AD/A320/68 - Flight Warning Computer

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, serve to regulate the safety and operation of civil aviation within Australia. Part 39, which includes Airworthiness Directives, addresses specific safety concerns for various aircraft models, ensuring that they meet safety standards. One such directive, AD/A320/68, pertains to Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address a safety concern related to the Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitor (ECAM) procedure display when the flaps are locked in the FULL position. By requiring the installation of improved Flight Warning Computers in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-31-1080 dated 5 January 1995, the directive aims to rectify this issue and enhance flight safety. Compliance with this directive must be achieved prior to 30 November 1996, and it aligns with the overarching objective of maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the application of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. This directive applies to all A320 and A321 series aeroplanes that do not have Airbus Industrie Modification 24612 or Service Bulletin A320-31-1080 dated 5 January 1995 incorporated. The directive requires the installation of improved Flight Warning Computers to address an issue where the Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitor (ECAM) procedure display may incorrectly indicate that the flaps are locked in the FULL position. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be achieved prior to 30 November 1996. This legislative requirement ensures the safety and reliability of the aircraft's operational systems, thereby maintaining high safety standards in Australian and international civil aviation.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, provide specific directives for maintaining the airworthiness of Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes. Section AD/A320/68 pertains to the Flight Warning Computer and mandates the installation of improved Flight Warning Computers in A320 and A321 series aeroplanes that do not already have Airbus Industrie Modification 24612 or Service Bulletin A320-31-1080 dated 5 January 1995 incorporated. The requirement is to install these improved Flight Warning Computers as outlined in Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-31-1080 dated 5 January 1995. This directive is aimed at ensuring the safety and proper functioning of the Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitor (ECAM) procedure display, particularly when the flaps are locked in the FULL position. Operators of A320 and A321 series aeroplanes are required to comply with this directive by installing the improved Flight Warning Computers before 30 November 1996. This directive is cross-referenced with DGAC AD 96-079-079(B) dated 10 April 1996, which further supports the necessity and guidelines for compliance. Upon successful installation of the improved Flight Warning Computers, operators can remove the Flight Manual Temporary Revision No 9.99.99/20 dated 14 June 1994, referencing the Flight Manual Revision 23 dated 1 November 1994. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in civil or criminal consequences. The exact nature of these consequences is not specified within the provided text, but non-compliance with airworthiness directives typically results in significant penalties. These can include fines, grounding of the aircraft, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance is deemed to have caused harm or endangerment. The maximum penalties for such breaches are determined by the severity of the non-compliance and the resultant impact on aviation safety. Operators must ensure they adhere to these directives to avoid any legal repercussions and to maintain the safety standards mandated by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.