COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Transavia PL 12 Series Aeroplanes
AD/PL 12/7 Fuel Tank - Modification 9/70
Applicability: All models not incorporating Transavia Mod. No. 95.
Requirement: Modify the fuel tank installations in accordance with Transavia Modification No. 95 or an alternative approved means of ensuring continuous fuel feed in the extreme manoeuvre attitudes likely be to encountered in agricultural operations.
Compliance: Before 31 December 1970.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the maintenance and safety requirements for civil aircraft within Australia. This legislation was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia and is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The problem or gap it was introduced to address is the need for specific safety standards in the aviation industry to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of aircraft, particularly in relation to fuel tank installations in aeroplanes used for agricultural operations. The policy objective is to mandate modifications to fuel tank installations to prevent fuel starvation during extreme manoeuvres, as outlined in Airworthiness Directive AD/PL 12/7 for the Transavia PL 12 Series Aeroplanes, to be completed by 31 December 1970. The directive requires compliance with Transavia Modification No. 95 or an alternative approved method that ensures a continuous fuel feed under the extreme manoeuvre attitudes likely to be encountered in agricultural operations.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which include requirements for specific aircraft types. AD/PL 12/7 applies to Transavia PL 12 Series aeroplanes that do not incorporate Transavia Modification No. 95. The directive mandates that these aircraft must have their fuel tank installations modified in accordance with Transavia Modification No. 95 or an approved alternative method to ensure a continuous fuel feed during extreme manoeuvres, such as those typically encountered during agricultural operations. The regulation sets a compliance deadline of 31 December 1970 for implementing these modifications. The scope of this legislation is clearly defined, applying directly to certain models of Transavia PL 12 Series aeroplanes, and does not extend to those already incorporating the required modifications. The regulation operates within the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39-105, specifically address airworthiness directives for various aircraft types, including the Transavia PL 12 Series Aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/PL 12/7, pertains to fuel tank modifications. Section 9/70 of the AD/PL 12/7 mandates that all Transavia PL 12 Series Aeroplanes not incorporating Transavia Modification No. 95 must modify their fuel tank installations. This requirement ensures continuous fuel feed in extreme manoeuvre attitudes, particularly those encountered during agricultural operations, thereby enhancing safety.
The obligations under this directive are clear and precise. Operators and owners of Transavia PL 12 Series Aeroplanes must implement the specified modifications to their fuel tank installations. This involves either installing Transavia Modification No. 95 or an alternative method approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The modification must be completed to ensure that the aircraft can maintain a continuous fuel supply even during extreme manoeuvres, which are common in agricultural aviation. Such modifications are critical to preventing fuel starvation, which could lead to dangerous in-flight situations.
Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/PL 12/7 can result in significant consequences. According to the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with an airworthiness directive is an offence. The penalties for breaching these regulations can include substantial fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. Specifically, individuals and entities that fail to adhere to the airworthiness directives can face fines up to a maximum of $210,000 for individuals and $1,050,000 for bodies corporate, as per the general penalty provisions in the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Additionally, CASA has the authority to take enforcement actions, which may include grounding the aircraft until compliance is achieved. These stringent measures underscore the importance of adhering to the specified airworthiness directives to ensure the safety and reliability of aircraft operations.