COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes
AD/M20/35 Autopilot Pitch Servo Actuator Stop Bracket - Installation
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Applicability: All models M20F and M20J fitted with Edo-Aire Mitchell autopilot model AK523 per STC SA3047SW-D.
Document: 1. Edo Service Bulletin MB-14; or
2. FAA AD 79-06-04, Amendment 39-3438.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 May 1979.
Background: The pitch servo actuator of model AK523 Edo-Aire Mitchell Century III autopilot can, under specific conditions, force the servo capstan arm over centre. This condition restricts the limits of travel of the elevator control system. Incorporation of the SB will prevent such a condition.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety requirements for civil aviation operations in Australia. One particular focus is on the airworthiness directives aimed at ensuring the safety of aircraft. The Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes Autopilot Pitch Servo Actuator Stop Bracket directive (AD/M20/35) was enacted to address a specific safety concern identified with the autopilot pitch servo actuator in Mooney M20F and M20J models equipped with the Edo-Aire Mitchell autopilot model AK523. This directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of the pitch servo actuator forcing the servo capstan arm over centre, which can restrict the limits of travel of the elevator control system. The directive mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 May 1979 and references relevant service bulletins and Federal Aviation Administration directives to ensure consistency with international safety standards. The policy objective is to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation, protecting both passengers and crew.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, outline specific requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft, with particular attention to Mooney M20 Series aeroplanes. The regulations, as detailed in PART 39 - 105, mandate compliance with Airworthiness Directives for specific models, such as the M20F and M20J equipped with the Edo-Aire Mitchell autopilot model AK523, as per STC SA3047SW-D. This directive, AD/M20/35, focuses on the installation of an autopilot pitch servo actuator stop bracket to mitigate risks associated with the pitch servo actuator forcing the servo capstan arm over centre, which restricts elevator control system travel. Compliance with this directive is mandatory within 100 hours of time in service after 31 May 1979, ensuring that affected aircraft meet safety standards through adherence to the specified service bulletins or Federal Aviation Administration directives. This legislative framework applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring uniform safety standards are upheld throughout the nation.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, detail the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. Section AD/M20/35 pertains to Mooney M20 Series aeroplanes, mandating the installation of an autopilot pitch servo actuator stop bracket for models M20F and M20J equipped with the Edo-Aire Mitchell autopilot model AK523, as per STC SA3047SW-D. The directive references either Edo Service Bulletin MB-14 or FAA AD 79-06-04, Amendment 39-3438, as the technical documents guiding compliance (section 1). Compliance is required within 100 hours of time in service after 31 May 1979.
The obligations imposed by this directive include ensuring that the autopilot pitch servo actuator stop bracket is installed on the specified Mooney M20 models. This installation must be carried out in accordance with the technical documents provided, which offer detailed instructions and specifications for the modification. The directive's applicability is clear, targeting only those aeroplanes that meet the specific model and equipment criteria outlined in the regulation.
Failure to comply with this airworthiness directive can lead to significant consequences. Non-compliance may result in the aeroplane being deemed unairworthy, which could prevent it from operating legally. Additionally, there could be potential safety risks if the specified condition, where the pitch servo actuator forces the servo capstan arm over centre, is not addressed. The installation of the stop bracket is crucial in preventing such conditions, thereby ensuring the integrity and safety of the flight operations. The exact penalties for non-compliance are not explicitly stated in the provided text, but they can include fines, enforcement actions, and potential grounding of the aeroplane until compliance is achieved.