CASA 990/96 Direction under subregulation 244(2) and regulation 43 (Cth)

Instrument Number: CASA 990/96

CIVIL AVIATION ACT 1988

CIVIL AVIATION REGULATIONS

DIRECTION UNDER SUBREGULATION 244 (2) AND REGULATION 43

I, FRANK RICHARD HAMILTON GRIMSHAW, a delegate of CASA:

(1)    under subregulation 244 (2) of the Civil Aviation Regulations, direct that the operator and the pilot in command of an aircraft operated by Qantas Airways Limited are not required to test the aircraft’s fuel system for the presence of water when the aircraft is operating in cold climatic conditions on condition that the requirements set out in the Schedule are met; and

(2)    under regulation 43 of the Civil Aviation Regulations, direct that the maintenance release (or an equivalent document) for an aircraft referred to in clause (1), in relation to which a test of the aircraft’s fuel system has not been carried out, must be endorsed to the effect that:

(a)     the test of the aircraft’s fuel system was not carried due to cold climatic conditions; and

(b)    a test of the aircraft’s fuel system must be undertaken either:

(i)      at the aircraft’s next landing point; or

(ii)    if a fuel drain cannot be carried out at that next landing point due to cold climatic conditions, then a fuel drain must be carried out at the immediately succeeding landing point.

In this instrument:

cold climatic conditions means extreme cold weather conditions which temporarily render an aircraft’s fuel drains inoperative.

SCHEDULE

CONDITIONS

1.      The operator and the pilot in command must comply with whichever of the following provisions of section 20.2 of the Civil Aviation Orders are applicable:

              (a)  subsections 2, 3, 4 and 6;

              (b)  paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3.

2.      This direction does not apply unless:

(a)     the fuel used is an aviation turbine grade; and

(b)    the aircraft’s fuel system was checked for the presence of water at the aircraft’s landing point immediately preceding the location where the cold climatic conditions are encountered; and

(c)    there is no evidence of a fuel drain valve leakage; and

(d)    the fuelling equipment used in the cold climatic conditions is checked for the presence of water before, during, and after each use; and

(e)    the aircraft’s fuel system is fitted with operable water scavenge ejector pumps.

3.      In cold climatic conditions which temporarily render the aircraft’s fuel drains inoperative, the operator or the pilot in command must ensure that:

(a)     the aircraft’s fuel system is tested for the presence of water at the aircraft’s next landing point; or

(b)    if a fuel drain cannot be carried out at that next landing point due to cold climatic conditions, then a fuel drain must be carried out at the immediately succeeding landing point.

4.      The operator must ensure that the provisions of this direction are included in the aircraft’s minimum equipment list as a permissible unserviceability.

[Signed F. Grimshaw]

FRANK GRIMSHAW

General Manager

Airworthiness Branch

24 September 1996