Mon, Aug 08, 2005
AD Number:AD/RAD/84 Honeywell RCZ-83
and RCZ-85 Communications Units 10/2005 TX
Applicability: Honeywell RCZ-83 and RCZ-85 Communication
Units with Part Numbers (P/N) 7510700-725, -763, -765, -813, -815,
-825, -863 and -875.
Note 1: These units are known to be fitted to, but
not limited to, the following models:
- Embraer RJ 145
- Embraer RJ 135
- Falcon Jet 900
- British Aerospace HS 125-800
- British Aerospace HS 125-1000
- Hawker Series 125-800
- Hawker Series 125-1000
- Bombardier BD-700
- Cessna Citation CJ 1
- Cessna Citation CJ 2
- Cessna Citation 550
- Cessna Citation 560
- Cessna Citation 650
- Learjet 45
- Lockheed C130
- British Aerospace Jetstream 41
- Falcon Jet 2000
- Lockheed L382G
Requirement: 1. Amend the applicable Aircraft
Flight Manual (AFM) by inserting the following statement into the
Normal Procedures Section: "After completion of any 4096 ATC Code
change (also referred to as Mode A Code), check the status of the
transponder. If the transponder indicates that it is in standby
mode, re-select the desired mode (i.e. the transponder should be in
the active mode)." Amendment of the AFM Normal Procedures Section
may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this Directive into the
AFM
2. Modify the Communications Units by incorporating Honeywell
Service Bulletin (SB) Publication No A21-3851-005 dated 29 July
2005 or Honeywell SB Publication No A24-3851-002 dated 28 July 2005
as applicable. Honeywell Technical Newsletter A23-1146-004 dated 9
December 2004 also refers.
3. Remove the AFM inserted in compliance with Requirement 1.
Note 2: EASA AD 2005-0021 refers. Compliance:
For Requirement 1 - Within five days after the effective date of
this Directive.
For Requirement 2 - Within nine calendar months after the
effective date of this Directive. For Requirement 3 - Concurrent
with compliance with Requirement 2.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 5 August
2005.
Background: The European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) has advised of a design deficiency in RCZ-83 and RCZ-85
Communication Units manufactured by Honeywell which causes the
associated transponder to revert to standby mode if a change of the
4096 ATC code (also referred to as the Mode A code) is not
completed within 5 seconds. As a consequence, the Secondary
Surveillance Radar (SSR) symbol and label associated with the
aircraft's position will no longer be shown on the Air Traffic
Control (ATC) ground radar display. Also, aircraft collision
avoidance systems (ACAS) on board own and other aircraft will be
compromised. Current operational procedures, typically, do not
require the crew to recheck the transponder status after changing
the 4096 ATC Code. This type of failure will increase ATC workload
and will result in improper functioning of ACAS.
This Directive requires the insertion of an AFM amendment and
the modification of the Control Unit.
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