COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters
AD/HU 269/55 Lateral Cyclic Trim Control Assembly - Inspection 8/76
Applicability: Model 269C with S/Nos. 0162 to 0455, 0458 to 0463, 0465 to 0469, 0471 to 0475, and any model 269A, 269A-1, 269Bor 269C equipped with a P/N 269A7316-3,-5, -7,
-9 or -11 cyclic trim control assembly: Document: 1. Hughes SIN No. N-138; or
2. FAA AD 76-10-02.
Compliance: Within 25 hours time in service after 28 July 1976.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia's Parliament, constitute a comprehensive legal framework aimed at ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation operations within the country. This legislation, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), is designed to address various safety concerns and regulatory gaps in the civil aviation sector, with a focus on maintaining high safety standards and protecting public welfare. One specific regulation within this framework is the Airworthiness Directives, which mandate compliance with certain safety measures for specific aircraft models. These directives are intended to rectify known safety issues and ensure that aircraft meet the required standards of airworthiness.
A pertinent example of such an airworthiness directive is AD/HU 269/55, which pertains to the lateral cyclic trim control assembly inspection for Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series helicopters. This directive was introduced to address safety concerns associated with the specified models and serial numbers, requiring compliance within 25 hours of time in service after 28 July 1976. The policy objective of this directive is to mitigate potential risks and enhance the overall safety of these aircraft by mandating regular inspections of the lateral cyclic trim control assembly.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, pertains to the applicability and compliance requirements of Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This particular regulation, AD/HU 269/55, mandates the inspection of the lateral cyclic trim control assembly on Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters. This directive applies to Model 269C helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 0162 to 0455, 0458 to 0463, 0465 to 0469, 0471 to 0475, and any model 269A, 269A-1, 269B or 269C equipped with a P/N 269A7316-3, -5, -7, -9, or -11 cyclic trim control assembly, identifiable by Hughes Serial Number N-138 or FAA AD 76-10-02. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 25 hours of time in service after 28 July 1976. The regulation extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, enforcing safety standards set by CASA to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft models.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, specifically section 105, mandate that certain Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters must adhere to Airworthiness Directives (AD). The directive in question is AD/HU 269/55, which pertains to the inspection of the lateral cyclic trim control assembly. This directive applies to specific models and serial numbers of the Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series helicopters, namely models 269C with serial numbers ranging from 0162 to 0455, 0458 to 0463, 0465 to 0469, 0471 to 0475, and any model 269A, 269A-1, 269B, or 269C equipped with a particular part number (P/N) cyclic trim control assembly. The directive references document Hughes SIN No. N-138 or FAA AD 76-10-02 for further details.
Under these regulations, the primary obligation is for the operators and owners of the specified Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series helicopters to ensure that the lateral cyclic trim control assembly is inspected within 25 hours of time in service following the effective date of 28 July 1976. This inspection must be carried out to ensure that the aircraft remains airworthy and complies with the specified safety standards. Failure to conduct this inspection within the stipulated timeframe could result in the aircraft being deemed non-compliant with airworthiness requirements, potentially leading to operational restrictions or grounding of the aircraft until the inspection is performed.
Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directives can result in significant legal and operational consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with ADs can lead to civil penalties, including fines. The specific penalties are not detailed within the text of the directive itself but are prescribed under the broader Civil Aviation Regulations. Additionally, operating an aircraft that does not meet airworthiness standards can have severe safety implications, potentially leading to criminal charges if the non-compliance results in an accident or endangers safety. The exact penalties, including maximum fines and potential imprisonment, would be determined based on the severity of the breach and the circumstances of the case.