COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Fuel Supply and Metering Equipment
AD/FSM/22 POSA Carburettor - Modification 5/83
Applicability: All model Posa Carburettors as fitted to converted V.W. Engines. These carburettors may be fitted to, but not necessarily confined to the Revmaster and H.A.P.1 V.W. Conversion ranges of engines.
Requirement: (i) Incorporate Revmaster Bulletin No. 001 "Injector Rework" dated 30 July 1973.
(ii) Lockwire choke idle screw.
(iii) Lock all body screws.
(iv) Provide overboard drain, well clear of exhaust, to drain throttle valve of excess fuel during start up.
Compliance: Engines in Service: Within ten hours in service after 31 May 1983. New Engines: Before issue of Permit to Fly.
Background: This Directive was originally issued as part of AD/REV/4 pertaining to Revmaster engines. It is now issued under subject heading to cover all Posa Carburettors fitted to any converted V.W. engine. A Posa Carburettor Service Bulletin issued by the Hapi Engine Organisation and dated February 23, 1983 reports of two inflight fuel starvation incidents caused by the main metering needle turning in flight. While the Posa (Hapi) Bulletin proposes that certain inspection actions be taken to obviate further incidents of this nature it should be accepted that the modification action required by this Directive is a more positive and long term answer for overcoming this problem.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through F2006B09969, aim to address safety issues specifically related to fuel supply and metering equipment for certain aircraft engines. Enacted by the Australian Government, this legislation is part of a broader effort to ensure the safety and reliability of aviation operations by enforcing strict airworthiness standards. The particular focus of this regulation is on modifying Posa Carburettors fitted to converted V.W. engines, responding to documented incidents of inflight fuel starvation. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by mandating specific modifications to prevent fuel metering failures, thereby reducing the risk of catastrophic engine failure mid-flight. Compliance with these directives is crucial for maintaining the airworthiness of affected aircraft, ensuring that they meet necessary safety standards before being permitted to fly.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, mandates the application of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. The AD/FSM/22, concerning POSA Carburettors, applies to all model Posa Carburettors as fitted to converted V.W. Engines, which may be part of the Revmaster and H.A.P.1 V.W. Conversion ranges of engines. The directive requires the incorporation of Revmaster Bulletin No. 001 "Injector Rework" dated 30 July 1973, securing the choke idle screw with lockwire, locking all body screws, and providing an overboard drain to prevent the accumulation of excess fuel during start-up. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory; engines already in service must meet these standards within ten hours after 31 May 1973, while new engines must comply before receiving a Permit to Fly. This regulation is part of the broader legislative framework overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring consistent safety standards are applied nationally.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 and Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, include detailed provisions concerning the airworthiness of aircraft fuel supply and metering equipment. One such directive, AD/FSM/22, pertains to the modification of POSA Carburettors fitted to converted V.W. engines, including models used in Revmaster and H.A.P.1 V.W. conversion ranges (section 107). This directive mandates specific modifications to ensure the safe operation of these engines. The main requirements outlined in the directive include the incorporation of Revmaster Bulletin No. 001 "Injector Rework" dated 30 July 1973, locking the choke idle screw with wire, ensuring all body screws are locked, and providing an overboard drain to manage excess fuel during startup, away from the exhaust (section 5/83).
The directive imposes clear obligations on the entities governed by it. Owners or operators of aircraft equipped with the specified POSA Carburettors must adhere to the modifications listed. For engines already in service, compliance is required within ten hours of service after 31 May 1983. For new engines, compliance must be achieved before the issuance of a Permit to Fly (section 107). These obligations ensure that the identified safety issues, such as in-flight fuel starvation incidents, are addressed promptly and effectively.
Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/FSM/22 may result in significant legal consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance with this directive within the provided text. However, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions may include the grounding of the aircraft, fines, or other regulatory penalties. It is essential for operators and owners to ensure that all modifications are completed as specified to avoid any potential legal repercussions and to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft.