[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 10, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12698-12699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-05501]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Underwater Locating Devices (Acoustic) (Self-Powered)
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, DOT.
ACTION: Notice to extend the revocation date of Technical Standard
Order (TSO) C-121 and C-121a, Underwater Locating Devices (ULD)
(Acoustic) (Self-Powered).
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SUMMARY: This Notice extends the planned revocation date of Technical
Standard Order (TSO) authorization for the production of Underwater
Locating Devices (ULD) (Acoustic) (Self-Powered) manufactured to TSO-
C121 and TSO C-121a specifications. This action is necessary to
facilitate an efficient transition to UDLs with a 90-day minimum
battery operating life manufactured to the TSO-C121b specifications.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Barry, AIR-130, Federal
Aviation Administration, 470 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Suite 4102,
Washington, DC 20024. Telephone 202-267-1665, Fax 202-267-8589, email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA published a Notice in the Federal Resister, 76 FR 52734,
August 23, 2011, announcing the planned revocation of TSO-C121 and TSO-
C121a. Notice of that conformation was published in the Federal
Register, 77 FR 13174, March 5, 2012. Thus far, only two manufacturers
currently hold TSO authorizations (TSOAs) under TSO-C121 or TSO-C121a;
both are domestic. Both manufacturers are now authorized to produce
longer duration TSO-C121b units as envisioned by the March 5, 2012
Federal Register notice. One manufacturer received its TSO-C121b
authorization in December 2014, the other in February 2015. Although
both manufacturers received approval to manufacture devices meeting the
current standard, the TSOA by itself does not authorize installation in
an aircraft. Recent events have driven additional testing requirements
for installation of lithium batteries, which these devices contain.
Prior to the FAA's issuing the TSOAs to the two applicants, testing of
the lithium batteries produced satisfactory results, such that the
newly approved TSO-C121b devices will contain the effects of
catastrophic battery failures. The ULD manufacturer's data may be used
to support installations of the device on an aircraft, but each
installer must analyze their design for safety impacts on their
aircraft. A major aircraft manufacturer requested additional time to
complete testing and analysis of the TSO-C121b device's installation.
They also requested additional time to update their part numbers and
drawings in their various Type Certificated (TC) aircraft once the
analysis is complete. Granting this additional time will prevent a
disruption in aircraft production as the necessary documentation
changes are updated to reflect the current production of TSO-C121b
devices.
Conclusion
Based on the recent award of TSO-C121b authorizations, additional
testing and analysis of lithium battery
[[Page 12699]]
installations and the lead time required to update required
documentation, the FAA has delayed the revocation of TSO-C121 and TSO-
C121a authorizations to December 1, 2015.
Issued in Washington, DC. on March 4, 2015.
Susan J. M. Cabler,
Assistant Manager, Design, Manufacturing and Airworthiness Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-05501 Filed 3-9-15; 08:45 am]
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