Avionics News August 2012 - 16

F R O M R I C P E R I A EA V I C E P R ES I D E N T O F G OV E R N M E N T & I N D U ST RY A F FA I RS

The Aircraft Electronics Association’s international membership continues to grow. Currently, the AEA represents avionics businesses in more than 40 countries throughout the world. To better serve the needs of the AEA’s international membership, the “International News and Regulatory Updates” section of Avionics News offers a greater focus on international regulatory activity, international industry news and an international “Frequently Asked Questions” column to help promote standardization. If you have comments about this section, send emails to avionicsnews@aea.net.

News & Regulatory Updates
Proposed Technical Standard OrderC126b, 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters and Notice of Intent to Withdraw TSO Authorizations for TSOC91a, Emergency Locator Transmitter Equipment, and TSO-C126/C126a, 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters
On July 13, 2012, the Federal Aviation Administration notice announced the availability of proposed TSO-C126b and the FAA’s intent to withdraw TSO authorizations issued for the manufacture of automatic fixed and automatic portable ELTs under TSO-C91a, TSO-C126 and TSO-C126a, which incorporate hook and loop fasteners in the design. This proposed action would affect ELT manufacturers. The FAA is not proposing requiring actions on previously installed ELTs. It is taking this action based on its determination that hook and loop fasteners are not an acceptable means of compliance to meet the mounting and retention requirements of current TSOs for ELTs. The FAA is requesting comment on proposed TSO-C126b and the FAA’s proposal to withdraw certain other ELT TSOAs. Comments must be received on or before Sept. 11, 2012.
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avionics news

UNITED STATES

Combined Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs
This proposal would allow air-carrier operators and commuter or on-demand operators that also conduct commercial air-tour operations to combine the drug and alcohol testing required for each operation into one testing program. The current rule requires those operators to conduct separate testing programs for their air-tour operations. This results in an unnecessary duplication of effort. The intended effect of this rulemaking is to decrease operating costs by eliminating the requirement for duplicate programs, while maintaining the level of safety intended by the current drug and alcohol testing regulations. This proposal also would clarify existing instructions within the rule, correct an inadvertent typographical error, clarify an existing requirement by rearranging its numerical order and remove language describing a practice that has been discontinued. Send comments on or before Aug. 31, 2012.

Recommendations from Airman Testing Standards and Training Aviation Rulemaking Committee
This notice announced the availability of a report from the ARC, which presents recommendations to enhance the content, process and methodology for development of aeronautical knowledge testing and training materials. On Sept. 21, 2011, the FAA chartered the ARC

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Avionics News August 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News August 2012