AD/INST/9 Amdt 6 - Instruments in IFR Aircraft - Test Requirements

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Legislation au F2006B10859 Not in force Legislative Instrument

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AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE


For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/INST/9 Amdt 5 and issues the following 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.


 

Instruments and Automatic Pilots

 

AD/INST/9

Amdt 6


Instruments in IFR Aircraft - Test Requirements 8/2003

DM

 

 

Applicability: Aircraft instruments installed in aircraft which are aircraft approved for IFR operations.

 

Requirement: An operator must elect one of the following options:

 

  1. Pressure altimeters - Test the altimeter in accordance with the requirements of USA Federal Aviation Regulations Part 43 Appendix E. or

 

2.         a. Check the integrity of all aircraft instruments and instrument systems in accordance with the requirements previously specified in AD/INST/9 Amdt

5. and

 

b. Verify the integrity of the aircraft pitot and static systems in accordance with the requirements previously specified in AD/INST/9 Amdt 5.

 

Compliance: For Requirement 1: At intervals not to exceed 24 months, or For Requirement 2 a. and b:

(a)      At intervals not to exceed three years, or

 

(b)     At the intervals approved in accordance with a System of Maintenance for the aircraft pursuant to Civil Aviation Regulation 42M

 

This Amendment becomes effective on 16 July 2003.

 

Background: Amendment 4 was issued to clarify applicability and remove superseded data.

 

Amendment 5 was issued to correct reference data and to delete superseded material.

 

This amendment is issued to align the maintenance and interval requirements to those being introduced with the issue of CASR Part 43 and Part 91.

 

Instruments and Automatic Pilots

 

AD/INST/9 Amdt 6 (continued)

 

The requirements and intervals of AD/INST/9 Amdt 5 have been retained for those operators who wish to continue to maintain their aircraft instruments in accordance with the requirements of Amdt 5 and intervals in the interim period until the CASR Part 43 and Part 91 come into effect.


Jim Coyne

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 26 June 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 16 July 2003.

 

Instruments and Automatic Pilots

 

NOTE: The previous version of AD/INST/9 Amdt 5 has been included for reference.

 

AD/INST/9 Amdt 5 Instruments in IFR Aircraft - Test Requirements 7/92

 

Applicability: Aircraft instruments installed in aircraft which are aircraft approved for IFR operations.

 

Requirement: 1. The integrity of all aircraft instruments and instrument systems shall be checked and the accuracy of instruments shall be tested to ensure compliance with the following:

 

  1. Pressure altimeters - the requirements of USA Federal Aviation Regulations Part 43 Appendix E.

 

b.    Compasses - the requirements of Civil Aviation Orders Section 108.6.

 

c.    Airspeed Indicators, Vertical Speed Indicators, Outside Air Temperature Indicators and all mandatory engine instruments - the aircraft or aircraft component manufacturer's published data applicable to test and calibration of the particular instrument.

 

d.    Fuel Quantity Indicating Systems - the aircraft or system manufacturers published data applicable to test and calibration of the systems except that the tolerances specified in Civil Aviation Orders Section 108.56 paragraph 3.4 shall not be exceeded and the placarding requirements of that paragraph also apply where appropriate.

 

e.    Instruments incorporating a gyroscope -

 

(1)    Where the pilot in command (being the holder of an instrument rating) has specifically checked the operation of the instruments during the last flight before the actions required by this AD and has certified on the maintenance release that there were no anomalies in gyro instrument indications or functions, necessary maintenance only is mandatory.

 

(2)    If the determination above has not been made or there are any anomalies in operation, a test procedure of such nature as will determine that the instrument complies with the aircraft or aircraft component manufacturer's accuracy requirements.

 

f.    All other instruments - a test procedure of such nature as will determine that the instrument complies with the aircraft or aircraft component manufacturer's accuracy requirements.

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

 

Instruments and Automatic Pilots

 

AD/INST/9 Amdt 5 (superseded) (continued)

 

2. Verify the integrity of the aircraft pitot and static systems by performing the following checks and tests:

 

a. Check each system for freedom from moisture, restrictions, deterioration and airframe imperfections that may affect the systems accuracy.

 

B. Test each system to ensure that leakage is within the aircraft manufacturer's limits. Where no aircraft manufacturer's limits have been published the following applies:

 

(1)    Static Systems Unpressurised Aircraft - evacuate the static system to a pressure differential of approximately 3.4Kpa (1 inch of mercury or 1000 feet change in altitude). Without additional pumping for a period of 1 minute, the loss of indicated altitude must not exceed 100 feet.

