AD/CHA/6 - Throttle Arm and Knob

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended and consolidated under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, include the provisions concerning the airworthiness of aircraft, such as those detailed in PART 39 - 105. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) schedules specific airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. This legislative instrument, F2006B08559, addresses the problem of ensuring that certain older aircraft models comply with updated safety standards. The policy objective is to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation by enforcing airworthiness directives on specific aircraft models that have identified safety concerns. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia to provide a comprehensive framework for the regulation of civil aviation in Australia. The particular legislative instrument, F2006B08559, is part of the ongoing efforts to enforce airworthiness directives that target safety improvements in specific aircraft models, such as the American Champion (Aeronca, Bellanca) Series Aeroplanes. This ensures that older aircraft, manufactured before certain dates, adhere to updated safety standards, thereby mitigating potential risks and enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), applies to all American Champion (Aeronca, Bellanca) series aeroplanes manufactured prior to 28 April 1969. This legislation mandates compliance with Airworthiness Directive AD/CHA/6, which addresses the throttle arm and knob, requiring actions to be taken in accordance with Champion Service Letter No 94. Compliance with these directives is mandatory and must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service following 31 March 1972. The regulation is enforced nationally, ensuring that all applicable aircraft within Australia meet the specified safety standards set by CASA. This regulatory framework is integral to maintaining the airworthiness of older aircraft models, ensuring they adhere to contemporary safety requirements and standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a schedule of airworthiness directives that govern the maintenance and operational standards for certain aircraft. One such directive is AD/CHA/6, which pertains to the throttle arm and knob of American Champion (Aeronca, Bellanca) series aeroplanes manufactured before 28 April 1969. This directive requires compliance with Champion Service Letter No. 94 (section 3/72). Essentially, it mandates that all affected aircraft must adhere to the specified modifications to ensure the safety and proper functioning of the throttle arm and knob. The directive imposes specific obligations on the owners and operators of the affected aircraft. They must ensure that the necessary actions outlined in Champion Service Letter No. 94 are completed within 100 hours of the aircraft's time in service after 31 March 1972. This requirement is critical to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and to comply with the safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Failure to comply with this directive could potentially compromise the safety of the flight operations and lead to regulatory non-compliance. Violating the provisions of this directive can result in serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can be considered an offence. The potential penalties include fines and imprisonment, with the severity of the penalty depending on the nature and extent of the breach. For corporations, the maximum penalty can be substantial, reflecting the critical nature of adhering to safety directives in aviation. Additionally, CASA may take enforcement actions such as grounding the aircraft or imposing operational restrictions until compliance is achieved. In summary, AD/CHA/6 is a crucial directive that mandates specific modifications to the throttle arm and knob of American Champion (Aeronca, Bellanca) series aeroplanes manufactured before 28 April 1969. Owners and operators of these aircraft are required to ensure compliance with Champion Service Letter No. 94 within the specified timeframe. Failure to comply with this directive not only poses significant safety risks but also attracts serious legal penalties, including fines and imprisonment for individuals and corporations, as well as potential enforcement actions by CASA.