COMMUNICATION AND NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT HELICOPTERS

General introduction

(a) An operator shall ensure that a flight does not commence unless the communication and navigation equipment required under this Subpart is: 

 (1) Approved and installed in accordance with the requirements applicable to them, including the minimum performance standard and the operational and airworthiness requirements;

(2) Installed such that the failure of any single unit required for either communication or navigation purposes, or both, will not result in the failure of another unit required for communications or navigation purposes.

(3) In operable condition for the kind of operation being conducted except as provided in the MEL (CAD4506 refers); and

(4) So arranged that if equipment is to be used by one flight crew member at his station during flight it must be readily operable from his station. When a single item of equipment is required to be operated by more than one flight crew member it must be installed so that the equipment is readily operable from any station at which the equipment is required to be operated.

(b) Communication and navigation equipment minimum performance standards are those prescribed in the applicable Iranian Technical Standard Orders (ITSO) as listed in Iranian Technical Standard Orders (CS-ITSO), unless different performance standards are prescribed in the operational or airworthiness codes. Communication and navigation equipment complying with design and performance specifications other than ITSO on the date of ICAS 106 implementation may remain in service, or be installed, unless additional requirements are prescribed in this Subpart. Communication and navigation equipment which has already been approved does not need to comply with a revised ITSO or a revised specification, other than ITSO, unless a retroactive requirement is prescribed.

3.850 Radio Equipment

 (a) An operator shall not operate a helicopter unless it is equipped with radio required for the

kind of operation being conducted.

(b) Where two independent (separate and complete) radio systems are required under this Subpart, each system must have an independent antenna installation except that, where rigidly supported non-wire antennae or other antenna installations of equivalent reliability are used, only one antenna is required.

(c) The radio communication equipment required to comply with paragraph (a) above must also provide for communications on the aeronautical emergency frequency 121•5 MHz.

3.855 Audio Selector Panel.

An operator shall not operate a helicopter under IFR unless it is equipped with an audio selector panel accessible to each required flight crew member

3.860 Radio equipment for operations under VFR over routes navigated by reference to visual landmarks.

An operator shall not operate a helicopter under VFR over routes that can be navigated by reference to visual landmarks, unless it is equipped with the radio equipment (communication and SSR transponder equipment) necessary under normal operating conditions to fulfil the following:

(a) Communicate with appropriate ground stations;

(b) Communicate with appropriate air traffic control facilities from any point in controlled airspace within which flights are intended;

(c) Receive meteorological information; and

(d) When mandated by airspace requirements, reply to SSR interrogations with a pressure-altitude reporting transponder which operates in accordance with ICAS110, Volume IV.

3.865 Communication and Navigation equipment for operations under IFR, or under VFR over routes not navigated by reference to visual landmarks

(a) An operator shall not operate a helicopter under IFR, or under VFR over routes that cannot

be navigated by reference to visual landmarks, unless the helicopter is equipped with radio (communication and SSR transponder) and navigation equipment in accordance with the requirements of air traffic services in the area(s) of operation.

(b) Radio equipment. An operator shall ensure that radio equipment comprises not less than:

(1) Two independent radio communication systems necessary under normal operating conditions to communicate with an appropriate ground station from any point on the route including diversions; and

(2) When mandated by airspace requirements, a pressure-altitude reporting transponder which operates in accordance with ICAS110, Volume IV.

(c) Navigation equipment. An operator shall ensure that navigation equipment

(1) Comprises not less than:

(i) Two independent navigation aids appropriate to the route/area to be flown;

(ii) An approach aid suitable for the destination and alternate heliports;

(iii) An Area Navigation System when area navigation is required for the route/area being flown;

(iv) Two VOR receiving systems on any route, or part thereof, where navigation is based only on VOR signals; and

(v) Two ADF systems on any route, or part thereof, where navigation is based only on NDB signals, or

(2) Complies with the Required Navigation Performance (RNP) Type for operation in the airspace concerned.

 (d) An operator may operate a helicopter that is not equipped with the navigation equipment specified in sub-paragraph(s) (c)(1)(iv) and/or (c)(1)(v) above, provided that it is equipped with alternative equipment

authorised for the route/area being flown by the CAO.IRI. The reliability and the accuracy of alternative equipment must allow safe navigation for the intended route.

(e) An operator shall ensure that VHF communication equipment, ILS Localiser and VOR receivers installed on helicopters to be operated under IFR are of a type that has been approved as complying with the FM immunity performance standards

(f) Where not more than one item of equipment specified in (a) above is unserviceable when the helicopter is about to begin a flight, the helicopter may nevertheless take-off on that flight if:

(1) It is not reasonably practical to repair or replace that item, before the commencement of the flight;

(2) The helicopter has not made more than one flight since the item was found to be unserviceable; and

(3) The commander has satisfied himself that, taking into account the latest information available as to the route/area and heliport to be used (including any planned diversion) and the weather conditions likely to be encountered, the flight can be made safely and in accordance with any relevant requirements of the appropriate air traffic control limit.