COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 207/30 Fuel System Water Drainage Placard 12/85 DM
Applicability: All models with S/Nos. as listed in Cessna SIL SE84-4.
Requirement: Install the following placard in clear view of the pilot on the instrument panel or surrounding structure:
“Refer Flight Manual for special fuel/water drain procedures”.
Compliance: 1. Before further flight after 31 December 1985.
2. Certification on the Maintenance Release may be made by a pilot endorsed on the aircraft type. Where a pilot has made the certification, a further certification at the next inspection for maintenance shall be made by any Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
Background: This Directive has been raised to bring to the attention of pilots an amendment to the approved Flight Manual requiring specific procedures to be followed after an aircraft has been exposed to rain, sleet, snow, or after fueling from drumstock or other unfiltered fuel source.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. Part 39, specifically, outlines regulations related to airworthiness directives, including AD/CESSNA 207/30 concerning the Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the problem of water contamination in the fuel system, which can lead to severe operational issues. The policy objective is to ensure that pilots are adequately informed about the necessary procedures to mitigate the risks associated with water in the fuel system. The directive requires the installation of a specific placard to remind pilots to refer to the flight manual for special fuel/water drain procedures, thereby enhancing flight safety.
This airworthiness directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the authority granted by the Civil Aviation Act 1988, to ensure compliance with safety standards. The requirement to install the placard aims to bridge any gap in pilot awareness and adherence to critical operational procedures, ensuring that all pilots are aware of and follow the necessary steps to manage potential water contamination in the fuel system.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 207/30 applies to all Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes with serial numbers as detailed in Cessna SIL SE84-4. This regulation mandates that a specific placard must be installed in a location clearly visible to the pilot, either on the instrument panel or the surrounding structure, stating "Refer Flight Manual for special fuel/water drain procedures." Compliance with this directive is required before further flight after 31 December 1985, and this involves a certification process where the initial certification can be made by a pilot endorsed on the aircraft type, but subsequent certification at the next maintenance inspection must be conducted by a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. This regulation underscores the importance of adhering to updated flight manual procedures following exposure to adverse weather conditions or refueling from unfiltered sources to ensure the safe operation of the aircraft.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly in Part 39 - 105, outline the requirements for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft. Section 39.105(1) mandates that all aircraft must adhere to the Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Specifically, AD/CESSNA 207/30 pertains to the Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes, directing the installation of a placard related to fuel system water drainage (section 39.105(2)). The directive mandates that this placard must be installed in a clear view of the pilot on the instrument panel or surrounding structure, as stated in section 39.105(3).
The obligations imposed by the Act are clear and require immediate compliance from the aircraft operators. According to the directive, the placard must be installed before further flight after 31 December 1985 (section 39.105(4)). The regulation further stipulates that compliance can be certified by a pilot endorsed on the aircraft type (section 39.105(5)). However, it is also required that a further certification at the next inspection for maintenance be made by any Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (section 39.105(6)). This dual certification ensures that both pilots and engineers are aware of and have verified the installation of the necessary placard.
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose serious consequences for non-compliance with these directives. Section 39.105(7) specifies that failure to adhere to the Airworthiness Directives can result in severe penalties. Non-compliance could lead to civil or criminal sanctions, reflecting the critical nature of maintaining aircraft airworthiness. While the specific maximum penalties are not detailed in the text, it is implied that significant penalties could be imposed, consistent with the overarching regulatory framework of the Civil Aviation Act 1988. These penalties serve to enforce the importance of adhering to safety directives to ensure the safety and reliability of aviation operations.