AD/CESSNA 310/19 Amdt 3 - Fuel System - Placards

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, encompass a range of directives aimed at ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft, including the Cessna 310 Series Aeroplanes. This legislation was enacted to address specific safety concerns within the aviation industry, particularly those related to fuel system management and pilot visibility of critical information. The regulations were introduced by the Australian Government through the Parliament, with a clear policy objective of enhancing flight safety by mandating clear and conspicuous placards for fuel system information. These placards are intended to prevent operational errors that could compromise safety, such as operating with insufficient fuel or maintaining improper power settings during descent. The directives require operators to install and certify the installation of these placards, ensuring compliance with safety standards that are essential for the reliable operation of these aircraft models. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandate that specific placards must be installed on all model 310, 310A, B, C, D, E, and F Cessna aircraft within the specified serial number ranges. These placards must include critical operational information such as fuel quantity limits and power settings during descent. This legislative measure aims to rectify a gap in operational safety by ensuring pilots have immediate and clear access to essential information. The regulations empower operators to certify the installation of these placards, provided they meet the minimum letter height requirement, thereby ensuring compliance with the mandated safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, as amended, mandates the application of Airworthiness Directives for certain Cessna 310 series aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all models 310, 310A, B, C, D, E, and F with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from 35000 to 39299 and 310-0001 to 310-0156. The directive requires the installation of placards in the specified aircraft to ensure compliance with safety standards. The placards must be positioned in full view of the pilot, near the main fuel quantity indicator and the manifold pressure gauge, respectively, and must meet specified letter height requirements. Operators are permitted to install and certify the placards themselves, with compliance required forthwith. The regulation applies within the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). There are no exclusions or exemptions specified in the directive, and its application extends to all relevant aircraft regardless of operator or location within Australian jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, detail the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, with AD/CESSNA 310/19 Amendment 3 addressing the fuel system placards for Cessna 310 Series Aeroplanes. Section 1 of this directive mandates that all models within the 310 series, including variants A through F, with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from 35000 to 39299 and from 310-0001 to 310-0156, must have specific placards installed to ensure safe operation. The first requirement (Section 1.1) is the installation of a placard that clearly states "Operation With Less Than Five (5) Gallons of Fuel In Each Main Tank is Prohibited. Usable Fuel In Each Tank Is 45 Gallons." This placard must be prominently placed in full view of the pilot, ideally close to the main fuel quantity indicator, ensuring the pilot is constantly reminded of the minimum fuel requirements. In addition to the fuel placard, Section 1.2 requires another placard to be installed, reading "Maintain Power Within Green Arcs During Descent." This placard must also be visible to the pilot and placed near the manifold pressure gauge. The operator is authorised to manufacture and certify the installation of these placards, provided the letters are of a minimum height of one eighth of an inch. These placards are intended to ensure compliance with operational safety standards by providing clear, visible reminders of critical flight parameters. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear: operators of the specified Cessna 310 series aircraft must ensure that the required placards are installed in the designated locations on the aircraft. Compliance is mandatory and must be achieved forthwith, as indicated in Section 3. This means that operators must take immediate action to meet these requirements, with no leeway in the timeline for compliance. Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can lead to serious consequences. While specific penalties are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with CASA directives can generally result in civil or criminal penalties under Australian aviation law. Civil penalties may include fines, and in severe cases, aircraft may be grounded or operations suspended until compliance is achieved. Criminal penalties can also be imposed for wilful or negligent breaches, which may include imprisonment or substantial fines, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance.