COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters
AD/ECUREUIL/48 Emergency Locator Transmitter Antenna 10/92
Applicability: All AS 350 helicopters, versions B, BA, B1, B2 and D, fitted with a `Jolliet’ emergency locator transmitter antenna, not modified per AMS 350A.07.2492 (Eurocopter France Service Bulletin AS 350 No 25.43 dated 30 March 1992).
Requirement: Modify the antenna in accordance with Eurocopter France Service Bulletin AS 350 No 25.45 dated 2 June 1992. (SB No 25.45 contains a misprint in Part A - Effectivity, SB No 25.42 should read No 25.43).
Note: DGAC AD 92-144-061(B) dated 8 July 1992 refers.
Compliance: Within 400 hours time in service from 17 September 1992 or by 1 April 1993, whichever occurs first.
Background: Compliance with this Directive improves the antenna resistance to vibrations and reduces the risk of loss in flight.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia and administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were introduced to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. A specific legislative instrument within this framework, F2006B09353, pertains to Airworthiness Directives concerning the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters, focusing on the emergency locator transmitter antenna. This directive was established to address the issue of antenna vibration resistance and to reduce the risk of in-flight antenna loss, thereby enhancing overall flight safety. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate modifications to the antenna of specified AS 350 helicopter models, ensuring compliance within a specified timeframe to maintain the integrity and safety of civil aviation operations.
The directive requires all AS 350 helicopters, versions B, BA, B1, B2, and D, equipped with a 'Jolliet' emergency locator transmitter antenna and not yet modified as per Eurocopter France Service Bulletin AS 350 No 25.43, to be updated in accordance with Service Bulletin No 25.45. Compliance must be achieved within 400 hours of service time from 17 September 1992 or by 1 April 1993, whichever is earlier. This directive is a critical measure in ensuring that the emergency locator transmitter antennas meet the necessary safety standards to prevent potential hazards during flight.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, addresses the safety of Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters through Airworthiness Directives, particularly focusing on the emergency locator transmitter antenna for certain versions of these helicopters. This legislation applies to all AS 350 helicopters, specifically versions B, BA, B1, B2, and D, which are equipped with a 'Jolliet' emergency locator transmitter antenna and have not been modified as per AMS 350A.07.2492 (Eurocopter France Service Bulletin AS 350 No 25.43 dated 30 March 1992). The requirement is to modify the antenna in accordance with Eurocopter France Service Bulletin AS 350 No 25.45 dated 2 June 1992, with a noted correction regarding the referenced service bulletin number in Part A - Effectivity. Compliance with this directive is mandatory within 400 hours of time in service from 17 September 1992, or by 1 April 1993, whichever comes first. This action is intended to enhance the antenna's resistance to vibrations and mitigate the risk of in-flight loss. The directive is applicable nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters. This directive, AD/ECUREUIL/48, pertains to the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) antenna. Section 10/92 of this directive specifies its applicability to all AS 350 helicopters, versions B, BA, B1, B2, and D, that are equipped with a 'Jolliet' ELT antenna, unless they have already been modified according to AMS 350A.07.2492 (Eurocopter France Service Bulletin AS 350 No 25.43 dated 30 March 1992).
The requirement outlined in this directive is to modify the ELT antenna in accordance with Eurocopter France Service Bulletin AS 350 No 25.45 dated 2 June 1992. It is noted that there is a misprint in Part A - Effectivity of SB No 25.45, where SB No 25.42 should be referenced as SB No 25.43. This directive also refers to DGAC AD 92-144-061(B) dated 8 July 1992 for further guidance. The compliance deadline is set within 400 hours of time in service from 17 September 1992, or by 1 April 1993, whichever occurs first.
Operators and owners of the specified helicopters must ensure that the ELT antenna modifications are carried out as per the requirements. This involves verifying the current condition of the ELT antenna and ensuring that the modification process aligns with the instructions provided in Eurocopter France Service Bulletin AS 350 No 25.45. Failure to comply with this directive can result in the helicopter being deemed unairworthy, which may prevent it from being operated until the required modifications are completed.
Breaching this directive can lead to civil and criminal consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with ADs can result in enforcement actions, including fines and potential prosecution. The specific penalties for non-compliance with this AD are not explicitly stated in the text, but generally, penalties for non-compliance with ADs can include fines and imprisonment. The exact penalties depend on the severity of the breach and any relevant state or territory laws that may apply. Operators and owners must take this directive seriously and ensure timely compliance to avoid any legal repercussions.