COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Aircraft - General
AD/GENERAL/66 Floor Proximity Escape Path Marking 9/87
Applicability: All aeroplanes of 31 passenger seats or more.
Requirement: A floor proximity escape path marking system that complies with the requirement of
F.A.R Part 25.812 Amendment 25-58 must be fitted.
Compliance: Prior to the initial issue of a Certificate of Airworthiness after 30 November 1987.
Background: The F.A.A has required that US Transport Category aeroplanes be fitted with a floor proximity escape path marking system in response to the findings of the Special Aviation and Explosion Reduction Advisory Committee. The applicability of this requirement to Australian aeroplanes was advised by letter to the affected operators in May 1986.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, includes AD/GENERAL/66, a directive concerning floor proximity escape path markings. This directive was enacted to ensure that all aeroplanes with 31 passenger seats or more are equipped with a floor proximity escape path marking system that complies with the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 25.812 Amendment 25-58. This requirement was introduced following the recommendations of the Special Aviation and Explosion Reduction Advisory Committee, which identified the need for such markings to enhance safety during emergency evacuations. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued this directive to address the gap in safety protocols for larger passenger aeroplanes, ensuring compliance with international safety standards. The policy objective behind this legislation is to mitigate risks during emergency situations by providing clear visual guidance to passengers and crew during evacuations.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, apply to all aeroplanes in Australia with 31 or more passenger seats, mandating the installation of a floor proximity escape path marking system that adheres to the requirements set out in F.A.R Part 25.812 Amendment 25-58. This directive is designed to ensure passenger safety by providing clear visual guidance for emergency evacuations. The marking system must be fitted prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Airworthiness following 30 November 1987, ensuring that the safety measure is implemented in all eligible aircraft within the specified timeframe. This requirement stems from the findings of the Special Aviation and Explosion Reduction Advisory Committee, which highlighted the importance of such markings in enhancing passenger survivability during emergencies. The application of these regulations is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, with compliance verified through inspections and certification processes.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contains AD/GENERAL/66 which pertains to floor proximity escape path markings for aeroplanes with 31 passenger seats or more (Part 39 - 105, AD/GENERAL/66). This requirement was introduced to enhance safety during emergency evacuations by ensuring that passengers can easily identify escape routes on the aircraft floor. The marking system must comply with the Federal Aviation Regulations (F.A.R) Part 25.812 Amendment 25-58 (AD/GENERAL/66). The directive mandates that such a system must be installed on affected aircraft prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Airworthiness after 30 November 1987 (AD/GENERAL/66).
This legislation imposes obligations on aircraft operators and manufacturers to ensure that aeroplanes with 31 or more passenger seats are equipped with the specified floor proximity escape path marking system. Operators must verify that the markings are installed and meet the regulatory standards before any Certificate of Airworthiness is issued (Part 39 - 105, AD/GENERAL/66). Manufacturers, on the other hand, are required to design and produce the aeroplanes in compliance with these safety directives. They must provide the necessary documentation and evidence that the escape path marking system is correctly installed and adheres to the stipulated regulations.
Non-compliance with the AD/GENERAL/66 provisions can lead to serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, failure to adhere to the airworthiness directives can result in significant civil penalties. The maximum penalty for non-compliance with airworthiness directives can reach up to $275,000 for individuals and $1,375,000 for corporations (Civil Aviation Act 1988, Section 97). Additionally, the operation of an aircraft that does not comply with the applicable airworthiness directives can be considered an offence, potentially leading to prosecution and further penalties as determined by the court. The severity of these penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the safety standards set forth in the Civil Aviation Regulations.