COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172 and 175 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 170/44 Limited Elevator Movement - Placard 9/81
Applicability: All model 172 RG with S/Nos 172 RG 0001 to 172 RG 0769.
Requirement: 1. Install a locally manufactured placard in clear view of the pilot, using letters at least 2.4 mm (3/32 inch) high, which reads:
“ELEVATOR MOVEMENT MAY BE LIMITED WHEN RIGHT RUDDER IS APPLIED IF THIS CONDITION IS ENCOUNTERED, CENTER THE RUDDER PEDALS, LAND AS SOON AS PRACTICAL AND COMPLY WITH AD/CESSNA 170/45 PRIOR TO FURTHER FLIGHT.”
2. Remove placard after compliance with AD/CESSNA 170/45.
Note: FAA AD 81-14-06 Amdt 39-4158 and Cessna Single Engine Service Letter SE80-99 Rev 1 refer to this subject.
Compliance: Before further flight.
Background: In-service failure of the jack screw shaft of the rudder trim/nose gear steering bungee could limit elevator control system movement and for safety, the aircraft should land as soon as practicable after the pilot experiences elevator control limited movement.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, was introduced to ensure the safety and regulation of civil aviation in Australia. A specific aspect of this legislation, detailed in Part 39 - 105, pertains to Airworthiness Directives, which are mandatory orders issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address safety issues within the aviation industry. The directive AD/CESSNA 170/44, applicable to certain Cessna 172 RG models, was introduced to tackle the problem of limited elevator movement that can occur due to the failure of the jack screw shaft of the rudder trim/nose gear steering bungee. This directive mandates the installation of a placard to inform pilots of the potential issue and advises them to land as soon as practical and follow further compliance directives to ensure flight safety. The policy objective of these regulations is to maintain and enhance aviation safety by addressing specific mechanical issues that could potentially compromise the control and safety of aircraft in operation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, applies to all model 172 RG Cessna 172, F172, FR172 and 175 Series Aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 172 RG 0001 to 172 RG 0769. This regulation is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and pertains to ensuring the airworthiness of the specified aircraft models. The requirement outlined in the regulation mandates that a locally manufactured placard must be installed in a location clearly visible to the pilot, using letters at least 2.4 mm (3/32 inch) high, to inform the pilot of potential limited elevator movement when right rudder is applied. The placard must display the specified warning message and should be removed once compliance with AD/CESSNA 170/45 is achieved. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this regulation is Commonwealth-wide, ensuring uniformity in safety standards across Australia. Compliance with this directive is critical before further flight, with references to relevant FAA and Cessna documents provided for additional context and guidance.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, Section 105, includes Airworthiness Directives (AD) aimed at maintaining the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. One such AD, AD/CESSNA 170/44, pertains to the Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172, and 175 series aeroplanes. It applies to all model 172 RG aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 172 RG 0001 to 172 RG 0769. The directive requires the installation of a specific placard in clear view of the pilot. The placard must be locally manufactured, with letters at least 2.4 mm (3/32 inch) high, and must display the message: “ELEVATOR MOVEMENT MAY BE LIMITED WHEN RIGHT RUDDER IS APPLIED IF THIS CONDITION IS ENCOUNTERED, CENTER THE RUDDER PEDALS, LAND AS SOON AS PRACTICAL AND COMPLY WITH AD/CESSNA 170/45 PRIOR TO FURTHER FLIGHT.” This placard is to be removed only after compliance with AD/CESSNA 170/45.
Under this legislation, the obligations for the aircraft operators and owners are clear. They must ensure that the specified placard is installed in the designated aircraft models within the serial number range. This involves procuring the placard from a local manufacturer, ensuring the lettering is of the correct size, and installing it in a position where it is clearly visible to the pilot. Operators must also adhere to the guidance provided in AD/CESSNA 170/45, which presumably involves further maintenance or inspection steps to ensure the aircraft’s airworthiness. Once these steps are completed, the placard must be removed.
Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/CESSNA 170/44 can lead to serious consequences. While the regulations do not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, failure to adhere to Airworthiness Directives can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to grounding of the aircraft. This would prevent the aircraft from being operated commercially, potentially leading to significant financial and operational repercussions for the operator. Additionally, non-compliance could potentially lead to civil or criminal liability under other sections of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, depending on the circumstances and the impact of the non-compliance on aviation safety.