AD/RAD/67 - Skyforce Avionics Skymap and Tracker II Units

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, are designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. The legislation includes specific Airworthiness Directives (AD) to address identified safety issues, with AD/RAD/67 being an example that focuses on the safe operation of Skyforce Avionics Skymap and Tracker II units. This particular directive was introduced to address the safety risk posed by certain types of batteries, such as Nickel Metal Hydride and Lithium batteries, which, when exposed to high temperatures, could lead to serious malfunctions and potential hazards in aircraft. The directive mandates immediate action to ensure the safe configuration and operation of these units, aligning with international safety standards and the overarching policy objective of maintaining the highest safety standards in civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, governs the application of the Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Skyforce Avionics Skymap and Tracker II units. This legislation applies to Skyforce Avionics Skymap and Tracker II units with model numbers SM2000 and TR2000, mandating that these units be inspected in accordance with the Skyforce Avionics Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) TRSY037C. The directive stipulates that if the units are equipped with Nickel Metal Hydride rechargeable batteries or Lithium batteries, these must be removed, following ASB TRSY037C Action Item 1. Alternatively, if the units use Nickel Cadmium rechargeable batteries or Alkaline batteries, they must be configured and operated as outlined in ASB TRSY037C Action Item 2. This directive became effective on 24 November 1999, and compliance was required prior to this date. The regulation extends its reach nationally, as it falls under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The directive does not explicitly state any exclusions or thresholds but is directly linked to safety concerns, particularly those associated with battery types and their potential hazards in aviation contexts.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandate detailed inspection and operational procedures for Skyforce Avionics Skymap and Tracker II units. The directive, AD/RAD/67 issued on 13/99, applies to Skyforce Avionics Skymap and Tracker II units with model numbers SM2000 and TR2000. The directive requires that these units be inspected according to the instructions outlined in Skyforce Avionics Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) TRSY037C. The specific requirements depend on the type of batteries installed in the units. If the units are equipped with Nickel Metal Hydride rechargeable batteries or Lithium batteries, these batteries must be removed following the procedures in ASB TRSY037C Action Item 1. Alternatively, if the units contain Nickel Cadmium rechargeable batteries or Alkaline batteries, they must be configured and operated as per ASB TRSY037C Action Item 2. This directive references a similar directive issued by the UK's Civil Aviation Authority, CAA(UK) AD 005-10-99. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with the requirement to ensure the specified actions are completed before 24 November 1999. The directive itself became effective on this date. Entities and individuals governed by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 must adhere to the specific instructions provided by the AD/RAD/67 directive. This includes conducting inspections and following the appropriate procedures based on the type of batteries installed in the Skyforce Avionics Skymap and Tracker II units. For units with Nickel Metal Hydride rechargeable batteries or Lithium batteries, the directive mandates the removal of these batteries as per the detailed procedures outlined in ASB TRSY037C Action Item 1. If the units are equipped with Nickel Cadmium rechargeable batteries or Alkaline batteries, operators must ensure these units are configured and operated according to ASB TRSY037C Action Item 2. These obligations are crucial for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft using these avionics units. Failure to comply with the provisions of the AD/RAD/67 directive can result in serious safety hazards. Specifically, certain types of Nickel Metal Hydride batteries can reverse polarity when exposed to temperatures exceeding forty degrees Celsius, potentially leading to high voltage generation, high temperatures, and battery case fracture. Lithium batteries, unless they hold Federal Aviation Administration Technical Standard Order TSO-97 authorisation, are prohibited from use in aircraft due to their inherent hazards. Breaches of these safety requirements may result in significant safety risks, potentially leading to catastrophic failures in aircraft operations. Although the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the provided text, such breaches could lead to regulatory enforcement actions, fines, or other civil or criminal consequences under the broader framework of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.