ARINC Project Initiation/Modification (APIM)

Transcription

1 ARINC Project Initiation/Modification (APIM) 1.0 Name of Proposed Project APIM Low Frequency Underwater Locator Beacon (LF-ULB) 2.0 Subcommittee Assignment and Project Support 2.1 Identify AEEC Group ULB Working Group of SAI Subcommittee 2.2 Support for the activity Airlines: FedEx, United, Southwest, Lufthansa, TAP Airframe Manufacturers: Boeing Airbus Bombardier Suppliers: Today identified Dukane (Sarasota, Florida) Novega (Sulzberg, Germany) Thales (Toulouse, France) 2.3 Commitment for resources Airlines: TBD Airframe Manufacturers: Airbus - Yes Boeing - Yes Bombardier - TBC Suppliers: TBD Chairman: Robert Swanson (FedEx) 2.4 Recommended Coordination with other groups SAE Aerospace related to AS6254 Minimum Performance Standard for Low Frequency Underwater Locating Devices (Acoustic - self-powered) APIM Page 1 of 9

2 3.0 Project Scope (why and when standard is needed) Today, aircraft are equipped with Flight Recorders with Underwater Locator Beacon (ULB). The range of the current used Flight Recorder ULB s is limited due to the used frequency of 37.5 khz. An initiative has been founded to investigate in Wreckage Localization Technology where among other things, a Low Frequency ULB transmitting on a frequency between 8 to 9 khz was proposed. In 2012 SAE Aerospace has published an Aerospace Standard (AS6254) to cover the Minimum Performance Standard for Low Frequency Underwater Locating Devices (LF-ULB) transmitting on a frequency of 8.8 khz ±1 khz. ICAO published its annex 6 amendment 36 (Nov 2012), stating that a LF-ULB shall be installed on all aircraft with a maximum take-off mass of over 27,000 kg, operating over water at particular distances to land suitable for making an emergency landing. This ICAO requirement is currently in the process to become national rules by local Airworthiness Authorities. 3.1 Description This APIM proposes standardization of the LF-ULB/bracket footprint to Aircraft structure, taking the location of the four fixation points into account. The ARINC standard will include: - The definition of the fixation points - The standardization of the maximum space envelop (Depth: Wide: Length) of the parts to be installed. - The definition of the bracket - The determination of the maximum acceleration the ULB shall remain attached to the local structure. - Standards for battery check/change would also be included.

3 3.2 Planned usage of the envisioned specification New aircraft developments planned to use this specification Airbus: A320, A330, A340, A380 and A350 family Aircraft Boeing: TBD Bombardier: TBD Modification/retrofit requirement Specify: Airworthiness Authorities may require retrofit Needed for airframe manufacturer or airline project Airbus: A320, A330, A340, A380 and A350 family Aircraft Boeing: TBC Bombardier: TBC Mandate/regulatory requirement Program and date: ICAO annex 6 (AMD 36) at the earliest practical date but not later than Is the activity defining/changing an infrastructure standard? Specify (e.g., ARINC 429) yes no When is the ARINC standard required? 2015 What is driving this date? As specified in ICAO annex 6 (AMD 36) and Aircraft manufacturing lead time Are 18 months (min) available for standardization work? If NO please specify solution: Are Patent(s) involved? If YES please describe, identify patent holder: yes no

4 3.3 Issues to be worked Mechanical Interface (ULB bracket(s) to aircraft structure) Maximum space envelope of the ULB with bracket Maximum acceleration by which the bracket (with ULB installed) will not separate from the local Aircraft structure. o SAE AS requires tests with 1000g for ULB/bracket o CS Crash survival loads - different loads up to 16g o CS-25 - Amendment 13 AMC (b) 10g - applicable for DFDR Battery check/change.

5 3.3.1 Proposal for bracket footprint with mounting holes to Aircraft structure Hereafter are given some preliminary information about the definitions which could be selected in the ARINC standard. Based on the available information about particular ULB dimensions, a model in cylindrical form with the maximum dimensions of L=17 cm, D=6.5 cm has been prepared. Taking the recommended brackets (see & 3.3.4) into account, the footprint will be as follows. 9.0cm 18.0cm 4.5cm 2.0cm 6.0cm 2.0cm Figure 1: Example ULB footprint For the screw holes, a diameter of 6.4 mm has been chosen to fix the brackets with appropriate screws (Ø=6.35 mm 0.25 ) to the Aircraft structure.

6 3.3.2 Maximum space allocation for Bracket with ULB installed Taking an ULB with a maximum length of 17 cm, a diameter of max 6.5 cm and the recommended bracket into consideration by adding a margin of 1 cm into each direction, the calculated space is as follows. 10.0cm 6.0cm 12.0cm 5.5cm 9.0cm 5.5cm Figure 2: Simplified space envelop model Based on the type of bracket, accessibility for ULB replacement is to be considered.

7 3.3.3 Example 1 - ULB single bracket design Figure 3: Bracket with ULB Example 2 - ULB dual bracket design Figure 4: Possible ULB Bracket Design (dual)

8 4.0 Benefits 4.1 Basic benefits Operational enhancements yes no For equipment standards: a. Is this a hardware characteristic? b. Is this a software characteristic? yes no c. Interchangeable interface definition? d. Interchangeable function definition? yes no If not fully interchangeable, please explain: Is this a software interface and protocol standard? yes no Specify: Product offered by more than one supplier Identify: Thales, Dukane, Novega 4.2 Specific project benefits To have a standardized equipment interface supporting interchangeability and lower cost Benefits for Airlines To be able to choose between several interchangeable LF-ULBs Benefits for Airframe Manufacturers To have one aircraft installation defined for the different LF-ULB sources Benefits for Avionics Equipment Suppliers To be able to offer their LF-ULB to airlines and airframers, without requiring a specific installation. 5.0 Documents to be Produced and Date of Expected Result 5.1 Meetings and Expected Document Completion The following table identifies the number of meetings and proposed meeting days needed to produce the documents described above. Activity New ARINC Standard 6.0 Comments Mtgs Monthly WebEx Two 2-days meetings for kick-off and final review Mtg-Days (Total) 4 Expected Start Date Expected Completion Date End 2013 April 2015 New ARINC standard to specify particular mechanical LF-ULB Interface.

9 For IA Staff use Date Received: IA Staff Assigned: Estimated Cost: Potential impact: (A. Safety B. Regulatory C. New aircraft/system D. Other) Forward to committee(s) (AEEC, AMC, FSEMC): Date Forwarded: Committee resolution: (0 Withdrawn 1 Authorized 2 Deferred 3 More detail needed 4 Rejected) Assigned Priority: Date of Resolution: (A High - execute first B Normal - may be deferred.) Assigned to SC/WG: