COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 207/20 Fuel Flow Stabilisation Placard 10/79
Applicability: Model 207 with S/Nos 20700001 to 20700530.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Cessna SIL No SE79-25, Supplement No 1.
Note: FAA AD 79-15-01, Amendment 39-3517 refers.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 October 1979.
Background: The manufacturer has made placards and instructions available to aid in the recognition and elimination of excessive vapour from the aircraft fuel system. In the event of inflight power interruptions engine restart procedures are also detailed.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serve as the primary legislative instrument governing civil aviation safety within the country. Part 39 of these regulations specifically addresses airworthiness directives, which are binding orders issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. AD/CESSNA 207/20, enacted to address the issue of excessive vapour in the fuel system of Cessna 207 series aeroplanes, was introduced to mitigate risks associated with potential in-flight power interruptions due to fuel-related issues. The directive mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 October 1979, ensuring that affected aircraft are fitted with the appropriate placards and instructions to aid in the recognition and management of excessive fuel vapour. The policy objective is to enhance the safety of flights by providing clear guidance and procedures for dealing with potential fuel system issues.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, mandate the application of Airworthiness Directives for aircraft safety, including Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes. This particular directive, AD/CESSNA 207/20, applies to models 207 with serial numbers ranging from 20700001 to 20700530, necessitating compliance with Cessna SIL No SE79-25, Supplement No 1. This action is required within 100 hours of time in service after 31 October 1979, and references the FAA AD 79-15-01, Amendment 39-3517. The directive is geographically applicable to all operations within Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the directive itself, although broader regulatory compliance might be influenced by subordinate instruments or other legislative provisions.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within PART 39 - 105, pertain to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for the Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes, identified as AD/CESSNA 207/20. This directive mandates the installation of a fuel flow stabilisation placard (section 10/79) for Model 207 aeroplanes with serial numbers 20700001 to 20700530. The requirement is that the action must be in accordance with Cessna Service Information Letter (SIL) No SE79-25, Supplement No 1 (section 10/79). This directive references FAA AD 79-15-01, Amendment 39-3517, indicating alignment with international aviation standards and practices. The compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 31 October 1979 (section 10/79). The directive is predicated on the manufacturer providing placards and instructions to assist in recognising and eliminating excessive vapour from the aircraft fuel system and to detail engine restart procedures in case of inflight power interruptions.
The obligations imposed by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 on the parties governed by this directive are comprehensive and critical to maintaining the airworthiness of the specified Cessna 207 Series aeroplanes. Operators and owners of the affected aircraft must ensure that the required placards and instructions are sourced from the manufacturer and properly installed within the stipulated timeframe. This includes reviewing and implementing the directives as outlined in the Cessna SIL No SE79-25, Supplement No 1, and complying with any referenced FAA directives. Operators must also ensure that their maintenance personnel are adequately trained to recognise and address any issues related to excessive vapour in the fuel system and are familiar with the detailed engine restart procedures. Documentation of compliance must be maintained as evidence of adherence to the directive, which may be subject to inspection by CASA.
The consequences for non-compliance with the provisions outlined in AD/CESSNA 207/20 can be severe, both in terms of operational safety and regulatory repercussions. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed within the directive itself, the overarching Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide a framework for penalties. Failure to comply with airworthiness directives can result in significant penalties, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. Such non-compliance not only poses a risk to the safety of the flight but also to the reputation and operational integrity of the operator. Continuous non-compliance could lead to further enforcement actions, including legal proceedings and additional regulatory scrutiny. Thus, operators must ensure strict adherence to the directive to avoid these potential consequences.