AD/PA-32/2 - Rudder Trim Installation - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government and administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), are comprehensive regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation in Australia. Part 39 of these regulations addresses airworthiness directives, which are legal requirements issued by CASA to ensure the ongoing safety of aircraft. Specifically, AD/PA-32/2 pertains to the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series of aeroplanes, focusing on the modification of the rudder trim installation. This airworthiness directive was introduced to address potential safety issues related to the rudder trim system in the specified models of Piper PA-32 aeroplanes, ensuring that these aircraft meet necessary safety standards. The policy objective is to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation by mandating timely modifications to identified components of the aircraft, thereby mitigating any potential risks to flight safety. This legislative instrument, F2006B05813, mandates that all model PA-32-260 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 32-1 to 32-824 must comply with the specified modifications within 200 hours of time in service following 15 January 1967 or before 31 March 1967, whichever comes first. Compliance with this directive is crucial for ensuring that the rudder trim installation meets the required safety standards, thus preventing any potential hazards that could compromise the safety of the aircraft and its occupants.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, applies to all model PA-32-260 with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from 32-1 to 32-824, governing the installation of rudder trim modifications for these specific Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes. This regulation is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that the specified aircraft comply with stringent airworthiness standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Compliance with these directives is mandatory and must be achieved within 200 hours of time in service after 15 January 1967, or before 31 March 1967, whichever comes first, as stipulated in Piper Service Bulletin No. 237. These regulations ensure the continued safe operation of the specified aircraft within Australian airspace.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, establish critical requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of certain aircraft models. In this case, the focus is on the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes, with a particular emphasis on rudder trim installation as outlined in AD/PA-32/2 (paragraph 1/67). This Airworthiness Directive applies to all model PA-32-260 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 32-1 to 32-824. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, as specified by Piper SB No. 237, and must be achieved within 200 hours of time in service after 15 January 1967 or before 31 March 1967, whichever comes first. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Operators of the affected aircraft must ensure that the rudder trim installation adheres to the modifications outlined in the Piper Service Bulletin No. 237. This involves conducting the necessary modifications to the rudder trim system to meet the safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Failure to comply with these modifications within the stipulated timeframe can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, thereby prohibiting its operation until the required modifications are completed. In terms of consequences for non-compliance, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide that any failure to adhere to the Airworthiness Directives can result in significant penalties. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, generally, non-compliance with such directives can lead to both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines, while criminal penalties can result in imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness with which the regulations view the safety of air travel. Operators must therefore take the necessary steps to ensure their aircraft meet all required modifications to avoid these potential repercussions.