AD/INST/35 - Collins APP-80/80A Autopilot Panel

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the legislative instrument F2006B10838, were enacted to enhance safety standards within civil aviation operations in Australia. This legislative instrument specifically addresses the safety concerns related to the Collins APP-80/80A autopilot panel by issuing Airworthiness Directives that mandate compliance with Service Bulletin 15 (SB 15). The directive was introduced to address a critical safety issue where certain loading conditions could cause smoke to emit from resistors on the autopilot panel, potentially leading to hazardous situations during flight. This regulation was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia and is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), with the policy objective of ensuring that all applicable autopilot panels meet stringent safety standards to protect the integrity and safety of air travel.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives which governs the compliance and safety standards of aviation components. The particular instrument AD/INST/35 focuses on Collins APP-80/80A autopilot panels, which applies to all APP-80 (622-0141-001 through -030) and APP-80A (622-3109-001 through -030) autopilot panels that do not have SB 15 marked out on the unit modification plate. This regulation is integral for ensuring the safety of air travel by addressing specific technical issues identified with these autopilot panels. The requirement is to undertake action in accordance with Collins APP 80/80A Service Bulletin 15, with a compliance deadline set prior to 30 June 1989. This directive ensures that all relevant parties, including aircraft operators and maintenance personnel, are aware of the necessary modifications to prevent potential smoke emissions from resistors on the autopilot panel due to certain loading conditions on the +28V DC Mode Volts No 1 and +28V DC Mode Volts No 2 lines.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, detail the requirements and procedures for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft components, including autopilot panels. The regulation AD/INST/35, which pertains to Collins APP-80/80A autopilot panels, is a pertinent example of these airworthiness directives. Section 11/88 of this regulation applies to all APP-80 and APP-80A autopilot panels that do not have Service Bulletin (SB) 15 marked out on the unit mod plate. The main requirement of this directive is that the autopilot panels must be modified in accordance with Collins APP 80/80A SB 15. This action must be taken prior to 30 June 1989. Compliance with the AD/INST/35 regulation imposes specific obligations on aircraft owners and operators. They must ensure that the autopilot panels in question are inspected and, if necessary, modified to meet the requirements set out in Collins APP 80/80A SB 15. This involves identifying the affected autopilot panels, reviewing the unit mod plate for the presence of SB 15, and performing any modifications as specified in the service bulletin. The regulation underscores the importance of maintaining the safety and airworthiness of these components, which are critical to the operation of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the AD/INST/35 regulation can lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take enforcement actions against non-compliant aircraft or operators. In cases of non-compliance, CASA may issue compliance orders, impose fines, or even suspend or revoke an aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness. The penalties for non-compliance can be significant, reflecting the importance of adhering to airworthiness directives. While the exact penalties are not specified in the regulation itself, they can include substantial financial penalties and potential grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are completed.