Some 10,000 Approach Procedures Again Approved For Navigation

The FAA has reinstated approximately 10,000 approach procedures in the database for the Rockwell Collins Flight Management Systems (FMS) Pro Line 4 and Pro Line 21 devices. The Safety Alert For Operators (SAFO) also provides awareness to flightcrews of the new Rockwell Collins Temperature Compensation Limitations.

The approach procedures were reinstated in the 12/14/2017 navigation database update.

According to the SAFO, during flight inspection, an operator observed the FMS map displaying an incorrect turn for the CYXJ (Fort St John) ILS Runway 29 missed approach while using temperature compensation (aircraft CRJ-200 with Pro Line 4 FMS 4.2). The operator assumed this was only with the map display and reported this issue to Rockwell Collins. Rockwell Collins determined that if the crew manually edits or temperature-compensates a “Climb to” altitude, the FMS removes the database turn direction (if any) on the following leg if the leg is Course-to-Fix or Direct-to-Fix. After sequencing the “Climb to” leg, the FMS will turn in the wrong direction if the required turn direction is not the most direct. This can occur in departures and missed approaches.  

The FAA is working with Rockwell Collins to resolve this issue. Rockwell Collins has released an OPS Bulletin (Rockwell Collins OPSB 0166-17R4) to mitigate the issue. The condition occurs in FMS versions 3.3 through FMS 4.2. The affected part numbers are identified in the SAFO linked below. For assistance in finding the FMS version installed on your aircraft, see Rockwell Collins Service Information Letter (SIL) 523-0824752 (Flight Management System Version [FMS] Matrix).

The FAA recommends that operators should familiarize themselves with the information in this SAFO, as well as OPSB 0166-17R4, which provides guidance for flight crews to operate Rockwell Collins systems or products. Flight crews should be aware of the new Rockwell Collins-imposed limitations as well as the recommendations identified in OPSB 0166-17R4.

(Image from file)

FMI: SAFO