AD/PA-38/12 - Additional Flow Strip Installation

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Legislation au F2006B05950 In force Legislative Instrument

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COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

 


Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) Series Aeroplanes

 

AD/PA-38/12 Additional Flow Strip Installation 8/79

Applicability: Model PA-38-112 aircraft with S/Nos. 38-78A0001 through 38-79A0582.

 

Requirement: 1. Install additional flow strips and modify or replace the airspeed indicator in accordance with Piper SL No. 876.

 

2. An approved amendment must be introduced to the aircraft flight manual before further flight following incorporation of SL No. 876, to reflect the increased stall speeds, take-off and landing safety speeds and distances which result from the modification.

 

Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 September 1979.

 

Background:  The flow strip installation is to improve the handling character- istics of the aircraft during stall manoeuvres.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses safety and airworthiness standards for civil aviation in Australia. The regulation was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia and is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This particular legislative instrument, AD/PA-38/12, targets the Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) series aeroplanes and aims to rectify specific safety concerns related to the aircraft's handling characteristics during stall manoeuvres. The policy objective is to enhance flight safety by mandating the installation of additional flow strips and modifying the airspeed indicator, as detailed in Piper Service Letter No. 876. Compliance with these directives is crucial to ensure that aircraft meet the necessary safety standards and that pilots are adequately informed of the changes through updated flight manuals.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, addresses the airworthiness directives for the Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) series aeroplanes. This particular legislative instrument, AD/PA-38/12, applies to model PA-38-112 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 38-78A0001 through 38-79A0582. The directive mandates the installation of additional flow strips and the modification or replacement of the airspeed indicator in compliance with Piper Service Letter No. 876. It is imperative that an approved amendment be made to the aircraft flight manual to incorporate the increased stall speeds, as well as the take-off and landing safety speeds and distances that result from the modification. Compliance with these directives must be achieved within 100 hours of the aircraft being in service after 30 September 1979. The primary intent behind these requirements is to enhance the aircraft's handling characteristics during stall manoeuvres, thereby ensuring safety and adherence to airworthiness standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD) aimed at ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. One such directive, AD/PA-38/12, pertains to the Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) series aeroplanes, focusing on the installation of additional flow strips and modifications to the airspeed indicator. This directive applies to model PA-38-112 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 38-78A0001 through 38-79A0582 (AD/PA-38/12). The directive mandates that these aircraft must be equipped with additional flow strips and that the airspeed indicator must be modified or replaced in accordance with Piper Service Letter No. 876. Additionally, an approved amendment must be incorporated into the aircraft's flight manual to reflect the increased stall speeds, take-off, and landing safety speeds and distances resulting from these modifications (AD/PA-38/12). The compliance with these requirements must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service following 30 September 1979. The obligations imposed by AD/PA-38/12 on the parties governed by this directive are quite specific. Operators of the affected Piper PA-38-112 aircraft must ensure that the additional flow strips are installed and that the airspeed indicator modifications are made in line with Piper SL No. 876. This requirement extends to updating the aircraft's flight manual to accurately reflect the new operational parameters, such as increased stall speeds and safety speeds for take-off and landing. The amendments to the flight manual must be approved, ensuring that all pilots are aware of the changes and can operate the aircraft safely within the new parameters (AD/PA-38/12). Failure to comply with these obligations within the specified timeframe could result in non-compliance with civil aviation safety standards. Non-compliance with the provisions of AD/PA-38/12 can lead to significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take action against operators who fail to adhere to these airworthiness directives. The potential penalties for breaching these regulations can include fines and, in severe cases, the grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are made. The exact penalties are not specified in the directive itself but are governed by broader civil aviation legislation, which can include substantial financial penalties and potential criminal charges for operators found in violation of safety directives (AD/PA-38/12). Therefore, it is crucial for aircraft operators to ensure strict adherence to these requirements to avoid any legal repercussions.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.