Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, contain specific provisions under Part 39, which addresses Airworthiness Directives, particularly those concerning radio communication and navigation equipment. One such directive, AD/RAD/16, pertains to the modification of the localiser and glide slope flag circuits in certain VHF COM/NAV equipment, specifically the ARC Type 319A and 319G.9/65. This directive was introduced to ensure the safety and reliability of the navigation systems used in aircraft by mandating that these circuits be energised by the output from the 90 to 150 cycle filters, thereby addressing potential issues that could compromise flight safety. Compliance with this directive was required before 1 January 1966, reflecting the legislative intent to maintain stringent safety standards in civil aviation through the regulation of radio communication and navigation equipment.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 107, applies to any entity or person involved in the operation of VHF COM/NAV equipment types ARC 319A and 319G.9/65, ensuring that these entities adhere to the requirements set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The regulation is intended to maintain and enhance the safety standards of radio communication and navigation equipment within civil aviation by mandating modifications to the localiser and glide slope flag circuits. Compliance with these directives is essential for ensuring that the equipment is energised correctly through the output from the 90 to 150 cycle filters, as stipulated in the AD/RAD/16 directive. The scope of this legislation is comprehensive, affecting all entities and individuals operating within the specified equipment types in the Commonwealth of Australia. There are no exclusions or exemptions mentioned in this particular directive, and the requirement must be met before the specified date of 1 January 1966.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 107, specifically AD/RAD/16, mandate modifications to the localiser and glide slope flag circuits of VHF COM/NAV equipment types 319A and 319G.9/65 (Section 1). These modifications require the circuits to be energised by the output from the 90 to 150 cycle filters. Compliance can be achieved by incorporating Rex Aviation Radio Design Change No. 6 (Section 2). The directive mandates that these modifications must be completed before 1 January 1966 (Section 3). The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties governed by it. Owners and operators of the affected VHF COM/NAV equipment must ensure that the required modifications are carried out as per the directive. They are responsible for verifying that the equipment is modified in accordance with the prescribed method or an acceptable alternative, such as Rex Aviation Radio Design Change No. 6. Furthermore, these parties must complete the modifications before the specified deadline to remain compliant with the regulations (Sections 4 and 5). Failure to comply with the requirements set out in AD/RAD/16 may result in various consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the legislative instrument, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can typically lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions may include fines, operational restrictions, or other regulatory measures. It is essential for the governed parties to adhere to the directive to avoid any adverse outcomes (Section 6).