DOC AIRBUS | AMM A320FInspection of the ATC antenna
TASK 34-52-11-750-801-A
Inspection of the ATC antenna
To define the acceptability criteria of the damages on the ATC antennas due to environmental exposure.
2. Job Set-up Information
A. Fixtures, Tools, Test and Support Equipment
B. Work Zones and Access Panels
C. Referenced Information
3. Job Set-up
Subtask 34-52-11-860-055-B ** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL
Subtask 34-52-11-210-050-A
Subtask 34-52-11-410-052-B
[Rev.10 from 2021]
2026.04.02 06:23:32 UTC
Inspection of the ATC antenna
ZONE: 127
ZONE: 128
ZONE: 233
ZONE: 234
FIN: 7SH1
FIN: 7SH2 ** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL
FIN: 7SH3
FIN: 7SH4 ** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL
1. Reason for the JobZONE: 128
ZONE: 233
ZONE: 234
FIN: 7SH1
FIN: 7SH2 ** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL
FIN: 7SH3
FIN: 7SH4 ** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL
To define the acceptability criteria of the damages on the ATC antennas due to environmental exposure.
2. Job Set-up Information
A. Fixtures, Tools, Test and Support Equipment
| REFERENCE | QTY | DESIGNATION |
|---|---|---|
| 98L12003001000 | AR | HARNESS,SAFETY |
| FOR [7SH3] (ANTENNA-ATC TOP, 1) | ||
| No specific | AR | ACCESS PLATFORM 6M (20 FT) |
| FOR [7SH3] (ANTENNA-ATC TOP, 1) | ||
| FOR [7SH4] (ANTENNA-ATC TOP, 2) | ||
| No specific | AR | ACCESS PLATFORM 6M (20 FT) |
| ZONE/ACCESS | ZONE DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| 127 | REAR AVIONIC COMPARTMENT |
| 128 | REAR AVIONIC COMPARTMENT |
| 233 | FWD PASSENGER COMPT OVERHEAD COMPARTMENT |
| 234 | FWD PASSENGER COMPT OVERHEAD COMPARTMENT |
| REFERENCE | DESIGNATION |
|---|---|
| TASK 34-52-00-710-003-A | Operational Test of the ATC |
| TASK 34-52-11-000-001-A | Removal of the ATC Antenna |
| TASK 34-52-11-400-001-A | Installation of the ATC Antenna |
LIGHT EROSIONSubtask 34-52-11-860-055-B ** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL
A. Aircraft Maintenance Configuration
Find the ATC bottom antenna 1 7SH1 at zone 127 or ATC bottom antenna 2 7SH2 at zone 128.
(2) FOR [7SH3] (ANTENNA-ATC TOP, 1), [7SH4] (ANTENNA-ATC TOP, 2)
Make sure that the ACCESS PLATFORM 6M (20 FT) is in position at zone 234 (ATC top antenna 1 7SH3) or at zone 233 (ATC top antenna 2 7SH4).
(3) Put on a safety harness:
Subtask 34-52-11-860-055-D ** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL WARNING:
BEFORE YOU START WORK, YOU MUST PUT ON A SAFETY HARNESS AND ATTACH IT TO THE ACCESS PLATFORM. WITHOUT A SAFETY HARNESS, YOU CAN FALL. THIS CAN KILL YOU OR CAUSE YOU INJURY.
(1) FOR [7SH1] (ANTENNA-ATC BOTTOM, 1), [7SH2] (ANTENNA-ATC BOTTOM, 2)Find the ATC bottom antenna 1 7SH1 at zone 127 or ATC bottom antenna 2 7SH2 at zone 128.
(2) FOR [7SH3] (ANTENNA-ATC TOP, 1), [7SH4] (ANTENNA-ATC TOP, 2)
Make sure that the ACCESS PLATFORM 6M (20 FT) is in position at zone 234 (ATC top antenna 1 7SH3) or at zone 233 (ATC top antenna 2 7SH4).
(3) Put on a safety harness:
- Put on and attach a 98L12003001000 HARNESS,SAFETY before you start work in the work area.
A. Aircraft Maintenance Configuration
Find Air Traffic Control (ATC) antenna 7SH1 at zone 127.
(2) FOR [7SH3] (ANTENNA-ATC TOP, 1)
Make sure that the ACCESS PLATFORM 6M (20 FT) is in position at zone 234.
(3) Put on a safety harness:
4. ProcedureWARNING:
BEFORE YOU START WORK, YOU MUST PUT ON A SAFETY HARNESS AND ATTACH IT TO THE ACCESS PLATFORM. WITHOUT A SAFETY HARNESS, YOU CAN FALL. THIS CAN KILL YOU OR CAUSE YOU INJURY.
(1) FOR [7SH1] (ANTENNA-ATC BOTTOM, 1)Find Air Traffic Control (ATC) antenna 7SH1 at zone 127.
