COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Bell Helicopter Textron 47 (All Variants) Series Helicopters
AD/BELL 47/68 Control Tubes 9/71
Applicability: All models fitted with Control Tubes P/N 47-150-255-1. Document: Bell SB 47-146.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service or 30 days after 29 October 1971 whichever occurs first and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 1200 hours time in service.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, play a crucial role in regulating the civil aviation industry within the country. Specifically, Part 39 of these Regulations addresses various aspects of aircraft safety, including issuing airworthiness directives to ensure that aircraft meet the necessary safety standards. One such directive, AD/BELL 47/68, was introduced to address issues related to the control tubes of Bell Helicopter Textron 47 (all variants) series helicopters. This directive was designed to ensure the integrity and functionality of the control tubes, thereby enhancing overall flight safety.
The policy objective of AD/BELL 47/68 is to mandate compliance with specific maintenance requirements for the control tubes of the affected helicopter models. The directive requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service or 30 days after 29 October 1971, whichever comes first, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 1200 hours of time in service. This regulatory approach aims to proactively identify and rectify potential safety issues related to the control tubes, thereby mitigating risks associated with aircraft operation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety directives applicable to civil aviation in Australia, including detailed requirements for the maintenance and operational standards of aircraft. In this context, the regulation AD/BELL 47/68 pertains to all Bell Helicopter Textron 47 (All Variants) Series Helicopters fitted with Control Tubes P/N 47-150-255-1, as outlined in Bell SB 47-146. The regulation mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service or 30 days after 29 October 1971, whichever comes first, and requires subsequent checks at intervals not exceeding 1200 hours of time in service. This regulation applies to all entities operating such helicopters within Australian airspace, ensuring that these aircraft meet the specified safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The regulation’s jurisdictional reach is nationwide, governed by the Commonwealth of Australia, and it extends its application through subordinate instruments to enforce adherence to the outlined safety directives.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), specifically under Part 39 - 105, include the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which governs the maintenance and airworthiness of various aircraft. In this context, AD/BELL 47/68 pertains to Bell Helicopter Textron 47 (all variants) series helicopters, focusing on the control tubes. Section 9/71 of this directive mandates that all models fitted with Control Tubes P/N 47-150-255-1 must comply with the requirements outlined in Bell SB 47-146. The directive necessitates compliance within 100 hours of time in service or within 30 days after 29 October 1971, whichever occurs first. After the initial compliance, further inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 1200 hours of time in service.
The obligations imposed by AD/BELL 47/68 require helicopter operators and maintenance personnel to ensure that the control tubes are inspected and, if necessary, replaced or repaired to meet the specifications and standards outlined in Bell SB 47-146. This involves detailed and thorough checks of the control tubes, which are critical components for the safe operation of the helicopter. Operators must maintain precise records of all inspections and any work done on the control tubes, ensuring that these records are readily available for inspection by CASA or other regulatory bodies. The directive also includes specific procedures for identifying and addressing any issues with the control tubes, ensuring that the helicopter remains airworthy.
Failure to comply with AD/BELL 47/68 can result in significant legal and safety repercussions. Under section 91 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (Cth), non-compliance with airworthiness directives can be considered an offence, potentially leading to substantial penalties. The maximum penalty for an individual who commits an offence under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 can include fines of up to $21,000 and/or imprisonment for up to two years. For corporations, the fines can be much higher, reaching up to $1,050,000. Additionally, CASA has the authority to take enforcement actions, including grounding the aircraft until the necessary compliance is achieved, which can result in operational disruptions and financial losses for the operator. Ensuring adherence to AD/BELL 47/68 is, therefore, not only a legal requirement but also a critical aspect of maintaining safe aviation practices.