AD/PR/18 - Hub and Driving Centre Assembly - Inspection of Cadmium Plating

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, represent a comprehensive legislative framework designed to regulate civil aviation in Australia. This particular legislative instrument, F2006B06316, pertains to Part 39, specifically targeting the maintenance and airworthiness of aircraft components, such as propellers. This directive was introduced to address specific safety concerns associated with the Dowty Rotol hub and driving centre assembly, particularly the NK of cadmium plating in certain propeller models. The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), acting under the authority conferred by the Civil Aviation Act 1988, established this Airworthiness Directive to ensure ongoing compliance and safety standards in the operation of the specified aircraft models. The overarching policy objective is to mitigate any potential risks associated with the identified components, thereby safeguarding the integrity and safety of civil aviation operations within Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, pertains to the oversight and management of airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for ensuring the safe operation of aircraft in Australian airspace. This particular regulation, AD/PR/18, applies to variable pitch propellers manufactured by Dowty Rotol and focuses on the inspection of the hub and driving centre assembly, with particular attention to the cadmium plating on specific models. The regulation targets the aircraft models R193/4-30-4/50 and R193/4-30-4/61, with serial numbers listed in the accompanying requirement document, Dowty Rotol SB No. 61-882. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for these specific aircraft models and serial numbers, ensuring that all pertinent inspections are conducted as stipulated in the requirement document. This regulation extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, thereby applying to all operators and owners of the specified aircraft within Australian jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 107, establish specific requirements for airworthiness directives pertaining to propellers. In this instance, AD/PR/18 specifically targets the inspection of the hub and driving centre assembly for Dowty Rotol variable pitch propellers. This directive applies to models R193/4-30-4/50 and R193/4-30-4/61, with serial numbers as listed in the requirement document (sections 1 and 2). Compliance with this directive is governed by Dowty Rotol Service Bulletin No. 61-882, which provides detailed instructions on the inspection and any necessary actions (section 3). Under these regulations, the applicable aircraft owners or operators are obligated to ensure that the hub and driving centre assembly of the specified Dowty Rotol propellers are inspected according to the requirements outlined in Dowty Rotol SB No. 61-882. This involves detailed checks to ascertain the condition of the cadmium plating and to perform any necessary maintenance or repairs to maintain airworthiness (section 4). The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) mandates that these inspections be conducted by appropriately certified personnel who are knowledgeable about the specific requirements and procedures outlined in the service bulletin. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive and the associated inspection requirements can lead to severe consequences. Non-compliance may result in penalties or enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The specific penalties can vary but may include fines and potential grounding of the aircraft until the required inspections and repairs are completed (section 5). CASA has the authority to issue directives and take action against non-compliance, ensuring that all aircraft maintain the highest safety standards in accordance with the regulations.