AD/RAD/38 - Collins ATC Transponder TDR-950 - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, were established to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. These regulations, specifically Part 39 – 107 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, address issues related to the airworthiness of aircraft and their components, including radio communication and navigation equipment. One such directive, AD/RAD/38, pertains to the Collins ATC Transponder TDR-950 and mandates a modification for certain serial numbers to ensure continued safe operation. This directive was introduced to address specific safety concerns associated with the identified transponders, ensuring compliance within 100 hours of time in service after the directive's effective date of 28 February 1979. The policy objective is to maintain high safety standards in civil aviation by mitigating potential risks associated with equipment failures.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/RAD/38 Collins ATC Transponder TDR-950 - Modification, pertains to all Collins ATC Transponder TDR-950 units with serial numbers between 8100 and 8600. This legislation applies to aviation entities and aircraft operators who possess or use the specified transponders, thereby ensuring that their equipment meets the necessary safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. The directive mandates compliance within 100 hours of the specified date, 28 February 1979, as outlined in Rockwell-Collins Service Bulletin No. 8 dated October 16, 1978. This legislation is part of a broader regulatory framework that ensures the safety and reliability of aviation equipment across Australia, governed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, specifically in Section 107, detail the requirements for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft through the implementation of Airworthiness Directives (ADs). The particular AD/RAD/38 focuses on Collins ATC Transponder TDR-950 and mandates modifications to those units with serial numbers (S/Nos.) between 8100 and 8600. This directive applies to all such transponders and requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 28 February 1979, as outlined in Rockwell-Collins Service Bulletin No. 8 dated October 16, 1978. The primary operative sections of this legislation mandate that all relevant Collins ATC Transponder TDR-950 units must undergo specified modifications to maintain compliance with airworthiness standards. These modifications are essential to ensure that the transponders operate correctly and safely, thus contributing to the overall safety of air navigation and communication. Operators and owners of aircraft equipped with these transponders must adhere to the stipulated compliance timeline to avoid any non-compliance issues. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, the Act imposes several obligations on the parties governed by this legislation. Primarily, aircraft operators must ensure that the modifications are carried out by appropriately certified personnel and that the transponders are inspected and tested post-modification to confirm compliance with the AD. Additionally, operators must maintain records of the compliance activities and modifications performed, which may be required for inspection by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) at any time. Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directive AD/RAD/38 can result in significant consequences. The Act stipulates that non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions against the operators. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the provided excerpt, but generally, under Australian aviation law, penalties for non-compliance with ADs can include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges for severe breaches. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, as well as any resultant safety risks.