COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Emergency Equipment
AD/EMY/2
Amdt 6
Life Jackets and Inflatable Flotation Devices 9/98
Applicability: All life jackets and inflatable flotation devices not subject to a System of Maintenance which are installed or intended to be installed in an aircraft.
Requirement: Inspect and test in accordance with requirements in instructions issued by the manufacturer. This is to be undertaken by an organisation approved for the purpose by the Authority.
Compliance: In accordance with:
the approved maintenance data; or,
within two years of date of manufacture and thereafter at intervals not exceeding one year.
This amendment becomes effective on 13 August 1998.
Background: Life jackets fall within the definition of aircraft components. Amendment 5 was raised to include inflatable flotation devices. Amendment 6 has been raised to permit inspection intervals to be in accordance with manufacturer’s approved data if that allows a period greater than; two years from manufacture, then every year.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly under Part 39 - 107, established by the Australian Parliament, serve to regulate various aspects of civil aviation safety, including the maintenance and inspection of emergency equipment such as life jackets and inflatable flotation devices on aircraft. This regulatory framework was enacted to ensure that emergency equipment on aircraft meets stringent safety standards, thereby addressing the gap in ensuring the reliability and functionality of life-saving devices in emergency situations. The policy objective of these regulations is to mandate regular inspections and testing of these devices by approved organisations to ensure they remain airworthy and effective in saving lives. The latest amendment, AD/EMY/2 Amendment 6, which became effective on 13 August 1998, was introduced to allow inspection intervals to be determined by the manufacturer’s approved data, provided they adhere to a minimum annual inspection schedule, enhancing flexibility while maintaining safety standards.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority oversees the enforcement of these regulations, ensuring compliance with the prescribed maintenance schedules and testing requirements for life jackets and inflatable flotation devices. This regulatory approach aims to safeguard the safety of passengers and crew by ensuring that emergency equipment is consistently maintained in a serviceable condition, thereby mitigating the risk of equipment failure during an emergency.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, specifically addresses the airworthiness directives related to emergency equipment such as life jackets and inflatable flotation devices, with Amendment 6 focusing on their inspection and testing. This legislation applies to all life jackets and inflatable flotation devices installed or intended to be installed in an aircraft that are not subject to a System of Maintenance. The requirement is that these devices must be inspected and tested in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, carried out by an organisation approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Compliance must be achieved either by following the approved maintenance data or, if such data permits, inspections can occur within two years from the date of manufacture and then at intervals not exceeding one year thereafter. This amendment, effective from 13 August 1998, aims to ensure the safety of these critical emergency components in aircraft operations across Australia, applying a national standard to enhance aviation safety.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, specifically Section 107, deals with the scheduling of airworthiness directives concerning emergency equipment. This includes life jackets and inflatable flotation devices that are not subject to a System of Maintenance and are installed or intended to be installed in an aircraft (Section 107). The key requirement (Section 107) mandates that these life jackets and devices must be inspected and tested in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Furthermore, these inspections and tests must be carried out by an organisation that has been approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for this purpose.
The obligations imposed by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 under Section 107 include adherence to the approved maintenance data for inspections. This means that operators must ensure that the life jackets and inflatable flotation devices are inspected either within two years from the date of manufacture or thereafter at intervals not exceeding one year. If the manufacturer's instructions permit a period longer than two years for the first inspection, operators must follow those specific intervals. This ensures that the devices are maintained in a state of airworthiness, thereby enhancing safety for all individuals onboard the aircraft.
In terms of compliance, the regulations provide flexibility by allowing inspections to be conducted in line with the manufacturer's approved data. This flexibility is crucial for operators to manage their maintenance schedules more effectively. However, it is imperative that these inspections are carried out by approved entities to ensure that the required safety standards are met. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, but non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to severe penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. These penalties can include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the breach and the impact on aviation safety. It is essential for operators to strictly adhere to these regulations to avoid any legal repercussions.