AD/A320/78 - Spoiler Phased Lift Dumping

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serve to ensure that civil aviation operations within the country meet necessary safety standards. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations, which pertains to Airworthiness Directives, includes the Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 Series Aeroplanes AD/A320/78. This legislative instrument was introduced to address the need for enhanced safety measures in certain Airbus models, particularly during landing conditions involving strong cross winds or contaminated runways. The objective is to mandate modifications to these aircraft to improve their handling and safety performance through the activation of the "phased lift dumping" function of the spoiler elevator computer. This directive was designed to mitigate potential risks associated with delayed activation of automatic deceleration means during critical phases of flight, thereby ensuring the highest standards of airworthiness are maintained.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates airworthiness directives for aircraft operated within Australian airspace, ensuring that these aircraft meet the necessary safety standards. One such directive, AD/A320/78, applies to Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 series aeroplanes that have not yet incorporated specific modifications or service bulletins related to the "phased lift dumping" function of the spoiler elevator computer. The directive is applicable to certain models of these aircraft, namely A320-111, A320-211, A320-212, A320-231, A320-232, A321-111, A321-112, and A321-131, unless they have already been modified in accordance with specified Airbus Industrie bulletins dated 16 January 1995, 16 May 1995, or 11 September 1995. Compliance with this airworthiness directive is required, with modifications needing to be completed before 30 September 1997, and the directive becoming effective from 30 January 1997. This regulation extends to all such aircraft operating under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that the safety measures are uniformly enforced across the country.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 (section 39), establishes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives. Among these, AD/A320/78 pertains to Airbus Industrie A319, A320, and A321 series aeroplanes, requiring modifications to ensure the safe operation of these aircraft under certain conditions. The directive applies to all model A320-111, A320-211, A320-212, A320-231, A320-232, A321-111, A321-112, and A321-131 aeroplanes unless they have already been modified according to specific Airbus Industrie modifications or service bulletins (section 2). The primary requirement of this directive is that the aeroplane must be modified in line with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletins A320-27-1088 dated 16 January 1995, Revision 1 dated 16 May 1995, or Revision 2 dated 11 September 1995 to activate the “phased lift dumping” function of the spoiler elevator computer (section 3). This modification is intended to mitigate delays in the activation of automatic deceleration means during landing, especially in strong crosswinds or on contaminated runways (section 3). The obligations imposed by this directive include ensuring that the specified modifications are carried out on the applicable aircraft before a specific deadline. Operators must ensure that the aeroplanes are compliant with the requirements outlined in the Airbus Industrie service bulletins by the compliance date, which is before 30 September 1997 (section 4). This compliance date ensures that the modifications are made in a timely manner to enhance safety during operations. The directive became effective on 30 January 1997, meaning that operators had to start considering and implementing the required modifications from this date onwards (section 5). Failure to comply with this airworthiness directive can result in severe consequences. The primary concern is the potential for safety hazards during operations, particularly in challenging landing conditions. While the regulations do not explicitly detail civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance in the text provided, it is clear that non-compliance could lead to significant safety risks, potentially resulting in accidents or incidents that could be subject to further regulatory scrutiny or legal action. Operators are advised to adhere strictly to the directive to avoid any potential safety breaches or legal repercussions.