AD/CESSNA 177/3 - Stabilator Slot

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to establish safety standards and regulations governing civil aviation operations within the country. Among these regulations is Part 39, which includes a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives designed to ensure the safety of aircraft and their operations. Specifically, AD/CESSNA 177/3 pertains to Cessna 177 Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the stabilator slot to address any potential safety issues related to these aircraft. This directive applies to Model 177 with serial numbers ranging from 17700001 to 17701160 and requires compliance with the specified actions outlined in the Cessna SL SE68-14 Operation 23 dated 22 April 1968, before 27 June 1968. The overall policy objective of these regulations is to maintain and enhance the safety standards of civil aviation in Australia, thereby protecting the public and ensuring the safe operation of aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, specifically address the safety directives for certain aircraft models, with the AD/CESSNA 177/3 focusing on the stabilator slot for Cessna 177 Series Aeroplanes. This regulation applies to aircraft models within the specified serial number range of 17700001 to 17701160, thereby directly impacting the operators or owners of these specific aircraft. The compliance requirement necessitates adherence to the Cessna SL SE68-14 Operation 23 dated 22 April 1968, which must be completed before 27 June 1968 to ensure continued airworthiness. The jurisdictional reach of this regulation is nationwide, reflecting the Commonwealth's role in ensuring aviation safety across Australia. The regulation does not explicitly mention any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, and its application extends as per the directives without additional modifications through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislation, specifically AD/CESSNA 177/3, pertain to the stabilator slot of Cessna 177 series aeroplanes. This section applies to models 177 with serial numbers ranging from 17700001 to 17701160 (Section 39-105). It mandates that these aircraft must be addressed in accordance with Cessna Service Letter SE68-14, Operation 23, dated 22 April 1968, which outlines specific actions to be taken regarding the stabilator slot. Compliance with these directives is required before 27 June 1968. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose several obligations on the parties and entities governed by this legislation. Owners and operators of the affected Cessna 177 series aeroplanes must ensure that the stabilator slot is addressed in line with the specified service letter. This requirement necessitates thorough inspection, maintenance, or repair of the stabilator slot to meet the standards outlined in SE68-14, Operation 23. Failure to comply with these directives may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to potential grounding and other regulatory actions. The Act also outlines the consequences for non-compliance with the airworthiness directives. Any breach of the requirements stipulated in AD/CESSNA 177/3 can lead to serious civil and criminal repercussions. Civil penalties may include fines up to a specified maximum amount, as determined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Additionally, there may be criminal charges and penalties for operators who knowingly allow an aircraft to be used in a non-airworthy condition, which can result in substantial fines and imprisonment. It is imperative that all affected parties adhere strictly to the deadlines and requirements set forth to avoid these severe consequences.