AD/M20/28 - Automatic Pilot Control Wheel Disengage Switch Circuit - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, serve as the primary legislation governing civil aviation safety within Australia. Among its many parts, Part 39 - 105, specifically pertaining to Airworthiness Directives, addresses various safety issues by mandating modifications or inspections on aircraft to ensure compliance with safety standards. The Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes Automatic Pilot Control Wheel Disengage Switch Circuit Modification AD/M20/28 was introduced to address safety concerns associated with the automatic pilot control wheel disengage switch circuit in certain Mooney M20J models, as outlined in Mooney Service Bulletin M20-199. This directive was enacted to ensure compliance before 30 September 1977, thereby enhancing the overall safety and reliability of the affected aircraft models. The policy objective of these regulations is to maintain and improve the safety standards within Australia’s civil aviation sector, ensuring that all aircraft meet stringent safety criteria as mandated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, which includes detailed instructions and requirements to ensure the safety of civil aviation activities within Australia. One such directive, AD/M20/28, focuses on the Mooney M20 Series aeroplanes, particularly model M20J with specific serial numbers, mandating modifications to the automatic pilot control wheel disengage switch circuit. This directive applies to the named serial numbers of the Mooney M20J aeroplanes, ensuring that these aircraft meet specific safety standards. The applicability of this regulation is strictly confined to the identified serial numbers, and it does not extend to other models or serial numbers of the Mooney M20 Series or any other aircraft types. Compliance with this directive must be achieved before 30 September 1977, ensuring that the specified modifications are implemented in a timely manner to maintain airworthiness. The geographic reach of this directive is within the Commonwealth of Australia, and its enforcement is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions mentioned in this directive, and it does not extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments beyond the specified serial numbers and modification requirements.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of this legislative instrument, AD/M20/28, pertain to the modification of the automatic pilot control wheel disengage switch circuit in Mooney M20J series aeroplanes with specific serial numbers (sections 1-7). This directive mandates the alteration of the automatic pilot control wheel disengage switch circuit for certain Mooney M20J aeroplanes to ensure compliance with safety standards. Specifically, this directive applies to aeroplanes with serial numbers 24-0063, 24-0068, 24-0077, 24-0080, 24-0084, 24-0088, 24-0091, and 24-0093. The required modification must be completed before 30 September 1977, and the directive refers to Mooney Service Bulletin M20-199 for compliance details. The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act are clear and specific. The Mooney M20J aeroplanes with the designated serial numbers must have their automatic pilot control wheel disengage switch circuits modified according to the instructions provided in Mooney Service Bulletin M20-199. The compliance deadline is set as 30 September 1977, and any deviations from this requirement could result in the aeroplanes not meeting the necessary safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. It is imperative that the modifications are carried out meticulously to avoid any safety risks. Non-compliance with the provisions of this directive could lead to significant legal and safety repercussions. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose strict penalties for breaches of safety directives. Failure to adhere to the requirements outlined in AD/M20/28 could result in civil or criminal penalties, depending on the severity of the breach. While specific maximum penalties are not detailed in the directive, it is understood that significant fines and potential imprisonment could be imposed for serious violations of aviation safety regulations. It is crucial for all parties involved to ensure full compliance to avoid these consequences.