(2) FOR [7SH3] (ANTENNA-ATC TOP, 1)
Make sure that the ACCESS PLATFORM 6M (20 FT) is in position at zone 234.
(3) Put on a safety harness:
- Put on and attach a 98L12003001000 HARNESS,SAFETY before you start work in the work area.
Subtask 34-52-11-210-050-A
A. Definition of the different damages
(1) There are 3 categories of damages.
The antenna is affected by a light impact or superficial corrosion that can compromise its structural integrity. This kind of damage can be detected through a visual inspection because it is associated to debris or pebble impacts or corroded areas:
Erosion is the wear process whereby the antenna gradually loses the paint layers. Erosion can be mechanical, due to the friction of the antenna with air, dust and fine particles that lead to paint wear and, if no correction is applied, even to the structure wear with detrimental effects. Erosion can also be chemical due to reactions that may attack the paint. If it is not solved it may lead to corrosion once all the paint layers are worn and the metallic elements are exposed. Two degrees of erosion can be defined:
Subtask 34-52-11-200-050-A (1) There are 3 categories of damages.
- Critical Damage
- Deep Erosion
- Light Erosion
The antenna is affected by a light impact or superficial corrosion that can compromise its structural integrity. This kind of damage can be detected through a visual inspection because it is associated to debris or pebble impacts or corroded areas:
- In case of debris or pebble impact (mechanical aggression): this damage is generated by an isolated event that occurs between the (n-1)th and the nth inspections of the antenna so its trace is detected during the nth inspection while nothing was reported in the (n-1)th. The most typical traces detected are:
-an area with detached paint (finish or primer layers) with well-defined edges
-a dent, deformation or cracked area
If the 1st inspection (n=1) of impacts is done on a non-new antenna, there is no reference of (n-1)th inspection. In this case, if an area is suspected to be affected by a debris or pebble impact, it shall be considered as critical damage.
The debris or pebble impact must not be confused with collisions – with a land vehicle or big object. Collisions generate directly a detrimental damage of the antenna and requires its immediate replacement before a new flight.
Erosion is the wear process whereby the antenna gradually loses the paint layers. Erosion can be mechanical, due to the friction of the antenna with air, dust and fine particles that lead to paint wear and, if no correction is applied, even to the structure wear with detrimental effects. Erosion can also be chemical due to reactions that may attack the paint. If it is not solved it may lead to corrosion once all the paint layers are worn and the metallic elements are exposed. Two degrees of erosion can be defined:
B. Detailed inspection of the ATC antenna
Subtask 34-52-11-750-050-A C. Deferral rules
This table provides the deferral rules:
During the grace period, the antennas must be inspected before any Flight Cycle to verify if the degree of damage remains the same.
If a quick degradation of the damage is detected, a new evaluation of its criticality must be performed following the criteria of chapter §4.A and taking into account the beginning of the initial grace period. This means that the number of FC or days counted since the first damage detection shall not be reset and the grace period of the new type of damage shall be applied.
Subtask 34-52-11-710-052-A This table provides the deferral rules:
| Type of damage | Grace period |
| Critical damage | Antenna to be replaced before 1 day |
| Deep erosion | Antenna to be replaced before 50 FC or 10 days (whichever occurs first) |
| Light erosion | Antenna to be replaced before 100 FC or 20 days (whichever occurs first) |
If a quick degradation of the damage is detected, a new evaluation of its criticality must be performed following the criteria of chapter §4.A and taking into account the beginning of the initial grace period. This means that the number of FC or days counted since the first damage detection shall not be reset and the grace period of the new type of damage shall be applied.
D. Operational Test
The operational test of the system associated to the antenna must be correct in accordance with the corresponding task instruction in the following cases. (Ref. AMM TASK 34-52-00-710-003)
Subtask 34-52-11-960-050-A The operational test of the system associated to the antenna must be correct in accordance with the corresponding task instruction in the following cases. (Ref. AMM TASK 34-52-00-710-003)
- At the beginning of the grace period, when the environmental damage is detected for the first time, before the first dispatch allowance.
- During the grace period, if a quick degradation of the damage is detected and the type of damage evolves to a more critical one based on the criteria of chapter §4.A and following the rules defined in §4.C before the next dispatch allowance.
E. Replacement of the antenna
At the end of the grace period, replace the antenna. (Ref. AMM TASK 34-52-11-000-001) (Ref. AMM TASK 34-52-11-400-001)
5. Close-upAt the end of the grace period, replace the antenna. (Ref. AMM TASK 34-52-11-000-001) (Ref. AMM TASK 34-52-11-400-001)
Subtask 34-52-11-410-052-B
A. Aircraft Maintenance Configuration
(1) Remove the access platform(s).
(1) Remove the access platform(s).