COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 180, 182 and Wren 460 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 180/71 Fuel System Water Drainage Placard 12/85
Applicability: All models with S/Nos. as listed in Cessna SIL SE84-4.
Requirement: Install the following placard in clear view of the pilot on the instrument panel or surrounding structure:
“Refer Flight Manual for special fuel/water drain procedures”.
Compliance: 1. Before further flight after 31 December 1985.
2. Certification on the Maintenance Release may be made by a pilot endorsed on the aircraft type. Where a pilot has made the certification, a further certification at the next inspection for maintenance shall be made by any Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
Background: This Directive has been raised to bring to the attention of pilots an amendment to the approved Flight Manual requiring specific procedures to be followed after an aircraft has been exposed to rain, sleet, snow, or after fuelling from drumstock or other unfiltered fuel source.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, address the need for improved safety measures in civil aviation through the issuance of airworthiness directives. This legislative instrument, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), is aimed at ensuring that all civil aircraft meet specific safety standards, particularly when it comes to operational procedures that might be impacted by environmental factors such as precipitation or unfiltered fuel sources. The policy objective behind these regulations is to enhance the safety of air travel by mandating adherence to detailed maintenance and operational protocols. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 180/71, requires the installation of a specific placard in clear view of the pilot on the instrument panel or surrounding structure of Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 Series Aeroplanes to remind pilots to refer to the flight manual for special fuel/water drain procedures following exposure to adverse weather conditions or certain fuel sources. This directive underscores CASA’s commitment to proactive safety management by addressing potential issues that could compromise the airworthiness of aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandates the installation of a water drainage placard on certain Cessna aeroplanes to ensure flight safety. This directive applies to all Cessna 180, 182 and Wren 460 series aeroplanes with serial numbers listed in the Cessna SIL SE84-4. The requirement is to install a placard stating "Refer Flight Manual for special fuel/water drain procedures" in a clear view of the pilot on the instrument panel or surrounding structure. Compliance with this directive must be achieved before further flight after 31 December 1985. Certification of compliance can initially be made by a pilot endorsed on the aircraft type, but subsequent certification at the next maintenance inspection must be made by a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. This regulation is designed to address safety concerns following exposure to adverse weather conditions or refuelling from unfiltered sources, ensuring pilots follow specific procedures outlined in the Flight Manual. The directive is an extension of the overarching regulatory framework aimed at maintaining airworthiness standards within the Australian aviation industry.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of the AD/CESSNA 180/71 regulation (part 39-105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998) mandate that a specific placard must be installed on certain Cessna 180, 182 and Wren 460 series aeroplanes. Section 1 specifies the applicability of this directive, targeting all models with serial numbers listed in Cessna SIL SE84-4. The directive, as stated in Section 2, requires the installation of a placard reading "Refer Flight Manual for special fuel/water drain procedures" in a clear view of the pilot on the instrument panel or surrounding structure. The installation must be completed before further flight after 31 December 1985.
This Act imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. Firstly, it requires aircraft owners and operators to ensure that the specified placard is installed on their aircraft as per the directive. Additionally, the regulation allows for a pilot endorsed on the aircraft type to certify compliance on the Maintenance Release, but mandates that a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer must certify compliance at the next inspection for maintenance. This ensures that there is an additional layer of oversight and compliance verification.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in this directive may result in civil or criminal consequences. While the specific penalties are not outlined in the legislative instrument, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations generally can lead to severe penalties. For instance, failure to adhere to airworthiness directives can result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which may include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, and other administrative penalties. The severity of the penalties may vary depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance.