Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, establishes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of aircraft in Australian airspace. This legislative instrument, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, addresses the need to maintain and inspect critical components of aircraft, particularly focusing on the aileron control cables for Cessna 188 (Agwagon) series aeroplanes. The regulations aim to mitigate potential risks associated with the operation of these aircraft by enforcing regular inspections and, where necessary, replacements or retirement of specific components to ensure compliance with safety standards. The policy objective behind these regulations is to enhance aviation safety by providing clear, mandatory directives for aircraft maintenance and inspection. CASA, through these regulations, ensures that all models of the Cessna 188 series are subjected to rigorous checks on their aileron control cables, with specific intervals and procedures outlined to maintain airworthiness. The directive requires detailed inspections and replacements of aileron control cables for non-modified aeroplanes and specific inspections and retirements for those modified with certain service kits or drawings.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all Cessna 188 (Agwagon) series aeroplanes. The regulation mandates that these aircraft must adhere to specific maintenance and inspection protocols for their aileron control cables. The directive is mandatory for all models of the Cessna 188 series, irrespective of their modification status. For aeroplanes not modified with the Cessna Service Kit SK 188-25 or Rex Aviation Drawing No. RA-C-1175, the aileron control cables must be inspected and, if necessary, replaced in accordance with Cessna SL SE73-12, with specific intervals set for these tasks. For aeroplanes that have incorporated the aforementioned modifications, the cables must be removed from service and inspected in their entirety, followed by their retirement. The regulation outlines specific timeframes for these inspections and replacements, varying depending on the aeroplane's modification status and its operational history. This regulation extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, enforcing a uniform standard for the maintenance of aileron control cables in the specified aircraft models.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD) for various aircraft models, including the Cessna 188 (Agwagon) Series Aeroplanes. One of the key directives, AD/CESSNA 188/20 Amendment 1, pertains to the aileron control cables of these aircraft (s.1). This directive mandates inspections and replacements of the aileron control cables based on whether the aircraft has been modified in accordance with certain service kits or drawings. For aircraft not modified with Cessna Service Kit-SK 188-25 or Rex Aviation Drawing No. RA-C-1175, the requirement includes inspecting and replacing the aileron control cables at specific intervals (s.1(a), (b)). For aircraft that have been modified, the directive requires inspections, removal and inspection of the entire length of the cables, and their retirement from service at defined intervals (s.2(a), (b), (c)). The obligations imposed by these provisions necessitate that aircraft operators and maintenance personnel ensure that inspections and replacements are carried out as stipulated. For unmodified aircraft, inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service, with replacement to occur at intervals not exceeding 500 hours (s.1(a), (b)). For modified aircraft, inspections must also occur at intervals not exceeding 100 hours, with further inspection and removal before exceeding 500 hours and at intervals not exceeding 100 hours thereafter until replacement. The cables must be retired from service at intervals not exceeding 800 hours (s.2(a), (b), (c)). Failure to comply with the airworthiness directives can lead to severe consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally results in significant civil or criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations. These penalties may include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the breach and any resulting harm or risk to aviation safety. The exact penalties are determined based on the specific breach and can vary widely, but they are intended to ensure that all aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to protect passengers, crew, and the general public.