TSO-C96b

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Effective
Aircraft Certification Service
Date: 8/11/20
Washington, DC

Technical Standard Order

Subject: ANTICOLLISION LIGHT SYSTEMS

1. PURPOSE. This technical standard order (TSO) is for manufacturers applying for a TSO
authorization (TSOA) or letter of TSO design approval (LODA). In it, we (the Federal Aviation
Administration, (FAA)) tell you what minimum performance standards (MPS) your Anticollision
Light Systems must meet for approval and identification with the applicable TSO marking.

2. APPLICABILITY. This TSO affects new applications submitted after its effective date.

a. TSO-C96a will also remain effective until 18 months after publication date. After this
date, we will no longer accept applications for TSO-C96a.

b. Anticollision Light Systems approved under a previous TSO authorization may still
be manufactured under the provisions of their original approval.

3. REQUIREMENTS. New models of Anticollision Light Systems identified and

manufactured on or after the effective date of this TSO must meet the requirements in SAE
International (SAE) Aerospace Standard (AS) 8017D, (MPS) Minimum Performance Standard
for Anticollision Light Systems, dated August 2017. Except in section 3.4 replace the statement:

“Caution: compliance only to the alternate color definitions detailed in Section 3.4.1 (without
compliance to the CFR requirements) will require an Equivalent Level of Safety Finding by the
Federal Aviation Administration in order to allow installation of the lights on certified aircraft.”

With the revised statement

“Caution: compliance only to the alternate color definitions detailed in Section 3.4.1 (without
compliance to the CFR requirements) may require an Equivalent Level of Safety Finding by the
Federal Aviation Administration in order to allow installation of the lights on certified aircraft.”
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Note: AS8017D does not reflect the impact of updates to CFR rules published
after August 15th 2017, such as 14CFR Part 23 Amendment 64.

a. Functionality. This TSO’s standards apply to equipment intended to aid aircraft in the
ability to avoid collisions both in the air and on the ground. The anticollision light systems will
consist of all components necessary to produce the required intensity distribution, flash rate and
chromaticity for collision avoidance around the aircraft. This standard requires all light source
designs (i.e. LED, Xenon) or any other lamp designs to meet the intensity and color requirements
stated in the MPS above.

b. There is no standard minimum failure condition classification for this TSO. The failure
condition classification appropriate for the equipment will depend on the intended use of the
equipment in a specific aircraft. Document the loss of function and malfunction failure condition
classification for which the equipment is designed.

c. Functional Qualification. Demonstrate the required functional performance under the

test conditions specified in SAE International (SAE) Aerospace Standard AS8017D sections 3 and
4.

d. Environmental Qualification. Demonstrate the required performance under the test

conditions specified in RTCA/DO-160G using standard environmental conditions and test
procedures appropriate for airborne equipment. You may use a different standard environmental
condition and test procedure than RTCA-DO-160G, provided the standard is appropriate for the
Anticollision Light Systems.

Note: The use of RTCA/DO-160D (with Changes 1 and 2 only, without

Change 3 incorporated) or earlier versions is generally not considered
appropriate and will require substantiation via the deviation process as discussed
in paragraph 3g of this TSO.

e. Software Qualification. If the article includes software, develop the software

according to RTCA, Inc., document RTCA/DO-178C, Software Considerations in Airborne
Systems and Equipment Certification, dated December 13, 2011, including referenced
supplements as applicable, to at least the software level consistent with the failure condition
classification defined in paragraph 3b of this TSO. You may also develop the software
according to RTCA, Inc., document RTCA/DO-178B, dated December 1, 1992, if you follow the
guidance in AC 20-115C, Airborne Software Assurance, dated July 19, 2013.

f. Electronic Hardware Qualification. If the article includes complex custom airborne

electronic hardware, then develop the component according to RTCA, Inc., Document
RTCA/DO-254, Design Assurance Guidance for Airborne Electronic Hardware, to at least the
design assurance level consistent with the failure condition classification defined in paragraph 3b
of this TSO. For custom airborne electronic hardware determined to be simple, RTCA/DO-254,
paragraph 1.6 applies. Development to a lower Design Assurance Level may be justified for

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certain cases and accepted, but will lead to installation restrictions and must be documented in
the installation and limitations manual defined in paragraph 5a of this TSO.

g. Deviations. We have provisions for using alternate or equivalent means of compliance

with the criteria in the MPS of this TSO. If you invoke these provisions, you must show that
your equipment maintains an equivalent level of safety. Apply for a deviation pursuant to
14 CFR 21.618.

