COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Propellers - Variable Pitch - Dowty Rotol
AD/PR/22 Pitch Lock Cylinder and Support NK
Sleeves - Inspection
Applicability: All propeller models R179/4-30-4/33, R184/4-30-4/50, R193/4-30-4/50 and /61, R209/4-40-4.5/2, R245/4-40-4.5/13, R257/4-30-4/60, R259/4-40-4.5/17, modified in
accordance with Mod. No. (c) VP 2833 (SB 61-838).
Requirement: IAW Dowty Rotol SB No. 61-906, Rev. 1.
Compliance: Before installation in an aircraft following next reconditioning completed after 31 January 1979.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, establish comprehensive safety standards and regulatory requirements for civil aviation activities within Australia. One particular legislative instrument under these regulations, F2006B06321, focuses on propellers, specifically addressing the inspection of pitch lock cylinders and support sleeves for variable pitch Dowty Rotol propellers. This regulation was introduced to ensure the continued airworthiness of aircraft by mitigating risks associated with the mechanical failure of propeller components. The policy objective behind this legislation is to maintain high safety standards in civil aviation, thereby protecting the public and promoting confidence in air travel.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is the body responsible for enforcing these regulations, ensuring that aircraft operators comply with airworthiness directives such as the one outlined in F2006B06321. The directive mandates that inspections of pitch lock cylinders and support sleeves be conducted in accordance with Dowty Rotol Service Bulletin No. 61-906, Revision 1, for specified propeller models. This requirement applies to propellers that have undergone reconditioning after 31 January 1979, emphasising the importance of regular maintenance and adherence to manufacturer guidelines to prevent potential in-flight failures.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 107, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which mandates stringent safety standards for aviation operations within Australia. The regulations apply to all propeller models identified in the directive, including R179/4-30-4/33, R184/4-30-4/50, R193/4-30-4/50 and /61, R209/4-40-4.5/2, R245/4-40-4.5/13, R257/4-30-4/60, and R259/4-40-4.5/17, which have been modified in accordance with Modification Number VP 2833 (Service Bulletin 61-838). These directives are enforceable under Commonwealth law, thereby extending their jurisdictional reach across all states and territories in Australia. Compliance with these regulations is non-negotiable, and all specified propeller models must adhere to the prescribed inspection standards before being installed in an aircraft following any reconditioning completed after 31 January 1979. The regulations do not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions, but their application may be further detailed through subordinate instruments issued by CASA.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) that pertains to certain Dowty Rotol propellers. The directive in question is AD/PR/22, which focuses on the inspection of pitch lock cylinder and support NK sleeves (paragraph 1). This directive applies to a range of propeller models including R179/4-30-4/33, R184/4-30-4/50, R193/4-30-4/50 and /61, R209/4-40-4.5/2, R245/4-40-4.5/13, R257/4-30-4/60, and R259/4-40-4.5/17, provided they have been modified in accordance with Modification Number (Mod. No.) VP 2833 (SB 61-838) (paragraph 2).
Compliance with this directive requires that inspections of the pitch lock cylinder and support NK sleeves be conducted in accordance with Dowty Rotol Service Bulletin No. 61-906, Revision 1 (paragraph 3). This inspection must be completed before the propeller is reinstalled in an aircraft following its next reconditioning after 31 January 1979 (paragraph 4). This ensures that the propellers meet the necessary safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to maintain airworthiness.
The obligations imposed by this directive are primarily on the propeller manufacturers, maintainers, and operators. Manufacturers must ensure that their propellers are designed and manufactured to meet the specified requirements. Maintainers are responsible for conducting the required inspections before reinstallation. Operators must ensure that their propellers are inspected and reconditioned in accordance with the directive to maintain compliance with airworthiness standards (paragraph 5).
Failure to comply with the AD/PR/22 directive can result in serious safety implications and may lead to enforcement actions by CASA. The regulations do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance in the provided text, but breaches of airworthiness directives can generally lead to civil penalties, including fines, and in severe cases, criminal charges. The maximum penalties can vary depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but they can include substantial fines and imprisonment for individuals found guilty of criminal offences related to air safety (paragraph 6).