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 47/88 Auxiliary Fuel System - Modification 5/83
Applicability: All Model 47G Series helicopters equipped with Soloy turbine conversion utilizing Chadwick C-27 auxiliary fuel systems installed per supplemental type certificate SH 139WE.
Requirement: Part 1: Install a placard readily visible to the pilot in the cabin with the following annotation.
WARNING
“USABLE AUX. FUEL LIMITED TO HALF AVAILABLE QTY. AT T/O”
Part 2: Install Chadwick C-27 FM flow monitor kit as applicable to Bell 47 Series.
Note: Soloy Conversion SL-20-660 and Rev. 1. FAA AD 82-16-12. Chadwick SB 20- 81-01 Refer.
Compliance: Part 1: Within 10 hours time in service after 10th April, 1983.
Part 2: Within 300 hours time in service or 6 months after 31st May, 1983 whichever occurs first.
Background: Tests conducted by the auxiliary fuel system manufacturer have shown that the loss of one auxiliary tank fuel pump will result in only half the usable auxiliary fuel being available in flight. When such a failure occurs no warning is provided.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serve as the foundational legislative framework governing civil aviation safety in Australia. This comprehensive set of regulations includes specific directives aimed at maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft, such as the Bell Helicopter Textron 47 (All Variants) Series Helicopters, which are subject to Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). AD/BELL 47/88 is an example of such a directive, addressing a critical safety issue identified in the auxiliary fuel system of certain Bell 47G Series helicopters. The directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of in-flight fuel system failures by mandating modifications to ensure pilots are adequately warned about potential fuel limitations. The policy objective is to enhance flight safety by preventing accidents that could arise from unexpected fuel system failures.
The AD/BELL 47/88 requires the installation of a specific placard in the cabin to warn pilots that the usable auxiliary fuel is limited to half of the available quantity at takeoff. Additionally, it mandates the installation of a Chadwick C-27 FM flow monitor kit to monitor the fuel flow. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved within specific timeframes, ensuring that the safety modifications are implemented promptly to prevent potential hazards. This directive underscores the commitment of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to proactively address safety gaps and enforce stringent safety standards in the operation of civil aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which mandate specific modifications and compliance requirements to ensure the safety of aircraft. This particular directive, AD/BELL 47/88, applies to all Model 47G Series helicopters equipped with a Soloy turbine conversion and a Chadwick C-27 auxiliary fuel system installed under the supplemental type certificate SH 139WE. The directive requires two key modifications: the installation of a warning placard visible to the pilot indicating the limitation on usable auxiliary fuel, and the installation of a Chadwick C-27 FM flow monitor kit appropriate for the Bell 47 Series. Compliance with these requirements is mandated within specified timeframes post the directive's issuance date, ensuring that all affected helicopters meet these safety standards to mitigate risks associated with the auxiliary fuel system. The directive extends to the Commonwealth of Australia and is applicable nationally, with no stated exclusions or exemptions within the scope of the regulation.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly in Part 39 - 105, includes a specific Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron 47 (All Variants) Series Helicopters, designated AD/BELL 47/88. This directive mandates modifications to the auxiliary fuel system (Section 1). The main requirement outlined in this directive is twofold: first, to install a placard in the cabin that clearly warns the pilot about the limitation on usable auxiliary fuel (Section 2), and second, to install a Chadwick C-27 FM flow monitor kit in accordance with the specific requirements of the Bell 47 Series (Section 3).
The directive imposes clear obligations on operators of Model 47G Series helicopters equipped with the Soloy turbine conversion and Chadwick C-27 auxiliary fuel systems. These obligations include the installation of the required placard within 10 hours of the helicopter being placed in service after April 10, 1983 (Section 4). Furthermore, the Chadwick C-27 FM flow monitor kit must be installed within 300 hours of time in service or by May 31, 1983, whichever comes first (Section 5). These requirements are essential to ensure the safe operation of the auxiliary fuel system and to provide adequate warning to the pilot regarding the fuel limitations.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive can result in significant consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, it is understood that non-compliance with ADs can lead to severe penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations. These penalties may include fines, enforcement actions, and potential grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. Operators are therefore required to adhere strictly to the specified timelines and installation requirements to avoid any legal or safety repercussions.