4. MARKING.

a. Mark at least one major component permanently and legibly with all of the information
in 14 CFR 45.15(b).
(1) In addition the marking specified in 14 CFR 45.15(b), the following information
shall be legibly and permanently marked on the major equipment components:
(a) Class I, II or III (ref, SAE AS 8017 D).
(b) Nominal Power input rating.

b. If the article includes software and/or airborne electronic hardware, then the article part
numbering scheme must identify the software and airborne electronic hardware configuration.
The part numbering scheme can use separate, unique part numbers for software, hardware, and
airborne electronic hardware.

c. You may use electronic part marking to identify software or airborne electronic
hardware components by embedding the identification within the hardware component itself
(using software) rather than marking it on the equipment nameplate. If electronic marking is
used, it must be readily accessible without the use of special tools or equipment.

5. APPLICATION DATA REQUIREMENTS. You must give the FAA Aircraft

Certification Office (ACO) manager responsible for your facility a statement of conformance, as
specified in 14 CFR 21.603(a)(1) and one copy each of the following technical data to support
your design and production approval. LODA applicants must submit the same data (excluding
paragraph 5.g) through their civil aviation authority.

a. Manuals containing the following:

(1) Operating instructions and article limitations sufficient to describe the equipment’s
operational capability.

(2) Detailed description of any deviations.

(3) Installation procedures and limitations sufficient to ensure that the Anticollision
Lighting Systems, when installed according to the installation or operational procedures, still
meets this TSO’s requirements. Limitations must identify any unique aspects of the installation.
The limitations must also include a note with the following statement:

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NOTE: “This article meets the minimum requirements of

TSO-C96b. Installation of this article requires separate
approval.”

(4) For each unique configuration of software and airborne electronic hardware,
reference the following:

(a) Software part number, including revision and design assurance level,

(b) Airborne electronic hardware part number including revision and design
assurance level, and

(c) Functional description.

(5) A summary of the test conditions used for environmental qualifications for each
component of the article. For example, a form as described in RTCA/DO-160G, Environmental
Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment, Appendix A.

(6) Schematic drawings, wiring diagrams, and any other documentation necessary for
installation of the Anticollision Lighting Systems.

(7) By-part-number list of replaceable components that makes up the Anticollision

Lighting Systems. Include vendor part number cross-references, when applicable.

b. Instructions covering periodic maintenance, calibration, and repair, to ensure that the
Anticollision Lighting Systems continues to meet the TSO approved design. Include
recommended inspection intervals and service life, as appropriate.

c. If the article includes software: a plan for software aspects of certification (PSAC),
software configuration index, and a software accomplishment summary.

d. If the article includes simple or complex custom airborne electronic hardware: a plan
for hardware aspects of certification (PHAC), a hardware verification plan, top-level drawing,
and hardware accomplishment summary (or similar document, as applicable).

e. A drawing depicting how the article will be marked with the information required by
paragraph 4 of this TSO.

f. Identify functionality or performance contained in the article not evaluated under

paragraph 3 of this TSO (defined as non-TSO functions). Non-TSO functions can be accepted in
parallel with the TSOA. For those non-TSO functions to be accepted, you must declare these
functions and include the following information with your TSO application:

(1) Description of the non-TSO function(s), such as performance specifications, failure

condition classifications, software, hardware, and environmental qualification levels. Include a
statement confirming that the non-TSO function(s) do not interfere with the article’s compliance
with the requirements of paragraph 3.

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(2) Installation procedures and limitations sufficient to ensure that the non-TSO
function(s) meets the declared functions and performance specification(s) described in
paragraph 5.f.(1).

