AD/PA-30/13 Amdt 1 - Pitch Trim Switch - Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serve as a foundational regulatory framework governing civil aviation in Australia. This legislation addresses a range of aviation safety concerns, including the issuance of airworthiness directives to ensure the continued safety of aircraft in operation. One such directive, AD/PA-30/13 Amendment 1, pertains specifically to the replacement of the pitch trim switch on Piper PA-30 and PA-39 (Twin Comanche) series aeroplanes, focusing on models with certain serial numbers. This directive was introduced to address safety concerns identified with the rocker type pitch trim switch on the pilot's control wheel, mandating compliance within 100 hours of service after 28 February 1977. The objective is to mitigate the risk of potential malfunctions, ensuring the aircraft's continued safe operation in line with the overarching policy of maintaining the highest safety standards in civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives for aircraft, including the Piper PA-30 and 39 (Twin Comanche) series aeroplanes. This legislation applies to the specified serial numbers of these aircraft models, namely PA-30 with serial numbers ranging from 30-1717 to 30-2000 and all model PA-39 from serial number 39-1 to 39-155, provided they are equipped with a rocker type switch on the pilot’s control wheel. The regulations mandate compliance with the directive within 100 hours of time in service after 28 February 1977. It is important to note that aircraft that have previously complied with issues of this directive are considered to satisfy this current issue. The jurisdictional reach of these regulations is under the Commonwealth of Australia, and they extend to enforce compliance with specific safety directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The primary operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, PART 39 - 105, pertain specifically to the airworthiness directives for the Piper PA-30 and 39 (Twin Comanche) series aeroplanes. In this instance, AD/PA-30/13 Amendment 1, issued on 2/77, concerns the replacement of the pitch trim switch (section 1). This directive applies to the model PA-30 with serial numbers (S/Nos) ranging from 30-1717 to 30-2000 and all model PA-39 with S/Nos from 39-1 to 39-155, provided they are fitted with a rocker type switch on the pilot’s control wheel (section 2). The compliance requirement mandates that the specified aircraft must adhere to this directive within 100 hours of time in service after 28 February 1977 (section 1). Aircraft that have already complied with previous iterations of this directive are considered to be in compliance with the current directive (section 1, Note). The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act are clear and precise. Aircraft owners or operators must ensure that the pitch trim switch on their Piper PA-30 and PA-39 aeroplanes is replaced as per the directive outlined in AD/PA-30/13 Amendment 1. This involves checking the serial numbers of the aircraft to determine applicability and ensuring the rocker type switch is installed on the pilot’s control wheel. Compliance must be achieved within the specified timeframe of 100 hours of operational time post the directive date of 28 February 1977. Additionally, if the aircraft has already fulfilled previous compliance requirements, they will be deemed compliant with the current directive. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 establish stringent measures for non-compliance with airworthiness directives, including potential legal and financial repercussions. Failure to adhere to the specified requirements within the stipulated timeframe can result in serious consequences. The Act does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance in this particular directive; however, general provisions within the Civil Aviation Act 1988 may apply. These could include fines, penalties, or more severe consequences such as the grounding of the aircraft, which could lead to operational disruptions and safety risks. It is imperative that aircraft owners and operators strictly follow the directives to avoid any adverse outcomes.