COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-23/53 Fuel System - Placard Installation 6/72
Applicability: Model PA-23-250 fitted with Met-Co-Aire wing tip fuel tanks. Requirement: Install the following placard adjacent to the wing tip fuel tank filler points:
FILL OUTBOARD MAIN TANK FIRST, THEN FILL TIP TANK THEN RE-CHECK OUTBOARD MAIN TANK QUANTITY.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 June 1972.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, introduces the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives to address safety concerns and ensure the continuing airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australian airspace. This legislative instrument was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia and is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The particular Airworthiness Directive (AD) referenced here, AD/PA-23/53, targets Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes, focusing on the installation of a placard for the fuel system on models equipped with Met-Co-Aire wing tip fuel tanks. The directive mandates the installation of a specific placard near the wing tip fuel tank filler points to ensure proper fuel tank management and prevent potential safety hazards associated with incorrect fuel tank filling procedures. The policy objective of this directive is to enhance safety by providing clear instructions for fuel management, thereby reducing the risk of operational errors that could compromise aircraft safety. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of time in service after 30 June 1972.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, addresses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for certain aircraft, including the Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes. This particular directive, AD/PA-23/53, applies to Model PA-23-250 aeroplanes equipped with Met-Co-Aire wing tip fuel tanks. The directive mandates that a specific placard must be installed adjacent to the wing tip fuel tank filler points, providing instructions to ensure proper fuel system management. The requirement is to install the placard that reads "FILL OUTBOARD MAIN TANK FIRST, THEN FILL TIP TANK THEN RE-CHECK OUTBOARD MAIN TANK QUANTITY." Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 30 June 1972. The regulations extend across the Commonwealth of Australia and are applicable to all entities operating within the Australian aviation sector. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this directive, and it is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a schedule of airworthiness directives for various aircraft, one of which is the Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes (section 39 - 105). This directive, AD/PA-23/53, pertains to the installation of a placard for the fuel system in Model PA-23-250 aircraft fitted with Met-Co-Aire wing tip fuel tanks. The requirement is for the installation of a specific placard near the wing tip fuel tank filler points (section 6/72). The wording of the placard must read: "FILL OUTBOARD MAIN TANK FIRST, THEN FILL TIP TANK THEN RE-CHECK OUTBOARD MAIN TANK QUANTITY."
Compliance with this directive is mandatory for all applicable aircraft. The installation of the placard must be completed within 100 hours of the aircraft being in service after 30 June 1972 (section 6/72). This ensures that pilots and ground crew are clearly informed of the correct procedure for refuelling the aircraft, which is critical for safety and operational efficiency. The directive aims to prevent common errors in fuel management that could lead to dangerous situations during flight.
Entities and parties governed by this directive must ensure that the placard is correctly installed as specified. This includes aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel who are responsible for the upkeep and compliance of the aircraft in question. They must verify that the installation meets the regulatory requirements within the stipulated timeframe and that the placard is clearly visible and legible at all times. Failure to comply with this directive can result in serious safety implications and may lead to enforcement actions.
Failure to adhere to the requirements set out in AD/PA-23/53 may result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. These penalties can include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance leads to an accident or incident. The exact penalties are determined based on the severity of the breach and can vary, but it is clear that non-compliance is taken very seriously to ensure the highest standards of aviation safety are maintained.