COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Instruments and Automatic Pilots
AD/INST/34 Honeywell SP-300 DFCS Mode Control Panel 11/88
Applicability: Honeywell (Sperry) Digital Flight Control System SP-300 mode control panel P/Ns 4051601-915 and 4051601-916.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Honeywell Alert SB 21A-1142-16. Compliance: Prior to 30 June 1989.
Background: During operations in severe EMI environment, unselected changes in the altitude window setting may occur. This modification reduces the possibility of such altitude changes.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (the Regulations) were enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia to provide a comprehensive framework for ensuring the safety of civil aviation operations. Among these regulations, Part 39 specifically addresses airworthiness directives, with the aim of maintaining the highest safety standards in the industry. The legislative instrument F2006B10837, introduced under AD/INST/34, focuses on the Honeywell SP-300 DFCS Mode Control Panel, which pertains to the Digital Flight Control System. This instrument was developed to address the problem of unselected changes in the altitude window setting that could occur during operations in severe electromagnetic interference (EMI) environments, thereby enhancing the reliability and safety of the aircraft’s control systems. The policy objective behind this directive is to ensure that such systems function correctly and reliably, thereby maintaining the overall airworthiness of the aircraft involved.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations, specifically Part 39 - 107, outline the applicability and requirements for the Honeywell SP-300 Digital Flight Control System (DFCS) mode control panel, with particular reference to parts numbers 4051601-915 and 4051601-916. This legislation applies to aircraft equipped with the specified Honeywell (Sperry) DFCS mode control panels, mandating compliance with Honeywell Alert SB 21A-1142-16. The primary aim of this directive is to mitigate the risk of unintended altitude changes due to electromagnetic interference (EMI) during severe operational conditions. The requirement necessitates actions to be taken prior to 30 June 1989 to ensure compliance with the stipulated safety measures. This regulation operates under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, extending its reach across all aviation activities within the country, thereby impacting aircraft operators, maintenance providers, and relevant personnel who must adhere to these safety directives. The regulation does not specify exclusions or exemptions but clearly sets the compliance deadline, enforcing adherence to the safety protocols through CASA oversight.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly under PART 39 - 107, mandate specific actions related to the Honeywell SP-300 DFCS Mode Control Panel. Section 11/88 applies to Honeywell (Sperry) Digital Flight Control System SP-300 mode control panels with particular part numbers (4051601-915 and 4051601-916). The requirement, as stated in the regulation, is for compliance with Honeywell Alert SB 21A-1142-16. This directive stipulates actions that must be taken to mitigate risks, specifically addressing issues that may arise from unselected changes in the altitude window setting when operating in severe Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) environments. The compliance deadline for these actions was set prior to 30 June 1989.
The Civil Aviation Regulations impose several obligations on the entities governed by these provisions. Owners and operators of aircraft equipped with the specified Honeywell mode control panels must ensure that the modifications outlined in the Honeywell Alert SB 21A-1142-16 are implemented before the stipulated deadline. This includes conducting necessary inspections, making required changes, and ensuring that the modifications are performed by authorised personnel. Additionally, these entities must maintain records of compliance to demonstrate adherence to the regulatory requirements.
Breaches of these regulations can lead to various consequences, both civil and criminal. Civil penalties may include fines, with the maximum amount depending on the severity and nature of the breach. Furthermore, failure to comply with the specified airworthiness directives can result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions may include grounding of the aircraft until the necessary modifications are completed, and in severe cases, legal proceedings could be initiated, potentially leading to criminal charges. It is crucial for all involved parties to strictly adhere to the outlined requirements to avoid these potential consequences.