AD/HS 125/60 - Horizontal Stabiliser Attachment Fitting - Inspection and Rectification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth) were enacted to provide a comprehensive regulatory framework governing all aspects of civil aviation in Australia. One specific aspect addressed by these regulations is the issuance of Airworthiness Directives, which are legally binding orders issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the ongoing airworthiness of aircraft. The objective of these directives is to maintain a consistent and high standard of safety within the Australian civil aviation industry. The specific directive referenced here, AD/HS 125/60 concerning the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes, aimed to mandate inspections and rectifications of the horizontal stabiliser attachment fitting, though it has since been removed from the listing as the referenced aircraft model is not currently registered in Australia. This removal reflects the dynamic nature of the regulations, which are updated in response to changes in the aviation landscape and emerging safety concerns.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which establish mandatory requirements for the airworthiness of aircraft. This regulatory framework applies to all aircraft operators, including individuals and entities, within Australia’s jurisdiction. The legislation encompasses all civil aviation activities, ensuring that aircraft, including the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes, meet safety standards for air travel. The geographic scope of this regulation is nationwide, ensuring consistent safety protocols across all states and territories. Notably, the particular Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the BAe 125 Series aeroplanes' horizontal stabiliser attachment fitting has been removed as this aircraft model is no longer registered. The Civil Aviation Regulations extend their application through subordinate instruments, which provide further detailed requirements and enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with airworthiness directives.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, which concerns the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes provisions related to ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. Section 39.105 addresses the mandatory requirements for maintaining certain aircraft, such as the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes, which in this case are no longer on the register (AD/HS 125/60). This section mandates that the horizontal stabiliser attachment fitting of the BAe 125 Series aeroplanes must undergo regular inspections and any necessary rectifications to maintain their airworthiness (section 3/83). This particular directive has been removed from the listing due to the model not being currently registered. The obligations imposed by this regulation on the entities governed by it include ensuring that any BAe 125 Series aeroplanes that were once registered and are still in operation must adhere to the inspection and rectification requirements as specified by CASA. This would involve regular checks by certified personnel to verify that the horizontal stabiliser attachment fittings are in compliance with the airworthiness standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Regulations. Operators of these aircraft must maintain detailed records of all inspections and rectifications performed, which must be readily available for review by CASA upon request. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directives can lead to significant legal and financial repercussions. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, any non-compliance with the provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in enforcement actions. Specifically, CASA can issue enforcement notices, and in cases of serious non-compliance, CASA may impose fines. The maximum penalty for contravening these regulations can be substantial, with fines reaching up to $210,000 for corporations and $42,000 for individuals, as outlined in the regulatory framework. Additionally, persistent non-compliance can lead to more severe consequences, such as the suspension or revocation of the operator’s licence, further impacting the entity’s ability to conduct aviation operations.