AD/CESSNA 206/33 - Fuel Cap Alignment Placard

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, are comprehensive regulations governing civil aviation safety. Part 39, which includes the 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically addresses compliance directives for aircraft to ensure operational safety and airworthiness. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 206/33, pertains to the Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes and mandates the installation of a fuel cap alignment placard. This directive was introduced to address the problem of incorrect alignment of flush fitting fuel caps, which is crucial for the efficient operation of the fuel tank secondary vent system. The policy objective is to maintain the integrity and safety of aircraft operations by ensuring compliance with specified standards within a stipulated timeframe. The specific directive requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service following 30 September 1980, for certain serial number ranges of the Model 206, U206, TU206, P206, and TP206 models. The requirement is based on Cessna SIL No. SE 80-59, ensuring that all affected aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to prevent operational inefficiencies and potential hazards related to fuel tank venting.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically addresses the safety and airworthiness of Cessna 206 series aeroplanes through Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 206/33 concerning the fuel cap alignment placard. This regulation applies to certain serial number ranges of the Cessna 206 series, including models 206, U206, TU206, P206, and TP206, requiring compliance with the directive to ensure the proper alignment of flush fitting type fuel caps. The directive is designed to maintain the efficiency of the fuel tank secondary vent system, which is critical for safe aircraft operation. The requirement mandates adherence to Cessna Service Information Letter No. SE 80-59 and necessitates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after the specified date of 30 September 1980. This regulation operates within the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, underscoring the importance of maintaining specific safety standards across the aviation industry.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, mandate that certain Cessna 206 series aeroplanes must comply with Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 206/33 (section 39-105). This directive concerns the alignment of fuel cap placards on specific models and serial numbers of the Cessna 206 series. The directive applies to models 206 with serial numbers 206-0001 to 206-0275, U206 and TU206 with serial numbers U206-0276 to U206-1444 and U20601445 to U20605522, P206 and TP206 with serial numbers P206-0001 to P206-0603 and P20600604 to P20600647 (section 39-105). The requirement outlined in this directive is that these aircraft must adhere to Cessna Service Instruction Letter (SIL) SE 80-59, which pertains to the correct alignment of flush fitting type fuel caps (section 39-105). Entities governed by these regulations must ensure that the specified Cessna 206 series aircraft are compliant with the alignment requirements within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1980 (section 39-105). The compliance entails ensuring that the fuel cap alignment is correct to facilitate efficient operation of the fuel tank secondary vent system (section 39-105). Failure to align the fuel caps correctly can lead to operational inefficiencies and potential safety hazards, thereby necessitating strict adherence to the directive. Failure to comply with AD/CESSNA 206/33 may result in civil and criminal consequences, although specific penalties are not outlined within the provided text. The general framework of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 allows for enforcement actions which could include fines and other regulatory sanctions for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. These consequences underscore the importance of adhering to the stipulated requirements to maintain safety standards in aviation operations.