Guy Norris / Los Angeles
US FAA ruling delayed until at least November as Airbus and Boeing opinions differ
Plans to mandate transponder modifications to ensure continuous transmission of a hijack signal during an emergency on US passenger aircraft are threatening to slip behind schedule.
In line with other aircraft security enhancements pushed through in the USA after last September's terrorist attacks, a government recommendation on modification of transponders is currently due to be sanctioned for fleet-wide installation by the end of this year. To meet this schedule, the US Federal Aviation Administration is due to issue a notice of proposed rule making (NPRM) in June, and make a final ruling in September, but due to a combination of reasons this process is now thought to have been delayed, with the ruling slipping until at least November.
However, even though an emergency transponder task force recommended the installation of dual units, airlines are questioning the benefit of both this move and an alternative software modification to the existing transponder. A schism also appears to have developed between Airbus and Boeing over the best way forward. Airbus favours the dual transponder solution as part of an overall modification package, while Boeing is known to be leaning towards a software modification.
Adding to the uncertainty, says Honeywell director of aviation safety and security Ben McLeod, is "an absence of funding to the airlines. Money has been appropriated by Congress, but it's not getting through the system." Under the proposed reimbursement scheme, airlines would install the necessary modifications and apply to the US government for compensation. The result is likely to be a delay in the issuing of the NPRM of two to three months, says McLeod, adding that a final ruling is more likely in "the November timeframe at the earliest".
As with other proposed security enhancements, including a proposed flightdeck audio monitor that can be activated by air traffic control (ATC), the transponder requirement is viewed as a relatively low priority by operators, he adds. "It's not being seen as a real operating benefit by airlines, whereas there is an obvious benefit to ATC in an emergency situation."
Honeywell is developing a set of "9/11 solutions" for enhanced security and has been asked about the "cost and delivery availability" of various options by the FAA. Other companies, including Florida-based Gables Engineering and Seattle-based AvTech, are also developing alternative transponder kits.
Source: Flight International
