AD/CESSNA 550/12 - Elevator Trim Take-Off Range Marker

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the Legislative Instrument F2006B08417, were enacted to address specific safety concerns in civil aviation, particularly regarding aircraft maintenance and operational standards. This legislative instrument is part of the broader framework overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety and reliability of aircraft within Australian airspace. The policy objective behind such directives is to maintain a high standard of safety for all air travel by issuing mandatory safety measures that must be adhered to by aircraft operators and maintenance personnel. In the case of the Cessna 550 (Citation II) Series Aeroplanes, the directive AD/CESSNA 550/12 focuses on ensuring the elevator trim range marker is correctly positioned to avoid potential safety hazards during operation. The enactment of this regulation by the Australian Government, through CASA, reflects a commitment to proactive safety management in aviation. By requiring specific actions to be taken in accordance with manufacturer bulletins, such as Cessna SB S550-27-1, the legislation ensures that maintenance procedures are standardised and meet the necessary safety benchmarks. Compliance with these directives is mandatory, with adherence required before the issue of the next Maintenance Release after a specified date, in this case, 31 July 1986, underscoring the importance of timely and effective implementation of safety measures.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, with the directive AD/CESSNA 550/12 focusing on the Cessna 550 (Citation II) series aeroplanes. This directive applies to the specific model S550 with serial numbers ranging from -0001 to 0034. The directive mandates that the elevator trim take-off range marker must be positioned correctly, requiring compliance with Cessna Service Bulletin S550-27-1. Compliance is required before the issuance of the next Maintenance Release following 31 July 1986. This directive is aimed at ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the specified aircraft models within the Australian jurisdiction, administered by CASA. No exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds are explicitly mentioned within the directive itself, though any further application or interpretation might be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments or CASA guidelines.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, mandate that certain aircraft must adhere to Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure safety. Under this regulation, AD/CESSNA 550/12 pertains to Cessna 550 (Citation II) series aeroplanes. This directive applies to aircraft with serial numbers from -0001 to 0034 (section 105). The requirement is that these aircraft must implement the action detailed in Cessna Service Bulletin S550-27-1, which relates to the elevator trim range marker. Compliance with this directive must be achieved before the next Maintenance Release is issued after 31 July 1986 (section 105). The obligations imposed by this regulation are straightforward yet critical. Operators of Cessna 550 series aeroplanes within the specified serial number range must ensure that the elevator trim range marker is correctly positioned as per the instructions in Cessna Service Bulletin S550-27-1. This involves a specific action that must be taken to verify and, if necessary, adjust the marker to its correct position. Compliance must be achieved prior to the next Maintenance Release following the specified date, which ensures that the aircraft meets the necessary safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Failure to comply with the AD/CESSNA 550/12 directive may result in serious safety implications, as the directive is intended to prevent potential hazards related to the elevator trim range marker. While the regulations do not explicitly state the specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance, any deviation from mandated safety directives could lead to enforcement actions by CASA. Such actions may include grounding the aircraft until compliance is verified, fines, and other regulatory sanctions. The severity of penalties can vary depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but the overarching aim is to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation.