AD/PA-28/41 - Rapid Throttle Movement - Warning Placard

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, was enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. One of the key components of this legislation is the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which mandates safety measures and standards for various aircraft. The Act was introduced to address the need for comprehensive regulation of airworthiness standards, aiming to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of all passengers and crew members in the aviation industry. This legislative instrument is overseen by the Australian Government through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is responsible for enforcing these regulations and ensuring compliance by all relevant parties. The overarching policy objective is to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation, which is crucial for public confidence and the overall integrity of the aviation sector. The Piper PA-28 Series Aeroplanes AD/PA-28/41, which pertains to rapid throttle movement and the requirement for a warning placard, is one such directive under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. This particular directive applies to models PA-28-140, -150, -160, and -S-160 fitted with Lycoming 0-320 engines equipped with Marvel Schebler carburettors model MA-4SPA, P/No. IO-3678-32. Compliance with this directive, as outlined in Piper SL No. 644, must be achieved within 10 hours of time in service after 28 November 1972. This specific regulation aims to mitigate risks associated with rapid throttle movements by ensuring that appropriate warnings are clearly communicated to pilots, thereby enhancing flight safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety of aircraft operations within Australia by mandating adherence to airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This particular legislative instrument, AD/PA-28/41, applies to Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes, namely models PA-28-140, -150, -160, and -S-160, when these are equipped with Lycoming 0-320 engines and Marvel Schebler carburettors model MA-4SP, P/No. IO-3678-32. The directive requires the installation of a warning placard within 10 hours of time in service after 28 November 1972, as detailed in Piper Service Letter No. 644, to ensure compliance with safety standards. The regulations extend across the Commonwealth, governing all relevant aircraft within Australia's jurisdiction and ensuring uniform safety standards are met by the specified aircraft models.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly in Part 39 - 105, address specific Airworthiness Directives (ADs) pertinent to various aircraft models, including the Piper PA-28 Series Aeroplanes. Section AD/PA-28/41 mandates that Piper PA-28-140, -150, -160, and -S-160 models fitted with Lycoming 0-320 engines and Marvel Schebler carburettors model MA-4SPA, P/No. IO-3678-32, must adhere to compliance requirements within 10 hours of time in service after 28 November 1972. The directive is outlined in Piper Service Letter No. 644, which details the necessity of installing a warning placard regarding rapid throttle movement to ensure safe operational practices. These regulations impose clear obligations on aircraft owners and operators. They must ensure that the specified Piper PA-28 models, within the stipulated timeframe, comply with the installation of the required warning placard. This compliance is essential to maintain the airworthiness of these aircraft and to mitigate risks associated with rapid throttle movement, which could otherwise lead to unsafe conditions during flight. Failure to adhere to this requirement can compromise the safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The Civil Aviation Regulations also delineate consequences for non-compliance with these provisions. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the excerpt, non-compliance with ADs generally can result in serious repercussions, including enforcement actions by CASA. These actions may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance results in an accident or endangers flight safety. The penalties underscore the critical nature of adhering to these safety directives to ensure the highest standards of aviation safety are maintained.