AD/PROCTOR/8 (Re-Issue) - Aileron Mass Balance Weight - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, was enacted to ensure the safety and regulation of civil aviation in Australia. This legislative instrument was introduced to address the need for consistent and enforceable safety standards for aircraft, including the maintenance and inspection requirements to ensure airworthiness. The regulations were enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia and aim to maintain and enhance aviation safety standards through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The policy objective is to ensure that all aircraft, including the Percival Proctor Series Aeroplanes, comply with specified airworthiness directives to prevent accidents and incidents related to aircraft maintenance and operations. One of the specific directives outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations is AD/PROCTOR/8 (Re-Issue) concerning the aileron mass balance weight inspection for Percival Proctor Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to all marks not modified in accordance with Proctor Mod. No. C1236. The requirement necessitates compliance with Percival Civil Technical Instruction No. 4, DCA/PROCTOR/8, or A.N.O. 105.1.26.2.6.3. Furthermore, the inspection must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of time in service to ensure that the aileron mass balance weight is within the specified limits, thereby maintaining the aircraft's airworthiness and safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, encompasses all Percival Proctor Series Aeroplanes as per AD/PROCTOR/8 (Re-Issue). This legislation applies to any aircraft of the specified series that have not been modified according to Proctor Modification No. C1236. It is incumbent upon operators of these aircraft to ensure compliance with the outlined directives. The requirement necessitates adherence to Percival Civil Technical Instruction No. 4, DCA/PROCTOR/8, or Aeronautical Notice No. 105.1.26.2.6.3, with inspections mandated at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of time in service. This regulation extends throughout the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, thereby establishing a uniform standard for airworthiness across the nation. While the regulation is comprehensive, it does not extend to aircraft that have been modified in accordance with Proctor Mod. No. C1236, thus excluding such aircraft from the mandatory inspection requirements.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, focus on the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for the Percival Proctor Series Aeroplanes, identified as AD/PROCTOR/8 (Re-Issue). This regulation mandates that the aileron mass balance weight of these aeroplanes must be inspected. The applicability of this directive extends to all marks of the Percival Proctor Series Aeroplanes that have not been modified according to Proctor Modification Number C1236 (Section 6/50). The requirement is clearly stated: the inspection must comply with either Percival Civil Technical Instruction No. 4, DCA/PROCTOR/8, or A.N.O. 105.1.26.2.6.3. This ensures that the aircraft maintain their airworthiness by adhering to the specified technical instructions. The obligations imposed by this Act are primarily on the aircraft operators and maintenance personnel. They are required to ensure that the aileron mass balance weight is inspected at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of time in service. This frequent inspection schedule is crucial for maintaining the safety and compliance of the aircraft. Operators must keep meticulous records of these inspections to demonstrate compliance with the regulation. Failure to adhere to this inspection regime could potentially result in the aircraft being grounded until the required inspections are performed. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can lead to serious consequences. The regulations do not explicitly state civil or criminal penalties within the text provided, but non-compliance with CASA directives can generally lead to enforcement actions by CASA. These actions can include fines, enforcement notices, or more severe measures such as suspension of the aircraft's operating certificate. The exact penalties and consequences depend on the severity and frequency of the non-compliance, as well as any resulting safety risks. Ensuring adherence to the inspection requirements is therefore critical for maintaining the legal and operational status of the aircraft.