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Division 5 - Vehicle Technical Information

5000. The vehicle manufacturer shall be responsible for providing technical manuals containing adequate information to enable the vehicle to be operated and maintained safely. Where necessary, such information shall be supplemented by additional information provided by manufacturers of machinery, equipment or components installed in the vehicle.

5001. Information shall be provided in a form that separately presents an operating manual, a maintenance manual, and a servicing schedule. Drafts of all information shall be submitted to the safety certification authority for approval. Mandatory information relating to limitations and restrictions, and to emergency procedures, as required in following sections, shall be specifically approved; approval of other information will be based upon accuracy, clarity and depth of content.

5002. Approval of technical manuals is an integral part of the vehicle certification process, and is an essential pre-requisite to the certification of vehicles for other than prototype testing or vehicle development purposes.

5003. Technical Manuals shall relate to a specified standard and configuration of the vehicle, but shall also provide for the addition of supplementary information pertaining to optional equipments or vehicle configurations which may be incorporated to meet individual customer or vehicle role requirements.

5004. Not less than two copies of a vehicle's technical manuals, when approved, shall be provided to the safety certification authority, and not less than one copy shall be delivered with each vehicle.

5005. The manufacturer shall establish an effective procedure to ensure that technical manuals are amended as required by changes or modifications to the vehicle. Such amendments shall be subject to the requirements of this standard.

5010. Operating Manual.

The Operating Manual shall contain pictorial and descriptive information pertaining to the vehicle and it's systems in sufficient detail that crew members may become fully conversant with the layout, operation and management of the vehicle and it's systems.

5011. The Operating Manual shall include instruction for preparing and inspecting the vehicle prior to operating, and for inspection upon completion of operations. Specific sequential instruction shall be provided relating to starting and shutting down of all machinery and of management of electrical power generation and distribution equipment. Appropriate instruction shall also be provided to ensure the safe operation and management of all other systems and equipment installed.

5012. The Operating Manual shall include the leading particulars of the vehicle, and the name of the manufacturer, and identification, of all major machinery components. Capacities of all replenishible systems shall be provided, together with specifications of replenishibles to be used.

5013. The Operating Manual shall contain instruction sufficient to enable the crew to calculate passenger and cargo distribution and to manage any systems provided for the purpose, to ensure that the vehicle c.g. position limitations are complied with.

5014. The Operating Manual shall contain a prominently displayed statement to the effect that:-

"Safety Certification of the ........ type of Air Cushion Vehicle is granted on condition that vehicles of this type will not be intentionally operated such that any limitations contained in this Manual are exceeded, other than at the discretion of the vehicle Commander to safeguard the vehicle and it's complement in emergency situations. Any operation in which these limitations are exceeded is a violation of the conditions upon which Safety Certification was granted, and may render invalid any Inspection Certificate issued in respect of the particular vehicle."

5015. Specific instruction shall be provided, including such precautions as may be necessary, relating to anchoring, securing, towing, and being towed.

5016. The Operating Manual shall include all relevant information required, instructing the crew member manoeuvring the vehicle, in handling and manoeuvring characteristics of the vehicle in both the hull-borne and cushion-borne modes, such that the vehicle may be safely operated within limitations imposed. Specific reference should be made to any effects upon handling, control or control effectiveness caused by relative wind velocity, waves, surface irregularities, and transitions, together with any precautionary or recommended information necessary to maintain safety.

5017. Safety instructions shall be provided for all crew members related to their duties for ensuring the safety of passengers and cargo.

5020. Operating Manual - Mandatory Approved Information.

Information as required in the following Sections 5021 - 5041 shall be specifically approved, and shall be clearly and separately identified under appropriate headings in the Operating Manual.

5021. Operating Limitations.

Information shall be provided relating to any limitations or restrictions established during safety certification trials or resulting from designer's or manufacturer's recommendations for the following:-

1. Any maximum speed restriction relative to the surface, for any surface over which the vehicle is capable of operating;
   
   
2. Maximum permissible hydrodynamic yaw angle at various vehicle speeds of entry into the yaw manoeuvre;
   
   
3. The maximum wind speeds at which the vehicle is permitted to operate;
   
   
4. Any ambient temperature restrictions, with particular reference to the possibility of icing;
   
   
5. The maximum significant wave height, and any critical wave length limitation, in which the vehicle is permitted to operate;
   
   
6. Any speed or attitude restriction to be complied with during transition manoeuvres between solid and liquid surfaces (amphibious vehicles);
   
