AD/CESSNA 207/11 - Rudder Trim Chain

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to establish a comprehensive framework for the regulation of civil aviation in Australia, ensuring safety, efficiency, and order within the aviation industry. The regulations were introduced to address the need for a unified set of rules governing the operation of aircraft in Australian airspace, thereby filling a significant gap in the existing legal structure that previously lacked a cohesive and centralised set of regulations. This legislation is administered by the Australian Parliament, with the overarching policy objective of enhancing aviation safety through stringent regulatory oversight and compliance measures. One specific aspect of these regulations pertains to the applicability of airworthiness directives for certain aircraft models, such as the Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, as part of its mandate, issues these directives to address safety concerns and ensure that aircraft maintain the required standards. For instance, AD/CESSNA 207/11 concerns the rudder trim chain of specific Cessna 207 models, mandating compliance with the specified requirements within a defined timeframe to rectify identified safety issues.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to the Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 2070026 to 20700293. This legislation mandates adherence to the directive AD/CESSNA 207/11 concerning the rudder trim chain. The regulation is applicable to all relevant aircraft models within its specified serial number range, ensuring that maintenance and compliance are performed according to Cessna Service Letter SE76-3. Compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of the aircraft’s time in service after 31 May 1976, indicating a clear timeframe for adherence to these safety standards. The regulation’s jurisdictional reach is governed by the Commonwealth of Australia, enforcing these standards nationally to ensure uniform safety protocols across the aviation industry.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. Among these directives, AD/CESSNA 207/11 focuses on the rudder trim chain for Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to all models 207 with serial numbers (S/Nos) ranging from 2070026 to 20700293 (Section 1). The directive mandates that action must be taken in accordance with Cessna Service Letter (SL) SE76-3. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of time in service after 31 May 1976 (Section 2). The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties or entities it governs. Primarily, the operators and owners of the specified Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes must ensure that the rudder trim chain is inspected and maintained or replaced as per the instructions in Cessna Service Letter SE76-3. This involves a detailed examination of the trim chain to identify any wear or damage and, if necessary, replacing it to meet the safety standards prescribed by CASA (Section 3). Additionally, operators must keep accurate records of any actions taken in compliance with the directive, including the date of compliance, the nature of the work performed, and the signatures of the authorised personnel who carried out the inspection and any repairs. Failure to comply with the provisions of the AD/CESSNA 207/11 can result in significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an airworthiness directive can be considered an offence. The penalties for such offences may include substantial fines and potential criminal charges for individuals responsible for the oversight of the aircraft. Specifically, CASA has the authority to impose fines of up to $165,000 for each occurrence of a breach, with additional fines possible for continued non-compliance. In severe cases, operators may face prosecution leading to imprisonment for up to two years (Section 4). These stringent measures underscore the importance of adhering to the airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of all persons on board and the general public on the ground.