AD/AMD 10/12 - Landing Gear Selector Solenoid Valve - Improved Ball Pushrods and Improved Decompression Slide Spool

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), as amended by F2006B02327, was enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. This legislative instrument, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), was introduced to address specific issues related to the airworthiness of Falcon 10 series aeroplanes. One of the primary objectives of this directive is to enhance the safety of these aircraft by improving the landing gear selector solenoid valve, specifically through the use of improved ball pushrods and decompression slide spools, as outlined in the associated service bulletins. This amendment aims to ensure compliance with safety standards, particularly for aircraft manufactured before 31 January 1980, thereby reducing the risk of mechanical failures and enhancing overall aviation safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/AMD 10/12, pertains to Falcon 10 Series aeroplanes. This directive applies universally to all models of the Falcon 10 Series and mandates modifications to the landing gear selector solenoid valve, incorporating improved ball pushrods and an improved decompression slide spool. The directive applies to aircraft that were manufactured before 31 January 1980 and seeks to enhance the safety and reliability of these aircraft by updating specified components. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this legislation is national, as it is governed by the Commonwealth of Australia through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this directive; all applicable aircraft must comply with the specified modifications to remain airworthy. The application of this legislation can be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring that the safety standards are consistently applied and updated as necessary.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/AMD 10/12, mandate the installation of improved ball pushrods and an improved decompression slide spool for the landing gear selector solenoid valve on all Falcon 10 series aeroplanes. This directive applies to all models of these aircraft and is governed by the documents AMD SB BA F10-0149 R1 and AMD SB BA F10-0168 R1, which detail the specific modifications required (sections 3/79 and 3/80 respectively). Compliance with these requirements must be achieved before 31 January 1980. These regulations impose several obligations on the parties involved, including aircraft operators, maintenance providers, and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Operators must ensure that their Falcon 10 series aeroplanes are modified in accordance with the specified service bulletins and engineering orders. Maintenance providers are tasked with carrying out the required modifications, ensuring that all work is performed to the standards outlined in the relevant documents. CASA, on the other hand, is responsible for overseeing compliance with these directives, including conducting inspections and audits to verify that the modifications have been properly implemented. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in AD/AMD 10/12 can result in significant legal consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance may lead to civil penalties, including fines of up to $200,000 for individuals and $1,000,000 for corporations, as well as potential criminal charges. Additionally, operators whose aircraft fail to meet these safety standards may face operational restrictions, including grounding of the affected aircraft until compliance is achieved. These stringent measures underscore the importance of adhering to the directives to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of Falcon 10 series aeroplanes.