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-31/11 Aft Facing Seats - Modification 5/70
Applicability: All models fitted with aft facing seats in the forward position not modified in accordance with Piper SB No. 308.
Document: Piper SB No. 308.
Compliance: In accordance with the requirement document.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Legislative Instrument F2006B05696, address safety concerns regarding the installation and configuration of aft facing seats in Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this regulation was introduced to ensure the airworthiness of aircraft by mandating specific modifications to enhance safety. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, through this legislative instrument, aims to comply with the directive outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 308, which specifies the necessary modifications for aft facing seats in the forward position. The policy objective is to mitigate risks associated with the improper installation of these seats, thereby safeguarding the well-being of passengers and crew.
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 Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes, detailing modifications required for aft facing seats. This legislation applies to all models of Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes that are equipped with aft facing seats in the forward position and have not yet been modified in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 308. The directive ensures that these aircraft meet the required safety standards as set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, thereby imposing a legal obligation on the operators and owners of such aircraft to comply with the specified modifications. The scope of the legislation is geographically broad, as it applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, impacting all relevant aircraft operators and owners within this jurisdiction.
The legislation mandates compliance with the requirements outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 308, ensuring that the necessary modifications are implemented to maintain the airworthiness of the affected aircraft. The regulation does not specify exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, thereby applying uniformly to all applicable aircraft within the defined scope. While the primary regulation sets out the essential requirements, its application may be further detailed through subordinate instruments, ensuring clarity and enforcement in the modification process.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 (subpart C) and the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, include detailed provisions for ensuring the safety of aircraft operations in Australia. One pertinent example is AD/PA-31/11, which concerns the modification of aft-facing seats in Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes (section 39-105(1)). This regulation mandates that all Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes equipped with aft-facing seats in the forward position must be modified in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin (SB) No. 308 (section 39-105(2)). This directive ensures that the seating arrangement adheres to safety standards and reduces the risk of injury during aircraft operations.
Compliance with AD/PA-31/11 involves following the specific modifications outlined in Piper SB No. 308. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring that the seats are securely installed and meet the specified design criteria. Operators of Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes must ensure that their aircraft are modified before continuing operations, as non-compliance can lead to significant safety risks. The modifications are intended to enhance the structural integrity and safety of the seating arrangement, which is critical for the protection of passengers and crew in the event of an emergency or accident.
The Act imposes several obligations on the parties governed by AD/PA-31/11. Primarily, aircraft operators are required to ensure that any Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes within their fleet that are equipped with aft-facing seats in the forward position are modified in line with Piper SB No. 308. This includes conducting necessary inspections, making required modifications, and maintaining records of compliance. Operators must also ensure that all personnel involved in the modification process are adequately trained and certified, and that all modifications are carried out in accordance with the specified standards. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to severe consequences.
There are significant consequences for non-compliance with AD/PA-31/11. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can impose penalties for breaches of these regulations, which can include substantial fines and other sanctions. For instance, under section 39-105(3), non-compliance may result in a civil penalty of up to $33,000 for individuals and significantly higher amounts for corporations, depending on the severity and frequency of the breach. Additionally, CASA may issue enforcement actions such as grounding the aircraft, imposing operational restrictions, or taking legal action against the operators. These measures are designed to ensure strict adherence to safety standards and to protect the public from potential hazards arising from non-compliance with airworthiness directives.