AD/PA-23/64 - Caution Placard - Flight Director or AFCS Flux Sensor - Installation

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, form a comprehensive framework to regulate and ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. Within this extensive regulatory scheme, Part 39 specifically addresses airworthiness directives which are critical in maintaining the safety standards of aircraft in operation. One such directive, AD/PA-23/64, focuses on Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes, requiring the installation of a caution placard for the flight director or AFCS flux sensor. This directive was introduced to address specific safety concerns related to these aircraft models, ensuring that pilots are adequately informed of potential issues with the flight director or AFCS flux sensor, thereby enhancing flight safety. The policy objective behind these airworthiness directives is to mitigate risks associated with aircraft operations by enforcing necessary modifications and providing clear guidance to operators.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/PA-23/64, pertains to Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes and mandates compliance with a caution placard installation for aircraft equipped with certain flight directors or automatic flight control system flux sensors. This directive applies to specific serial numbers within the Piper PA23-250 model, specifically those with serial numbers 27-4053 to 27-7405278 fitted with an Altimatic V Flight Director or Altimatic V Flight Director 1. Compliance with this directive is required within 200 hours of time in service following 31 July 1974. The regulation is part of the overarching Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which are enforced under the Commonwealth of Australia, indicating a nationwide jurisdictional reach. No exclusions or exemptions are specified in this directive, and it is expected to be implemented through the standard procedures outlined within the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. Subordinate instruments may further define or expand upon the implementation of this directive, but the primary obligations remain as stated.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain several key sections that are integral to maintaining the airworthiness of Piper PA-23 series aeroplanes, such as the Apache and Aztec models. Section (1) of AD/PA-23/64 mandates the installation of a caution placard for the flight director or AFCS (Automatic Flight Control System) flux sensor on certain Piper PA23-250 aircraft. This directive is applicable to serial numbers ranging from 27-4053 to 27-4574 and 27-7405 to 27-7405278 that are fitted with an Altimatic V F/D or Altimatic V F/D 1 system (Section 2). Compliance with this requirement must be achieved within 200 hours of time in service following 31 July 1974 (Section 3). These regulations impose specific obligations on the owners and operators of the affected aircraft. They must ensure that the caution placard, as detailed in Piper Service Bulletin No. 404, is installed and clearly visible to the flight crew. This is to ensure that the flight director or AFCS flux sensor's operational status is constantly monitored, and any potential issues are promptly identified and addressed. The regulations necessitate that the compliance be achieved within the stipulated timeframe, and that any modifications or installations are performed in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines to maintain the integrity of the aircraft's systems. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline that non-compliance with airworthiness directives is an offence. The potential penalties for breaching these regulations can include substantial fines and, in severe cases, the grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are made. The specific penalties are detailed in other sections of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and may vary depending on the nature and severity of the breach. The enforcement of these regulations is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which has the authority to take action against any entity that fails to adhere to the stipulated airworthiness directives.