98-25-02: Top-mounted Antenna

98-25-02 BFGOODRICH AVIONICS SYSTEMS, INC.: Amendment 39-10924, Docket No. 98-CE-107-AD. \n\n\tApplicability: SKYWATCH SKY497 installations with a top-mounted antenna that are installed on, but not limited to, the following aircraft, all serial numbers, certificated in any category: \n\n\nManufacturer\nAircraft Models and/or Series\nRaytheon\nBeech 90, 100, 200, and 300 Series\nCessna\n172, 182, 206, 208, 210, 300, 400, and 500 Series\nPiper\nPA-23, PA-31-360, PA-31T, PA-32, PA-34, PA-42, and PA-46\nHawker\nHS-700 and HS-800\nMitsubishi\nMU-2 Series\nDassault\nF10\nMooney\nM20 Series\nBombardier\nDHC-6 Series\nWestwind\n1124\nBell\n407\nEurocopter\nAS365\nSocata\nTBM700 \n\n\tNOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it. \n\n\tCompliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless already accomplished. \n\n\tTo prevent the display of target indicators on the wrong side of the aircraft caused by an internal component failure in the SKY497 installations with a top-mounted antenna, which could result in the pilot making an incorrect initial maneuver based on the displayed information while trying to visually acquire the aircraft, accomplish the following: \n\n\t(a)\tWithin the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, place the information in the Appendix to this AD into the Limitations Section of the airplane flight manual (AFM). \n\n\t\t(1)\tThis information specifies verifying the correct antenna configuration each time an aircraft equipped with a SKY497 installation with a top-mounted antenna is powered-up. \n\n\t\t(2)\tThis information is a duplication of the information presented in BF Goodrich Alert Service Bulletin #78A, dated October 21, 1998. \n\n\t(b)\tIf an incorrect antenna configuration is found during any of the power-up procedures specified in the AFM information required by this AD, prior to further flight, remove the SKY497 installation from service. \n\n\t(c)\tInserting the information into the Limitations Section of the AFM as required by paragraph (a) of this AD may be performed by the owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7), and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9). \n\n\t(d)\tSpecial flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. \n\n\t(e)\tAn alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Chicago ACO. \n\n\tNOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Chicago ACO. \n\n\t(f)\tThe service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from BF Goodrich Avionics Systems, Inc. 5353 52nd Street,Southeast, P.O. Box 873, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49588-0873. This document or other information related to this AD may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri. \n\n\t(g)\tThis amendment becomes effective on December 22, 1998. \n\nAPPENDIX TO AD 98-25-02; \nAMENDMENT 39-10924; DOCKET NO. 98-CE-107-AD. \n\nPOWER-UP PROCEDURES FOR SKYWATCH SKY497 \nINSTALLATIONS WITH A TOP-MOUNTED ANTENNA \n___________________________________________________________________________________________________\n\nThe following power-up procedure must be accomplished each time the system is powered-up: \n\n1.\tIf a WX-1000 is installed with the SKYWATCH, ensure that the STORMSCOPE/CWS switch is in the CWS position. \n\n2.\tAt the SKYWATCH display, access the service menu by holding the left two buttons depressed and switch the system on. Hold the buttons until the Service Menu is displayed. The Service Menu is shown in figure 1.3.\tHighlight SYSTEM DATA (press NEXT button two times) and then press SELECT. The SYSTEM DATA screen, as shown in figure 2 will be displayed. \n\n4.\tHighlight CONFIGURATION by pressing the NEXT button and then press SELECT. The configuration display consists of 4 pages. Advance to Page 3 of 4 (see figure 3) by pressing the NEXT button two times. \n\n5.\tVerify that the antenna position is configured for TOP mount (i.e., as shown in figure 3). \n\n\nAPPENDIX TO AD 98-25-02; \nAMENDMENT 39-10924; DOCKET NO. 98-CE-107-AD. \n\nPOWER-UP PROCEDURES FOR SKYWATCH SKY497 \nINSTALLATIONS WITH A TOP-MOUNTED ANTENNA \n(Continued) \n___________________________________________________________________________________________________\n\n\n\n\n\n6.\tIf the antenna configuration is correct, press EXIT until the start-up screen (see figure 4) is displayed. \n\n\n\n\n\n7.\tIf a WX-1000 is installed, position the STORMSCOPE/CWS switch to the STORMSCOPE position and exit the STORMSCOPE servicemenu by pressing the EXIT button. \n\n8.\tIf the antenna configuration is not correct (i.e., configured for Bottom mount), turn SKYWATCH off and return the unit for service.