COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Radio Communication and Navigation Equipment
AD/RAD/45 King KDM 7000B Distance Measuring Equipment 2/89
Applicability: King model KDM 7000B distance measuring equipment, Part Number 066-1019-21/- 23/-26/-33/-43/-57 with Serial Numbers 21855 to 22526 inclusive.
Requirement: Modify in accordance with Bendix/King Alert Service Bulletin KDM 7000B-34-14 dated 4 November 1988.
Note: FAA AD 88-25-01 refers.
Compliance: If fitted to an aircraft - within 150 hours time in service after 23 February 1989 or before 23 May 1989 whichever is the sooner.
Otherwise - before fitment to an aircraft.
Background: Failure of the DME or its power supply can cause erroneous channel selection on an associated NAV receiver when the DME and NAV channelling lines are paralleled.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation operations within the country. The specific legislative instrument, F2006B06502, addresses the critical need for the maintenance and modification of radio communication and navigation equipment, particularly focusing on the King model KDM 7000B distance measuring equipment. The policy objective of this regulation is to mitigate the risk of erroneous channel selection on associated navigation receivers, which can result from failures in the distance measuring equipment or its power supply when certain channelling lines are paralleled. Compliance with these airworthiness directives is mandatory, ensuring that such equipment is modified according to specified service bulletins and deadlines to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation.
The regulation applies to King model KDM 7000B distance measuring equipment with specific serial numbers and requires modifications as per the Bendix/King Alert Service Bulletin dated 4 November 1988. Failure to comply with these directives can lead to significant safety risks, hence the requirement to undertake the modifications within a specified timeframe post the directive's issuance or before the equipment is fitted to an aircraft. This legislative measure underscores the commitment to ensuring that all aviation equipment meets stringent safety standards, thereby protecting both the aviation personnel and the public.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to the King model KDM 7000B distance measuring equipment, with particular serial numbers and part numbers, to ensure compliance with safety standards. This directive mandates modifications to the specified DME equipment to prevent potential failure that could lead to erroneous channel selection on an associated NAV receiver, thereby maintaining the safety and reliability of aviation operations. The application of this directive is geographical in scope, extending across the Commonwealth of Australia and affecting all entities and individuals operating within the civil aviation sector. The directive requires modifications in accordance with the specific guidelines outlined in the Bendix/King Alert Service Bulletin KDM 7000B-34-14, ensuring that any aircraft fitted with the affected equipment adheres to these safety standards. This Act extends its application through subordinate instruments, ensuring that compliance is strictly enforced across the industry.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, establish the regulatory framework governing airworthiness in Australia, with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issuing Airworthiness Directives (AD) to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. Section 107 pertains to specific equipment modifications and requirements, including radio communication and navigation systems. For instance, AD/RAD/45 focuses on the King KDM 7000B Distance Measuring Equipment (DME). According to this directive (AD/RAD/45), the modification requirement applies to King model KDM 7000B DME units with specific serial numbers (21855 to 22526 inclusive) and part numbers (066-1019-21/-23/-26/-33/-43/-57). The directive mandates that these units be modified in accordance with the Bendix/King Alert Service Bulletin KDM 7000B-34-14 dated 4 November 1988. The modification is necessary to address a potential failure scenario where the DME or its power supply might cause erroneous channel selection on an associated NAV receiver if the DME and NAV channelling lines are paralleled. This is further referenced in FAA AD 88-25-01.
The obligations imposed by AD/RAD/45 are clear and specific. For DME units already installed on aircraft, the compliance deadline is within 150 hours of time in service after 23 February 1989, or before 23 May 1989, whichever comes first. For units not yet installed, the modification must be completed before the equipment is fitted to any aircraft. This directive underscores the importance of timely compliance to mitigate safety risks associated with the potential failure of the DME system.
Failure to comply with AD/RAD/45 may result in serious safety implications and legal consequences. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the directive, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can generally lead to enforcement actions by CASA. These actions can include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges in cases where non-compliance results in accidents or endangers public safety. The seriousness of these potential outcomes highlights the importance of adhering to the specified deadlines and modification requirements set forth in the directive.