   
7. Any speed or attitude restriction to be complied with when operating any directional control device;
   
   
8. Maximum permissible over-water speed at which the vehicle may be towed in both hull-borne and cushion-borne modes;
   
   
9. Any limitations to be complied with when the vehicle is being used to tow other vessels;
   
   
10. Minimum water depth in which the vehicle is permitted to operate (non-amphibians);
    
    
11. Any additional restrictions to be complied with when operating over irregular solid surfaces (amphibians);
    
    
12. Any additional restrictions to be complied with when operating at night or in reduced visibility.

5022. Loading Information.

The following information shall be provided:-

1. The maximum permissible weight at which the vehicle is permitted to operate, including any restrictions to be complied with when operating in waves or over irregular solid surfaces;
   
   
2. Limits of c.g. position within which the vehicle is permitted to be loaded for safe operation, including any restrictions to be complied with, should the limits be dependent upon environmental or surface conditions;
   
   
3. Any structural limitations or restrictions pertaining to cargo loading, distribution or securing.

5023. Endurance.

Information shall be provided to enable the vehicle commander to calculate the maximum endurance of the vehicle, taking into consideration the fuel consumption of the main engines at various power settings, and the operation of any other machinery using the same fuel.

5024. Crewing.

The minimum number of crew with which the vehicle may be safely operated shall be stated, taking into due consideration the requirements of any emergency situation and of the service upon which the vehicle may be engaged.

5025. Machinery and System Limitations.

Any limiting values of parameters, or conditions, requiring compliance for the safe operation of any machinery or system shall be stated.

5026. Vehicle Lifting.

Any restriction upon the weight of the vehicle, or of the position of c.g., and any limitations relating to wind velocity, surface gradient or rate of lifting, to be complied with when lifting, slinging or jacking the vehicle, shall be stated. This statement shall also make reference to the procedures to be observed when lifting the vehicle, which should be contained in maintenance manual.

5030. Mandatory Approved Information - Warnings and Precautions.

The Operating Manual shall include a clearly identified section providing information on all precautionary warning devices with which the vehicle is equipped, and on fault conditions requiring discretionary action.

5031. The information shall include the condition causing the warning to activate and the reason for taking action, and details of the remedial action(s) or restrictions to be complied with to maintain vehicle and personnel safety. Subsequent actions to be taken, including any restrictions to be complied with, in the event of failure of the remedial action to correct the condition shall be stated.

5032. Information shall also be provided detailing the remedial actions, and any subsequent restrictions or limitations imposed as a result of remedial action, in the event of:-

1. The value of any monitored parameter which is subject to limitations exceeding, or trending without apparent cause to exceed, those limitations;
   
   
2. Single faults or failures of any system component which affects vehicle or personal safety.

5033. The information shall clearly indicate whether or not the remedial action is discretionary or mandatory in respect of compliance with the vehicle safety certification.

5040. Mandatory Approved Information - Emergencies.

The Operating Manual shall include a clearly identified section providing information on the mandatory warnings provided and actions to be taken in the event of:-

1. Fire, or the activation of a fire detection system;
   
   
2. Collision, or rupture of a buoyancy space;
   
   
3. Failure of primary directional control system;
   
   
4. Failure rendering one main propulsion plant inoperable;
   
   
5. Failure rendering one main lift system inoperable;
   
   
6. Failure of one main electrical power generator;
   
   
7. Evacuation into survival craft carried by the vehicle; h) Any other failure or event requiring immediate and mandatory action to prevent the vehicle or complement being put in danger.

5041. Such information shall be clearly, concisely and sequentially provided in sufficient detail that, when followed, all provision has been made to maintain safety of the vehicle and it's complement, and safe conditions have been restored. The information shall address the duties of such crew members as may be required to respond to the emergency.

5050. Maintenance Manual

The vehicle manufacturer shall provide a maintenance manual containing descriptive, illustrative and instructional information relating to the maintenance, repair, adjustments, inspections and component replacements as may be necessary to ensure that the vehicle is capable of being operated safely in compliance with safety certification limitations and requirements.

This manual should contain, or be supplemented by, information provided by component manufacturers.

5051. The maintenance manual shall include leading particulars of the vehicle and of all machinery components and major equipments, together with the capacities of all replenishible systems and specifications of replenishibles to be used.

