2010-20-24: Communications

2010-20-24 Eclipse Aerospace, Inc.: Amendment 39-16459; Docket No. FAA-2010-0691; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-027-AD. Effective Date (a) This AD is effective November 9, 2010. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to Model EA500 airplanes with the following serial numbers (SNs) that are certificated in any category: (1) SNs 000105 through 000112, 000116 through 000119, 000121 through 000122, and 000125 through 000260; (2) SNs 000039 through 000104, 000113 through 000115, 000120, and 000123 through 000124, that incorporate Avionics Upgrade to AVIO NG Configuration for ETT Configured Aircraft per any revision level of Eclipse SB 500-99-002; and (3) SNs 000001 through 000038, that incorporate Performance Enhancement & Drag Reduction Modification per any revision level of Eclipse SB 500-99-001 and Avionics Upgrade to AVIO NG Configuration for ETT Configured Aircraft per any revision level of Eclipse SB 500-99-002. Subject(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 23: Communications. Unsafe Condition (e) This AD results from reports of uncommanded changes to the communications radio frequency, altitude preselect, and/or transponder codes. We are issuing this AD to correct faulty integration of hardware and software, which could result in unannunciated, uncommanded changes in communications radio frequency, transponder codes, and altitude preselect settings. These uncommanded changes could result in loss of communication with air traffic control due to improper communications frequency, autopilot level off at the incorrect altitude, or air traffic control loss of proper tracking of the aircraft. Compliance (f) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless already done: Table 1--Actions, Compliance, and Procedures Actions (software updates and AFM revisions) Compliance Procedures (1) Incorporate one of the following set of software upgrades and AFM revisions: (i) Electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) 1.3 software update and one of the following airplane flight manual revisions: (A) Temporary Revision (TR) 010, Airplane Flight Manual part number (P/N) 06 122204 Before 3 45, Revision 01 and TR 009, Quick Reference Handbook P/N 06 122205, Revision 01; or (B) TR 010A, Airplane Flight Manual P/N 06 122204 Before 3 51, Revision 02 and TR 009A, Quick Reference Handbook P/N 06 122205, Revision 02; or (C) Airplane Flight Manual P/N 06 122204 Revision 3, dated February 3, 2010, and Quick Reference Handbook P/N 06 122205, Revision 03. (ii) Avionics upgrade to AVIO NG + 1.5 Configuration and one of the following airplane flight manual revisions: (A) Aircraft Flight Manual, P/N 06 122204, Revision 2, dated November 7, 2008, or (B) AVIO NG + 1.5 configuration and Aircraft Flight Manual, P/N 06 122204, Revision 3, dated February 10, 2010. Incorporate within the next 6 months after November 9, 2010 (the effective date of this AD). Follow, as appropriate, Eclipse Aviation Required Service Bulletin SB 500-31 015, REV D, dated January 14, 2009; or Eclipse Aviation Recommended Service Bulletin SB 500 99 005, REV A, dated February 16, 2009; or Eclipse Aviation Recommended Service Bulletin SB 500 99 005, REV B, dated January 22, 2010. (2) Send the completed service bulletin compliance record required by paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this AD or paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this AD to the address identified in paragraph (g) of this AD. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the information collection requirements contained in this regulation under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and assigned OMB Control Number 2120 0056. Within 30 days after you incorporate the revisions required by paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this AD or paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this AD or within 30 days after November 9, 2010 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later. Not Applicable. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (g) The Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Eric Kinney, Fort Worth ACO, Aerospace Engineer, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone: (817) 222-5459; fax: (817) 222-5960. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. Related Information (h) For more information about this AD, contact Eric Kinney, Aerospace Engineer, Fort Worth ACO, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; phone: (817) 222-5459; fax: (817) 222-5960; e- mail: eric.kinney@faa.gov. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use the service information contained in Table 2 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the service information contained in Table 2 of this AD under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Table 2--Material Incorporated By Reference Document Revision Date (i) Eclipse Aviation Required Service Bulletin SB 500-31-015 REV D January 14, 2009 (ii) Eclipse Aviation Recommended Service Bulletin SB 500-99-005 REV B January 22, 2010 (iii) Eclipse Aviation Recommended Service Bulletin SB 500-99-005 REV A February 16, 2009 (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Eclipse Aerospace Incorporated, 2503 Clark Carr Loop, SE., Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106; telephone: (505) 724-1200; http:// www.eclipseaerospace.net. (3) You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of thismaterial at the FAA, call 816-329-4148. (4) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/ federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_ locations.html.