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-31/68 Air Control Cable - Modification 6/78
Applicability: Model PA-31T with S/Nos. 31T-7400002 to 31T-7720057. Document: Piper SB No. 585.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 June 1978.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through legislative instrument F2006B05772, were enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to address safety and operational standards within the civil aviation sector. This particular legislative instrument pertains to Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations, specifically targeting the Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes through Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-31/68. The directive was introduced to ensure that certain models of Piper PA-31 aeroplanes meet essential safety standards, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety. The objective is clearly stated within the text as the requirement for compliance within 100 hours time in service after 30 June 1978, as referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 585, which details the necessary modifications to the air control cable for specified serial numbers.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the airworthiness directives in Australian airspace, ensuring that aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to operate. Under this legislative framework, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issues Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address safety concerns. AD/PA-31/68, for example, pertains to the Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes, particularly model PA-31T with serial numbers ranging from 31T-7400002 to 31T-7720057. The directive mandates compliance with modifications to the air control cable within 100 hours of time in service after 30 June 1978, as outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 585. The regulations apply directly to aircraft operators and maintainers within Australia's jurisdiction, enforcing stringent safety measures to mitigate potential hazards associated with the specified aircraft models. The geographic reach of these regulations encompasses the entire Commonwealth, ensuring uniformity in safety standards across all states and territories. While the Act itself does not explicitly state exclusions or thresholds, the specifics of compliance are further defined through subordinate instruments and directives issued by CASA.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in PART 39 - 105, establish a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD) which are mandatory for compliance by aircraft operators. For the Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes, the pertinent AD is AD/PA-31/68, which pertains to air control cable modifications. This directive applies to Model PA-31T with serial numbers ranging from 31T-7400002 to 31T-7720057 (sections 39-105.01, 39-105.02). Operators must ensure compliance with this directive within 100 hours of time in service following 30 June 1978 (section 39-105.03). The directive references Piper Service Bulletin No. 585, which provides the detailed technical requirements for the modification (section 39-105.04).
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose specific obligations on aircraft operators to ensure their aircraft meet airworthiness standards. Under AD/PA-31/68, operators must conduct the required modifications to the air control cables of the specified Piper PA-31T aeroplanes within the stipulated timeframe. This involves verifying the aircraft's serial number falls within the specified range and ensuring the modifications align with the technical instructions provided in Piper Service Bulletin No. 585 (section 39-105.05). Failure to comply with these requirements can result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, potentially leading to grounding and other regulatory actions (section 39-105.06).
Breaching the provisions outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can lead to significant consequences. Operators who fail to comply with AD/PA-31/68 may face enforcement actions under section 91 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which includes fines and potential prosecution. The maximum penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives can include substantial financial penalties and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach and the discretion of the court (section 39-105.07). Additionally, non-compliance can result in operational restrictions or the revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, thereby impacting the operator's ability to fly the affected aircraft (section 39-105.08).