Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to regulate civil aviation in Australia and ensure the safety and efficiency of air travel. Part 39, specifically, pertains to airworthiness directives, which are regulatory measures that mandate specific actions to be taken to maintain the airworthiness of aircraft. One such directive, AD/CL-600/4, targets Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the auxiliary power unit (APU) load control valve. This directive was introduced to address a potential safety issue where interference between the APU load control and the APU enclosure front panel could lead to local erosion, compromising the fire containment capability of the APU enclosure. The directive requires a clearance check to be conducted prior to the issuance of an Australian Certificate of Airworthiness, as outlined in the Canadair Challenger Service Bulletin No. 600-0228. The enactment of this directive by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority aims to ensure that all affected aircraft meet the necessary safety standards, thereby enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the Airworthiness Directives concerning Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) Series Aeroplanes. This legislation mandates that all aircraft within specified serial numbers, namely those ranging from S/Nos. 1005 to 1008, 1010 to 1050, 1057, and 1058, undergo a special check and adjustment of the Auxiliary Power Unit Load Control Valve, as outlined in Canadair Challenger SB No. 600-0228. This directive is critical to ensuring the safety of the aircraft by preventing potential interference between the APU load control and the APU enclosure front panel, which could otherwise lead to erosion compromising the fire containment capability of the APU enclosure. Compliance with this directive is mandatory prior to the issuance of an Australian Certificate of Airworthiness. The scope of this legislation is geographically confined to the Commonwealth of Australia, thus applying uniformly across all states and territories. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the provided excerpt, and the application is stringent, leaving no room for thresholds that might otherwise limit its reach. This directive extends its application through the subordinate instrument, Canadair Challenger SB No. 600-0228, which provides specific operational and technical guidance to ensure compliance.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) Series Aeroplanes, designated as AD/CL-600/4. This directive pertains to the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Load Control Valve, requiring a special check and adjustment (section 105.025). The directive applies to all models with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from 1005 to 1008, 1010 to 1050, 1057, and 1058 (section 105.021). Compliance with this directive is mandatory prior to the issuance of an Australian Certificate of Airworthiness (section 105.020). This requirement ensures that a clearance check is conducted between the APU load control and the APU enclosure front panel, as interference between these components could lead to local erosion, compromising the fire containment capability of the APU enclosure (section 105.022). The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators and maintainers of the affected aircraft. These parties must ensure that a clearance check is performed to identify and rectify any potential interference between the APU load control and the APU enclosure front panel. This involves a detailed inspection and, if necessary, adjustment of the APU load control valve to maintain the required clearance. The directive also mandates that these checks be completed before any Australian Certificate of Airworthiness is issued (section 105.023). The compliance with these checks is crucial for maintaining the airworthiness and safety standards of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in AD/CL-600/4 can lead to significant consequences. Non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive is a serious breach of the Civil Aviation Regulations. Such breaches can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The specific penalties are outlined in the Civil Aviation Act 1988, where non-compliance with airworthiness regulations can attract a maximum penalty of up to $210,000 for individuals and $1,050,000 for corporations (section 40.01). Additionally, non-compliance can lead to the suspension or revocation of an aircraft's Certificate of Airworthiness, which would render the aircraft inoperable until the deficiencies are rectified (section 105.026). The severity of these penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the AD to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.