AD/LEARJET/3 - Rudder Pedal Heel Plates - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, serve to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation within the country. A particular aspect of this regulation is addressed in Part 39 - 105, which concerns the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This legislative instrument was introduced to fill the need for specific and enforceable safety mandates for certain aircraft models, ensuring they meet safety standards. One such directive is AD/LEARJET/3, which pertains to the inspection of rudder pedal heel plates on Gates Learjet 24 and 25 series aeroplanes. This directive applies to specific serial numbers and mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service following 31 July 1973, ensuring that these aircraft maintain the necessary safety standards for continued operation. The policy objective of these regulations is to safeguard the integrity and safety of civil aviation through stringent and timely compliance with specified directives.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically address the inspection of rudder pedal heel plates for Gates Learjet 24 and 25 series aeroplanes. This directive applies to all model 24 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 24-100 to 24-266 and model 25 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 25-003 to 25-113. The directive mandates compliance with Gates Learjet Service Bulletin No. 23/24/25-244, requiring the inspection to be conducted within 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1973. This regulation ensures that the specified aircraft maintain airworthiness standards by addressing potential issues with the rudder pedal heel plates. The application of this directive is nationally governed under Commonwealth law, with no exclusions explicitly mentioned in the text, thereby ensuring uniform compliance across the aviation industry within Australia.

Key Provisions

The main sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, PART 39 - 105 (henceforth referred to as the "Regulations") that pertain to Gates Learjet 24 & 25 Series Aeroplanes, specifically AD/LEARJET/3 concerning rudder pedal heel plates, are crucial for ensuring the airworthiness of these aircraft models. Section 39.105 mandates that all model 24 aeroplanes with serial numbers (S/Nos.) between 24-100 to 24-266, and model 25 aeroplanes with S/Nos. 25-003 to 25-113, must comply with the specified safety directive. The compliance requirement is outlined in Section 39.105(6/73), which stipulates that an inspection must be conducted within 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1973. This directive is further detailed in Gates Learjet Service Bulletin No. 23/24/25-244. The obligations imposed by the Regulations on the operators and maintainers of the Gates Learjet 24 & 25 Series Aeroplanes are clear and specific. They must ensure that the rudder pedal heel plate inspections are performed as required by Section 39.105. This involves adherence to the timelines set out in the Service Bulletin and ensuring that any identified issues are addressed promptly to maintain the aircraft's airworthiness. The operators must maintain records of the inspections and any remedial actions taken, as per Section 39.105(6/73). Additionally, the maintenance personnel must be adequately trained and qualified to carry out these inspections. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Regulations can lead to significant consequences. Section 39.105 outlines that non-compliance with the airworthiness directives can result in various civil or criminal penalties. The specific penalties for breaching these regulations are not explicitly stated in the provided text but generally, such breaches can lead to fines, enforcement actions, or even grounding of the aircraft. It is important for operators and maintainers to be fully aware of their obligations under the Regulations to avoid any potential penalties or risks associated with non-compliance.