Operational Directive: Operation to and from airfields north of 65º latitude – Compass system limitations due to magnetic inclination/dip

This AIC replaces AIC-I 01/13.

This Operational Directive contains mandatory action that is required to establish an acceptable level of safety. The Directive is issued in accordance with the Aviation Act (Luftfartsloven) §4-1 and Regulation (EEC) 3922/91 art. 8.1

Recipients must ensure that this Directive is copied to all members of their staff who need to take appropriate action or who may have an interest in the information.

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1  This Operational Directive is applicable to operators conducting commercial air transport to and from airfields
       located in the Kingdom of Norway, north of 65º latitude.

2. COMPLIANCE/ACTION TO BE TAKEN

2.1  The Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority, in exercise of its powers under Aviation Act (Luftfartsloven) § 4-1, 
       directs all air operators which conduct commercial air transport operations:

       a) to airfields in Norway located north of 65º latitude,
       b) with the following aircraft/system combinations:
           - de Havilland DHC-8 with compass configuration AHRS AH-600,

       to comply with the requirements set out in paragraph 2.2.

2.2  To notify the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway prior to operations in this region, and to ensure that each
       aircraft is equipped with compass systems which adequately compensates for the effect of magnetic dip north of 
       65º latitude.

2.3  Operators of other aircraft/system combinations shall notify the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway should they 
       experience compass drift while operating in this area.

3. REASON

3.1  Several serious incidents have been recorded due to magnetic dip. An example of such can be found in 
       Air Accident Investigation Board Norway (www.sht.no) report no. 2000/34.

3.2  A detailed description of the problem as well as recommended actions can be found in AOM No 408 and 622
       issued by Bombardier Aerospace Regional Aircraft. It is however important to note that the problem is not 
       necessarily limited to Bombardier Aircraft.

3.4  More than 1100 incidents are recorded during flights north of 65º latitude and within Norwegian Airspace. 
       The most serious incidents have been involving heading errors up to 30º. 

4. NOTIFICATIONS AND QUERIES

4.1  Notifications or queries should be sent to Luftfartstilsynet, PO Box 243, N-8001 Bodø, Norway, 
       or by e-mail to postmottak@caa.no, and refer to case 12/09436.

5. REVIEW

5.1  This Operational Directive will be updated should it become evident that other aircraft/system combinations 
       are subject to compass drift caused by magnetic dip in a way that endangers operational safety.

6. ENTRY IN TO FORCE    

6.1  This Operational Directive shall enter in to force immediately after its publication, and shall remain in force 
       until it is revoked by the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway.