Airworthiness Advisory Circular (AAC) Administration and Procedure Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licences Category Radio

AAC Number Issue Number Date Amendment Part 9-93 Eighteen November 2010

This AAC contains information on the following topics applicable to Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licences Category Radio:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Applicability Definitions Ratings Licence Ratings and Form of Endorsement Experience Requirements for the Grant of a Licence or Endorsement of a Rating Examination Requirements Limitations

1. Applicability
This AAC specifies the requirement for the grant of an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence and the endorsement of additional ratings to a licence in the radio category. It is to be read in conjunction with CAO Section 100.90 Issue 3 and the corresponding sub-sections of CAO Section 100.93 Issue 4.

2. Definitions (For other defintions refer to CAO 100.90)

GPWS & TAWS Maintenance Privileges. Changes in terminology and advances to technology have caused questions to arise regarding maintenance privileges for GPWS. Enhanced GPWS is a trademark owned by Honeywell - but through general usage the term became synonymous with all of the Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (TAWS) that were available. TAWS is the standard terminology to be used when describing GPWS systems with forward looking and predictive capabilities. The table below provides some useful comparisons between the different systems available.

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TAWS/GPWS Comparison
MODES/FUNCTIONS TSO C92 GPWS GPWS Mode 1 Excessive Rate of Descent Mode 2 Excessive Closure Rate to Terrain Mode 3 Negative Climb Rate or Altitude Loss After Take-Off Mode 4 Flight Into Terrain When Not in Landing Configuration Mode 5 Excessive Downward Deviation From an ILS Glide Slope Forward Looking Terrain Avoidance Function Premature Decent Alert Function Terrain Awareness Display Voice Callout 'Five Hundred' Note 3 Note 5 Note 4 TAWS TSO C151 Class A TAWS TSO C151 Class B TAWS

Note 2

Note 2

Notes: 1. The Federal Aviation Administration currently requires that TSO C151 Class B equipments be limited to aeroplanes with nine passenger seats or less (TSO C-151 Appendix 1 Table 11-1) CAO 20.18 does not require an aeroplane with less than ten seats to carry GPWS. 2. Class B equipment will not require a radio altimeter. Height above terrain may be determined by subtracting the elevation of the current position terrain cell from the current barometric altitude (or equivalent). 3. When the aeroplane descends to 500 ft above the terrain or nearest runway elevation. 4. When the aeroplane descends to 500 ft above the nearest runway elevation. 5. Class B must be capable of driving an optional display.
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Composite Indicators Maintenance Privileges A question that often arises is due to the fact that some GPWS and TAWS have composite indicators. A 'composite indicator' (defined in CAO 100.90 as; an indicator which receives, processes and/or displays information to and from both instrument and radio systems.) is prime category for both category Radio (section 4.1 of appendix 1 to CAO 100.90) and category Instruments (section 6.1 of appendix 1 to CAO 100.90). What that means is that either category can maintain the indicator - but it would depend on the nature of the maintenance who should in any particular situation. If the indicator is to be replaced due to failure of a radio system display - then category radio; failure of an instrument system display - then category instruments, for total failure, either category. Subsequent release-to-service may be certified by the category of LAME who can meet the requirements of the SoM/AMM for testing of the indicator. If other systems are needed to be operated to perform the composite indicator test, then it may be both categories depending on those related system requirements. On the other hand, if the test can be done by only one category, then that category. The instrument category GPWS and TAWS maintenance privileges do not extend to the radio inputs. Terrain Awareness Warning System (TAWS) Maintenance Privileges. The two common categories of TAWS are Class A and Class B. Class A TAWS is the enhanced version of GPWS and always has a display. Class B TAWS has less modes and functions than GPWS/Class A TAWS eg it is not fed any radar altimeter inputs and may or may not have a display. Class A & B TAWS are thus treated like any GPWS and are primarily an instrument category system. The radio category has maintenance privileges for the radio inputs and composite indicators as explained above. Radio inputs and thus radio category privileges can extend to circuit cards with a radio category function. TAWS B systems all have the capability to feed into an instrument for display or warning purposes. If the display/warning capability is utilised the system is termed to be a TAWS-B+ system as per CAO 20.18. If the TAWS B+ system feeds a composite indicator then both the radio and instrument categories have maintenance privileges as explained above. Database Maintenance Privileges The database for a TAWS may exclusively reside within the TAWS or it may be resident within an affiliated/interconnected system. If the database were to be housed within the TAWS eg Honeywell EGPWS then the update of that database would be primarily an instrument category privilege. If the database utilised by a TAWS was that of an interconnected instrument system eg a FMS then the update of the database would be primarily an instrument category privilege. If the database utilised by a TAWS was that of an interconnected radio system eg a GPS then the update of the database would be primarily a radio category privilege.

