AD/CESSNA 185/28 - Goodyear Fuel Cells

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to establish and regulate the standards for civil aviation in Australia, ensuring safety and consistency across the industry. This legislation was introduced to address the need for comprehensive regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation, including aircraft operations, maintenance, and airworthiness. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the authority of the Australian Government. The policy objective of this legislation is to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation in Australia by setting stringent standards for aircraft operations, maintenance, and certification, thereby protecting the public and ensuring the efficient operation of the aviation industry.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates compliance with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, including AD/CESSNA 185/28 concerning the Goodyear Fuel Cells in Cessna 185 series aeroplanes. This directive applies to all models of the Cessna 185 aeroplanes that are equipped with Goodyear BTC-39 fuel cells. The requirement outlined in this directive necessitates that the action specified in Cessna Service Letter No. SE78-10 be taken. Compliance with these directives must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service following 30 June 1978 and subsequently annually in accordance with Cessna Service Letter No. SE 78-10. The scope of this regulation is to ensure that the specified aircraft maintain the required safety standards, thereby enhancing aviation safety across the Commonwealth of Australia.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, Section 105, mandate that all Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes fitted with Goodyear BTC-39 fuel cells must adhere to Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 185/28. This directive was issued on 6th July 1978 and applies to all models 185 equipped with the specified fuel cells. The requirement outlined in this directive is that corrective action must be taken in accordance with Cessna Service Letter (SL) No. SE78-10, which provides detailed instructions on the necessary modifications and checks to be performed on the fuel cells. The compliance period for this directive is within 100 hours of time in service after 30 June 1978 and must be repeated annually as specified in Cessna SL No. SE 78-10. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, the operators and owners of Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes with Goodyear BTC-39 fuel cells bear the responsibility to ensure that these aircraft comply with AD/CESSNA 185/28. This involves taking specific actions as described in Cessna SL No. SE78-10 to address any issues identified with the fuel cells. Operators must conduct these checks within the stipulated timeframe to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft. It is imperative that these actions are documented and that any modifications or repairs are performed by qualified personnel to meet the regulatory requirements. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/CESSNA 185/28 can result in serious consequences under the Civil Aviation Regulations. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce these regulations, and non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the provided text, but under Australian law, penalties for aviation safety breaches can be substantial. For example, CASA may impose administrative penalties, and in more severe cases, criminal charges could be brought against the operator or owner, leading to significant financial penalties and legal consequences. Ensuring compliance is therefore critical for all parties governed by these regulations.