COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Airtractor AT-300, 400 and 500 Series Aeroplanes
AD/AT/10 Aircraft Wiring 12/89
Applicability: All Airtractor model AT 301/AT 401.
Requirement: Modify the aircraft wiring as detailed in Field Air Engineering Order 091 or to a scheme approved by the Authority.
Compliance: Prior to 31 December 1990.
Background: The aircraft wiring requires modification to comply with the FAR’s and CAO’s.
Areas of non compliance include:
- Incorrect wire gauges (master relay to bus bar; alternator to bus bar; alternator to earth; and starter motor to earth).
2. Omission of voltmeter circuit breaker.
3. Incorrect alternator circuit breaker rating (should be 70 amp).
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, form a critical part of the legal framework governing civil aviation safety in Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 within the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives addresses safety standards for various aircraft, including the Airtractor AT-300, 400, and 500 series aeroplanes. This particular legislative instrument, AD/AT/10, was introduced to address significant safety concerns related to the wiring of Airtractor aeroplanes, particularly models AT 301 and AT 401. The directive was enacted to ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) and Civil Aviation Orders (CAO), aiming to rectify issues such as incorrect wire gauges, missing voltmeter circuit breakers, and improperly rated alternator circuit breakers. The objective of this legislation is to mandate modifications to the aircraft wiring as specified in Field Air Engineering Order 091 or an equivalent scheme approved by CASA, with compliance required prior to 31 December 1990. This regulatory action is a direct response to identified safety gaps that could potentially compromise the integrity and safety of the aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, apply to all Airtractor model AT 301 and AT 401 aeroplanes within Australian airspace. This legislation mandates modifications to the aircraft wiring to ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) and Civil Aviation Orders (CAOs). The requirement involves either modifying the wiring as detailed in Field Air Engineering Order 091 or to a scheme approved by CASA. Compliance with these directives must be achieved prior to 31 December 1990. Areas of non-compliance identified in the legislation include incorrect wire gauges for connections such as the master relay to the bus bar, alternator to bus bar, alternator to earth, and starter motor to earth, the omission of the voltmeter circuit breaker, and an incorrect alternator circuit breaker rating, which should be 70 amp. The scope of the Act applies nationally across Australia, ensuring that all specified Airtractor models meet the required safety standards as stipulated by CASA.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, focusing on Airtractor AT-300, 400, and 500 Series Aeroplanes. This directive, identified as AD/AT/10, concerns aircraft wiring modifications (section 12/89). The directive applies to all Airtractor model AT 301/AT 401 aircraft and mandates that the wiring must be modified according to Field Air Engineering Order 091 or to a scheme approved by CASA. The compliance deadline for these modifications is before 31 December 1990.
The key obligations under this directive require operators to ensure that their aircraft wiring adheres to the specified modifications. This involves correcting issues such as incorrect wire gauges, specifically between the master relay and bus bar, the alternator and bus bar, the alternator and earth, and the starter motor and earth. Additionally, operators must rectify the omission of a voltmeter circuit breaker and ensure that the alternator circuit breaker rating is correctly set to 70 amps. These modifications are necessary to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) and Civil Aviation Orders (CAO).
Failure to comply with the requirements of this directive can result in significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions by CASA. Possible penalties include fines and other civil or criminal sanctions. The maximum penalties for breaches of the Civil Aviation Regulations can vary, but they are designed to ensure that safety standards are upheld and that operators maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft. The seriousness of the potential consequences underscores the importance of timely and accurate compliance with the directive.