DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-2191; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-019-AD;
Amendment 39-18183; AD 2015-10-51]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Avidyne Corporation Integrated Flight
Displays

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Avidyne
Corporation (Avidyne) Integrated Flight Displays (IFDs) part number (P/
N) 700-00083-() loaded with software release 9.3.1.0 or earlier release
(referred to as Model R9--10 inch), P/N 700-00171-() loaded with
software release 9.2.5.0 or earlier release (referred to as Model R9--
12 inch), and P/N 700-00182-() loaded with software release 10.0.3.0 or
earlier release (referred to as Model IFD540). This emergency AD was
sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of all aircraft
that incorporate the above referenced Avidyne IFDs. This AD requires
incorporating an operational limitation into the Limitations section of
the airplane flight manual (AFM) or airplane flight manual supplement
(AFMS). This AD was prompted by reports of Avidyne IFDs displaying
incorrect course deviation indication information during GPS approaches
(incorrect display of lateral deviations). We are issuing this AD to
correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 1, 2015 to all persons except those
persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 2015-
10-51, issued on May 18, 2015, which contained the requirements of this
amendment.
We must receive comments on this AD by July 31, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions
for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
2191; or in person at the Docket Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for the Docket Operations Office
(phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anthony Pigott, Aerospace Engineer,
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 12 New England Executive
Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7158; fax: (781) 238-7199;
email: anthony.pigott@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

On May 18, 2015, we issued Emergency AD 2015-10-51, which requires
incorporating an operational limitation into the Limitations section of
the airplane flight manual (AFM) or airplane flight manual supplement
(AFMS). This emergency AD was sent previously to all known U.S. owners
and operators of all aircraft that incorporate Avidyne Corporation
(Avidyne) Integrated Flight Displays (IFDs) part number (P/N) 700-
00083-() loaded with software release 9.3.1.0 or earlier release
(referred to as Model R9--10 inch), P/N 700-00171-() loaded with
software release 9.2.5.0 or earlier release (referred to as Model R9--
12 inch), and P/N 700-00182-() loaded with software release 10.0.3.0 or
earlier release (referred to as Model IFD540).
This action was prompted by reports of Avidyne IFDs displaying
incorrect course deviation indication information during GPS approaches
(incorrect display of lateral deviations). This condition occurs when
the airplane is flying in certain approaches, the leg to the Final
Approach Fix (FAF) is active, and the leg to the FAF is not aligned
with the final approach course (i.e., an angled entry to the FAF). The
software of the Avidyne IFDs as referenced above will produce lateral
deviations to the final approach course as soon as the leg to the FAF
becomes active. Therefore, when the leg does not align with the final
approach course, the course deviation indicator (CDI) will show a
deviation when, in fact, the aircraft is on the proper course for the
active leg. This could result in the pilot making flight decisions that
put the aircraft in unsafe flight conditions, flying into airspace that
was, by the GPS approach design, to be avoided (terrain, obstacle,
traffic, restricted).

FAA's Determination

We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

This AD requires incorporating an operational limitation into the
Limitations section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) or airplane
flight manual supplement (AFMS). The operational limitation will
contain the following:
Flying a full procedure (non Vector-to-Final) GPS
approach, with a course change at the Final Approach Fix (FAF), is
prohibited.''
``Flying a GPS approach, with a Direct-To or with an Omni-
Bearing Selector (OBS) leg to the FAF, is prohibited.''

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because of
the Avidyne IFDs displaying incorrect course deviation indication
information during GPS approaches (incorrect display of lateral
deviations), which could result in the pilot making flight decisions
that put the aircraft in unsafe flight conditions, flying into airspace
that was, by the GPS approach design, to be avoided (terrain, obstacle,
traffic, restricted). Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity
for prior public comment are impracticable and that good cause exists
for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include Docket Number FAA-2015-2191 and
Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-015-AD at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 324 products installed on
airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, section 44701: ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S. C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):