[Federal Register: July 6, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 128)]
[Notices]               
[Page 40710-40711]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06jy04-107]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

 
Proposed Advisory Circular (AC) 20-DO-254, RTCA, INC., Document 
No. (RTCA/DO)-254, Design Assurance Guidance For Airborne Electronic 
Hardware.

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and requests 
comments on a proposed Advisory Circular (AC) 20-DO-254, Design 
Assurance Guidance for Airborne Electronic Hardware. This proposed AC 
provides guidance for manufacturers of aircraft products appliances 
incorporating custom micro-coded components in the design of their 
aircraft systems and equipment. In it, we recommend how you get design 
and airworthiness approval for your equipment.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 2, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed AC to: Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Aircraft Certification Service, Aircraft 
Engineering Division, Technical Programs and Continued Airworthiness 
Branch, AIR-120, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591. 
ATTN: Mr. John Lewis. Or deliver comments to: Federal Aviation 
Administration, Room 815, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Lewis, AIR-120, Room 815, 
Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft Certification Service, 
Aircraft Engineering Division, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20591. Telephone (202) 493-4841, FAX: (202) 267-5340. 
Or, via e-mail at: john.lewis@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed AC listed 
in this notice by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they desire to the above specified address.

[[Page 40711]]

Comments received on the proposed AC may be examined, before and after 
the comment 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 Advisory 
Circular.

Background

    When following the guidance and procedures outlined in RTCA/DO-254, 
Design Assurance Guidance For Airborne Electronic Hardware, dated April 
19, 2000, you are assured that the hardware design will perform its 
intended functions in its specified environment, and will meet its 
airworthiness requirements. RTCA.D)-254 distinguishes between complex 
and simple electronic hardware; recognizes five levels of failure 
effects ranging from catastrophic to no effect; and provides guidance 
for each hardware design assurance level. Although the guidance in 
RTCA/DO-254 is applicable to five categories of hardware items (e.g., 
Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), Circuit Board Assemblies, etc.), this AC 
recognizes the guidance in RTCA/DO-254 is applying specifically to 
custom micro-coded components, rather than LRUs and other types of 
electronic hardware items described in RTCA/DO-254.

How to Obtain Copies

    You may get a copy of the proposed AC form the Internet at: 
http://www.airweb.faa.gov/rgl. Once on the RGL Web site, select ``Advisory 

Circular'', then select the document by number. See section entitled 
For Further Information Contact for the complete address if requesting 
a copy by mail. You may inspect the RTCA document at the FAA office 
location listed under Addresses. Note however, RTCA documents are 
copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the written consent of 
RTCA, Inc. You may purchase copies of RTCA, Inc. documents from: RTCA, 
Inc., 1828 L Street, NW., Suite 815, Washington, DC 20036, or directly 
from their Web site: http://www.rtca.org.


    Dated: Issued in Washington, DC, on June 29, 2004.
Susan J. M. Cabler,
Assistant Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-15251 Filed 7-2-04; 8:45 am]

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