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.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive AD/RAD/78 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in 2003 aims to address safety concerns identified with the Becker AR4201 VHF Transceiver, specifically those with serial numbers ranging from 150 to 9499. The directive was introduced in response to information from the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) in Germany, which identified a potential risk of loss of communication between the aircraft and air traffic control facilities due to the transceiver being affected by strong signals on different frequencies. The policy objective of this AD is to ensure the safe operation of affected aircraft by imposing an operational restriction and offering a modification to mitigate the identified risk.
The AD mandates several actions including inspecting the transceiver to determine the serial number, amending the Aircraft Flight Manual to include a specific limitation on the use of the transceiver, modifying the transceiver in accordance with a specified service bulletin, and restricting the installation of the transceiver unless it has been modified. The directive became effective on 2 October 2003, with certain requirements to be met within ten days of this date and others to be performed at the discretion of the aircraft owner or operator. This directive was issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 and was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 10 September 2003.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive AD/RAD/78 applies specifically to Becker AR4201 VHF transceivers, particularly those in the series with serial numbers ranging from 150 up to and including 9499. This directive mandates certain actions to address an identified safety issue concerning these devices. The actions include inspecting the serial number of the transceiver, amending the Aircraft Flight Manual to restrict usage to Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations if the serial number falls within the specified range, modifying the transceiver according to Becker Flugfunkwerk GmbH Service Bulletin AR4201-01/03 dated 22 July 2003, and removing the previously mentioned AFM amendment once the modification is complete. Additionally, it stipulates that the specified series of transceivers with the relevant serial numbers cannot be installed on any aeroplane unless they are modified as per the directive's requirements. This AD extends to the entire Commonwealth of Australia and is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The directive became effective on 2 October 2003, with specific compliance timelines set for each requirement, ensuring that operators and owners of affected aircraft adhere to the stipulated actions.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/RAD/78 pertains specifically to Becker AR4201 VHF transceivers. Section (a) of the applicability section identifies the particular series and serial numbers of the Becker AR4201 transceivers affected by this directive, namely those with serial numbers ranging from 150 to 9499 inclusive. The requirement section (b) outlines a series of actions that must be undertaken. Firstly, the transceiver must be inspected to determine its serial number (Requirement 1). If the serial number falls within the specified range, the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) must be amended to include a specific limitation regarding the usage of the equipment (Requirement 2). The modification of the transceiver in accordance with Becker Flugfunkwerk GmbH Service Bulletin AR4201-01/03 dated 22 July 2003 is mandated (Requirement 3). Once the modification is completed, the AFM amendment must be removed (Requirement 4). Lastly, transceivers with serial numbers within the specified range may not be installed unless they have been modified as per Requirement 3 (Requirement 5).
The AD imposes several obligations on the parties governed by it. Firstly, the holder of the Certificate of Registration must inspect the affected transceivers to determine their serial numbers within ten days of the directive's effective date (Requirements 1 and 2). If the serial number falls within the specified range, the AFM must be amended to include the specified operational limitation (Requirement 2). The transceiver must then be modified in accordance with the provided service bulletin (Requirement 3). After modification, the AFM amendment must be removed (Requirement 4). Additionally, the AD prohibits the installation of unmodified transceivers with the specified serial numbers on any aeroplane (Requirement 5).
Failure to comply with the AD may result in various consequences. While specific penalties are not outlined in the AD, non-compliance could potentially lead to the grounding of aircraft equipped with non-compliant transceivers, as the AD is issued to address an unsafe condition. Furthermore, the AD references LBA AD 2003-234, suggesting that there may be additional regulatory frameworks or consequences associated with non-compliance. It is important for the Certificate of Registration holder to ensure strict adherence to the AD to avoid any adverse safety implications.