Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, address the safety of aviation operations in Australia. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this legislation aims to ensure that all aircraft meet stringent safety standards. The regulations were introduced to fill critical gaps in ensuring the safety of civil aviation by setting out mandatory requirements for airworthiness, including specific directives for aircraft maintenance and operation. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, operating under the authority of the Australian Government, enforces these regulations to maintain high safety standards within the aviation industry. One pertinent directive under this legislation is AD/CESSNA 550/9, which pertains to the Cessna 550 (Citation II) Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address a specific safety concern regarding the airframe ice protection system proportioning units. The directive mandates that a placard be installed on the instrument panel to warn pilots against flying into known or forecast icing conditions, and it requires compliance with FAA AD 85-24-04 for inspection and replacement of the proportioning units. This ensures that any identified production errors are rectified, thereby enhancing flight safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, and in this instance, addresses the Cessna 550 (Citation II) Series Aeroplanes. This legislative instrument applies to all model S550 aircraft with unit numbers ranging from -0001 to -0075.2/86. The regulations mandate that these aircraft must adhere to specific safety requirements concerning the airframe ice protection system proportioning units. Notably, the legislation requires the installation of a placard on the instrument panel with a minimum letter height of 5mm, stating "Flight into Known or Forecast Icing Prohibited." Additionally, the aircraft must comply with FAA AD 85-24-04, specifically paragraphs B.1, 2, 3, and 4. Compliance must be achieved prior to further flight after 20 December 1985 and within 100 hours of time in service following 28 February 1986. This directive arises from a manufacturer-identified production error impacting the fluid ice protection system proportioning units, necessitating inspection and replacement as necessary to ensure airworthiness.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate certain safety directives for aircraft operation, including the Cessna 550 (Citation II) Series Aeroplanes. One such directive is AD/CESSNA 550/9, which concerns the Airframe Ice Protection System Proportioning Units (section 1). This directive applies to all model S550 aeroplanes with unit numbers ranging from -0001 to -0075.2/86 (section 2). The key requirements outlined in this directive are the installation of a specific placard on the instrument panel and adherence to the FAA AD 85-24-04 paragraphs B.1, 2, 3, and 4. The placard must be clearly visible to the pilot, with letters at least 5mm in height, stating “Flight into Known or Forecast Icing Prohibited” (section 3). Additionally, compliance with the FAA AD 85-24-04 paragraphs is essential, which includes detailed steps to address the identified production error in the fluid ice protection system proportioning units (section 4). The obligations imposed by this directive include immediate action to ensure compliance prior to further flight after 20 December 1985, and within 100 hours of time in service following 28 February 1986 (section 5). Operators of the affected aircraft must ensure that the specified placard is installed as required, and they must also perform the necessary inspections and repairs or replacements of the fluid protection system proportioning units as detailed in the FAA AD 85-24-04. This involves a thorough review of the current system to identify any defects and rectify them to prevent any safety hazards related to flight into icing conditions. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/CESSNA 550/9 can result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide for both civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance. Civil penalties may include fines, and in more severe cases, criminal charges can be brought against individuals or corporations responsible for the oversight of the aircraft. The exact penalties are not specified in the legislative instrument, but they can be significant, reflecting the serious nature of ensuring aviation safety. The directive underscores the importance of adhering to the stipulated safety measures to protect both the aircraft and the occupants from the dangers posed by flight into known or forecast icing conditions.