AD/GENERAL/42 - Microphone/Compass Safe Distance - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (F2006B10274) were enacted to regulate the safety of civil aviation within Australia, addressing issues concerning aircraft operations, maintenance, and safety standards. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives addresses safety directives related to aircraft, including the critical issue of ensuring that microphone stowage and direct reading magnetic compasses are adequately separated to prevent interference with navigation. This legislative instrument was introduced to ensure that all aircraft maintain a safe operational environment by minimising the risk of magnetic interference that could compromise the accuracy of navigational instruments. The regulations are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, with a policy objective to protect public safety by setting and enforcing high standards for the operation and maintenance of aircraft within Australian airspace.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, mandate the application of the Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/GENERAL/42 concerning the safe distance of microphones from magnetic compasses in aircraft. This directive applies to all aircraft where the microphone stowage does not allow for a minimum separation of 38 centimetres or 15 inches from any direct reading magnetic compass. The directive aims to ensure the safety and reliability of flight operations by addressing potential interference between the aircraft's navigation systems. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this regulation is governed by the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring a consistent standard across the nation. The directive requires either the relocation of microphone stowage or the compass to maintain the specified distance, with additional attention required to compass calibration as per Air Navigation Order Section 108.6 if modifications are made. Compliance with this directive must be achieved before 1 May 1968, enforcing a clear timeline for aircraft operators to adhere to the stipulated safety measures.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, include a directive (AD/GENERAL/42) pertaining to the safe distance between microphones and magnetic compasses in aircraft. Section 42 of the directive applies to all aircraft where the stowage of microphones does not allow for at least 38 centimetres or 15 inches of separation from any direct reading magnetic compass. The directive mandates that either the microphone stowage or the magnetic compass must be relocated to ensure the specified separation distance is achieved. It is crucial to note that any modifications made should be done with caution to avoid affecting the compass calibration, as per the requirements outlined in Section 108.6 of the Air Navigation Order. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and direct. Aircraft operators must ensure that the physical separation between microphones and magnetic compasses is maintained at the specified distance of at least 38 centimetres or 15 inches. This requirement is not just a recommendation but a regulatory mandate. Failure to comply with this directive could potentially compromise the accuracy of magnetic compass readings, which is critical for safe navigation. Hence, operators must either modify the stowage arrangement of the microphones or relocate the magnetic compass to meet the directive's stipulations. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/GENERAL/42 can lead to serious consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the legislative text provided, non-compliance with civil aviation regulations can generally result in severe penalties. These may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance is found to have contributed to an aviation accident or incident. It is important for aircraft operators to adhere strictly to these requirements to avoid these potential repercussions. Ensuring compliance not only upholds regulatory standards but also contributes to the overall safety and integrity of civil aviation operations.