AD/G164/11 - Spray Fan Brake Control - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), as amended, are a comprehensive set of regulations that govern civil aviation safety within Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 deals with the Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes the safety standards and requirements for maintaining aircraft airworthiness. One such Airworthiness Directive is AD/G164/11, issued for the Schweizer (Grumman) G-164 (Ag-Cat) Series Aeroplanes, which was enacted to address a specific safety issue related to the spray fan brake control on these aircraft models. This directive was introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (Cth) to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of these aircraft, thereby protecting the public and maintaining high safety standards within Australia’s civil aviation sector.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Schweizer (Grumman) G-164 (Ag-Cat) series aeroplanes with serial numbers from 1 to 625 that are equipped with the A1976-11 fan brake control. This regulation is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is applicable within the Commonwealth of Australia. The directive mandates that the specified modification to the spray fan brake control must be implemented within 100 hours of the aircraft's time in service following the issuance date of 29 August 1969. The regulation does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, implying that all eligible aircraft must comply with the directive. The scope of this legislation is narrowly focused on ensuring the airworthiness of these particular aircraft models through the specified modification, which is detailed in Grumman G164 Service Bulletin No. 44. The application of this directive is direct and does not extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments, ensuring clear and unambiguous compliance requirements for the specified aircraft.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, includes a specific Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Schweizer (Grumman) G-164 (Ag-Cat) Series Aeroplanes, identified as AD/G164/11 (paragraph 1). This directive pertains to the spray fan brake control and requires modifications to be made to all G164 and G164A aircraft with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from 1 to 625, equipped with an A1976-11 fan brake control (paragraph 2). The directive became applicable within 100 hours of time in service after 29 August 1969, as referenced in Grumman G164 Service Bulletin No. 44 (paragraph 3). The AD imposes specific obligations on the owners and operators of the affected aircraft. They must ensure that the required modifications to the spray fan brake control are implemented by a licensed aircraft engineer within the stipulated timeframe (paragraph 4). This involves following the guidelines and procedures detailed in Grumman G164 Service Bulletin No. 44, which includes technical instructions and specifications for the modification process (paragraph 5). Compliance with this directive is mandatory to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensure safe operational standards are upheld (paragraph 6). Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/G164/11 may result in significant legal consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline that non-compliance can lead to penalties and enforcement actions (paragraph 7). Although specific maximum penalties are not detailed in the provided text, it is understood that penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives can include fines and potential grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are completed (paragraph 8). These consequences underscore the importance of adhering to the directive to avoid operational disruptions and ensure safety (paragraph 9).