AD/CESSNA 320/9 Amdt 2 - Fuel System - Placards

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serve to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. This piece of legislation, specifically Part 39 - 105, introduces Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address critical safety issues in aircraft operations. One such AD, AD/CESSNA 320/9 Amendment 2, pertains to the Cessna 320 Series aeroplanes, aiming to rectify safety deficiencies by mandating the placement of specific placards in the aircraft's cockpit. This amendment seeks to enhance pilot awareness and operational safety by clearly communicating fuel management and performance limitations. The objective is to ensure compliance with these safety measures, thereby reducing the risk of operational errors and enhancing the overall safety of flight operations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Cessna 320 Series Aeroplanes and mandates specific airworthiness directives concerning fuel system placards to ensure safe operational practices. This regulation applies to all models 320A, B, C, D, E, and F of the Cessna 320 series that do not incorporate Cessna SL ME69-16. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, as they are part of the Commonwealth of Australia's Civil Aviation Regulations. The primary requirement involves the placement of placards in full view of the pilot, near specific gauges and indicators, to ensure that operational limits are adhered to, such as prohibiting operations with less than ten gallons of fuel in each main tank and maintaining power within green arcs during descent. Additionally, specific models must display placards concerning maximum speed and flap position limits. Compliance with these directives is mandatory, with certain placard installation requirements needing to be met forthwith, while tank modifications must be completed by a specified date. Exemptions and exclusions are not explicitly stated in the provided text, and any further detail or modification to the application of these directives may be addressed through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39, specify the airworthiness directives that must be adhered to for certain aircraft types, including the Cessna 320 Series Aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 320/9 Amendment 2, pertains to the fuel system placards for models 320A, B, C, D, E, and F, excluding those with Cessna SL ME69-16 installed (section 1). This directive mandates the placement of specific placards in the aircraft to ensure safety and proper operation. Firstly, a placard stating "Operation With Less Than Ten (10) Gallons of Fuel in Each Main Tank is Prohibited" must be positioned where it is clearly visible to the pilot, near the main fuel quantity indicator (section 1(a)). Secondly, another placard reading "Maintain Power Within Green Arcs During Descent" should be placed where it is easily seen by the pilot, close to the manifold pressure gauge (section 1(b)). For models 320E and 320F, a third placard indicating "Maximum Speed with 15 Degrees to Full Flap Shall Not Exceed 126 Kts" must be affixed near the airspeed indicator (section 1(c)). Lastly, for model 320A, a placard stating "Flap Position shall not exceed 35 Degrees" should be placed near the flap position indicator (section 1(d)). Additionally, the directive requires modifying the main fuel tanks in line with Cessna SL ME69-16, though this modification must be completed before 30 June 1993 (section 2). Compliance with the airworthiness directives outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations is mandatory for operators of the specified Cessna 320 Series Aeroplanes. Operators are required to ensure that the placards are installed as specified within the directive, adhering to the stipulated locations and timing (section 1). The operators themselves are permitted to make and certify the installation of these placards, provided that the letters on the placards are at least eight inches in height (Note 1). The directive also allows for the removal of the placards if the aircraft is subsequently modified to incorporate Cessna SL ME69-16, which involves the installation of additional boost pumps (Note 2). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory Directive 69-14-01 Amendment 39-793 is referenced for additional context (Note 3). Failure to comply with the airworthiness directives can result in significant consequences. While specific penalties are not detailed within the text, breaches of the Civil Aviation Regulations can lead to both civil and criminal liabilities. Civil penalties may include fines and other administrative sanctions, while criminal penalties could involve imprisonment, depending on the severity and intent of the non-compliance. The exact penalties would be determined by the relevant authorities and courts, taking into account the specific circumstances of the violation.