COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Gulfstream (Grumman American/ American Aviation) AA-5 Series Aeroplanes
AD/AA-5/9 Rudder Control Bars - Inspection 10/85
Applicability: All models.
Requirement: To confirm that rudder control bars Part No. 601031-501 are correctly welded inspect visually as follows:
- View both rudder control bars located inside the lower forward fuselage.
2. Inspect weld joints at junction of rudder cable attach arm and rudder control bar. Each joint must have a weld bead at four locations, i.e. fore and aft bottom and fore and aft top.
3. Inspect weld joints at junction of rudder pedal tees and rudder control bar. Each joint must have a weld bead at four locations, i.e. fore and aft bottom and fore and aft top.
4. If inspection reveals missing welds, replacement or repairs to an approved scheme must be incorporated before further flight.
Compliance: Before further flight.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, address the critical need for ensuring the safety of civil aviation operations. Part 39, in particular, pertains to the safety standards that aircraft and their components must meet to be deemed airworthy. This regulatory framework is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and was introduced to fill a significant gap in maintaining consistent and rigorous safety standards across the aviation industry. The policy objective is to ensure that all aircraft in Australian airspace meet stringent safety requirements, thereby minimising the risk of accidents and enhancing overall air travel safety. By establishing detailed directives and standards, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 aim to provide clear guidelines for aircraft maintenance and operational practices, ultimately protecting the public and promoting a robust aviation safety culture.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the safety directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) concerning the airworthiness of aircraft. Within this framework, the legislation targets all models of Gulfstream (Grumman American/ American Aviation) AA-5 Series aeroplanes, mandating a specific inspection procedure for the rudder control bars to ensure safety and compliance. The directive AD/AA-5/9 stipulates a detailed visual inspection of the rudder control bars part number 601031-501, focusing on the weld joints at the junction of the rudder cable attach arm and the rudder pedal tees. Each weld joint must exhibit a weld bead at four specific locations to maintain structural integrity. Failure to comply with these inspection requirements may result in the need for replacement or repairs before any further flight operations. The regulations apply nationally across Australia and are enforced by CASA, ensuring that all entities involved in the operation of these aircraft adhere to the specified safety standards.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within PART 39 - 105, address the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This directive pertains to the Gulfstream (Grumman American/ American Aviation) AA-5 Series Aeroplanes (Section 105). The key requirement outlined in AD/AA-5/9 (Section 10/85) mandates an inspection of the rudder control bars. These bars must be visually inspected to ensure they are correctly welded. The inspection procedure requires viewing both rudder control bars located inside the lower forward fuselage (Section 10/85). Specifically, the weld joints at the junction of the rudder cable attach arm and the rudder control bar, as well as the junction of the rudder pedal tees and the rudder control bar, must be checked. Each of these joints must have a weld bead at four locations: fore and aft bottom and fore and aft top (Section 10/85).
The obligations imposed by this Act on the parties or entities it governs are straightforward but crucial for ensuring safety. Operators and owners of the Gulfstream AA-5 Series Aeroplanes must adhere to the inspection requirements specified in AD/AA-5/9. This involves conducting a thorough visual inspection of the specified rudder control bars to confirm that all weld joints are correctly made and intact. Should the inspection reveal any missing welds, the operator is required to undertake the necessary replacement or repairs in accordance with an approved scheme before the aircraft can be flown again (Section 10/85). This ensures that the aircraft remains airworthy and complies with safety standards set forth by CASA.
Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can lead to serious consequences. According to the regulations, any breach of the inspection and repair requirements can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy. Consequently, operating an aircraft that does not meet these safety standards is an offence under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The penalties for such breaches can include fines and, in severe cases, criminal charges. While the specific maximum penalties are not detailed in the legislative instrument itself, they are stipulated in the broader Civil Aviation Act and can include substantial financial penalties and imprisonment for serious breaches (Section 10/85).