{"id":"F2006B06506","name":"AD/RAD/49 - Collins TPR-720 ATC Radar Beacon System/Mode S Transponders","slug":"ad-rad-49-collins-tpr-720-atc-radar-beacon-system-mode-s-transponders","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":48079,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B06506-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/RAD/49 - Collins TPR-720 ATC Radar Beacon System/Mode S Transponders","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nRadio Communication and Navigation Equipment\n\nAD/RAD/49 Collins TPR-720 ATC Radar Beacon\n\nSystem/Mode S Transponders\n\n  \n10/92\n\nApplicability: TPR-720 Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System/Mode S Transponders Part Numbers 622-7878-020 and 622-7878-120.\n\nRequirement: Either modify the transponder software in accordance with the instructions in Collins Service Bulletin 8, TPR-720-34-08 dated 19 September 1990 or alternately, modify the transponder hardware in accordance with the instructions in Collins Service Bulletin C, TPR-720-34-C dated 28 April 1992.\n\nNote: FAA AD 92-11-09 Amdt 39-8259 refers.\n\nCompliance: Prior to further flight in United States airspace after twelve calendar months from the effective date of this Directive.\n\nBackground: The FAA has received numerous reports of an inability to track aircraft, equipped with the affected transponders, in high density air traffic areas because of transponder malfunctions. Compliance with this Directive prevents this type of transponder malfunction.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive targets a remediation limited to the specified Collins TPR‑720 transponder part numbers and mandates particular service-bulletin fixes, with compliance tied to US airspace after a 12‑month period; it does not expand coverage to other equipment or add obligations beyond those specific fixes."},"complexity_factors":["Technical specificity: identifies exact transponder part numbers and two different Collins service bulletins specifying procedures","Alternative compliance paths: operators may choose software update or hardware modification, requiring different technical work","External cross-reference: refers to FAA AD 92-11-09, creating inter-jurisdictional alignment and potential coordination","Time- and airspace-specific compliance: obligation is triggered for further flight in United States airspace after a 12‑month window","Safety-critical operational consequence: addresses reported inability to track aircraft, which raises urgency and verification needs"],"plain_english_summary":"This airworthiness directive requires operators of Collins TPR‑720 Mode S transponders (part numbers 622‑7878‑020 and 622‑7878‑120) to modify either the transponder software per Collins Service Bulletin 8 (TPR‑720‑34‑08) or the hardware per Service Bulletin C (TPR‑720‑34‑C). The modification must be completed before further flight in United States airspace after 12 calendar months from the directive’s effective date to prevent reported loss of radar tracking; operators bear the cost and choose the method."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted safety directive addressing a specific equipment malfunction. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating a fix for faulty transponders."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 200 words)","Only 2 specific part numbers affected","Simple binary compliance path (software OR hardware modification)","Single clear deadline (12 months)","No defined terms section, no cross-references to other legislation beyond a note about the related FAA directive","No conditional exceptions or nested logic"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive mandates that operators of aircraft fitted with Collins TPR-720 transponders (P/Ns 622-7878-020/120) correct a known software/hardware defect—either by the Collins software update or the hardware modification—because failures in busy airspace can make aircraft invisible to ATC. Affected operators must comply within 12 months and before flying into United States airspace."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-rad-49-collins-tpr-720-atc-radar-beacon-system-mode-s-transponders","history":"/api/acts/ad-rad-49-collins-tpr-720-atc-radar-beacon-system-mode-s-transponders/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-rad-49-collins-tpr-720-atc-radar-beacon-system-mode-s-transponders/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-rad-49-collins-tpr-720-atc-radar-beacon-system-mode-s-transponders/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-rad-49-collins-tpr-720-atc-radar-beacon-system-mode-s-transponders/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-rad-49-collins-tpr-720-atc-radar-beacon-system-mode-s-transponders/documents"}}