AD/REC/1 Amdt 1 Maintenance of Cockpit Voice Recording Systems (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/REC/1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recording Systems

AD/REC/1 Amdt 1 Maintenance of Cockpit
Voice Recording Systems 13/2008

Applicability:

All cockpit voice recording systems installed in compliance with Civil Aviation Order Part 20, Section 20.18.

Requirement:

Check and functionally test the cockpit voice recorder installation as follows:

1.    Confirm the proper recording on each voice channel of all the required Civil Aviation Order 103.20 audio inputs for that channel.

2.    Confirm the proper functioning of the bulk erase inhibit logic.

3.    Maintain the underwater locating device, if fitted, in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements.

4.    Check the operation of crash sensor switches, in accordance with the manufacturer's procedures, in installations incorporating these switches in the cockpit voice recorder power feed.

Compliance:

After 1 July 1988:

a.     At intervals not exceeding twelve (12) months or 2000 hours time in service, whichever occurs first; or

b.    At the intervals approved in accordance with a System of Maintenance for the aircraft pursuant to Civil Aviation Regulation (1988) 39(1) for Class “A” aircraft and 41(1) for Class “B” aircraft.

This Amendment becomes effective on 18 December 2008.

Background:

The maintenance procedures presently applied to some cockpit voice recording systems has been shown to be inadequate.  Experience both in Australia and overseas has shown that the above maintenance periods will normally ensure the proper functioning of these systems.

This amendment is administrative only and removes reference to the obsolete terms of Air Navigation Order (ANO) and Air Navigation Regulation (ANR).  Reference to ANR 43(3) has been replaced by CAR 39(1) and 41(1).

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

7 November 2008