Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the legislative instrument F2006B06126, introduced by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, aims to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft within Australia's airspace. This legislation, particularly under Part 39 - 105, focuses on the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, targeting specific aircraft models to address identified safety concerns. The policy objective is to mandate regular inspections and modifications to enhance aircraft safety, exemplified by the directive for Pilatus Porter PC-6 Series Aeroplanes, which requires inspections within 100 hours of service after 11 July 1968 and modifications before 1 January 1969 to address issues related to the rudder bottom nose rib. This regulatory approach underscores the commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation operations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the scope and application of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) Airworthiness Directives concerning Pilatus Porter PC-6 Series Aeroplanes. This regulation applies to all models of the Pilatus Porter PC-6 Series aeroplanes prior to serial number 685. The directive mandates a comprehensive inspection of the rudder bottom nose rib to ensure compliance with safety standards. This requirement must be fulfilled within 100 hours of time in service following 11 July 1968, with subsequent inspections not exceeding intervals of 100 hours of time in service until the necessary modifications are implemented. Operators must ensure that any modifications are completed before 1 January 1969 to remain compliant with the regulation. This directive is enforced by CASA and applies nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that the specified safety measures are uniformly implemented across all jurisdictions.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives which pertain to the Pilatus Porter PC-6 Series Aeroplanes. This legislation mandates specific inspections and modifications for these aircraft models, particularly for those prior to Serial Number (S/N) 685 (Section 1). According to the directive AD/PC-6/23, the rudder bottom nose rib of these aeroplanes must be inspected within 100 hours of time in service after 11 July 1968 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until the required modifications are completed (Section 2). The modifications must be carried out before 1 January 1969 (Section 3). The legislation imposes specific obligations on the parties responsible for the aircraft. Operators and owners must ensure that the inspections are conducted within the stipulated timeframes. They must also arrange for the necessary modifications to be performed before the specified deadline. These obligations are critical to maintaining the airworthiness of the Pilatus Porter PC-6 Series Aeroplanes and ensuring safety in compliance with aviation regulations (Section 4). Failure to comply with the provisions of this directive could result in severe consequences. While the exact penalties are not specified in the provided text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can typically lead to civil penalties, including fines or the potential grounding of the aircraft. In more serious cases, criminal charges may be brought against the responsible parties, resulting in substantial penalties. These consequences underscore the importance of adhering to the regulatory requirements set forth in the Civil Aviation Regulations (Section 5).