Hawker 800: DRVSM Risk Abatement

March 2010

DRVSM (Domestic Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums) forever changed the way that our industry approached altimetry and flight guidance systems. Hawker 800 series aircraft equipped with SPZ-8000 were required to designate an RVSM critical zone forward of the static ports. This included the nose avionics bay doors. With the aircraft’s flight guidance computers and symbol generators residing behind them, these doors are routinely removed for troubleshooting avionics discrepancies.

The nose door inspection requirements outlined in the aircraft maintenance manual increased the time estimate to replace a nose component a full 24 hours at a service center. Away from a service center, many line maintenance avionics shops do not have expertise on RVSM critical areas. This may impact tight flight schedules and require a more experienced service center technician to come to the aircraft’s location. The days of zipping a panel off, slamming a box in and hurriedly reinstalling the panel are all but gone. To operators with demanding schedules these panels have become a liability to a heavy ops tempo.

In an effort to support aircraft operators seeking to mitigate the operational risks associated with these the RVSM critical areas, Duncan Aviation has created a solution for Hawker 800 series aircraft equipped with SPZ-8000 that inverts the avionics component racks behind the nose panels to permit access to these units from within the wheel well. The result is a relatively inexpensive modification that reduces the risk to flight schedules associated with Flight Guidance Computer or Symbol Generator work. If you want more information on this modification feel free to call your airframe or avionics sales representative.

For more information about this service bulletin or other technical issues, contact your Duncan Aviation Avionics Sales.