AD/RAD/72 - Apollo SL30 VHF NAVCOM

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Radio Communication and Navigation Equipment

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

AD/RAD/72 Apollo SL30 VHF NAVCOM 8/2001 TX

Applicability: UPS Aviation Technologies, Inc., Model Apollo SL30 very-high-frequency navigation/communication (VHF NAVCOM) unit having Part Number (P/N) 430- 6040-300 or 430-6040-301.

Requirement: 1. Determine what version of Digital Signal Processor (DSP) Software the Apollo SL30 VHF NAVCOM unit is using, in accordance with the following procedure:

Placing Unit In System Mode

Operation Summary (Refer to page 4 of operation manual)

Power On

Turn the SL30 on. Either turn the Power/Volume knob clockwise to turn the power on or, if installed, turn on the master switch that powers the radios. The SL30 will go through a short initialization routine and then briefly display the last VOR check date.

System Info (Refer to page 26 of operation manual)

System Info provides information about the Software versions and the Display Intensity.

Press SYS and turn the LARGE knob if necessary to the System Info page. Press ENT.

2. In the System Info function turn the LARGE knob to Nav Software Version.

3. Turn the SMALL knob to left (counterclockwise) to view DSP Software Version.

Note 1: The procedure specified in Requirement 1 is identical to the "PROCEDURE" section of UPS Aviation Technologies, Inc., Service Bulletin SB2001-003, dated 29 June 2001.

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

2. If the Requirement 1 procedure indicates that the NAVCOM unit is using DSP Software Version Number 1.00, carry out the following actions:

Attach on or place near the SL30 within clear view of the pilot a placard that reads as follows:

"USE OF SL30 VOR FUNCTION FOR NAVIGATION PROHIBITED."

b. Insert a copy of this Directive into the Limitations Section of the approved Aeroplane Flight Manual.

3. Apollo SL30 VHF NAVCOM units, having P/N 430-6040-300 or 430-6040-301 may not be installed on any aeroplane, unless the requirements of this Directive are accomplished.

Note 2: FAA Emergency AD 2001-14-51 refers.

Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Before further flight after the effective date of this Directive.

For Requirement 2 - Before further flight following the determination that Software Version Number 1.00 is installed.

For Requirement 3 - As of the effective date of this Directive. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 5 July 2001.

Background: The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received a report from the equipment manufacturer indicating that, during installation of an Apollo SL30 NAVCOM unit on an aeroplane, the installer noted that the radio was providing incorrect radial bearing information. Subsequent testing by the equipment manufacturer revealed that the bearing information was off by 14 degrees.

This incorrect bearing information has been attributed to an error in DSP Software Version Number 1.00. If the radio receives a signal from a VHF omnirange (VOR) ground station that deviates from the standard 30-Hertz signal, the error in the software causes the radio to incorrectly decode the bearing of the station. Because the occurrence of the error is dependent on the signal coming from a given station and not on the radio itself, the pilot may not know if the bearing information is incorrect.

This condition, if not corrected, could lead the pilot to use incorrect bearing information, which could result in inaccurate navigation information.

This Directive is considered to be interim action. The equipment manufacturer has advised the FAA that it is currently developing a software update that will positively address the unsafe condition addressed by this Directive. Once this software update is developed, approved, and available, the FAA may consider additional rulemaking.

Eugene Paul Holzapfel

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 2 July 2001

The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 5 July 2001.

Overview

The Radio Communication and Navigation Equipment Airworthiness Directive AD/RAD/72, issued in 2001 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), addresses a safety concern related to the Apollo SL30 VHF NAVCOM unit manufactured by UPS Aviation Technologies, Inc. The directive was enacted in response to a reported issue where the Apollo SL30 NAVCOM unit provided incorrect radial bearing information due to an error in the DSP Software Version Number 1.00. This error can lead to inaccurate navigation information, potentially resulting in unsafe flight conditions. The policy objective of this Airworthiness Directive is to ensure the safe operation of aircraft by mandating specific actions to correct the identified unsafe condition, thereby preventing the use of potentially incorrect navigational data.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to the Apollo SL30 very-high-frequency navigation/communication (VHF NAVCOM) units manufactured by UPS Aviation Technologies, Inc., with part numbers 430-6040-300 or 430-6040-301. This AD mandates certain actions to address an identified unsafe condition with these units, particularly concerning the Digital Signal Processor (DSP) software version. The AD requires that any aircraft fitted with these specific units must adhere to the outlined procedures to ensure airworthiness standards are met. This includes determining the DSP software version and taking corrective actions if a specific version is found, such as prohibiting the use of the VOR function for navigation and updating the aircraft's flight manual accordingly. The directive applies nationally within Australia and necessitates compliance by all relevant parties, including aircraft owners and operators, before further flight following the determination of the software version or as of the effective date of the directive.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive AD/RAD/72 applies to the Apollo SL30 VHF NAVCOM units, specifically those with Part Numbers 430-6040-300 or 430-6040-301 (Applicability). The primary requirement (Requirement 1) is for the user to determine the version of Digital Signal Processor (DSP) Software the Apollo SL30 VHF NAVCOM unit is using, following a specified procedure (Requirement 1). If the DSP Software Version is found to be 1.00, the user must affix a placard on the unit that states "USE OF SL30 VOR FUNCTION FOR NAVIGATION PROHIBITED" (Requirement 2a) and insert a copy of this directive into the Limitations Section of the approved Aeroplane Flight Manual (Requirement 2b). Furthermore, the directive mandates that the Apollo SL30 VHF NAVCOM units cannot be installed on any aeroplane unless the requirements of this directive are fulfilled (Requirement 3). Compliance with these requirements must be achieved before further flights following the determination of the DSP Software Version (Compliance). The directive became effective on 5 July 2001. The Airworthiness Directive imposes several obligations on the parties involved. Firstly, it mandates that users determine the DSP Software version of the Apollo SL30 VHF NAVCOM units, following the outlined procedure. Secondly, if the DSP Software version is 1.00, users must affix a placard to the unit and include a copy of the directive in the aeroplane's flight manual. Thirdly, it prohibits the installation of the specified Apollo SL30 VHF NAVCOM units on any aeroplane until the requirements are met. Compliance must be achieved before further flights after the determination of the DSP Software version. Failure to comply with these obligations may result in legal consequences. The Airworthiness Directive includes provisions for offences, penalties, and consequences for non-compliance. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the directive, non-compliance with airworthiness directives in Australia generally can lead to civil or criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines, while criminal penalties could include imprisonment. The exact penalties depend on the severity of the violation and are determined by the relevant authorities, such as the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Ensuring compliance with the directive is crucial to avoid these potential penalties and to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.

Area of Law: Aviation Law
Instrument: Legislative Instrument
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Compliance Obligations; Prohibited Conduct

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