COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-31/107 Fuel Quantity Placards 7/84
Applicability: All models PA-31T with S/Nos. 31T-7400002 to 31T-8120104; all models PA-31T1 with S/Nos. 31T-7804001 to 31T-8104101 (fitted with tip tanks); PA-31T2 with S/Nos. 31T-8166001 to 31T-8166076.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Piper SB No. 776. Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 August 1984.
Background: The manufacturer has determined that the placarded total fuel capacity and total usable fuel quantity must be reduced. Therefore, replacement placards have been produced and pilots operating hand-books and weight and balance plotters amended.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, include the Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This regulatory framework is designed to ensure the safe operation of aircraft by enforcing compliance with technical standards and safety directives. The Act was enacted to fill a critical gap in maintaining consistent and high standards of aviation safety across Australia, overseen by the Commonwealth of Australia. The policy objective of these regulations is to standardise and enforce safety measures to protect public interest and enhance the reliability of civil aviation operations.
One such directive, AD/PA-31/107, pertains to the Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes and mandates the replacement of fuel quantity placards for specific models of the PA-31T, PA-31T1, and PA-31T2 series. This directive responds to a determination by the manufacturer that the placarded total fuel capacity and usable fuel quantity must be adjusted. Consequently, the directive requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1984, aligning with manufacturer Service Bulletin No. 776. This regulatory measure is aimed at ensuring accurate fuel quantity information is available to pilots, thereby enhancing flight safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the Commonwealth of Australia’s regulatory framework, specifically targets the maintenance and operation of certain aircraft models to ensure safety and compliance with international standards. The legislation in question, AD/PA-31/107, applies to specific Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes, namely those models with certain serial numbers, ensuring that these aircraft meet updated safety standards by requiring the replacement of fuel quantity placards. The directive mandates compliance within 100 hours of the aircraft being in service after the notification date of 31 August 1984, thereby directly affecting the operational protocols for these models. This regulation is jurisdictional in scope, extending across the Commonwealth of Australia and impacting the aviation industry by enforcing specific modifications to ensure safe aircraft operation. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in the directive, and compliance is mandatory for the specified models.
The regulation does not extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments, focusing solely on the specified models of Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes. It ensures that these aircraft adhere to the updated placarding and documentation requirements established by the manufacturer, Piper, through Service Bulletin No. 776. This directive is a critical part of maintaining the airworthiness of these aircraft, ensuring that all operational personnel are aware of the correct fuel capacities and can perform necessary checks and maintenance accordingly.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes. This directive, identified as AD/PA-31/107, mandates the replacement of fuel quantity placards on certain models of Piper PA-31T, PA-31T1, and PA-31T2 series aeroplanes. The directive applies to specific serial numbers within each model, as outlined in the legislation (section 7/84). This requirement stems from the manufacturer's determination that the placarded total fuel capacity and total usable fuel quantity need to be reduced, necessitating the use of new placards.
The directive requires compliance with Piper Service Bulletin (SB) No. 776. This entails replacing the existing fuel quantity placards with updated ones and ensuring that the pilots' operating handbooks and weight and balance plotters are amended accordingly. The compliance period is set within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1984, establishing a clear timeline for adherence to the new requirements.
The obligations imposed by this directive are primarily on the owners and operators of the affected aircraft. They must ensure that the required actions, as specified in Piper SB No. 776, are completed within the stipulated timeframe. This includes the replacement of placards and updating the pilots' operating handbooks and weight and balance plotters. Failure to comply with these obligations can result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, which could prevent it from being operated until the necessary changes are made.
Failure to adhere to the requirements of AD/PA-31/107 can lead to significant civil and criminal consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce compliance and may impose penalties for non-compliance. The potential penalties for breaching these regulations can include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, and other enforcement actions. While the specific maximum penalties are not detailed in the legislative text provided, such breaches can have serious ramifications for both the operators and the safety of the aviation sector.