Avionics News June 2016 - 16

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

CANADA

Continued from page 15

and 39.17 directly answer this issue. Section 39.15 provides
that an AD applies to each product identified in the AD, even if
an individual product has been changed by modifying, altering
or repairing it in the area addressed by the AD. Section 39.17
requires that if a change in a product affects an operator's
ability to accomplish the actions required by the AD in any
way, the operator must request FAA approval of an AMOC.
Together, these sections require an operator who cannot comply with the specific requirements of an AD to request FAA
approval of an AMOC. The operator must obtain an AMOC
approval even if the affected product has been removed from
the aircraft, rendering compliance with the specific requirements of the AD impossible. The AMOC process allows the
FAA to determine whether the unsafe condition has been eliminated when an operator removes a component to which an AD
applies and replaces it with a different component.
This approach was clearly specified in the FAA's Part 39
rulemaking in 2002. See airworthiness directives, 67 FR 47998
(''Specifically, the FAA is adding to Part 39 the language
explaining that ADs apply even if products have been modified, altered or repaired in the area addressed by the directive.'') The 2002 rulemaking did not introduce any new regulatory requirements; rather, the FAA simply codified in Part 39
provisions currently found in ADs. Id. at 47999. If a change
in a product affects one's ability to comply with the AD, the
person operating the aircraft or using the product must ask
the FAA's permission to use an AMOC, and the request must
either show that the change eliminated the unsafe condition or
include the specific actions proposed.

2016 meetings of the Equip 2020 plenary
and working groups

The FAA has announced the 2016 meetings of the Equip
2020 plenary and working groups. Equip 2020 is a joint FAA
and industry group tasked with moving forward significantly
on ADS-B Out implementation. Formed as a result of the
Call to Action forum that took place on Oct. 28, 2014, Equip
2020 was given 32 tasks, reflecting barriers to implementation, which forms the basis of our agendas and discussions.
The first meeting will occur on Wednesday, June 22,
2016, at 8:30 a.m., and the second meeting will take place on
Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. The third meeting is
scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016, at 8:30 a.m.
The first meeting will be at RTCA, 1150 18th Street NW,
Suite 910, Washington, D.C., 20036. The second and third
meetings will be at the Helicopter Association International,
1920 Ballenger Ave., Alexandria, Virginia, 22314.
The AEA is a regular member and attendee of the Equip
2020 plenary and working groups.
16

avionics news

june

2016

News & Regulatory Updates
Transport Canada announces intent on the
FAA NPRM to revise Part 23

Transport Canada Civil Aviation has formally announced that
it has been and will continue to work with the FAA on the revision to the design standards for normal, utility, acrobatic and
commuter category airplanes (Part 23). The proposed changes
to Part 23 essentially involve the removal of the prescriptive
elements of the design standards and focus on performance and
risk-based requirements. The changes to Part 23 have involved
international stakeholders and several aviation authorities around
the world.
The TCCA has committed to continue to work with the FAA
to institute these changes recognizing that there is a need for a
common international vision of general aviation. Due to recent
changes in the standards revision process, the TCCA has the
option to take a foreign authority's standard and go straight to the
Gazette I process for a 30-day comment period. The involvement
in this FAA NRPM process will allow the TCCA to take this
route and quickly adapt AWM 523 to the new Part 23. It should
be noted the European Aviation Safety Agency had also issued an
NPA in regards to these proposed changes last year, which are in
line with the FAA NPRM.
The TCCA is encouraging the Canadian industry to participate
in the NPRM process and provide comment back to the FAA.
This will ensure the industry's concerns are heard early and will
allow the TCCA to account for them while keeping pace with the
FAA and the EASA. The intent of the changes is to harmonize
the design requirements as much as possible around the world.

ELT working group meets in Ottawa to
discuss proposed changes to 625 and 571

The TCCA met with industry in late March to draft changes
to Standard 625, Appendix C and AWM 571, Appendix G in
regards to ELT maintenance requirements. The focus of the
changes was to bring the requirements of the appendices in line
with the current technology of the 406 ELTs on the market. There
are many features of the 406 ELTs that are not accounted in the
current standards, as well as the fact that the current standards are
based on the 121.5 technology and old maintenance data.
The focus group was successful in agreeing to changes to the
appendices, which include language to be more specific about
what types of testing was required and when. Maintenance data
was reviewed that included typical failures and damage such that
appropriate inspections and time intervals could be proposed.
Further details on the proposed changes will be coming in the
near future.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News June 2016