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3. Ratings
Refer to CAO 100.93 sub-section 3.

4. Licence Ratings and Form of Endorsement

Those aircraft classified as Group 20 are listed in Table 1 below. Endorsements on the licence are computer generated from tables maintained centrally by Maintenance Personnel Section. The endorsements will follow as closely as possible the endorsements shown below. Form of Endorsement for Aircraft Classified as Category Radio Systems - Group 20. AIRCRAFT TYPE Airbus A300 B4 - 200 Airbus A300 B4 - 600/Airbus 310 Airbus A319/A320/A321 Airbus A330-200/300 Airbus A380 Avro 146-RJ70/85/100 (Note 4) ATR42-200/300/400/500 BAe HS 748 BAe 146-100/200/300 Boeing 717-200 Boeing 727-100/200 Boeing 737-100/200 Boeing 737-300/400 Boeing 737-600/700/700IGW/800/900 Boeing 747-100/200/300/SP Boeing 747-400 and -400 (910K) (Note 2) Boeing 757-200 Boeing 767-200/300 Boeing 777-200/300 Bombardier Challenger CL 300 Canadair/Bombardier CL 215 Canadair Regional Jet 100/200 Series CASA 212-400 Convair 440 Convair 580 LICENCE ENDORSEMENT A300-B4 A300-600/A310 A319/320/321 A330-200/300 A380 Avro 146-RJ ATR42 BAe HS 748 BAe 146 Series B717 Series B727-100/200 B737-100/200 B737-300/400 B737-600/700/800/900 B747 Series B747-400 B757-200 B767-200/300 B777-200/300 Bombardier CL-300 CL-215 CRJ 100/200 Series CASA 212-400 Convair 440 Convair 580
10/11

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AIRCRAFT TYPE De Havilland Canada DHC-8 (except 400) De Havilland Canada DHC-8-400 Embraer 135/145 Embraer ERJ 170.100 STD & ERJ 170.100 LR Embrear ERJ 190.100 Fokker F27-MK050 (F-50; Fokker 50) Fokker F28-1000/3000/4000 Fokker F28-MK100 (F-100; Fokker 100) Let L410 and Let L420 McDonnell Douglas DC9-81/82/83 (MD81; MD82; MD83)

LICENCE ENDORSEMENT DHC-8-100/200/300 (See Note 1) DHC-8-400 EMB 135/145 ERJ 170 ERJ 190 F27-MK050 F28 Series F28-MK100 Let L420 DC9-81/82/83

Note 1: DHC-8-100/200/300 Endorsements CASA become aware of AME licensing issues in relation to this aircraft type including licence ratings held by certifying staff and AME training provided by operators under CAR 214. CASA initiated a review of these issues and has determined that: this aircraft type should be a Group 20 rating for the radio category the rating for all categories would be identified as DHC-8-100/200/300. The effect of this determination was that DHC-8 certifying staff (Radio Category) who provided evidence to CASA that they met the following criteria were issued with the new rating upon application. The DHC-8 certifying staff must have: 1. Held the appropriate Radio Category Group Ratings 2. Have exercised certification privileges on the aircraft for a minimum of six months 3. Have undergone training (CAR 30, CAR 214) on the aircraft type. DHC-8 certifying staff (Radio Category) continued to hold that privilege and was able to apply for this rating up to 01 February 2001. DHC-8 certifying staff are now required complete a CAR 30 approved training course unless they (or the AOC Holder on their behalf) have previously applied for the new DHC-8-100/200/300 Radio Category Group 20 Rating. Personnel who met the criteria listed above but have failed to apply for the new rating, are still invited to apply to Central Office and have the merits of their particular situation assessed. Note 2 The 400(910K) refers to the B747-438 aircraft fitted with the auxiliary fuel tank in the forward cargo compartment and introduced into the Qantas fleet late 2002. This aircraft has other modifications that have allowed the aircraft to operate at a higher MTOW of 910,000 lbs. Note 3 Lancair aircraft are now manufactured by Lancair in kit form and by Columbia as complete certificated aeroplanes. Note 4 Holders of an Avro 146-RJ70 rating may certify for the Avro 146-RJ70/85/100 only after completing the appropriate CAR 214 training. Licence endorsements will be updated at licence renewal
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5. Experience Requirements for the Grant of a Licence or Endorsement of a Rating

