AD/CESSNA 185/15 - Control Systems

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Legislative instrument F2006B05105, were enacted to address the need for comprehensive regulations governing civil aviation safety within Australia. This legislative instrument, administered by the Australian Parliament, was introduced to ensure that all civil aviation activities comply with stringent safety standards. A particular gap it aimed to fill was the lack of specific directives addressing the maintenance and airworthiness of certain aircraft models, such as the Cessna 185 series. The policy objective is to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation by issuing precise directives for aircraft maintenance and operations, thereby protecting passengers and crew, as well as the general public.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, pertains to the safety directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia. This regulation mandates adherence to specific airworthiness directives, such as AD/CESSNA 185/15, which applies to all Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 185-01505 to 185-01605. The directive mandates compliance with Cessna Service Letter SE69-28, requiring action to be taken within 100 hours of time in service after 29 April 1970. This regulation applies to all operators and owners of the specified aircraft models, ensuring that any modifications or actions required to maintain airworthiness are carried out within the stipulated timeframe. The scope of this regulation is jurisdictional, applying across the Commonwealth, and it is enforced through CASA's oversight and the use of subordinate instruments to provide further guidance or extend the application where necessary.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain an Airworthiness Directive (AD) related to the control systems of Cessna 185 Series aeroplanes. This AD, numbered AD/CESSNA 185/15, applies to all models with serial numbers ranging from 185-01505 to 185-01605 (section 4/70). The primary requirement of this directive is that the action taken must comply with Cessna Service Letter (SL) SE69-28. The compliance period stipulates that this action must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 29 April 1970. The obligations imposed by this AD are clear and directive-specific. Operators of the affected Cessna 185 Series aeroplanes must ensure that the control systems are modified or maintained in accordance with the instructions provided in Cessna SL SE69-28. This includes adhering to the timeline for compliance, which is measured from the specified date of 29 April 1970. Failure to comply with the AD within the required timeframe could result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, thereby rendering it ineligible for operation until the necessary actions are completed. In terms of enforcement and consequences, the AD carries significant implications for non-compliance. While the AD itself does not explicitly state penalties, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can lead to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. This could include fines, imprisonment, or both. Additionally, the operator could face operational restrictions or even the grounding of the aircraft, which can result in substantial operational disruptions and financial losses. The seriousness of these consequences underscores the importance of adhering to the AD's requirements and ensuring timely compliance.