AD/RAD/64 - Skywatch SKY497

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, aims to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft within Australian airspace. This legislation, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), addresses potential hazards and safety issues in the aviation sector, ensuring that all aircraft meet stringent safety standards. One specific directive under this act, AD/RAD/64, targets the Skywatch SKY497 traffic advisory system installations with a top-mounted antenna, which have been identified as having issues with internal component failures leading to incorrect antenna configurations. The directive mandates that the limitations concerning these configurations must be added to the aircraft's Flight Manual and that the system must be removed from service if an incorrect antenna configuration is detected during power-up procedures. This ensures that pilots are adequately informed of potential issues and can take appropriate action to maintain safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandate the requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft fitted with specific avionics equipment, including the BFGoodrich Avionics Systems Inc Skywatch SKY497 traffic advisory system installations with a top-mounted antenna. This directive applies to a range of aircraft models from manufacturers such as Raytheon, Cessna, Piper, Hawker, Mitsubishi, Dassault, Mooney, Bombardier de Havilland, Bell, Eurocopter, and Socata. The directive necessitates the addition of specified documentation into the aircraft's Flight Manual and the verification of the antenna configuration each time the system is powered up. If an incorrect antenna configuration is detected, the directive mandates that the SKY497 system be removed from service. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved within 25 hours of the directive's effective date or prior to further flight, with the directive taking effect on 24 February 1999. This directive is issued in response to reports of internal component failures that alter the antenna configuration, leading to incorrect target indications.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, contain Airworthiness Directives (AD) that mandate certain actions to ensure aircraft safety. One such directive, AD/RAD/64, focuses on the Skywatch SKY497 traffic advisory system, particularly those installations featuring a top-mounted antenna. This directive applies to a range of aircraft models, including those from manufacturers such as Raytheon, Cessna, Piper, Hawker, Mitsubishi, Dassault, Mooney, Bombardier de Havilland, Bell, Eurocopter, and Socata. The directive requires the addition of specific information to the limitations section of the Flight Manual to address known issues with the antenna configuration. Specifically, either the FAA AD 98-25-02 Amdt 39-10924 Appendix titled “Power-Up Procedures for Skywatch SKY497 Installations with Top-Mounted Antenna” or BFGoodrich Alert Service Bulletin SB #78A dated 21 October 1998 must be incorporated into the Flight Manual. This addition necessitates the pilot to verify the antenna configuration every time the system is powered up. If an incorrect antenna configuration is detected, the SKY497 must be removed from service. Compliance with AD/RAD/64 involves adhering to strict timelines and operational conditions. The directive mandates that the required changes to the Flight Manual be implemented within 25 hours of the directive's effective date, which was 24 February 1999. Furthermore, these changes must be completed before any further flights are undertaken. Failure to comply with these requirements could compromise the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. The implications of non-compliance with AD/RAD/64 are serious. Although specific penalties are not detailed in the directive, non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives can result in significant consequences under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. These may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges for individuals or entities found in breach of the regulations. The severity of the penalties reflects the critical importance of adhering to these directives to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety.