[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 25, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28236-28237]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13232]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Airworthiness and Operational Approval of Digital Flight Data
Recorder Systems
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 an advisory circular (AC) that provides guidance on design,
installation, and continued airworthiness of Digital Flight Data
Recorder Systems (DFDRS). The AC applies to applicants for type
certificates and supplemental type certificates for aircraft that are
required to have a digital flight data recorder installed. It also
applies to operators of those aircraft. Specifically, the AC provides
guidance for design approval, schedule of compliance, and post-
installation actions, including functional and operational checks,
demonstrations, documentation and maintenance program changes.
DATES: Comments submitted must be received on or before June 25, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed advisory circular to:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Aircraft Certification Service,
Aircraft Engineering Division, Avionic Systems Branch, AIR-130, 800
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20591. Or deliver comments to:
Federal Aviation Administration, Room 815, 800 Independence Avenue,
SW., Washington, DC 20591.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Swearingen, Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Aircraft Certification Service, Aircraft
Engineering Division, Avionic Systems Branch, AIR-130, 800 Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20591, Telephone: (202) 267-3817, FAX: (202)
493-5173.
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed advisory
circular listed in this notice by submitting such written data, views,
or arguments, as they desire, to the specified address. Comments
received on the proposed advisory circular 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 AC.
Background
AC 20-DFDRS, Airworthiness and Operational Approval of Digital
Flight Data Recorder Systems, provides guidance on design,
installation, and continued airworthiness of DFDRS. On July 17, 1997,
the FAA revised 14 CFR parts 121, 125, 129, and 135 to require that
certain aircraft be equipped to accommodate additional flight data
recorder parameters. The purpose of this revision was to provide
additional information to enable the National Transportation Safety
Board to conduct more thorough investigations of accidents and
incidents. The additional information would also be available to
manufacturers and operators to detect and evaluate trends that may be
useful in determining modifications or other actions to avoid accidents
and incidents. The FAA determined that an AC should be published to
include guidance for type certificate and supplemental type certificate
applicants as well as certificate holders operating under 143 CFR Parts
121, 125, 129, and 135. The AC would address the type certification
requirements of parts 21, 23, 25, 27, and 29 and the operating
requirements of parts 121, 125, 129 or 135, emphasizing the changes
introduced on July 17, 1997.
The AC is effective on publication. Should the FAA determine that
changes are required as a result of comments received, a revised AC
will be published.
How To Obtain Copies
A copy of the proposed AC 20-DFDRS may be obtained via Internet
(http://www.faa.gov/avr/air/airhome.htm) or on request from the
[[Page 28237]]
office listed under ``For Further Information Contact.''
Issued in Washington, DC, on May 19, 1999.
James C. Jones,
Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-13232 Filed 5-24-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M
