving Equipment Operating Within the Radio Frequency Range of 118-
132 Megacycles (For Air Carrier Aircraft), dated 9/1/59, and TSO C38b,
Very High Frequency (VHF) Radio Communication Receiving Equipment
Operating Within the Radio Frequency Range of 118-136 Megacycles, dated
10/22/62. This cancellation will insure that future FCC licensed
aircraft stations are compliant with FCC Notice DA-95-2441. This action
is necessary to increase the number of Air Traffic Control channels
available, reduce delays in FAA controlled airspace and to take
advantage of newly available aviation frequencies in the 136-137
Megacycles band. The FCC Notice calls out an FCC order whose
implementation has been delayed for 13 years. The commission indicated
that aircraft stations operating on 50 kilohertz or greater channel
spacing and a frequency tolerance greater than 30 parts per million
were no longer authorized for use in the 118-137 band. The commission
noted that the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the
Experimental Aircraft Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers
Association, and the Helicopter Association International wanted the
FCC to indefinitely grandfather the use of radios with 50 kilohertz
channel spacing and frequency tolerances greater than 30 parts per
million. The commission indicated in its notice that adequate time has
been granted for all aircraft owners to comply with the order and that
no further extensions would be granted. Based on the FCC notice and
referenced order, the FAA must cancel the above mentioned TSOs.
The Cancellation Procedure
The FAA anticipates that this cancellation will not result in
adverse or negative comments, and therefore is issuing it without prior
opportunity to comments. TSOs C37c, C37d, C38c, and C38d remain in
effect and the majority of the manufacturers are producing units under
these standards. Unless a written adverse or negative comment, or a
written notice of intent to submit an adverse or negative comment is
received within the comment period, the regulation will become
effective on the date specified above. After the close of the comment
period, the FAA will published a document in the Federal Register
indicating that no adverse or negative comments were received and
confirming that date on which the cancellation become effective. If the
FAA does receive, within the comment period, an adverse or negative
comment, or written notice of intent to submit a comment, a document
withdrawing the cancellation will be published in the Federal Register.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final cancellation and not
preceded by a notice, comments are invited. Interested persons are
invited to comment this cancellation by submitting such written data,
views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications should identify
the TSO Docket File number and be submitted to the address specified
under the caption ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before
the closing date for comments will be considered. Factual information
that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely
helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of this action and determining
whether additional action would be needed.
Issued in Washington, DC., on October 24, 1996.
John K. McGrath,
Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-27876 Filed 10-29-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M
