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/54 Terra Transponders 10/95
Applicability: This Directive is applicable to the following Terra Corporation Air Traffic Control Transponders:
- All push-button Model TRT 250 Part Number (P/N) 0900-0250-00 with Serial Numbers 4194 and below, modification level 4 and below, and
b. All push-button three inch ATI mounted Model TRT 250 P/N 0900-0250-20 with Serial Numbers 5324 and below, modification level 4 and below, and
c. All digital display Model TRT 250 D P/N 0900-0250-30 with Serial Numbers 1155 and below, modification levels 1 and below.
Requirement: Modify the transponder in accordance with Terra Corporation International Service Bulletin ISB-004 dated 20 July 1995.
Note: FAA AD 95-01-01 Amdt 39-9112 refers.
Compliance: Prior to 30 September 1996.
Background: Terra Corporation has advised that the Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance System (TCAS II) is incompatible with certain Terra transponders and that the transponders may not respond to TCAS II interrogations. This incompatibility could result in a loss of airspace separation between aircraft. This Directive mandates a modification that ensures that the affected transponders respond to TCAS II interrogations.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, include specific provisions to address safety concerns in the aviation industry. The relevant section, AD/RAD/54, was enacted to address issues regarding the compatibility of certain Terra Corporation Air Traffic Control Transponders with the Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance System (TCAS II). The problem identified was that specific transponders were not responding to TCAS II interrogations, potentially leading to a loss of airspace separation between aircraft. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, as the enacting body, introduced this legislation to mandate modifications to ensure the transponders respond appropriately to TCAS II interrogations. The policy objective is to maintain and enhance air safety by ensuring that all relevant equipment is fully compatible with existing collision avoidance systems.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, governs the airworthiness directives in Australia, ensuring the safety and compliance of aviation equipment. One such directive, AD/RAD/54, pertains to the air traffic control transponders manufactured by Terra Corporation. This directive applies to specific models of Terra transponders, including all push-button Model TRT 250 P/N 0900-0250-00 with serial numbers 4194 and below, all push-button three-inch ATI mounted Model TRT 250 P/N 0900-0250-20 with serial numbers 5324 and below, and all digital display Model TRT 250 D P/N 0900-0250-30 with serial numbers 1155 and below, all at modification levels 4 and below. The directive mandates that these transponders must be modified in accordance with Terra Corporation International Service Bulletin ISB-004 dated 20 July 1995 to ensure compatibility with the Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance System (TCAS II). Failure to comply with this directive could result in a loss of airspace separation between aircraft. Compliance is required prior to 30 September 1996, and the directive is applicable within the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 107, specifically within the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes AD/RAD/54, which pertains to Terra Transponders. This directive applies to specific models of Terra Corporation Air Traffic Control Transponders. Specifically, it applies to all push-button Model TRT 250 P/N 0900-0250-00 with serial numbers 4194 and below, modification level 4 and below; all push-button three-inch ATI mounted Model TRT 250 P/N 0900-0250-20 with serial numbers 5324 and below, modification level 4 and below; and all digital display Model TRT 250 D P/N 0900-0250-30 with serial numbers 1155 and below, modification levels 1 and below.
The primary requirement of this directive is that the specified transponders must be modified in accordance with Terra Corporation International Service Bulletin ISB-004 dated 20 July 1995. This modification is crucial because it addresses the incompatibility issue between certain Terra transponders and the Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance System (TCAS II). Without the modification, the transponders may fail to respond to TCAS II interrogations, which could result in a loss of airspace separation between aircraft. The directive mandates that compliance with this modification must be achieved prior to 30 September 1996.
Entities governed by this directive must ensure that the specified transponders undergo the necessary modifications as outlined in the Terra Corporation International Service Bulletin ISB-004. This involves identifying the affected transponders, ensuring the modifications are carried out correctly, and verifying compliance by the stipulated deadline. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in non-compliance with aviation safety standards, potentially leading to safety risks and operational disruptions.
Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/RAD/54 may result in serious consequences. Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulations are enforced to ensure compliance, and non-compliance can lead to various civil and criminal penalties. While specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, it is generally understood that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in significant fines, operational restrictions, and potential criminal charges for individuals or entities responsible for the non-compliance. The severity of the penalties can vary depending on the extent of the non-compliance and its impact on aviation safety.