Trial Installation of the Bendix RDR-4A Weather Radar System fitted to G-BOAA

 

CAA NOTES: G-BOAA – Trial Installation of Bendix RDR-4A Weather Radar System

 

AIRWORTHINESS APPROVAL NOTE NO: 23200 Addendum 6

 

APPLICANT: British Airways PLC

 

AIRCRAFT TYPE: Concorde Type 1 Variant 102

 

REGISTRATION NO: G-BOAA

 

CONSTRUCTOR’S NO: 100-012

 

British Airways Modification No. 34D491

 

Trial Installation of Bendix RDR-4A Weather Radar System

 

1. Introduction

 

The original British Airways modification (number 34D491) removed the RCA AVQ 30

 

Weather radar from G-BOAE and replaces it with a Bendix RDR-4A for a trial period of approximately one year.

 

The RDR-4A failed its British Airways trial and was removed.

 

Addendum 1 (raised under the same modification number) removes the RCA AVQ Weather

 

Radar from G-BOAA and replaces it with either the Bendix RDR-4A or the Bendix RDR-4B.

 

Addendum 2 has been raised to increase the time limitation until 31 October 1997.

 

Addendum 3 has been raised to increase the time limitation until 31 March 1998.

 

Addendum 4 was raised to increase the time limitation until 31st October 1998.

 

Addendum 5 has been raised to increase the time limitation until the 1st April 1999.

 

Addendum 6 has been raised to increase the time limitation until the 31st May 1999.

 

The modification covers both versions of the Bendix Weather Radar to allow the RDR-4A to be installed for comparison purposes (RDR-4A to RDR-4B) and to be used as a spare for the

 

RDR-4B.

 

The only differences between the RDR-4A and the RDR-4B consist of an increase in processing power and gain and a predictive wind shear capability, all of which are found in the

 

RDR-4B.

 

It should be noted that the predictive wind shea capability provided by the RDR-4B has been

 

disabled for this modification.

 

2. Requirement Basis

 

BCAR Section R4-6 with Appendix No. 5.

 

3. Description

 

The original modification was re-certificated with the FAA to meet the Concorde operating environmental limits and approved by the CAA under VC 371, use an adapter tray for the T/R and minor system wiring changes to replace the RCA AVQ 30A radar system presently used on the Concorde fleet.

 

Description Type Part Number Quantity

 

Transceiver Unit RTA-4B 066-50008-0202 2

 

Alternative Transceiver Unit * TRA-4A 2041217-0422

 

R/T Mount MBA-4A 2041214-0410 1

 

Indicator PPI-4B 2041222-0401

 

Alternative Indicator * PPI-4B 2041222-0403

 

Control Panel CON-4B 2041220-0406 1

 

Scanner 4-61643 1

 

Antenna Drive DAA-4A 2041444-0404 1

 

Antenna REA-4B 2041446-0401 1

 

Alternative Antenna * REA-4B 2041446-00402

 

* All alternative parts will be used to increase the spares available to British Airways.

 

There is no difference in the transceivers except for increased processing power and gain.

 

The alternative indicator provides a different colour set (brown as opposed to blue/grey) but this is grey shrouded so the effect is not noticeable to the crew.

 

The alternative antenna is a standard alternative part already used by British Airways.

 

4. Investigation

 

The original modification 34D491 was covered by BA Technical Statement Ref. EEG.2.-

 

HCW.1430/M2.14 is satisfactory and meets CAA airworthiness requirements.

 

This Addendum (modification number 34D491) is covered by BA Technical Statement Ref.

 

ESA.34.HCW.52 Issue 3.

 

5. Ground Test

 

The performance and EMI tests were satisfactory for the original modification.

 

The performance and EMI tests were also satisfactory for this Addendum.

 

6. Flight Test

 

The first scheduled flight after the original modification was satisfactory.

 

The test flight for the modification covered by this Addendum was also satisfactory.

 

7. Flight Manual

 

No change was required for the original modification, but crew operating procedures covered in instructions from FMT’s office.

 

The modification covered by this Addendum also required no changes to the Flight Manual and the crew operating instructions are covered in instructions in the Flight Manager’s Technical Office.

 

8. Master Minimum Equipment List

 

The original modification required no change to be made to the MMEL.

 

The modification covered by this Addendum also requires no change to be made to the MMEL.

 

9. Limitations and Concessions

 

The modification for this aircraft is approved from 1st November 1998 until 31st May 1999 inclusive of both dates.

 

10. Approval

 

This trial modification is approved for embodiment on this aircraft only, for the period stated in paragraph 9 above.

 

K M HALLWORTH

 

…………………………………………

 

For the Civil Aviation Authority

 

Date 30 March 1999