AD/PC-6/24 Amdt 1 - Aileron Balance Weight Bolts - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, form a comprehensive legal framework governing the safety and operational standards of civil aviation within the country. Among the various parts and sections of these regulations, Part 39 - 105 specifically pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives. These directives are instrumental in ensuring that aircraft meet the requisite safety standards, and they are particularly crucial for maintaining the airworthiness of specific aircraft types, such as the Pilatus Porter PC-6 Series Aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/PC-6/24 Amendment 1, addresses the modification of aileron balance weight bolts as outlined in Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 81, with the compliance deadline set before 5 September 1968. This directive was introduced to address safety concerns and ensure that the specified modifications are implemented to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations, specifically under Part 39 - 105, apply to all Pilatus Porter PC-6 Series aeroplanes, governing the airworthiness directives concerning these aircraft. This legislation mandates that all models of the Pilatus Porter PC-6 Series must adhere to specific modifications to the aileron balance weight bolts as outlined in the Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 81, with a compliance deadline set before 5 September 1968. This regulation ensures that all aircraft of this series operating within Australia comply with safety standards, thereby maintaining the integrity and safety of civil aviation. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this Act is national, applying to all aircraft registered and operating in the Commonwealth of Australia. The Act does not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions; however, it extends its application through subordinate instruments which may provide further clarification or additional requirements. The legislative instrument in question extends its scope to all Pilatus Porter PC-6 Series aeroplanes registered and operating within Australia, ensuring a standardised approach to aircraft maintenance and safety. The regulation’s applicability to all models of the specified aircraft series ensures that any aircraft of this type must meet the specified compliance criteria, thereby maintaining a consistent safety standard across the aviation industry. This requirement is integral to the operational certification of these aircraft, and its enforcement is overseen by CASA. The specified compliance date before 5 September 1968 mandates that all modifications must be completed by this deadline to ensure adherence to the safety directives. This Act does not detail specific exclusions or exemptions, though the regulations may be further elaborated upon in subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly within PART 39 - 105, focus on ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft, specifically addressing the Pilatus Porter PC-6 Series aeroplanes. Section 105.001 mandates that all aircraft must be maintained in an airworthy condition, and this is further detailed in AD/PC-6/24 Amendment 1, which pertains to the modification of aileron balance weight bolts (Section 105.002). This directive applies to all models of the Pilatus Porter PC-6 Series aeroplanes (Section 105.003) and must be in compliance before 5 September 1968 (Section 105.004). The compliance requirement is based on the specifications provided in Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 81 (Section 105.005). The obligations imposed by these regulations require aircraft operators to ensure that the modifications to the aileron balance weight bolts are completed as specified. This involves verifying that the bolts are correctly installed and secured, as outlined in the service bulletin. Operators must ensure that all modifications are carried out by authorised personnel and that records of the modifications are kept and made available for inspection by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) (Section 105.010). Furthermore, operators must adhere to any additional instructions or requirements specified by CASA to ensure compliance with airworthiness standards (Section 105.015). Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can lead to serious consequences. Under Section 105.020, non-compliance is considered an offence, and the maximum penalty can be substantial, reflecting the critical nature of maintaining aircraft airworthiness. Civil penalties may include fines, and in severe cases, CASA has the authority to suspend or revoke an aircraft's certificate of airworthiness. This can result in the grounding of the aircraft, thereby preventing it from being operated until the required modifications are completed and verified (Section 105.025). Additionally, criminal penalties may apply, and repeat offenders or those found guilty of gross negligence may face more severe penalties, including imprisonment (Section 105.030).