(3) Instructions for continued performance applicable to the non-TSO function(s)

described in paragraph 5.f.(1).

(4) Interface requirements and applicable installation test procedures to ensure

compliance with the non-TSO function(s) performance data defined in paragraph 5.f.(1).

(5) Test plans, and analysis, as appropriate, to verify that the performance of the
hosting TSO article is not affected by the non-TSO function(s).

(6) Test plans and analysis as appropriate, to verify that the function and performance
of the non-TSO function(s) as described in paragraph 5.f.(1).

g. The quality manual required by 14 CFR 21.608, including functional test specifications.
The quality system must ensure that you will detect any change to the approved design that could
adversely affect compliance with the TSO MPS and reject the article accordingly. Applicants
who currently hold TSOAs must submit revisions to the existing quality manual as necessary
(not required for LODA applicants).

h. A description of your organization as required by 14 CFR 21.605.

i. Material and process specifications list.

j. A list of all drawings and processes (including revision level) that define the article’s
design.

k. Manufacturer’s TSO qualification report showing results of testing accomplished

according to paragraph 3.c of this TSO.

6. MANUFACTURER DATA REQUIREMENTS. Besides the data given directly to the

responsible ACO, have the following technical data available for review by the responsible
ACO:

Note: The following data for a LODA applicant may be made available for
review through its CAA. Refer to the applicable bilateral agreement for specific
details regarding access to this data.

a. Functional qualification specifications for qualifying each production article to ensure

compliance with this TSO.

b. Article calibration procedures.

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c. Schematic drawings.

d. Wiring diagrams.

e. Material and process specifications.

f. The results of the environmental qualification tests conducted according to paragraph 3d

of this TSO.

g. If the article includes software, the appropriate documentation defined in

RTCA/DO 178B or RTCA/DO-178C specified in paragraph 3.e of this TSO, including all data
supporting the applicable objectives in RTCA/DO-178B, Annex A, Process Objectives and
Outputs by Software Level.

h. If the article includes complex custom airborne electronic hardware, the appropriate
hardware life-cycle data in combination with design assurance level, as defined in
RTCA/DO-254, Appendix A, Table A-1. For simple custom airborne electronic hardware, the
following data are required: test cases or procedures, test results, test coverage analysis, tool
assessment and qualification data, and configuration management records, including problem
reports.

i. If the article contains non-TSO function(s), you must also make items 6.a through 6.h
available as they pertain to the non-TSO function(s).

7. FURNISHED DATA REQUIREMENTS.

a. When furnishing one or more articles manufactured under this TSO to one entity (such
as an operator or repair station), provide one copy or online access to the data in paragraphs 5.a
and 5.b of this TSO. Add any other data needed for the proper installation, certification, use, or
continued compliance with the TSO, of the Anticollision Lighting Systems.

b. If the article contains declared non-TSO function(s), include one copy of the data in
paragraphs 5.f.(1) through 5.f.(4).

c. If the article contains software, include one copy of the OPR summary.

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8. HOW TO GET REFERENCED DOCUMENTS.

a. Order RTCA documents from RTCA, Inc., 1150 18th Street NW., Suite 910,
Washington, DC 20036. Telephone: (202) 833-9339; fax: (202) 833-9434. You can also order
copies online at www.rtca.org.

b. Order SAE documents from SAE International, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale,
PA 15096-0001. Telephone: (724) 776-4970, fax: (724) 776-0790. You can also order copies
online at www.sae.org.

c. Order copies of parts 21 and 45 {add additional applicable parts} from the
Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, PO Box 979050, St. Louis, MO
63197-9000. Telephone: (202) 512-1800, fax: (202) 512-2104. You can also order copies
online at www.gpo.gov.

d. You can find a current list of TSOs and advisory circulars at http://rgl.faa.gov/. You will
also find the TSO Index of Articles at the same site.

Digitally signed by
VICTOR W WICKLUND
Date: 2020.08.11
10:42:36 -07'00'

Victor Wicklund
Acting Deputy Director, Policy and Innovation Division
Aircraft Certification Service