AD/INST/27 - Airborne Vacuum Pumps - Removal From Service

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, were enacted to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia. This legislation was introduced to address the need for stringent regulatory oversight in the aviation sector, ensuring that all aircraft, pilots, and aviation operations meet safety standards. A specific legislative instrument, F2006B10829 (AD/INST/27), was introduced to mandate the removal from service of certain airborne vacuum pumps that were identified as potentially unsafe. This directive was aimed at maintaining airworthiness and safety by replacing these specified pumps with serviceable items, thereby preventing potential hazards associated with their use. The policy objective of this instrument is to ensure that the identified airborne vacuum pumps are removed and replaced to uphold the safety standards required by the Civil Aviation Regulations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, apply to all aviation activities within the Commonwealth of Australia. Specifically, the Airborne Vacuum Pumps - Removal From Service directive, detailed in Part 39 - 107 of the Civil Aviation Regulations, pertains to the specified serial numbers of airborne vacuum pumps installed on aircraft. This regulation applies to both new aircraft and those already certificated, requiring the removal and replacement of certain airborne vacuum pumps to ensure continued airworthiness. For new aircraft, compliance must be achieved before certification, while for existing aircraft, the directive mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service following 31 July 1979. The directive also provides a means of exemption through manufacturer stamping, allowing certain listed pumps to remain in service if marked appropriately. This regulation extends its application through subordinate instruments, which may further detail compliance procedures and enforcement measures.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 107, includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives which mandate specific actions to ensure aircraft safety. One such directive, AD/INST/27, pertains to the removal from service of specific airborne vacuum pumps, identified by their part numbers and serial numbers (section 1). The directive mandates that certain models of airborne vacuum pumps must be removed from service and replaced with a serviceable item (section 2). For compliance purposes, new aircraft must adhere to this directive before certification, while aircraft already in service must comply within 100 hours of time in service after July 31, 1979 (section 3). Operators and owners of affected aircraft are required to inspect the listed vacuum pumps and ensure that any pumps with specified serial numbers are either replaced or marked with an "A" or "2" in black ink on the periphery of the body near the mounting flange if they are to remain in service (section 4). This requirement is crucial for maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensuring passenger safety. It is important that these directives are strictly followed to avoid any potential risks associated with the use of non-compliant vacuum pumps. Failure to comply with the provisions of this airworthiness directive can lead to significant consequences. Civil penalties can be imposed for non-compliance, and in more severe cases, criminal charges may apply. The maximum penalties for breaches of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can include substantial fines and, in some cases, imprisonment. The severity of the penalty depends on the nature and extent of the breach, with more serious breaches potentially leading to higher fines and longer prison terms. It is imperative for operators and owners to ensure strict adherence to the airworthiness directives to avoid these penalties.