COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Aircraft - General
AD/GENERAL/61
Amdt 2
Cabin Attendant Seats 2/99
Applicability: All aeroplanes and rotorcraft which are required to carry cabin attendants in compliance with CAO Section 20.16.3.
Requirement: Modify cabin attendant seats to comply with the improved safety standards below:
- Cabin attendant seats shall be distributed uniformly throughout the passenger compartment or compartments as near as practicable to floor level emergency exits and be equipped with a restraint system consisting of an approved symmetric safety harness. There must be means to secure each safety harness, when not in use, to prevent interference with rapid egress in an emergency. Symmetric safety harnesses and three-point (lap/sash) harnesses approved and installed before
6 March 1980 may continue in service.
2. Cabin attendant seats must:-
(a) either be forward or rearward facing, with an energy absorbing rest that is designed to support the arms, shoulders, head, and spine; and
(b) be designed or positioned so that when not in use they will not interfere with the use of passageways and exits.
3. The risk of cabin attendant seat occupants being struck by items dislodged from galley, stowage compartments or serving carts shall be minimised, either by suitable location of seats or by provision of restraints such as nets, bulkheads, doors or other devices capable of retaining all items of mass. All items of mass to be expected in service in those compartments shall be considered. Compliance with the location requirement in para. 2 (a) may cause some cabin attendant seats to be located in exposed areas, in which case fully effective restraints of items of mass shall be provided.
Compliance: This Amendment becomes effective on 25 February 1999.
Background: Experience gained overseas on the crashworthiness of airline aeroplanes has demonstrated a need for improving the safety of cabin attendants. Injuries in an emergency may prevent them from supervising the evacuation of passengers from the aircraft. Cabin attendants should be provided with better protection because their knowledge of emergency procedures and their leadership qualities could make the difference between survival and death for many passengers following an accident.
Amendment 1 was raised to permit harnesses which have been approved separate to CAO 108.42. Amendment 2 is raised to clarify location to near floor level emergency exits to more accurately align requirement to overseas standard.
Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 18 June 1998.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 31 December 1984.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, was introduced to address safety concerns for cabin attendants during aviation emergencies. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) identified a gap in the protection of cabin crew, whose knowledge and leadership are crucial for the safe evacuation of passengers following an aircraft accident. This gap was addressed by the Airworthiness Directive AD/GENERAL/61 Amendment 2, which became effective on 25 February 1999. The policy objective of this amendment was to enhance the safety of cabin attendants by mandating improved restraint systems and the strategic placement of seats to mitigate the risk of injury from dislodged items during an emergency. This enhancement aimed to ensure that cabin crew can effectively perform their roles in the event of an accident, thereby improving overall passenger safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105 concerning Airworthiness Directives, applies to all aeroplanes and rotorcraft that are mandated to carry cabin attendants as per CAO Section 20.16.3. The directive aims to enhance the safety of cabin attendants during emergency situations by setting forth specific requirements for their seats, including the need for a uniform distribution near floor level emergency exits and the installation of approved safety harnesses. The seats must either be forward or rearward facing and equipped with an energy-absorbing rest to support the arms, shoulders, head, and spine. Additionally, the seats should not obstruct passageways or exits when not in use, and the risk of cabin attendants being struck by dislodged items must be minimised through either strategic placement of seats or the provision of effective restraints. These requirements became effective on 25 February 1999, and earlier amendments on 18 June 1998 and 31 December 1984 also contribute to the overarching goal of enhancing cabin attendant safety.
Key Provisions
The primary operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/GENERAL/61 Amendment 2, mandate that cabin attendant seats on aeroplanes and rotorcraft must be uniformly distributed throughout the passenger compartment, ideally close to floor-level emergency exits, and be equipped with a safety harness that meets specific criteria. According to section 2, these seats must either face forward or rearward and feature an energy-absorbing rest to support the attendant's arms, shoulders, head, and spine. Furthermore, they must not obstruct the use of passageways and exits when not in use. Section 3 requires that the risk of cabin attendants being struck by dislodged items be minimised either through strategic seat placement or by using restraints such as nets, bulkheads, or doors. This amendment, which became effective on 25 February 1999, aims to improve the safety of cabin attendants during emergencies, thereby ensuring they can effectively assist passengers in evacuation.
The obligations imposed by these regulations require aircraft operators and manufacturers to modify existing cabin attendant seats to meet the specified safety standards. This includes ensuring that seats are uniformly distributed and equipped with the required safety harnesses. Operators must also take steps to minimise the risk of items striking cabin attendants by either relocating seats or providing additional restraints. Moreover, any harness installed before 6 March 1980 that meets the safety standards may continue in service, although operators should aim to update these harnesses as necessary to ensure ongoing compliance with the latest safety requirements.
Failure to comply with these regulations may result in significant legal and financial consequences. Although the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the provided text, general provisions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 may apply. These can include fines, enforcement notices, and potential prosecution for breaches. Additionally, operators may face operational restrictions or be required to cease flights until compliance is achieved. The severity of the penalties may depend on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, as well as any resulting harm or risk to passengers and crew.