 

(2)  Static Systems Pressurised Aircraft - evacuate the static system until a pressure differential equivalent to the maximum cabin pressure differential for which the aircraft is certificated is achieved. Without additional pumping for a period of 1 minute, the loss of indicated altitude must not exceed 2 percent of the altitude equivalent to the maximum cabin differential pressure or 100 feet, whichever is the greater.

 

(3)  Pitot Systems - apply a pressure to the pitot system of approximately 3.4Kpa (1 inch of mercury or 140 knots). Without additional pumping for a period of 10 seconds there shall be no decrease in this pressure.

 

Compliance: For all affected instruments and pitot static systems:

 

  1. (a) At intervals not to exceed three years, or

 

(b) At the intervals approved in accordance with a System of Maintenance for the aircraft pursuant to Civil Aviation Regulation 42M.

 

2.    Before an aircraft not presently approved for IFR operations is approved for such operations.

 

Background: Amendment 4 was issued to clarify applicability and remove superseded data. This amendment is issued to correct reference data and to delete superseded material.

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enacted the Airworthiness Directive AD/INST/9 Amendment 6 in 2003, as a legislative instrument under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, to ensure the ongoing safety and airworthiness of aircraft instruments in aircraft approved for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations. This directive addresses the need for standardised maintenance and testing intervals for aircraft instruments to mitigate the risk of unsafe conditions that could compromise flight safety. The policy objective of this directive is to align the maintenance and interval requirements of aircraft instruments with the forthcoming Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) Part 43 and Part 91, while also providing operators with an interim option to continue maintaining their aircraft instruments according to previous standards. The directive mandates that operators either test their pressure altimeters in line with the USA Federal Aviation Regulations Part 43 Appendix E or verify the integrity of all aircraft instruments and instrument systems, as well as the pitot and static systems, in accordance with the requirements previously specified in AD/INST/9 Amendment 5. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved at specified intervals not exceeding 24 months or three years, depending on the chosen option, or as approved by a System of Maintenance for the aircraft. This legislative instrument aims to standardise and update the maintenance protocols for aircraft instruments, ensuring they meet contemporary safety standards and regulatory expectations. By issuing this directive, CASA seeks to proactively manage safety risks associated with aircraft instruments, thereby enhancing the overall safety of Australian civil aviation. The directive is designed to provide operators with clear guidance on maintaining their aircraft instruments, thereby ensuring they remain airworthy and compliant with relevant regulations.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/INST/9 Amdt 6, issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, applies to aircraft instruments installed in aircraft approved for instrument flight rules (IFR) operations. This directive mandates specific testing and verification procedures to ensure the airworthiness of these instruments, which is crucial for safe IFR operations. Operators of such aircraft must choose between testing pressure altimeters in accordance with USA Federal Aviation Regulations Part 43 Appendix E or conducting a comprehensive check of all aircraft instruments and instrument systems, along with verifying the integrity of the aircraft pitot and static systems, as specified in previous AD/INST/9 Amdt 5. The compliance intervals for these requirements vary, with pressure altimeters needing tests at intervals not exceeding 24 months, while other checks must be performed either at intervals not exceeding three years or at intervals approved in a System of Maintenance for the aircraft as per Civil Aviation Regulation 42M. This AD supersedes AD/INST/9 Amdt 5, aligning with the introduction of CASR Part 43 and Part 91, and it becomes effective on 16 July 2003.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/INST/9 Amdt 6 specifies that operators of aircraft instruments installed in aircraft approved for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations must adhere to specific testing and verification requirements to ensure the instruments' integrity and accuracy. The directive offers two options for compliance (sections 1 and 2). Operators can either test pressure altimeters in accordance with the requirements of USA Federal Aviation Regulations Part 43 Appendix E or check the integrity of all aircraft instruments and instrument systems, and verify the integrity of the aircraft pitot and static systems, in line with previously specified requirements. The compliance intervals are set at not more than 24 months for option 1 and not more than three years or at approved intervals under a System of Maintenance for the aircraft for option 2 (section 3). Operators must ensure that all required tests and verifications are conducted by qualified personnel following the prescribed procedures. For option 1, the altimeter must be tested in accordance with the specified USA Federal Aviation Regulations. For option 2, the integrity of all aircraft instruments and instrument systems must be checked, and the accuracy of the instruments tested, in line with the relevant manufacturer's data or published standards. Additionally, the integrity of the aircraft pitot and static systems must be verified by performing checks and tests as outlined in the directive. Failure to comply with the AD may result in the aircraft being considered unairworthy, which could lead to grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. Operators who do not adhere to the specified testing and verification intervals or procedures may face enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions can include fines, enforcement notices, or other regulatory measures as deemed appropriate by CASA. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the AD but are typically prescribed under the relevant civil aviation regulations.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.