[Federal Register: June 17, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 116)]
[Notices]               
[Page 33996]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17jn04-109]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

 
Policy Letter on the Use of Non-Original Equipment Manufacturers' 
Components in Certified Aviation Obstruction/Antenna Structure Lighting 
Systems

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of policy.

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SUMMARY: The FAA has recently learned of a situation that may degrade 
aviation safety. The United States has approximately 44,375-antenna 
structures registered requiring lighting and/or marking. Antenna 
structures from 200 feet to 500 feet tall number approximately 40,000, 
and broadcast type antenna structures from 501 feet to 2,000 feet tall 
number approximately 4,375. All of these structures are subject to 
maintenance. In some cases, during antenna structure lighting 
maintenance certified lighting systems are being modified by replacing 
internal components with untested non-original equipment manufacturers' 
(non-OEM) parts. Strobe light manufacturers have reported through 
replacement lamp tracking that at least 8,000 antenna structures in the 
200-foot to 500-foot category have untested and unverified lamps in 
current operation. All obstruction lighting system manufacturers have 
indicated a similar problem in regard to replacement of critical 
components through their warranty programs. Original equipment is 
certified under Advisory Circular 150/5345-53B, the Airport Lighting 
Equipment Certification Program (ALECP), which ensures the safety of 
United States airspace by third party laboratory testing of lighting 
systems and compliance with the requirements of AC 150/5345-43E, 
Specification of Obstruction Lighting Equipment. AC 150/5345-43E is, by 
reference, included in Title 47 CFR Sec.  17.23. Production testing and 
compliance by certified OEM's of obstruction lighting systems and 
components is a requirement of ALECP. Manufacturers of systems not 
certified in accordance with AC 150/5345-53B cannot guarantee the 
compliance of their products or components. Through discussions with 
obstruction lighting maintenance companies, it is apparent that some 
antenna structure owners are unaware of these potential violations of 
Title 47 CFR Sec.  17.23. However, antenna structure owners must keep a 
record of lighting inspections, which include the date, time, and 
nature of adjustments, repairs, or replacements made (Title 47 CFR 
Sec.  17.49(d)). The only way to ensure compliance with AC 150/5345-43E 
is to utilize original equipment manufacturers' parts or their 
authorized parts providers. It is FAA policy that aviation obstruction 
lighting systems that have been serviced using non-original equipment 
manufacturers' parts are no longer in compliance with FAA 
specifications of FCC regulations. To ensure United States air 
navigation safety, this notice is being issued to alert owners of 
registered antenna structures of required maintenance procedures.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Marinelli, Manager, Airport 
Engineering Division (AAS-100), Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Ave, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-7669.

    Issued in Washington, DC on June 8, 2004.
David L. Bennet,
Director of Airport Safety and Standards.
[FR Doc. 04-13718 Filed 6-16-04; 8:45 am]

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