AD/AA-5/24 - Automatic Pilot Disconnection and Recertification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, include a specific directive addressing the safety of the Gulfstream (Grumman American/American Aviation) AA-5 Series aeroplanes, particularly those fitted with an automatic pilot and incorporating service kit SK-150. This directive, AD/AA-5/24, was enacted to address the problem of altered aileron functionality and corresponding stick forces due to the installation of service kit SK-150, which necessitates the recertification of the automatic pilot. The objective is to ensure that the automatic pilot is safely disconnected during flight to prevent its use or reconnection without proper recertification, thereby maintaining the safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The directive was issued by the Commonwealth of Australia and is overseen by the Department of Transport, aiming to mitigate any risks associated with the altered aerodynamics and control systems of the affected aircraft models. The automatic pilot disconnection directive requires the automatic pilot to be deactivated in a manner that prevents its use or reconnection during flight. A placard must be installed in full view of the pilot, clearly stating "Autopilot Deactivated" in 6 mm high letters. The directive stipulates that before the automatic pilot can be reconnected and the placard removed, it must be modified or readjusted according to recertification requirements. The recertification process will require approval by the Department of Transport, with details from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) often being sufficient to obtain this approval. Compliance with these directives ensures the safety of the aircraft by addressing the necessary modifications and recertifications following the installation of service kit SK-150.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the airworthiness directives for certain Gulfstream (Grumman American/ American Aviation) AA-5 series aeroplanes. This regulation applies to specific models and serial numbers of the AA-5, AA-5A, and AA-5B series that are fitted with an automatic pilot and have incorporated service kit SK-150, as referenced in Service Bulletin No. 165. The regulation mandates that the automatic pilot must be disconnected in a manner that prevents its use or reconnection during flight, with a placard clearly displaying "Autopilot Deactivated" in full view of the pilot. Reconnection of the automatic pilot can only occur after it has been modified or readjusted according to recertification requirements, which typically involve approval by the Department of Transport. Compliance with these directives is essential at the time of the service kit's installation and again after the recertification process is completed. The regulation ensures the safe operation of these aircraft by addressing the specific modifications that require recertification of the automatic pilot due to changes in aileron stick forces.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifies the requirements for the airworthiness of Gulfstream (Grumman American/ American Aviation) AA-5 Series Aeroplanes through Airworthiness Directive AD/AA-5/24. This directive pertains specifically to models AA-5, AA-5A, and AA-5B, serial numbers ranging from AA5-0001 and subsequent, AA5A-0001 to AA5A-0884, and AA5B-0001 to AA5B-1257, all fitted with an automatic pilot and incorporating service kit SK-150 (reference Service Bulletin No. 165). The directive consists of two main parts: automatic pilot disconnection and recertification. The primary requirement, as outlined in section 1, mandates the disconnection of the automatic pilot in a manner that prevents its use or reconnection during flight. This must be accompanied by the installation of a placard, clearly visible to the pilot, stating "Autopilot Deactivated" using 6 mm high letters. The second part, detailed in section 2, stipulates that before the automatic pilot can be reconnected and the placard removed, the automatic pilot must undergo modifications or readjustments to meet recertification requirements. The recertification process typically requires approval by the Department of Transport (DoT), with details from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recertification often being sufficient for DoT approval. Compliance with these directives is essential for maintaining the airworthiness of the specified aircraft. For Part 1, compliance must be achieved at the time of installing Service Kit SK-150 (as referenced in Gulfstream's Service Bulletin No. 165). For Part 2, compliance is required once the automatic pilot recertification requirements have been met. Failure to adhere to these provisions can result in serious safety implications, as the modification of the aircraft with service kit SK-150 alters the ailerons and changes stick forces, necessitating the recertification of the automatic pilot. Breaching these requirements can lead to severe consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives can be considered a violation of safety regulations. Such violations can result in administrative penalties, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. Additionally, operating an aircraft that does not meet the specified airworthiness standards could lead to criminal charges, where penalties may include imprisonment, reflecting the gravity of ensuring that all aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to protect flight operations.