5052. The vehicle rigid and flexible structures shall be described and illustrated sufficiently that permissible repairs or adjustments may be carried out. Specifications of any materials to be used for repairs, procedures or standards to be adopted for repairs shall be provided, and any limits on repairs or permissible wear of structural components shall be stated.

5053. The installation of all main machinery components and associated services shall be described in sufficient detail to enable such maintenance, adjustment or replacement operations to be performed as may be necessary to ensure safety of operation within permissible limitations. Any special materials, tools or procedures required to perform the maintenance operations shall be specified, together with information of any wear limitations to be observed and special instructions relating to any testing of components or systems upon completion of replacement.

5054. Instruction shall be provided relating to any limitations of vibration resulting from imbalance of rotating machinery, measurement of vibration, and procedures to be followed to correct unacceptable imbalance.

5055. Each system installed in the vehicle shall be described in sufficient detail that all components may be maintained, adjusted or replaced to ensure safety of operation within permissible limitations, and that the cause of any malfunction may be readily diagnosed and corrected. Where special tools, materials or procedures are necessary to carry out required operations, they shall be stated.

5056. Descriptive information provided shall include specifications and identifications, with sizes, values or ratings where appropriate, of all components, materials and special tools necessary to perform any maintenance, adjustment or replacement operation described.

5057. Where any maintenance, adjustment or replacement operation requires any subsequent testing or calibration to establish correct functioning, the test procedure shall be described, stating the permissible limits of any parameters that are to be observed.

5058. Where appropriate, any precautions to be observed during maintenance, adjustment or replacement operations shall be stated.

5059. The maintenance manual shall include the recommended procedure for lifting, slinging or jacking the vehicle, including any limitations of vehicle weight and c.g. position to be observed, and any precautions to be taken.

5060. Special procedures, and any equipment required, necessary for weighing the vehicle and establishing the longitudinal c.g. position shall be described, together with a typical weight and c.g. position calculation. Sufficient information shall be provided relating to the weight and c.g. positions of vehicle components and removable equipment to enable basic datum calculations to be made.

5061. Information shall be provided relating to any special procedures relating to vehicle securing or picketing, securing or rotating machinery and protection from the environment when out of service. Where such procedures may depend upon the period for which the vehicle is out of service, each procedure shall be described.

5062. Where vehicle design and construction provides for disassembly of the structure for transportation, the procedure for disassembly and re-assembly shall be described, including the identification and use of any special tools or equipment, and precautions to be observed to prevent damage during transportation.

5080. Servicing Schedule.

The vehicle manufacturer shall provide a schedule describing all periodic checks, inspections, adjustments and replacements to be performed as necessary to ensure that the vehicle is capable of being operated safely in compliance with safety certification limitations and requirements. Any scheduled operations required to be performed on machinery, components or equipment shall comply with any recommendation made by the machinery, component or equipment manufacturer, taking into consideration any special or adverse features of the installation in the vehicle.

5081. Unless otherwise agreed by the vehicle certification authority, the servicing schedule shall comprise a series of checks and inspections progressively increasing in depth with vehicle utilization. Notwithstanding this, any components or equipment subject to calendar life or inspection in order to maintain their safe and effective functioning shall be scheduled separately in accordance with established calendar periods. Such components and equipment shall be clearly and separately tabulated showing their calender periods of inspection.

5082. The periodicity of servicing checks required shall be approved by the safety certification authority.

5083. Each servicing operation shall be described in sufficient detail to determine it's objective, provide any necessary instruction to perform the operation, including the specifications and application of any lubricants, greases, fluids or protective treatments or cleaning agents to be used, and information regarding adjustments which may be required.

5084. Any precautions to be observed during servicing operations in order to safeguard personnel or the vehicle shall be stated.

5085. Where a servicing operation involves the use of special tools or equipment, or adjustment to pre-determined values, instructions shall be provided.

5086. The servicing schedule shall contain information on the capacities of all tanks, reservoirs and pressure vessels liable to require periodic replenishment, and the specification of replenishibles to be used.

5087. The use of visual aids such as lubrication diagrams is to be encouraged.

5088. The servicing schedule shall contain clear definitions of the scope of operations to be performed when using terms such as "check", "inspect", "adjust", etc.

5089. The layout and format of the servicing schedule shall provide the information and instruction in such a manner that the possibility of error or omission is minimised.

5090. The servicing schedule shall, in addition to the periodic and calendar operations required, provide instruction on any additions or modifications to the schedule necessary as a result of a change in operational role or operating conditions.

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