The minimum experience time period required for the grant of a licence is four years aircraft maintenance or aircraft component maintenance. The four years maintenance experience includes two years aircraft maintenance experience in the category being applied for. In addition to the four general and two years category experience, the applicant also needs to have satisfied the Schedule of Experience (SOE) requirements for the Group being applied for. The minimum practical experience required for the grant of a licence or the endorsement of an additional rating is specified as follows: (a) For aircraft classified as Group 20 the minimum practical experience is specified within this AAC (Table 1) and in a document published by CASA titled "Schedule Of Experience Radio 20". Minimum practical experience requirements may also be specified within an approved Accelerated Training or Practical Consolidation Training (PCT) Program. For radio systems classified Groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 the minimum practical experience is specified within this AAC (Table 3) and in a document published by CASA titled "Schedule Of Experience Radio 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11" (Form 923).

(b)

If the information within the AAC is found to conflict with that provided within SOE documents then the AAC is to be taken as the authoritive document. The experience reductions detailed within the tables are only a guide to the assessing AWI. If the complexity of an aircraft or aircraft group being used as the basis for a reduction is not comparable to the aircraft or aircraft group being sought, then the AWI may vary the experience reduction applied accordingly. Because of these uncertainties LAMEs are encouraged to have their particular situation assessed by an AWI prior to compiling their SOE. Only central office AWI may assess SOE reductions applicable to: (a) (b) (c) Competency Technical Category applicants (overseas & current/discharged military personnel who have been employed as aircraft engineers); accelerated training program applicants; and practical consolidated training applicants.

When compiling a Group 20 Radio SOE reference is to be made to Table 1 titled "Radio Base Hours Requirement". These hours are then transcribed into the SOE. For the grant of an additional Group 20 Type rating, the minimum hours set out in Table 1 may be reduced. Refer to Table 2 titled "Rating Reduction" to identify the reduction that may be claimed Applicants for initial issue of Group 20 ratings who already hold a Radio Category licence and provide appropriate evidence to support their claim, could anticipate reduction to the Base Hours requirement of the order of: (a) For experience in the relevant groups on aeroplanes of the "Low Capacity RPT" or "Corporate Jet" variety, 75% (aeroplanes which meet this criteria are provided within Lists 1 & 2 of Table 1 of AAC 9-95 para 5)

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(b)

For experience in the relevant groups on other aircraft, not classified "Low Capacity RPT" or "Corporate Jet" variety, the reduction is 50%.

When determining the minimum hours an applicant will require for Groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 radio ratings, reference is to be made to Table 3. Table 3 provides applicants the base hours required. Practical experience in the Radio Category may be gained concurrently with experience in the Electrical and/or Instrument Categories. However, it should be noted that the final decision to grant a reduction rests with the airworthiness inspector at the time of processing the licence application. Section 5 - Table 1 Group 20 SOE requirments AIRCRAFT All Group 20 RPT ATA 23 100 * ATA 34 150 **

* Denotes chapter 23 to include experience in: HF Comms, VHF comms, Audio integration, CVR, PA and PES systems. ** Denotes chapter 34 to include experience in: ADF, VOR, ILS, WXR, ATC, Sat Nav, VLF Nav, Rad Alt, DME and/or Doppler Nav systems - as applicable. Note: Relevant maintenance simulator training, limited to 20% of the total hours in any task area, may be accepted as appropriate experience. If a reduced requirement has already been applied, then only 10% of the total hours for any task area would be allowed. Section 5 - Table 2 - Rating Reduction GROUP 20 RATINGS BEING APPLIED FOR 2nd & Subsequent Note 1: REDUCTION 75%

Paragraph 3.10 of the Schedule of Experience provides for SOE reduction if an applicant believes that the hours for a particular ATA chapter represents an onerous task. Onerous tasks include: those that cannot be easily satisfied due to inherent reliability of systems and equipment; and those that the applicant believe they have already satisfied via experience on systems and equipment which are closely allied to those being applied for. A claim for a reduced experience requirement (beyond that provided by Table 3) may also be based on the evidence provided by previously submitted SOE. Any application for a reduction in SOE requirements should be submitted as soon as possible after obtaining the SOE.

Note 2:

The normal reductions in specific type rating experience requirements on the basis of a Group 20 rating does not apply to the holders of Pilatus PC 9 (ratings).

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Note 3:

The Maximum reduction in SOE base hours is 75% unless specifically stated.

