EASA SIB SW-18-19: Aspen EFD1000 Primary Flight Display - Navigation, Attitude, and Direction Data System

What to do

Operators of aircraft equipped with the Aspen EFD1000 display should exercise caution when using electrical equipment that draws high current, particularly during night or instrument flight conditions. They should cross-reference other flight instruments to verify heading and attitude information. Additionally, any similar incidents or reports of misleading indications should be communicated to the FAA contacts provided in the bulletin. No compliance deadlines are specified.

Summary

The Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin SAIB: SW-18-19 is an FAA informational bulletin addressing a potential airworthiness concern with the Aspen EFD1000 Primary Flight Display installed under STC SA10822SC. It specifically affects aircraft such as the Air Tractor AT-802A equipped with this display system, highlighting possible misleading heading and attitude indications when certain high-current electrical equipment is activated. The bulletin does not mandate corrective action but informs operators of the issue and ongoing investigation.

What changed

This bulletin introduces awareness of electromagnetic interference affecting the Aspen EFD1000 Primary Flight Display, causing heading and attitude display errors when high electrical loads are activated. It reports repeatable interference events observed during ground testing and notifies operators of the potential for misleading flight instrument indications. No airworthiness directive or mandatory corrective action is issued at this time.

Why it matters

This information is critical for aviation professionals because misleading flight display indications can compromise situational awareness, especially during night operations or instrument flight conditions. Operators and maintenance personnel need to be aware of the potential for erroneous heading and attitude data to ensure safe flight operations and proper cross-checking of instruments. Understanding this issue helps in risk mitigation and maintaining compliance with safety standards.