Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through Legislative Instrument F2006B05808, address the safety and maintenance standards for civil aviation in Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations includes the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which mandates the periodic inspection of aircraft to ensure compliance with safety standards. One such directive, AD/PA-32/15 Amendment 2, pertains to the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes and requires an inspection of the rudder trim arm assembly for cracking at or near the rudder pedal bar attachment bolt. This directive was introduced to address potential safety issues arising from structural integrity problems, ensuring that aircraft remain airworthy and compliant with safety regulations. The Australian Parliament enacted these regulations under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, with the policy objective of maintaining high safety standards in the aviation industry.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which deals with airworthiness directives, applies to all persons and entities involved in the operation of Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes within the Commonwealth of Australia. This legislation mandates that any individual or entity operating such aircraft must adhere to the specified safety directives, including the inspection of the rudder trim arm assembly for cracking at or near the rudder pedal bar attachment bolt. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, applying uniformly across all states and territories within Australia. The directive applies to all models of the Piper PA-32 series aeroplanes, with the requirement to inspect the rudder trim arm assembly within 100 hours of time in service after 29 September 1969, and subsequently at each issue of a new Maintenance Release. The application of this Act is extended through subordinate instruments, which may further detail compliance and enforcement mechanisms, ensuring the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39-105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes, mandates specific maintenance checks to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft. Under section AD/PA-32/15 Amendment 2, the regulation addresses the issue of rudder trim arm assembly cracking (Section 12/85). The directive requires that all models of the Piper PA-32 undergo an inspection of the rudder trim arm assembly for any signs of cracking at or near the rudder pedal bar attachment bolt (Section 12/85 Requirement). This inspection must occur within 100 hours of time in service after 29 September 1969 and subsequently at each issue of a new Maintenance Release (Section 12/85 Compliance). The Act imposes specific obligations on aircraft operators and maintenance personnel to ensure adherence to these inspection requirements. Operators must ensure that the mandated inspections are carried out by qualified personnel and that any identified issues are rectified in accordance with the regulations (Section 12/85 Compliance). Additionally, maintenance personnel must conduct thorough inspections and document any findings, ensuring all records are kept up-to-date and available for review by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (Section 12/85 Compliance). Failure to comply with these provisions may result in significant legal and financial consequences. Section 12/85 outlines that non-compliance with the airworthiness directives could lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential criminal charges against both operators and maintenance personnel. The specific penalties, including maximum fines, are determined by the severity of the breach and the potential risk posed to aviation safety. Adhering to these directives is critical to maintaining the safety standards required by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.