AD/CESSNA 207/10 - Fuel Quantity Placard

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), are a comprehensive set of rules governing aviation safety in Australia. One specific legislative instrument, F2006B05270, pertains to Airworthiness Directives for the Cessna 207 series aeroplanes. This instrument was enacted to address a specific safety concern related to the fuel quantity placards on these aircraft. The directive requires the installation of fuel quantity placards in accordance with Cessna Service Letter SE75-7 and its supplement, aiming to ensure that pilots have accurate and readily accessible information about fuel quantities. By doing so, it seeks to mitigate the risk of fuel mismanagement, which could potentially lead to safety incidents. The policy objective is to maintain the highest standards of safety and reliability in civil aviation operations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, encompasses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes. This regulation applies to all Cessna 207 Series aircraft that fall within the specified serial numbers detailed in Cessna SL SE75-7 and Supplement No 1. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this directive is national, as it pertains to all operations within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring adherence to safety standards across the aviation sector. The regulation mandates the installation of fuel quantity placards to comply with safety standards, with specific compliance timelines depending on the aircraft’s serial number and whether it is fitted with replacement fuel cells manufactured from June 1973 onwards. Notably, this Act does not extend its application through subordinate instruments but provides clear directives for compliance that must be strictly adhered to by the relevant operators and maintenance personnel of the specified aircraft.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses the installation of fuel quantity placards for Cessna 207 Series aeroplanes (Section 1). This directive, AD/CESSNA 207/10, mandates the installation of these placards in accordance with the detailed instructions provided in Cessna SL SE75-7 and its Supplement No 1. The directive applies to certain model 207 aircraft, as outlined in the Requirement Document. The primary obligation under this directive is to install fuel quantity placards in the specified Cessna 207 aeroplanes. For model 207 aircraft with serial numbers as detailed in Cessna SL SE75-7, the installation must occur within 100 hours of time in service after 16 April 1976 (Section 2.1). Additionally, for model 207 aircraft with serial numbers prior to 00226, if the aircraft is currently fitted 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 after 16 April 1976, or concurrently with the fitting of the aforementioned replacement fuel cells (Section 2.2). Failure to comply with the requirements set out in AD/CESSNA 207/10 may result in civil or criminal penalties. The specific consequences of non-compliance are not detailed within the provided text, but generally, breaches of airworthiness directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in significant penalties, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. The severity of the penalties can depend on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, as well as any resulting safety risks.