AD/CESSNA 206/1 Amdt 1 - Plastic Control Wheel

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (as amended) introduced by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, address the need to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft through various directives and requirements. One such directive pertains to Cessna 206 Series aeroplanes, specifically targeting the plastic control wheel, which is addressed in AD/CESSNA 206/1 Amendment 1. This legislative instrument aims to maintain the integrity and functionality of the control wheel, thus enhancing flight safety by adhering to specific inspection intervals as outlined in the Cessna Service Letters 62-44 and 64-8. The primary policy objective behind this regulation is to ensure that all models equipped with plastic control wheels undergo regular inspections to prevent potential failures and maintain compliance with safety standards. The Cessna 206 Series aeroplanes, which are subject to these airworthiness directives, must comply with the specified inspection intervals. The requirement mandates an inspection in accordance with Cessna Service Letter 62-44 at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. Additionally, an inspection must be conducted in accordance with Cessna Service Letter 64-8 at 500 hours of time in service from new and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of time in service. This structured approach ensures that any potential issues with the plastic control wheel are identified and addressed promptly, thereby contributing to the overall safety and operational reliability of the aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, applies to all Cessna 206 series aeroplanes equipped with plastic control wheels. This legislation is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and mandates compliance with certain airworthiness directives to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. The scope of the legislation encompasses all models of the Cessna 206 series that are fitted with plastic control wheels, which are required to adhere to specific inspection and maintenance procedures outlined in the Cessna Service Letters 62-44 and 64-8. The inspections mandated by this legislation must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service for inspections as per Cessna SL 62-44 and at 500 hours time in service from new and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 500 hours time in service for inspections as per Cessna SL 64-8. This regulation applies nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by CASA, which may extend or restrict the application through subordinate instruments as necessary.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39, Section 105, establish the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for various aircraft, including the Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes. One of the key provisions, as outlined in AD/CESSNA 206/1 Amendment 1, addresses the issue of plastic control wheels (section 5/69). This directive applies to all models of the Cessna 206 Series that are fitted with plastic control wheels (section 5/69). The primary requirement is that these control wheels must be addressed in accordance with the specifications provided in Cessna Service Letters 62-44 and 64-8. These service letters detail the necessary inspections and actions to be taken to ensure the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft. The obligations imposed by this directive on the operators and owners of Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes are quite specific. They must conduct inspections of the plastic control wheels as per Cessna Service Letter 62-44, at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service (section 5/69). Additionally, a more comprehensive inspection must be carried out in accordance with Cessna Service Letter 64-8, initially at 500 hours of time in service from the time the aircraft is new, and then at intervals not exceeding 500 hours thereafter (section 5/69). These inspections are critical to identifying any potential issues with the control wheels that could compromise the aircraft's safety. Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in this Airworthiness Directive can result in significant consequences. While the specific legal penalties are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions may include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate, and potentially criminal charges for those responsible. The exact penalties would depend on the severity of the breach and the discretion of the regulatory authority. It is essential for operators and owners to adhere strictly to these directives to avoid any legal repercussions and to ensure the continued safety and airworthiness of their aircraft.