AD/F50/37 - Auto Flight Idle Stop Mechanism

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, constitute a comprehensive framework designed to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation within Australia. Among these regulations, Part 39 - 105, specifically focusing on the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses the critical issue of ensuring that aircraft meet required safety standards. This legislative instrument was introduced to fill a gap in the regulatory oversight of airworthiness directives, thereby safeguarding the public and the aviation industry from potential hazards that may arise from mechanical failures or deficiencies in aircraft components. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, as the enacting body, aims to uphold and enforce these directives to ensure compliance and maintain the highest standards of aviation safety. One example of such a directive is AD/F50/37, which pertains to the Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes, specifically those with serial numbers ranging from 20103 to 20192. This directive mandates the inspection and corrective action concerning the auto flight idle stop mechanism to prevent issues arising from gradual wear of its components. The policy objective is to ensure that the solenoid stroke operates correctly, thereby averting potential flight safety risks. Compliance with this directive is essential, requiring inspections within 250 hours of time in service after the incorporation of Service Bulletin F50-76-008 Revision 1, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 250 hours of time in service.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertain to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for the Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument applies to Fokker F50 series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 20103 to 20192 that have had Service Bulletin F50-76-008 Revision 1 incorporated. This requirement is mandatory and ensures that the auto flight idle stop mechanism undergoes repetitive inspection to maintain its correct solenoid stroke, addressing the gradual wear of the parts. Compliance with this directive must occur within 250 hours of time in service following the incorporation of the mentioned service bulletin, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 250 hours of time in service. The scope of this legislation is limited to the specified Fokker F50 series aeroplanes and the particular issue identified, ensuring aviation safety standards are met through regular maintenance and inspection.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives that governs the maintenance and safety of various aircraft models. For the Fokker F50 series, Airworthiness Directive AD/F50/37 addresses the auto flight idle stop mechanism, as outlined in section 10/90. This directive applies to Fokker F50 models with serial numbers ranging from 20103 to 20192 that have incorporated Service Bulletin F50-76-008 Revision 1. The directive mandates that actions must be taken in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F50-76-009 to ensure the safety and functionality of the aircraft. This requirement is further referenced by RLD AD 90-044. The obligations under this directive are clear and precise. Aircraft operators must adhere to the inspection and maintenance schedule stipulated in the directive. The inspections must be carried out within 250 hours of time in service following the incorporation of Service Bulletin F50-76-008 Revision 1, and subsequently, at intervals not exceeding 250 hours of time in service. The directive mandates repetitive inspections of the auto flight idle stop mechanism to ensure the correct solenoid stroke, as wear on the parts can gradually affect its functionality. Operators must maintain thorough records of all inspections and actions taken to comply with the directive. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/F50/37 can lead to significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce compliance through various means. If an aircraft is found to be non-compliant, CASA may issue enforcement actions, which can include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, or even grounding of the aircraft. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the directive, but they are severe enough to ensure that operators take the necessary steps to maintain the airworthiness of their Fokker F50 aircraft in accordance with the directive. Operators must be diligent in their adherence to the inspection and maintenance schedules to avoid any legal or safety repercussions.