Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, are comprehensive regulations that govern various aspects of civil aviation in Australia. One specific aspect addressed by these regulations is the airworthiness of aircraft, as evidenced in Part 39 - 105 concerning the Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) Series Aeroplanes. This legislative instrument aims to ensure the safety and airworthiness of these specific aircraft models by mandating regular inspections and, if necessary, modifications to the elevator trim tab and tail cone clearance. The problem addressed here is the potential interference between the elevator trim tab and the tail cone, which could compromise the aircraft's safety and performance. The objective is to prevent such interference and ensure that the clearance between these components meets the specified requirements. The Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) Series Aeroplanes Airworthiness Directive (AD/EMB-110/11) requires all aircraft within the specified serial number range to undergo inspection for the clearance between the elevator trim tab and the tail cone. If the clearance is less than the required 5mm at the hinge line and 10mm at the trim tab trailing edge, modifications must be made to achieve the necessary clearances while maintaining a rivet edge distance of 5mm. This directive is to be complied with within 120 hours of time in service after 31 October 1980 and whenever the trim tab or tail cone is replaced. The aim is to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft by preventing potential interference and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives and applies to the Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 110001 to 110226. This legislation mandates that all relevant aircraft must undergo an inspection of the clearance between the elevator trim tab and the tail cone in all possible deflections of the elevator and trim tab. The inspection requirement is that there must be a clearance of 5mm or more at the hinge line and 10mm or more at the trailing edge of the trim tab. If the clearance is found to be less than these specified measures, the trim tab must be modified to achieve the necessary clearances, with a critical requirement to maintain a rivet edge distance of 5mm during the modification process. In cases where the required clearances cannot be achieved while maintaining the rivet edge distance, the aircraft operator is directed to contact the manufacturer for a suitable modification scheme. The directive references Brazilian AD 80-07-03, and compliance must be achieved within 120 hours of time in service after 31 October 1980 and subsequently any time the trim tab or tail cone is replaced.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105 (Sections 105.10/80), mandate particular safety measures for the Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) series aeroplanes. The regulation requires that all aircraft within the specified serial number range (110001 to 110226) undergo a thorough inspection of the clearance between the elevator trim tab and the tail cone. This inspection must be conducted in all possible deflections of the elevator and trim tab. The required clearances are 5mm at the hinge line and 10mm at the trailing edge of the trim tab. If the existing clearances do not meet these specifications, the trim tab must be modified to achieve the necessary clearances. The modification must ensure that a rivet edge distance of 5mm is maintained. If it is not possible to achieve the required clearances while maintaining the specified rivet edge distance, the manufacturer should be contacted for an alternative modification scheme. Entities governed by these regulations are obligated to comply with the inspection and modification requirements within 120 hours of the aircraft's time in service after 31 October 1980 and whenever the trim tab or tail cone is replaced. Compliance with these directives is crucial to prevent any potential interference between the elevator trim tab and the tail cone, which could compromise the safety of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in serious legal and safety consequences. The specific nature and severity of the penalties depend on the extent and impact of the non-compliance. Generally, breaches of these safety directives can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which may include fines, operational restrictions, or other regulatory sanctions. In extreme cases, continued non-compliance could lead to the grounding of the aircraft until the necessary modifications are completed and compliance is verified. The consequences underscore the importance of adhering to these safety mandates to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the Embraer EMB-110 series aeroplanes.