AD/CESSNA 303/9 Amdt 1 - Slick Pressurized Magnetos - Flight Manual

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, are designed to maintain safety and uniformity in civil aviation operations across the nation. Part 39, specifically Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses specific safety concerns by issuing detailed directives to aircraft operators. One such directive is AD/CESSNA 303/9 Amendment 1, which pertains to the Slick Pressurized Magnetos on Cessna T303 series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address issues related to the operation and reliability of the magnetos, ensuring that any discrepancies detected during the magneto check before takeoff are properly logged and investigated. The objective of this directive is to enhance safety by mandating a specific pre-flight magneto check procedure, which if not met, requires detailed inspection and potential service of the magnetos as outlined in other related directives. The directive requires operators of Cessna T303 aircraft fitted with Slick Pressurized Magnetos model 6220 or 6224 to revise their Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) to include a specific magneto check procedure before each takeoff. The procedure includes moving the ignition switch through different positions and recording the RPM to ensure it does not exceed specified limits. If the magneto check indicates any irregularities, the magnetos must be disassembled and inspected, with appropriate entries made in the Maintenance Release by the pilot. This amendment was introduced to correct certain documentation references and streamline compliance with related directives, ensuring that the operational safety standards are met without additional operational burden.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all Cessna T303 aircraft equipped with Slick Pressurized Magnetos model 6220 or 6224. This legislation is concerned with the safety and operational standards of civil aviation within Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The directive aims to ensure that aircraft meet specific safety standards through a defined maintenance procedure. Operators of the specified aircraft must comply with the directive, which mandates a detailed magneto check before each takeoff, as outlined in the directive. The requirement is to perform a magneto check at 1,700 RPM, noting any RPM drops that exceed the specified limits and ensuring that the magnetos are inspected if necessary. Compliance with this directive is mandatory within 100 hours of service after April 20, 1989, and concurrently with AD/CESSNA 303/8. This directive, therefore, ensures that any discrepancies in the aircraft's ignition system are identified and rectified, thereby enhancing flight safety.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, address the requirements for the airworthiness directives concerning the Cessna T303 series aeroplanes. The focus of this particular legislation is on the Slick Pressurized Magnetos and the associated amendments to the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) (sections 1-3). This directive, AD/CESSNA 303/9 Amendment 1, mandates that all Cessna T303 aircraft equipped with Slick Pressurized Magnetos model 6220 or 6224 must revise their AFM to include a specific magneto check before takeoff. This check must be performed at 1,700 RPM, with the ignition switch moved between positions to assess the RPM drop and differential between the magnetos. If the results do not meet the specified criteria, the magnetos must be disassembled and inspected as per AD/CESSNA 303/8, and a corresponding entry must be made in the Maintenance Release by the pilot. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, requiring adherence within 100 hours of time in service after 20 April 1989, and concurrently with AD/CESSNA 303/8 (section 4). The directive mandates that any aircraft operator must ensure that the AFM is updated with the prescribed magneto check procedure. This includes inserting a copy of the AD into the relevant section of the AFM. Failure to comply with these directives could result in non-compliance with the regulations, potentially leading to safety issues and non-airworthiness of the aircraft. Breaches of these requirements can have significant consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions can include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other regulatory sanctions. The severity of the penalties can vary depending on the nature and extent of the breach, but they are intended to ensure that aircraft remain safe and compliant with all relevant safety standards.