Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, are a comprehensive framework designed to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. One specific legislative instrument under this act is AD/BEECH 95/17, which was introduced to address the need for regular calibration of tachometers and manifold pressure indicators in certain Beechcraft 95 series aeroplanes. This measure was established to ensure that these vital instruments remain accurate, thus maintaining the safety and operational efficiency of the aircraft. The objective is to mandate the installation of engine limitation placards and to ensure that instrument and governor calibrations are performed at specified intervals, enhancing the reliability of flight operations. This directive is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and is integral to the overarching goal of maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to Beechcraft 95 (Travelair) Series aeroplanes, namely models 95, B95, B95A, D95A, and E95, with serial numbers ranging from TD-2 to TD-721.9/75. The regulations mandate compliance with specific actions concerning tachometer and manifold pressure indicators, including their calibration and the installation of an engine limitation placard. This directive is essential for ensuring the continued airworthiness and safety of these aircraft. The scope of the regulations extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Compliance with the Airworthiness Directive AD/BEECH 95/17 is mandatory, requiring the placard installation and instrument and governor calibration to be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1975. Subsequent instrument calibrations must occur at intervals not exceeding two years. The directive references Beechcraft Service Instructions No 0723-241 and Hartzell Propeller Service Bulletin No 107A, and aligns with the Federal Aviation Administration’s AD 75-13-02. There are no specific exclusions or exemptions mentioned within this directive, implying that all specified aircraft must adhere to the outlined requirements.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, include AD/BEECH 95/17, which pertains to the tachometer and manifold pressure indicators for Beechcraft 95 (Travelair) series aeroplanes. This directive applies to models 95, B95, B95A, D95A, and E95 with serial numbers ranging from TD-2 to TD-721.9/75 (Section 39-105). The requirement is to ensure that these aeroplanes comply with Beechcraft Service Instructions No 0723-241 or Hartzell Propeller Service Bulletin No 107A, with reference to FAA AD 75-13-02. The main operative sections of AD/BEECH 95/17 dictate that placards must be installed and both the tachometer and manifold pressure indicators must be calibrated, in accordance with the specified service instructions or bulletins. This action must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1975. Following this initial compliance, instrument calibrations must occur at intervals not exceeding two years. These requirements ensure the ongoing airworthiness and safety of the specified aircraft models. The obligations and requirements imposed by AD/BEECH 95/17 are clear and specific. Owners and operators of the affected Beechcraft 95 series aeroplanes must ensure that the installation of the engine limitation placard and the calibration of the tachometer and manifold pressure indicators are performed within the stipulated timeframe. After the initial action, these calibrations must be carried out at regular intervals, not exceeding two years, to maintain compliance with the airworthiness directive. This ongoing maintenance and calibration are critical to ensuring the continued safe operation of these aircraft. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences stated within AD/BEECH 95/17. However, failure to comply with airworthiness directives can lead to significant consequences under other sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in penalties, including fines, and may also lead to the suspension or revocation of the aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness. Such actions can have severe implications for both the operator and the safety of the flight operations.