[Federal Register: September 12, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 177)]
[Notices]
[Page 53776-53777]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12se03-101]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Proposed Technical Standard Order--TSO-C39c, 9g Transport
Airplane Seats Certified by Static Testing
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of availability and requests for public comment.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and request comments
on a proposed Technical Standard Order (TSO) C39c, 9g Transport
Airplane Seats Certified by Static Testing. The proposed TSO-C39c
prescribes the minimum performance standard (MPS) that a seat to be
used in a 9g transport category airplane must meet in order to bear the
TSO number on its identification plate. This notice also proposes how
existing TSO-C39b will be approved for future TSO applications for
seats used in normal, utility and acrobatic airplanes and rotorcraft.
DATES: Comments must identify the TSO and be received on or before
October 15, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed technical standard order
to: Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft Certification Service,
Aircraft Engineering Division, Room 815, 800 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20591. ATTN: Mr. Hal Jensen, AIR-120. Or, deliver
comments to: Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft Engineering
Division, Room 815, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Hal Jensen, FAA, Aircraft
Certification Service, Aircraft Engineering Division, Technical
Programs Branch, AIR-120, Room 835, 800 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC, 20591; telephone: (202) 267-8807; fax: (202) 267-5340;
e-mail hal.jensen@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed TSO by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments, as they desire, to
the aforementioned specified address. Comments received on the proposed
TSO may be examined, before the closing date, in Room 815, FAA
Headquarters Building, 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 will be
considered by the Director of the Aircraft Certification Service before
issuing the final TSO.
Background
In response to a recommendation the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) streamline the aircraft seat certification processes, we issued a
proposed Technical Standard Order (TSO)--C39c, Aircraft Seats and
Berths, dated July 12, 2003. The purpose of the proposed TSO-C39c, was
to improve the consistent application and interpretation in certifying
the 9g static requirement for aircraft seats, and those aircraft seats
that must meet the 9g static and 16g dynamic requirements of TSO-C127
and TSO-C127a (TSO-C127/127a).
After considering the comments received, based on our July 12,
2003, request, we decided the FAA and the public would not benefit by
combining the static requirements of TSO-C39c with the static
requirements of TSO-C127a in this proposed revision. Therefore,
proposed TSO-C39c will reference the Society of Automotive Engineers
(SAE) Aerospace Standard (AS) 8049, Performance Standards for Seats in
Civil Rotorcraft, Transport Aircraft, and General Aviation Aircraft,
Rev. A., resulting in the TSO applying only to 9g transport category
airplane seats certified by static testing. Note however, the
applicability of TSO-C39b, referencing the National Aircraft Standard
(NAS) 809, Specification--Aircraft Seats and Berths, will apply to
approval of aircraft berths and 9g seats in normal and utility (Type
II), acrobatic (Type III), and rotorcraft (Type IV) only.
Although this proposal splits the TSO-C39 by revisions based on the
seat's aircraft applicability, we believe it will resolve more issues
than other options would introduce. Therefore, based on the public
comments received, we determined the technical and procedural issues of
standardizing the static requirements of TSO-C39b and
[[Page 53777]]
TSO-C127/127a for transport airplanes is achievable. We also determined
standardizing would provide little benefit and potentially higher cost
for manufacturers of aircraft seats used in non-transport category
airplanes. We accomplish this by referencing the proper industry
standard, NAS 809 or SAE AS8049, based on seat ``Type'' used in TSO-
C39b and TSO-C39c respectively.
How To Obtain Copies
A copy of the proposed TSO may be obtained via the Internet at,
http://www.faa.gov/certification/aircraft/TSOA.htm, or by contacting
the person listed in the section titled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT.
Dated: Issued in Washington, DC, on September 8, 2003.
David W. Hempe,
Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-23302 Filed 9-11-03; 8:45 am]
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