AD/CL-600/10 - Autopilot Duplex Servo - Installation of Protective Cover

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), as amended, include specific safety directives designed to ensure the highest standards of airworthiness. One such directive, AD/CL-600/10, pertains to the Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) series aeroplanes and mandates the installation of a protective cover on the autopilot duplex servo. This directive was enacted to address the risk of foreign objects jamming the autopilot servo capstan, which could potentially lead to serious safety issues during flight. The requirement was established to ensure compliance before the issue of an Australian Certificate of Airworthiness, underscoring the importance of stringent safety protocols. This legislative instrument is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), aiming to maintain and enhance aviation safety across Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, apply to all Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) series aeroplanes registered in Australia, thereby ensuring the aircraft meet specific airworthiness standards. This regulation mandates the installation of a protective cover on the autopilot duplex servo to prevent foreign objects from jamming the autopilot servo capstan, as detailed in Canadair Challenger SB No. 600-0171. Compliance with this directive is required before an Australian Certificate of Airworthiness is issued. The regulation applies nationally across Australia, ensuring a uniform safety standard for all CL600 aeroplanes operating within the Commonwealth. While the Act itself specifies the mandatory compliance, further details and procedures may be governed through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, section 105, address the applicability of the Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) Series Aeroplanes. Section 105 mandates that all CL600 aeroplanes listed in the requirement document must comply with the ADs. This is outlined in AD/CL-600/10, which focuses on the installation of a protective cover for the autopilot duplex servo. The directive is applicable to all aircraft of this series listed in the requirement document, which in this case is Canadair Challenger Service Bulletin No. 600-0171. Compliance with these directives must be achieved before the issue of an Australian Certificate of Airworthiness, as per section 105. The obligations and requirements imposed by these regulations are straightforward but crucial for ensuring aircraft safety. Operators of CL600 aeroplanes must adhere to the directive that requires the installation of a protective cover over the autopilot servo capstan. This installation is mandated to prevent foreign objects from jamming the servo capstan, which could potentially compromise the aircraft's safety and operational integrity. The requirement document, Canadair Challenger Service Bulletin No. 600-0171, provides detailed instructions and specifications for this installation. Ensuring compliance before the issuance of an Australian Certificate of Airworthiness ensures that all aircraft meet the necessary safety standards before they can be legally operated. Failure to comply with the ADs can lead to serious consequences, including both civil and criminal penalties. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in significant fines. Specifically, for serious breaches, the maximum penalty can amount to $11,100 for individuals and up to $55,500 for corporations, as per section 68 of the Act. Additionally, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement actions, such as suspending or revoking the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness. This could prevent the aircraft from operating until the required modifications are made, thereby ensuring that safety standards are upheld.