Section 5 - Table 3 Lower Groups Radio Base Hours Requirement Group Group 1 VHF and HF Communication Systems Group 2 Audio and Cockpit Voice Recorder Systems Group 3 Automatic Direction Finding Systems Group 4 VHF OMNI Range (VOR) Systems Group 5 Marker, Localiser and Glide-slope (ILS) Systems Group 6 Weather Radar Systems Group 7 ATC Transponder Systems Group 8 VLF Navigation Systems Group 9 Radio Altimeter Systems Group 10 Distance Measuring Equipment Systems Group 11 Doppler Navigation Group 12 Satellite Navigation Systems Experience Task Area Scheduled Maintenance VHF and HF Communication Systems Scheduled Maintenance Audio and Cockpit Voice Recorder Systems Scheduled Maintenance Automatic Direction Finding Systems Scheduled Maintenance VHF OMNI Range (VOR) Systems Scheduled Maintenance Marker, Localiser and Glide-slope (ILS) Systems Scheduled Maintenance Weather Radar Systems Scheduled Maintenance ATC Transponder Systems Scheduled Maintenance VLF Navigation Systems Scheduled Maintenance Radio Altimeter Systems Scheduled Maintenance Distance Measuring Equipment Systems Scheduled Maintenance Doppler Navigation Satellite Navigation Systems Full Hours 10 hours 50 hours 10 hours 50 hours 10 hours 50 hours See note 1 10 hours 50 hours See note 1 10 hours 50 hours 10 hours 50 hours 10 hours 50 hours 10 hours 50 hours 10 hours 50 hours See note 1 10 hours 50 hours See note 1 10 hours 50 hours 20 hours

Note 1:Applicants for Radio group 3, Group 4, Group 9 and Group 10 (holding Radio Group 1 and Group 2) need only to gain a total of 20 hours of experience in each Group sought with a limit of 1/3 of total tasks being scheduled maintenance. Note 2: Applicants who hold a rating in Radio Group 20, only need complete 50% of the total hours work specified in each task area for the group sought. Only holders of Group 20 types that have systems relating to the groups sought may be granted this reduction. Note 3: Relevant maintenance simulator training, limited to 20% of the total hours in any task area, may be accepted as appropriate experience Note 4: The SOE policy detailed within this AAC is different than that promulgated within the SOE Category Radio 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 & 12. The policy provided above
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overrides that within the Schedule of Experience. Note 5:Applicants holding a Group 20 rating (equivalent) receive a 50% reduction towards Lower Group ratings

6. Examination Requirements
This section details the examinations required to be passed prior to the issue of a licence or endorsement of additional ratings in the radio category.

Examination Requirements - Table 1

EXAMINATION
CODE

LICENCE GROUPS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 20

Core Subjects Airworthiness Administration Electrical Fundamentals AA QA * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Aerodynamics and QB Maintenance Practices Basic Logic and Semiconductor Theory QC

AC Theory and Power QD Systems Digital Techniques, Computer and Electronic Devices Communication Systems Radio Basics QE

* *

* *

* *

* *

* *

* *

* *

* *

* *

* *

* *

* *

* *

WA Pt 1

Specific Group Subjects Communications Systems Audio CVR Systems ADF Systems VOR Systems Instrument Landing Systems Weather Radar Systems
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WZ * Note 9 WB WC WD WE WF

* * * * *

# # # # #

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CODE

EXAMINATION Air Traffic Control Transponder Systems VLF Nav Systems Radio Altimeter Systems Distance Measuring Systems Doppler Navigation Systems Satellite Navigation Systems

LICENCE GROUPS * * * * * * # # # # # #

WG WH WI WJ WK WL

Specific Type Written Oral

WS WO # #

* Denotes the examinations to be passed for each group or type. # Denotes the examinations to be passed for Group 20 as applicable. Note 2.The specific group subject examinations provided by the Authority are in a multichoice format except for the subject WK which is in a written essay format. Note 3.A separate specific type examination (WS) is required for each additional rating in Group 20. Note 4.An applicant for Group 20 must hold examination credits for all those groups which form the specific aircraft installation concerned. Note 5.Where an aircraft in Group 20 is considered by the Authority to be sufficiently similar to an aircraft for which a rating is held, WS becomes WO. Note 6: For details of specific radio group ratings, refer to the Electrical, Instrument and Radio Syllabi of Examination where the examinable radio systems are listed. Note 7: A specific type oral examination WO is also required for each rating in Group 20 where the practical experience for that rating is gained within an approved Practical Consolidation Training (PCT) Program. Note 8A credit for examination QB may be granted to a person who holds credits for examinations BA, BB and BC. Note 9 WZ was previously identified as WAPT2.

7. Limitations
As per CAO 100.93 Sub-Section 8.

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