Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, introduced a series of airworthiness directives to ensure the safety and reliability of aircraft operations. One such directive, AD/GENERAL/39 Amdt 3, addresses the critical issue of generator system warning placards in aircraft equipped with generators that require a separate power supply for initial excitation. This directive, issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on 2 August 2000, mandates the installation of a placard near generator switches in multi-engine aircraft, advising pilots against turning off generators in flight except in emergencies. This measure aims to prevent aircraft batteries from becoming depleted in flight, which could result in generators being unable to produce power when needed. The policy objective behind this directive is to align flight manual requirements with the broader goal of standardising flight manuals, thereby enhancing operational safety and consistency across the aviation industry.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertains to the safety requirements for aircraft fitted with generators that necessitate a separate power supply for initial excitation. This includes most types of alternator/rectifiers or generators with separately excited regulators, but excludes those systems where the generator does not supply power to a general electrical system, such as de-icer generators. The directive applies to all aircraft within the scope of its applicability, mandating the installation of a placard near generator switches in multi-engine aircraft. This placard must inform pilots not to turn off the generators in flight except in an emergency. The requirement is intended to prevent the aircraft battery from becoming flat, ensuring that the generator remains capable of producing power when selected on during flight. The directive was amended to remove the requirement for a unique flight manual amendment, aligning with the broader objective of standardising flight manuals where possible. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for all relevant aircraft, with the amendment becoming effective on 2 August 2000.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) focus on the requirement to install a placard on multi-engine aircraft that possess generators needing a separate power supply for initial excitation. This requirement is outlined in section 1 of the directive and pertains to aircraft types where the generator can supply power to a general electrical system, excluding de-icer generators. The directive mandates that a placard must be installed near the generator switches, advising pilots not to turn off the generators in flight except in an emergency. This directive is intended to prevent the aircraft battery from becoming flat in flight, which could result in the generator being unable to produce power when selected on. The directive was first issued on 31 January 1967, with subsequent amendments made on 15 June 1967 and 2 November 1967, although the reasons for the latter amendment are currently unknown due to unavailable data. The most recent amendment, AD/GENERAL/39 Amdt 3, was issued on 2 August 2000, and this is the version currently in effect. The obligations and requirements imposed by this AD are primarily on the aircraft operators and owners. They must ensure that the placard is correctly installed near the generator switches as specified. Additionally, operators of aircraft certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must retain any existing placards required by FAA regulations, in addition to the new placard mandated by this AD. Compliance with this directive must be achieved by the specified date, which is before 1 September 1971 for the original requirement, and 2 August 2000 for the most recent amendment. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in legal consequences as outlined in the subsequent sections. The AD does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach of its requirements. However, non-compliance with airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can lead to significant legal and safety ramifications. Operators found to be in non-compliance may face actions from CASA, which could include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory sanctions. These consequences are intended to enforce adherence to safety standards and ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft. The exact penalties would be determined by CASA based on the severity and nature of the non-compliance.