AD/P166/27 - Magnetic Compass Installation - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the Civil Aviation Amendment (Enhancing Aviation Safety) Instrument 2006, introduce a legislative instrument aimed at enhancing aviation safety through specific airworthiness directives. This particular legislative instrument addresses issues with the Piaggio P166 series aeroplanes, particularly concerning magnetic compass deviations and changes due to electrical interference, which can exceed the limits set by the Air Navigation Order. The problem it seeks to resolve is ensuring that these deviations and changes do not compromise the safety of flight operations. The Australian Government, through the Commonwealth of Australia, enacted this legislation to align with international safety standards and policy objectives that prioritise passenger and crew safety in air travel. The policy objective of this legislative instrument is to mandate modifications to the wiring of the pitot heaters, compass lighting, and radio system to reduce interference to acceptable levels, as well as to require the relocation of the compass from the windshield frame to the flare shield. This ensures compliance with the standards set forth in the Air Navigation Order, thus safeguarding against potential hazards that could arise from unaddressed compass deviations. By setting forth these directives, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority seeks to uphold rigorous safety protocols within the aviation industry, ensuring the reliability and safety of P166 series aeroplanes in Australian airspace.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, apply to all Piaggio P166 series aeroplanes where the maximum compass deviation and/or change in deviation due to electrical interference exceeds the limits prescribed in ANO 108.2.7. This regulation is pertinent to aircraft operators and maintenance personnel who must ensure compliance with the directive to maintain the safety standards of these aircraft. The directive mandates modifications to the wiring of the pitot heaters, compass lighting, and radio system, if necessary, to reduce interference to acceptable limits, and requires the removal of the compass from the windshield frame, relocating it onto the flare shield. Compliance with these directives is mandatory and must be achieved forthwith to ensure continued airworthiness and safety in operations. The scope of this legislation is jurisdictional under the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. While the primary focus of this directive is on ensuring compliance within the specified parameters, it is also worth noting that the application of these regulations can be extended or refined through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. These instruments can provide further clarification or additional requirements as necessary to address specific operational or safety concerns. However, the fundamental requirement remains the modification of the magnetic compass installation to adhere to the specified standards, ensuring the safety and operational integrity of the Piaggio P166 series aeroplanes within the Australian aviation environment.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 and more specifically in the 105th Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, detail specific requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of Piaggio P166 series aeroplanes. The relevant directive, AD/P166/27, concerns modifications to the magnetic compass installation to ensure it operates within acceptable limits of deviation and interference (Section 2/64). The directive applies to all P166 series aeroplanes where the maximum compass deviation or changes in deviation due to electrical interference exceed the limits set out in ANO 108.2.7. In order to comply with AD/P166/27, operators and owners of P166 series aeroplanes must take specific actions. Firstly, they are required to modify the wiring connected to the pitot heaters, compass lighting, and radio system as necessary to reduce any interference to within acceptable limits (Requirement 1). Secondly, the magnetic compass must be removed from its current position in the windshield frame and relocated to the flare shield to further mitigate any deviation issues (Requirement 2). Compliance with these modifications is mandated to be carried out forthwith, indicating the urgency and importance of these safety measures. Failing to comply with the provisions of AD/P166/27 could result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose strict obligations on operators and owners to ensure that the aircraft meets all specified airworthiness standards. Non-compliance with the Airworthiness Directives can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This may include the imposition of fines, the grounding of non-compliant aircraft, or even criminal charges for serious breaches. The exact penalties depend on the nature and severity of the non-compliance, but the regulations are clear that maintaining airworthiness is a non-negotiable requirement to ensure the safety of all aviation operations.