Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, serve to regulate civil aviation safety within the country, ensuring the safety of passengers, crew, and the public. One particular legislative instrument, F2006B05550, pertains to Airworthiness Directives for the Piper PA-25 (Pawnee) Series Aeroplanes. This amendment was introduced to address issues related to the inspection of the exhaust system, as outlined in Piper SL No. 324C, with a policy objective to ensure ongoing compliance and safety of these aircraft models in operation. The requirement for inspections at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service after 28 February 1974 is aimed at maintaining the airworthiness of these aeroplanes, ensuring they meet the necessary safety standards to prevent potential hazards during flight operations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, apply to all persons and entities involved in civil aviation within Australia, including operators of Piper PA-25 (Pawnee) Series Aeroplanes. Specifically, Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-25/12 Amendment 2 pertains to the inspection of the exhaust system for all models of Piper PA-25 aircraft. This regulation is integral to ensuring that these aircraft maintain airworthiness standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The directive mandates that inspections of the exhaust system must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service following 28 February 1974, as detailed in Piper Service Letter No. 324C. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for all aircraft operators, and failure to adhere to the stipulated inspection intervals could result in non-compliance with aviation safety regulations.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, contain various Airworthiness Directives (ADs) that ensure the safe operation of aircraft. One such AD is AD/PA-25/12 Amendment 2, which applies to all models of Piper PA-25 (Pawnee) series aeroplanes. This AD mandates inspections of the exhaust system (section 2/74). According to the directive, Piper SL No. 324C must be followed, and compliance with these inspections is required at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service after 28 February 1974. The obligations imposed by this directive include ensuring that all Piper PA-25 series aeroplanes are inspected according to the specified intervals. Operators of these aircraft must maintain detailed records of each inspection to demonstrate compliance with the regulations. This includes documenting the time in service, the date of the inspection, and any findings or actions taken as a result of the inspection. Operators are also required to address any issues identified during the inspection promptly to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in AD/PA-25/12 Amendment 2 can result in serious consequences. The operation of an aircraft that does not meet the specified inspection intervals can be considered unsafe, potentially leading to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Civil penalties can include fines, and in severe cases, CASA may issue a direction to ground the aircraft until it complies with the AD. Criminal penalties may also apply if non-compliance is deemed to have caused a breach of safety regulations, potentially resulting in substantial fines or imprisonment for the operators or responsible individuals.