COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-32/50 Fuel Selector Control System - Modification 7/77
Applicability: Models PA-32-260 with S/Nos. 32-03, 32-04, 32-1 to 32-7300036 and PA-32-300
with S/Nos. 32-15, 32-21, 32-4000 to 32-7340081.
Document: Piper SB No. 376.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 July 1977.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, established under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, were enacted to provide for the regulation of civil aviation in Australia and to ensure the safety of the aviation industry. The specific legislative instrument F2006B05847, issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Amendment (Airworthiness) Regulations 2006, addresses a safety concern related to the fuel selector control system in Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes. The purpose of this directive, AD/PA-32/50, is to mandate modifications to the fuel selector control system to prevent potential fuel starvation and ensure the continued airworthiness of affected aircraft models. This directive applies to specific serial numbers of PA-32-260 and PA-32-300 models and requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1977. The overarching policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by mitigating risks associated with the identified fuel system issue.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, encompasses the Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This legislative instrument targets the modification of the fuel selector control system for Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes, specifically models PA-32-260 and PA-32-300 with certain serial numbers. The directive applies to all aircraft of these models that have accrued 100 hours of time in service since 31 July 1977. The regulation's geographic reach is national, applying across all states and territories of Australia. The directive does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond the specified models and serial numbers. CASA may extend or restrict the application of these directives through subordinate instruments, thereby ensuring compliance with the required modifications for the specified aircraft.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this legislative instrument, particularly AD/PA-32/50, require a specific modification to the fuel selector control system for Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes. This directive applies to certain model numbers and serial numbers as specified in the document (section 1). The compliance deadline is set within 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1977, ensuring that any aeroplane meeting the criteria must adhere to the modification requirements within this timeframe.
The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act on the relevant parties include ensuring that the specified aeroplanes undergo the necessary modifications to their fuel selector control systems. Operators, owners, and maintenance personnel are responsible for ensuring that the modifications are performed by authorised personnel in accordance with Piper SB No. 376 and other relevant guidelines (section 2). This ensures that the aeroplanes meet the safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
In terms of consequences for non-compliance, the Act outlines potential civil and criminal penalties for breaches of these directives. Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide for penalties including fines and potential grounding of the non-compliant aircraft (section 3). The maximum penalties can vary, but they are intended to enforce strict compliance to maintain safety standards. Failure to comply with these directives can result in significant financial penalties, legal action, and potential safety risks, highlighting the importance of adhering to the specified requirements.