AD/CESSNA 310/49 - Auto Pilot System - Disabling and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, establish stringent safety standards for civil aviation. Part 39, in particular, addresses specific aircraft models and their airworthiness directives to ensure safety and compliance with operational standards. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 310/49, pertains to Cessna 310 Series aeroplanes and mandates the disabling and modification of the auto pilot system to prevent potential safety hazards. This directive was introduced to address identified issues with the auto pilot system in certain Cessna 310 models, specifically those equipped with the ARC Model 400B auto pilot installations. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority issued this directive to ensure continued airworthiness and to mitigate risks associated with the auto pilot system in these aircraft. The requirement includes disabling the auto pilot system by pulling and banding specific circuit breakers and installing a placard indicating the auto pilot is inoperative until modifications are completed. Compliance with these directives is mandatory before further flight, underscoring the importance of adhering to safety protocols in aviation operations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the application of Airworthiness Directives for particular aircraft types, in this case, the Cessna 310 Series Aeroplanes. The regulation mandates specific modifications and operational changes for models 310R and T310R, serial numbers 310R0501 to 310R1302, 310R1304 to 310R1315, 310R1317, and 310R1318, which incorporate ARC Model 400B auto pilot installations. The directive requires that, on aircraft not modified according to Cessna Service Letter AV78-6 dated 31 March 1978 or later revisions, the AUTO PILOT (COMP) and ACTUATOR (ACT) circuit breakers must be pulled and secured to disable the auto pilot system. Additionally, a placard indicating “AUTO PILOT INOPERATIVE” must be installed in a location clearly visible to the pilot. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory before further flight, with specific timing outlined for when the modifications are to be completed and when the aircraft can be returned to service using the auto pilot, once the electrical auto pilot actuator modification has been carried out in accordance with the specified Cessna service letter.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes detailed safety instructions for the Cessna 310 Series Aeroplanes. The directive AD/CESSNA 310/49 pertains to the auto pilot system, outlining specific requirements and compliance measures for certain models. This directive applies to the Cessna 310R and T310R models with specific serial numbers (Sections 1-2). The directive mandates that on aircraft that have not been modified according to Cessna Service Letter AV78-6 dated 31 March 1978 or later revisions, the model 400B auto pilot must be disabled by pulling and banding the AUTO PILOT (COMP) and ACTUATOR (ACT) circuit breakers (Section 1). Additionally, an "AUTO PILOT INOPERATIVE" placard must be installed in a location visible to the pilot (Section 2). If the auto pilot actuator modification as outlined in Cessna Service Letter AV78-6 is carried out, the auto pilot may then be returned to service, and the "AUTO PILOT INOPERATIVE" placard can be removed (Section 3). These actions must be completed before further flight, and if using the auto pilot, before further flight employing the auto pilot system (Sections 1-2 and 3). The obligations imposed by this directive on the parties involved are clear and specific. Operators of the affected Cessna 310R and T310R models must ensure that the auto pilot system is disabled and clearly marked as inoperative if not modified according to the specified service letters. This includes the installation of the required placard, ensuring that it is visible to the pilot at all times. If the modification to the auto pilot actuator is performed, the operators must ensure the placard is removed before using the auto pilot system again. Compliance with these directives is mandatory and must be achieved before any further flight, regardless of whether the auto pilot system will be used (Sections 1-3). Failure to comply with the provisions outlined in this directive can lead to significant consequences. The regulations are designed to ensure safety, and non-compliance could potentially result in the grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications and placards are correctly implemented. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the provided text, it is reasonable to infer that breaches of such safety directives could attract enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which may include fines, enforcement notices, or other regulatory actions deemed necessary by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The potential severity of these penalties underscores the importance of strict adherence to the directive to maintain airworthiness and safety standards.