COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Brantly B-2 Series Helicopters
AD/B-2/23 Main Rotor Blades - Inspection NK and Replacement
Applicability: All model B-2.
Requirement: 1. Inspect the inboard ends of the blades for separation between the blade skin and the foam filler. The inspection is to be made by feel and by sounding the blade skin with a large coin or similar metal object. A feeling of sponginess or a dull sound indicates presence of separation.
2. With the aid of a lens of not less than 5X power inspect the inboard end of the blade skins for cracks between the rivet heads.
3. Replace blades P/N B2-248-53 and B2-248-53A, with blades P/N B2-248-53M or B2-248-101; or
FAA AD 61-23-1.
Compliance: For Para. 1 - Before each flight. (This inspection may be performed and certified by the pilot).
For Para. 2 - At intervals not exceeding 25 hours time in service until blades P/N B2-248-53M or B2-248-101 have been fitted.
For Para. 3 - For aircraft now on Australian Register replace before further flight if separation more than 12 inches in length is present or if cracks are found around two or more rivet heads, and for new aircraft replace before the issue of C. of A.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, serve as a comprehensive framework for ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation operations within the country. One of the specific amendments under this legislative instrument is the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives concerning the Brantly B-2 Series Helicopters, as detailed in AD/B-2/23. This directive was introduced to address the specific issue of maintaining the airworthiness of the helicopter's main rotor blades. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure the structural integrity of the helicopter's main rotor blades by mandating regular inspections and necessary replacements to prevent potential safety hazards arising from blade separation or cracking. The directive outlines the necessary steps for inspecting and replacing the blades, ensuring that such maintenance activities are performed at appropriate intervals to uphold the safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all persons and entities involved in the operation of Brantly B-2 series helicopters within the Commonwealth of Australia. This includes operators, maintenance personnel, and any individual responsible for ensuring the airworthiness of these aircraft. The regulation mandates a series of inspections and potential replacements of the main rotor blades to ensure safety and compliance with Australian aviation standards. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, covering all states and territories of Australia. The regulation does not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions, implying a broad application to all Brantly B-2 series helicopters operating within the country. The requirement for inspections and replacements is detailed, with specific methods and intervals outlined to ensure the safety of these aircraft during operation. Compliance with these directives is essential for maintaining the airworthiness of the helicopters and ensuring they meet the safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s schedule of airworthiness directives, includes provisions for the inspection and replacement of main rotor blades on Brantly B-2 Series Helicopters, outlined in AD/B-2/23. The key requirement of this directive is the inspection of the inboard ends of the blades to ensure there is no separation between the blade skin and the foam filler, which can be detected by tactile examination and by sounding the blade with a metal object like a coin (section 1). Additionally, the inboard end of the blade skins must be inspected for cracks between the rivet heads using a lens of at least 5X magnification (section 2). The directive also mandates the replacement of specific blades (P/N B2-248-53 and B2-248-53A) with blades P/N B2-248-53M or B2-248-101 or comply with FAA AD 61-23-1 (section 3).
The obligations imposed by these regulations include ensuring that the inspection of the blade separation and cracks is carried out meticulously before each flight, and this task can be performed by the pilot (section 1). The inspection for cracks must be done at intervals not exceeding 25 hours of time in service until the replacement blades are installed (section 2). For aircraft currently on the Australian Register, the replacement must occur before further flight if any separation exceeding 12 inches in length is detected or if cracks are found around two or more rivet heads (section 3). For new aircraft, the replacement must occur before the Certificate of Airworthiness is issued.
Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can lead to serious consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the legislative instrument, breaches of airworthiness directives typically result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. These can include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft registration, and in severe cases, criminal charges against the operator or responsible party. The penalties for non-compliance can be substantial, reflecting the critical nature of adhering to airworthiness standards to ensure flight safety.