HeliComparator,
The information about the RTCA HTAWS SC-212 can be found here:
http://www.rtca.org/comm/Committee.cfm?id=66
For those who do not wish to visit the site and read the documents (which include the TOR and Notes to the first meeting), here is the outline of the task followed by some paragraphs from the TOR.
SC212
Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS)
SC-212 is established at the request of the Federal Aviation Administration. A review of helicopter accident data for a ten-year period (1994 thru 2004) indicates that controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) is a major contributor to these accidents. Development of Helicopter TAWS (HTAWS) performance standards to reduce the accidents resulting from CFIT is necessary. To accomplish this SC-212 is tasked to develop:
1. Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS) protection scenarios appropriate to VFR and IFR helicopter operations (to be captured as an Appendix in the final Document)
2. Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTWAS)
and from the TOR:
REQUIREMENTS ASSESSMENT:
A review of helicopter accident data for a ten-year period (1994 thru 2004) indicates that controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) is a major contributor, especially those resulting in fatalities. This data suggest that CFIT accidents can happen during day, night, under both visual meteorological conditions (VMC) and instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recognizes this trend and has recommended installation of Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) for certain helicopter operations. TAWS were originally developed for airplanes operating into/out of airports and these systems have been modified to better support helicopter operations. However, a comprehensive analysis of helicopter accident data has not yet been conducted to define the most beneficial alert/warning functions that support unique helicopter operational scenarios and envelopes. For example, helicopter operations are conducted predominantly under VMC, at lower flight altitudes, and into/out of remote/unimproved locations without runways, lighting, or NAVAIDS. Consequently, existing TAWS performance standards are insufficient for adoption in helicopters. Development of Helicopter TAWS (HTAWS) performance standards that provide the most benefit for these unique operations is necessary to reduce the accidents resulting from CFIT.
TERMS OF REFERENCE:
The special committee should develop a work program, with schedule and milestones, to accomplish the following terms of reference:
A. Review the Terms of Reference (TOR) during first plenary meeting of the special committee and propose any recommended changes for RTCA PMC approval.
B. Review Helicopter CFIT accident data to define the most beneficial alert/warning functions that support unique helicopter VFR/IFR operational scenarios and envelopes, while minimizing nuisance alerting. Emphasis should be on helicopter VFR operations into/out of remote/unimproved locations without runways, lighting, or NAVAIDS.
C. Using scenarios developed in Item B. above, develop Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS). Where possible, for consistency with existing TAWS equipment design/operation, utilize performance standards, alerting, and testing methodology as presented in Technical Standard Order (TSO) C-151b.
D. Develop recommendations to FAA Rotorcraft Directorate, ASW-100, regarding HTAWS installation guidance.
E. Develop recommendations to FAA Flight Standards, AFS-200, regarding HTAWS operational guidance.