AD/PA-31/8 - Wing Leading Edge Stall Strips - Installation

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament, serve as the foundational legislation governing civil aviation safety in Australia, and are instrumental in maintaining the high safety standards of the country’s aviation industry. One of the key components of these regulations is Part 39, which includes various directives aimed at ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft. Specifically, AD/PA-31/8, introduced in 1969, addresses the installation of wing leading edge stall strips on Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes. This directive was established to mitigate the risk of wing stall by ensuring that all applicable Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes, excluding certain serial numbers, are fitted with these essential safety features within 50 hours of time in service following the directive's issuance date. The policy objective behind AD/PA-31/8 is to enhance flight safety by preventing potential aerodynamic stalls, thereby protecting both the aircraft and its occupants.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the legislative instrument F2006B05785, pertains to Airworthiness Directives (AD) for the Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes. This regulation applies to all models within the Piper PA-31 series, specifically to those with serial numbers ranging from 31-2 to 31-445. However, certain serial numbers are excluded from the directive, including 31-3, -5, -346, -358, -367, -374, -379, -385, -407, -423, -424, -425, -429, -432, -435, -438, -440, -441, -442, and -443. The geographical and jurisdictional reach of this regulation is national, applying across all states and territories of Australia, as it is a Commonwealth regulation enforced by CASA. The directive mandates compliance within 50 hours of time in service after the date of the directive, 10 June 1969, as referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 294. This regulation does not explicitly state exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond the specified serial numbers, and its application can be further detailed or modified through subordinate instruments as deemed necessary by CASA.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, address the installation of wing leading edge stall strips on Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes. This directive, identified as AD/PA-31/8, mandates the installation of these stall strips on all Piper PA-31 models with serial numbers ranging from 31-2 to 31-445, excluding certain specified serial numbers (Section 7/69). Compliance with this directive is required within 50 hours of time in service following 10 June 1969, as documented in Piper Service Bulletin No. 294. This legislation imposes several obligations on the relevant parties. Firstly, it requires aircraft operators to ensure that the specified stall strips are installed on the applicable Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes within the stipulated timeframe. Failure to adhere to this directive may compromise the safety of the aircraft, making compliance a mandatory requirement. Operators must maintain accurate records of the installation and ensure that the aircraft is not operated until the stall strips have been correctly fitted. The Act also sets forth specific consequences for non-compliance. While the exact civil or criminal penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can lead to serious repercussions, including fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft operating certificates, and potential criminal charges. The severity of these penalties can vary depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but they serve as a deterrent to ensure adherence to safety standards. It is crucial for operators to understand and comply with these provisions to avoid adverse legal and safety outcomes.