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-31/84 Elevator Structure - Inspection and Modification 8/2001
Requirement: CANCELLED.
Background: The requirement of this Directive is addressed by AD/PA-31/129.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia and are designed to ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. One of the specific areas addressed by these regulations is the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure the ongoing airworthiness of aircraft. Part 39, Section 105 of these regulations provides for the issuance of ADs by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The problem or gap that this legislative instrument was introduced to address involved ensuring the structural integrity of specific aircraft models, such as the Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes, to prevent potential safety hazards. The policy objective is to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety by issuing and enforcing airworthiness directives as necessary. This particular legislative instrument, F2006B05790, initially dealt with elevator structure inspections and modifications for the Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes, but has since been cancelled and superseded by AD/PA-31/129, reflecting CASA's ongoing commitment to updating safety standards in response to new information or changes in operational conditions.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the scope and application of Airworthiness Directives for aircraft within Australia. This regulatory framework applies to all persons and entities involved in the operation of aircraft, with a particular focus on ensuring the airworthiness of specific models such as the Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, encompassing all Commonwealth, state, and territory jurisdictions within Australia. The application extends to all civil aviation activities, including the maintenance, inspection, and operation of the specified aircraft models. Any exclusions or exemptions from these requirements are not explicitly detailed in the cited legislative instrument, but it is understood that adherence to the Airworthiness Directives is mandatory for compliance with national aviation safety standards. Additionally, the scope of these regulations may be further defined or modified through subordinate instruments, which can provide more detailed operational guidelines or specific conditions under which the regulations apply.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include a schedule of airworthiness directives that govern various aspects of aircraft maintenance and safety. One such directive, AD/PA-31/84, pertained to the elevator structure of Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes, requiring an inspection and potential modification. However, it is important to note that this directive was cancelled on 8/2001, and its requirements are now addressed by AD/PA-31/129.
Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, operators and owners of Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes were obligated to comply with the airworthiness directives. This included adhering to the inspection and modification requirements specified in AD/PA-31/84, which, although cancelled, is superseded by AD/PA-31/129. Operators and owners had to ensure that their aircraft met the necessary safety standards to maintain airworthiness.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directives could lead to serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance could result in significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The specific penalties would depend on the severity of the breach and the discretion of the court. The primary goal of these directives is to ensure that aircraft are safe to operate, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the general public.
In summary, while AD/PA-31/84 was cancelled and its requirements are now addressed by AD/PA-31/129, the overarching obligations remain the same. Operators and owners of Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes must ensure compliance with the relevant airworthiness directives to maintain the safety and airworthiness of their aircraft. Non-compliance carries significant legal and financial consequences, reinforcing the importance of adhering to these regulations.