AD/GENERAL/18 Amdt 1 - Automatic Pilot Limitation Placard - Installation

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, constitute a comprehensive regulatory framework governing all aspects of civil aviation within Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, ensures that aircraft meet specific safety standards. One such directive, AD/GENERAL/18 Amendment 1, addresses the installation of automatic pilot limitation placards in aircraft equipped with automatic pilots. This directive was introduced to address the issue of ensuring that flight crews are adequately informed about the operational limitations of the automatic pilot systems. The policy objective is to enhance flight safety by clearly communicating the speed limitations under which the automatic pilot can be used, particularly in cases where these limitations are not included in the Flight Manual. Compliance with this directive has remained unchanged since before 1 September 1971, with the amendment taking effect on 15 July 1999.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), govern various safety standards and directives related to civil aviation within Australia. The regulations apply to all aircraft operating within Australian airspace, ensuring that safety standards are uniformly upheld across the aviation industry. The regulations cover a broad range of entities, including individual pilots, flight crew members, aircraft owners, operators, and manufacturers, thereby establishing a comprehensive framework that mandates compliance with specific safety directives, such as the automatic pilot limitation placard requirement. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, applying to all aircraft regardless of where they are registered or where they operate within Australia. Under the specific directive AD/GENERAL/18 Amendment 1, the requirement for a placard to be displayed in the flight crew compartment of any aircraft fitted with an automatic pilot becomes effective from 15 July 1999. This directive applies to all aircraft irrespective of their registration date, provided they are fitted with automatic pilots. The requirement stipulates that if the automatic pilot limitations are not already detailed in the Flight Manual, a placard must be installed indicating the permissible indicated airspeeds. This directive aims to enhance flight safety by ensuring that pilots are clearly informed of the operational limitations of the automatic pilot system. The regulation excludes any aircraft for which the automatic pilot limitations are already detailed in the Flight Manual, thus not imposing additional requirements on such aircraft. The regulations may also be extended or refined through subordinate instruments, ensuring that they remain relevant and effective in the face of evolving aviation technology and practices.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, mandate the installation of an automatic pilot limitation placard on all aircraft equipped with automatic pilots (Section 39-105). This requirement is detailed in AD/GENERAL/18 Amendment 1, which became effective on 15 July 1999. The directive states that if the limitations of the automatic pilot are not included in the Flight Manual, a placard must be installed in the flight crew compartment. This placard should clearly indicate the airspeeds within which the automatic pilot can be safely used, unless it can be used at all speeds up to Vne, the maximum structural cruising speed (Section 39-105(a)). The compliance date for this requirement remains unchanged, meaning it applies to aircraft manufactured before 1 September 1971. This amendment also involves the removal of references to documents that have since been cancelled, ensuring the regulations remain current and applicable. The obligations under this legislation are clear and focused on maintaining the safety and operational integrity of aircraft. Aircraft operators must ensure that any automatic pilots on their aircraft are used within the specified limitations, as detailed in the Flight Manual or, if not included, by the placard. This involves a thorough review of the aircraft’s documentation and, if necessary, the installation of the required placard in the flight crew compartment (Section 39-105(b)). Operators must also keep their records updated to reflect any changes or amendments to the regulations, ensuring that all safety directives are adhered to at all times. Breach of these regulations can result in serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to civil penalties, including fines up to $222,200 for corporations and $44,440 for individuals, as well as potential criminal charges (Section 88(1)). Additionally, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to issue enforcement actions, which could include grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. This underscores the importance of adhering to the directives to avoid legal repercussions and ensure the safety of all passengers and crew on board.