Reminder: Upgrade your Collins GPS-4000S by May 2023

Effectivity: Global and Challenger aircraft

ATA: 34-55

By: Stephane Beauchamp - Technical Services  

Global and Challenger aircraft owners and operators are reminded to complete the inspection and replacement (as required) of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) GPS-4000S, part number (PN) 822-2189-100.  

Bombardier’s recommended service bulletins (SBs) address the installation of the later PN 822-2189-101: 

• FAA AD 2021-08-07 global positioning system (GPS) unit replacement before May 12, 2023 (applicable to EASA and Transport Canada) 

• Avoid the recurrence of the GPS remaining in acquisition mode (one week/reset) in June 2023 

• Airplane flight manual (AFM) limitation prohibiting localizer performance with vertical guidance (LPV) or required navigation performance approval required (RNP AR) approach operations in some parts of Alaska  

Note that all other GPS-4000S part numbers are not affected.  

The SB Part A inspection is a verification of the PN installed and a simple sign-off for most aircraft. 

We often see operators reporting Part A as “N/A.” It is important that you still sign off Part A as “complied with” to support the AFM effectivity guidance. This advises the flight crew of a post-SB configuration with no -100 installed. Otherwise, the AFM limitation would apply. In these cases, Part B can be registered as not applicable (N/A).  

Most importantly, if Part B GPS replacement is required, please schedule the upgrade immediately with Bombardier’s ISIT (in-service implementation team), as stated in the SB. Currently, we are not running at full capacity, so please do not wait until the last minute.  

References and details: 

• SB 700-34-7516, 700-34-5028/-6028/-5509 and -6509 
  (AW700-34-0710, AW700-34-0737 and FON AVNC-011-NC) 

• SB 604-34-069, 605-34-036 and 650-34-019  
  (AW600-34-2581, AW600-34-2588 and FON AVNC-001-NC) 

• SB 100-34-47 and 350-34-025  
  (AW300-34-0340, AW300-34-0355 NC and FON AVNC-001-NC)