COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Aircraft - General
AD/GENERAL/52 Bonding - Modification 8/76
Applicability: All aircraft.
Requirement: 1. Provide a positive method of bonding refuelling equipment to the aircraft at each fuel tank filling point. Bonding of the equipment shall be possible before the filter cap is removed except where the refuelling hose coupling is of all metal construction and is self bonding at the time of connection.
2. Provide a clearly identified external earthing point for the attachment of ground connections in a conspicuous position, preferably on each main undercarriage assembly or on the nose gear.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 August 1976.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the Legislative instrument F2006B10283, introduced specific requirements for aircraft bonding to enhance safety during refuelling operations. This legislation, enacted by the Australian Parliament, aims to address the problem of static electricity discharge during refuelling, which could potentially lead to fuel tank explosions. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) GENERAL/52, mandating that all aircraft must provide a positive method of bonding refuelling equipment to the aircraft at each fuel tank filling point, ensuring bonding is possible before the filter cap is removed, except in the case of all-metal self-bonding couplings. Additionally, the legislation requires the provision of clearly identified external earthing points, preferably located on the main undercarriage assembly or nose gear, to facilitate safe ground connections. The objective of this directive is to mitigate the risks associated with static electricity by ensuring effective bonding and grounding practices are implemented within 100 hours of the directive's effective date.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, mandates adherence to Airworthiness Directives for all aircraft operating in Australian airspace. These regulations apply universally to all aircraft, irrespective of their type, size, or purpose, ensuring safety and compliance with international standards. One such directive, AD/GENERAL/52, focuses on bonding modifications for aircraft refuelling equipment. It requires the implementation of a positive bonding method for refuelling equipment to the aircraft at each fuel tank filling point, which must be feasible prior to removing the filter cap, except when the refuelling hose coupling is entirely metallic and self-bonding upon connection. Additionally, it mandates the provision of a clearly identified external earthing point for ground connections, preferably on each main undercarriage assembly or the nose gear. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1976. While the Act sets forth these essential safety measures, its application can be extended or refined through subordinate instruments, ensuring that it remains responsive to evolving aviation safety needs.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, AD/GENERAL/52, provides key provisions regarding the bonding and earthing of refuelling equipment for aircraft. This section mandates that all aircraft must have a positive method of bonding their refuelling equipment to the aircraft at each fuel tank filling point (section 1). This bonding must be achievable before the filter cap is removed, except in cases where the refuelling hose coupling is entirely metal and self-bonding upon connection. Additionally, it requires the provision of a clearly identified external earthing point for ground connections, ideally located on each main undercarriage assembly or on the nose gear (section 2). These requirements aim to ensure the safety of the refuelling process by mitigating the risk of static electricity ignition.
Entities governed by this regulation must comply by implementing the bonding and earthing measures within 100 hours of the aircraft being in service after 31 August 1976. This compliance period ensures that all aircraft meet the safety standards specified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Failure to adhere to these requirements could result in non-compliance with civil aviation safety standards, potentially leading to operational disruptions or safety hazards.
The legislation also outlines the consequences for non-compliance. While specific penalties are not detailed within the text provided, it is understood that non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can lead to serious civil and criminal consequences. CASA has the authority to impose fines, suspend or revoke aircraft certificates of airworthiness, and take other enforcement actions against entities that fail to comply with the safety directives. These measures are designed to enforce adherence to safety standards and maintain the high level of safety required in the aviation industry.