AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (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.
AMD Falcon 50 and 900 Series Aeroplanes
AD/AMD 50/32 GPIRS Hybrid Data 1/2004 DM
Applicability: Falcon 900EX aeroplanes fitted with Global Positioning/Inertial Reference System (GPIRS) part number (P/N) HG2001-GC03 or P/N HG2001-GD03, except aeroplanes with Dassault Aviation Service Bulletin (SB) F900EX-181 incorporated or modification M3386 embodied.
Mystère-Falcon 900 aeroplanes fitted with GPIRS P/N HG 2001-GC03 or P/N HG2001- GD03, except aeroplanes with Dassault Aviation SB F900-318 incorporated or modification M3386 embodied.
Mystère-Falcon 50 aeroplanes fitted with GPIRS P/N HG2001-GC02 or P/N HG2001-GC03 or P/N HG2001-GD03, except aeroplanes with Dassault Aviation SB F50-416 incorporated or modification M2873 embodied.
Requirement: 1. Remove the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) temporary changes (TC) mandated by AD/AMD 50/27 and insert new TCs as follows:
Aeroplane Model | Remove | Insert |
F900 | TC 12 | TC 15 |
F900EX | TC 53 | TC 57 |
F50 | TC 58 | TC 61 |
2. If the option of deactivating the GPS system by pulling and securing the circuit breakers have been implemented, incorporate Dassault Aviation SB F900EX- 190, F900-324 or F50-424, as applicable.
Note 1: The incorporation of SB F900EX-190, F900-324 or F50-424, as applicable includes the cancellation of TC 15, TC 57 and TC 61, as applicable.
3. De-hybridise the GPIRS in accordance with Dassault Aviation SB F900EX-181 or F900-318, as applicable.
Note 2: DGAC AD 2003-409(B) refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1 and 2 - Before further flight after the effective date of this Directive.
AMD Falcon 50 and 900 Series Aeroplanes
AD/AMD 50/32 (continued)
For Requirement 3 - Within 25 months after the effective date of this Directive. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 26 November 2003.
Background: There is a potential for degraded GPS signals when the satellite constellation is not in an optimal position in relation to the aircraft. This anomaly can remain undetected by the GPIRS and can result in incorrect hybrid parameters being computed by the GPIRS. This Directive initially requires either the amendment of the AFM or deactivation of the GPS followed and the de-hybridisation of the GPIRS.
This Directive replaces AD/AMD 50/27 which will be cancelled by issue 1/2004.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 20 November 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 26 November 2003.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Act 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, establishes the legal framework for ensuring the safety of civil aviation in Australia. It empowers the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to create and enforce regulations and directives that maintain and enhance airworthiness standards. The Act was introduced to address the need for a robust and systematic approach to civil aviation safety, aiming to ensure that all aircraft meet stringent safety standards to protect passengers, crew, and the general public. In this context, the Act facilitates the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to rectify identified safety issues. AD/AMD 50/32, issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, is one such directive aimed at addressing the potential degradation of GPS signals in certain Falcon 50 and 900 series aeroplanes equipped with specific Global Positioning/Inertial Reference System (GPIRS) models. The directive mandates specific actions to mitigate the risk of incorrect hybrid parameters being computed by the GPIRS, ensuring the continued safe operation of affected aircraft.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Falcon 50 and 900 series aeroplanes equipped with certain Global Positioning/Inertial Reference System (GPIRS) models. The directive mandates corrective actions for specific models of the Falcon 900EX, Mystère-Falcon 900, and Mystère-Falcon 50 aeroplanes fitted with designated GPIRS part numbers, excluding those with certain Dassault Aviation Service Bulletins or modifications incorporated. The AD requires the removal and replacement of specific Aircraft Flight Manual temporary changes, the incorporation of certain Dassault Aviation service bulletins, and the de-hybridisation of the GPIRS in accordance with specified service bulletins. Compliance with the directive must occur within specified timeframes, with certain requirements needing to be completed before further flight and others within 25 months of the directive's effective date. The directive, issued on 20 November 2003, became effective on 26 November 2003 and was notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) in question (AD/AMD 50/32) applies to specific Falcon 900EX, Mystère-Falcon 900, and Mystère-Falcon 50 aeroplanes equipped with certain Global Positioning/Inertial Reference System (GPIRS) parts, excluding those that have already incorporated particular Dassault Aviation Service Bulletins (SB) or modifications (section Applicability). The requirements set out in this AD are intended to address potential issues with GPS signals and their impact on the accuracy of the hybrid parameters computed by the GPIRS. The directive mandates the removal of certain temporary changes (TC) from the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) and the insertion of new TCs (section Requirement 1). It also requires the incorporation of specific Dassault Aviation SBs if the GPS system deactivation option has been implemented, which includes the cancellation of certain TCs (section Requirement 2). Lastly, the directive requires the de-hybridisation of the GPIRS according to specific Dassault Aviation SBs (section Requirement 3).
The AD imposes obligations on the operators and owners of the affected aircraft. They must ensure that the actions specified in the directive are taken in accordance with the instructions provided and within the timelines set out. This includes removing the specified TCs from the AFM and inserting new ones, incorporating the relevant Dassault Aviation SBs if applicable, and de-hybridising the GPIRS within the specified timeframes (section Compliance). Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the aircraft not being airworthy, which could lead to serious safety risks.
There are no explicit penalties mentioned in the text for non-compliance with this Airworthiness Directive. However, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can lead to severe consequences, including potential enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions could include grounding of the aircraft, fines, and other regulatory measures. Additionally, failure to comply with airworthiness directives can result in civil liability for any damage or injury caused by the non-compliance, as well as criminal charges if the non-compliance is deemed to have caused a serious aviation incident or accident.