COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 185/22 Fuel Quantity Placard 4/76
Applicability: As detailed in the Requirement Document.
Requirement: Install fuel quantity placards as detailed in Cessna SL SE75-7 and Supplement No. 1.
Compliance: 1. Model 185 with S/Nos. as detailed in Cessna SL SE75-7: within 100 hours time in service after 16 April 1976.
2. Model 185 with S/Nos. prior to 02263:
- If currently fitted with one or more replacement fuel cells bearing a manufacturing date of June 1973 or later - within 100 hours time in service after 16 April 1976.
b. Concurrent with fitting one or more replacement fuel cells bearing a manufacturing date of June 1973 or later.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, establish the framework for ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in the country. The regulations are comprehensive and cover various aspects of civil aviation operations, including the airworthiness of aircraft. Part 39, specifically, addresses the requirements and standards for the maintenance and operation of aircraft to ensure their continued airworthiness. One such regulation, AD/CESSNA 185/22, focuses on the installation of fuel quantity placards on Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address a safety concern related to the accurate display and monitoring of fuel quantities on these aircraft models. The policy objective is to enhance flight safety by ensuring that pilots have clear and accurate information about the fuel status of the aircraft, thereby reducing the risk of fuel exhaustion mid-flight. The requirement mandates the installation of specific fuel quantity placards as detailed in Cessna Service Letters and supplements to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, specifically address the maintenance and operational safety of aircraft within Australia's jurisdiction through various legislative instruments and airworthiness directives. Part 39 - 105, which includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel, ensuring compliance with safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This particular directive, AD/CESSNA 185/22, pertains to the Cessna 185 series aeroplanes and mandates the installation of fuel quantity placards as specified in Cessna SL SE75-7 and its supplement. The directive applies to specific model 185 aircraft with serial numbers detailed in the referenced document, requiring the installation of the placards within 100 hours of time in service after 16 April 1976, or when fitting new fuel cells manufactured from June 1973 onwards. This directive applies nationally and is enforced to maintain consistent safety standards across all operations involving these aircraft within Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, addresses the application of airworthiness directives, particularly focusing on Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes. Section AD/CESSNA 185/22 pertains to the installation of fuel quantity placards, which are crucial for ensuring that pilots are aware of the fuel levels in the aircraft (AD/CESSNA 185/22). This directive mandates that fuel quantity placards be installed as per the specifications provided in Cessna Service Letter (SL) SE75-7 and its Supplement No. 1. The directive applies to Model 185 aeroplanes with specific serial numbers, ensuring that these aircraft comply with the stipulated requirements.
For Model 185 aeroplanes with serial numbers detailed in Cessna SL SE75-7, the installation of fuel quantity placards must be completed within 100 hours of time in service following the effective date of the directive, which is 16 April 1976 (AD/CESSNA 185/22). Additionally, for Model 185 aeroplanes with serial numbers prior to 02263, if they are currently equipped with one or more replacement fuel cells manufactured on or after June 1973, the placards must be installed within 100 hours of time in service following the directive's effective date, or concurrently with the fitting of the aforementioned replacement fuel cells (AD/CESSNA 185/22). These requirements are essential to maintain the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft by ensuring pilots have accurate information regarding fuel levels.
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Operators and owners of the affected Cessna 185 aeroplanes must ensure that the required fuel quantity placards are installed as per the instructions in Cessna SL SE75-7 and its supplement. Failure to comply with these obligations can result in significant safety risks, potentially leading to operational issues or accidents due to incorrect fuel level information. The directive explicitly states the timeframes within which compliance must be achieved, underscoring the importance of timely adherence to the regulations.
Breach of these requirements can result in severe consequences, including potential enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). While the specific penalties are not detailed within the directive, breaches of Civil Aviation Regulations can generally lead to fines, operational restrictions, or even the grounding of non-compliant aircraft. The overarching aim of these consequences is to enforce compliance and ensure that all necessary safety measures are in place to protect pilots and passengers alike.