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 CASR 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.

Radio Communication and Navigation Equipment

AD/RAD/78 Becker AR4201 VHF Transceiver 10/2003

Applicability: Becker Flugfunkwerk GmbH AR4201-( ) series Very High Frequency transceivers with serial numbers (S/N) 150 up to and including 9499.

Requirement: 1. Inspect the Becker AR4201 transceiver to determine the S/N.

2.         If, as a result of the Requirement 1 inspection, the S/N is determined to be in the range 150 to 9499 inclusive, amend the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) ‘Limitations Section’ by including the following limitation:

“USAGE OF BECKER COMM EQUIPMENT 4201 IS RESTRICTED TO VFR OPERTIONS”

This is to be accomplished by inserting a copy of this Directive into the AFM.

3.         Modify the transceiver in accordance with Becker Flugfunkwerk GmbH Service Bulletin AR4201-01/03 dated 22 July 2003.

4.         Remove the Requirement 2 AFM amendment.

5.         AR4201-( ) series transceivers with S/N 150 up to and including 9499 may not be installed on any aeroplane as a replacement part or new installation unless modified in accordance with Requirement 3.

Note: LBA AD 2003-234 refers.

Compliance: For Requirement 1 and 2 - Within ten days after the effective date of this Directive.

For Requirement 3 - At the discretion of the Certificate of Registration holder. For Requirement 4 - Following compliance with Requirement 3.

For Requirement 5 - As of the effective date of this Directive.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 2 October 2003.

Radio Communication and Navigation Equipment

AD/RAD/78 (continued)

Background: The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) Germany has advised that Becker has identified that the transceiver may be affected by strong signals on different frequencies to that selected on the transceiver. This may lead to a loss of communications between the aeroplane and air traffic control facilities.

This Directive introduces an operational limitation on the use of the transceiver together with an optional modification that allows the lifting of the operational restriction.

Jim Coyne

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 20 August 2003

The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 10 September 2003.