COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Robinson R22 Series Helicopters
AD/R22/22 Gascolator Fuel Filter - Inspection 10/84
Applicability: All R22 helicopters with less than 100 flying hours since new and R22A model.
Requirement: Remove filter screen from the gascolator PN A666-1 and inspect for excessive contamination. Clean the filter screen and bowl and reinstall in accordance with the maintenance manual.
Note: If excessive or unusual contamination is found advise the nearest Regional Office of the Department of Aviation.
Compliance: Within 10 hours time in service after 16 August 1984.
Background: Several low hours R22 series helicopters have had excessive contamination of the fuel gascolator filter screen. It is considered that the particles probably entered the system during manufacture or assembly.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth) were enacted to establish and enforce safety standards within civil aviation, aiming to ensure the safety of aircraft operations and protect the public from aviation risks. One such legislative instrument is the Airworthiness Directive AD/R22/22 concerning Robinson R22 Series Helicopters, which was introduced to address issues of excessive contamination in the gascolator fuel filters. This directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (Cth). The primary objective of AD/R22/22 is to mitigate safety risks associated with fuel system contamination in R22 and R22A model helicopters, ensuring that these aircraft maintain operational safety standards by requiring regular inspections and maintenance of the gascolator fuel filter.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the regulation of civil aviation safety in Australia and applies to all civil aircraft, including helicopters, operating within the Commonwealth. The legislation mandates the Airworthiness Directives (ADs) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which are binding for specific aircraft types and models. AD/R22/22 concerns the Robinson R22 Series Helicopters, specifically targeting those with less than 100 flying hours since new and the R22A model. This directive requires operators to inspect the gascolator fuel filter for excessive contamination, clean the filter screen and bowl, and reinstall it in accordance with the maintenance manual. The directive further mandates reporting to the nearest Regional Office of the Department of Aviation if excessive or unusual contamination is detected. Compliance with these regulations is mandatory within 10 hours of time in service after the directive was issued on 16 August 1984. The scope of these regulations is comprehensive, covering all R22 helicopters within the specified flying hours and model, ensuring safety and operational standards are met across the aviation industry.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandate that all Robinson R22 series helicopters with less than 100 flying hours since new and R22A models must comply with AD/R22/22 concerning the gascolator fuel filter (section 10/84). The main requirement is for the operator or maintenance personnel to remove the filter screen from the gascolator part number A666-1 and inspect it for excessive contamination (section 10/84). If contamination is found, the filter screen and bowl must be cleaned and reinstalled as per the maintenance manual (section 10/84). Additionally, if excessive or unusual contamination is detected, the nearest Regional Office of the Department of Aviation must be informed (section 10/84).
These provisions impose certain obligations on the parties involved. Operators and maintenance personnel must ensure that the inspection and necessary cleaning of the gascolator fuel filter are carried out within 10 hours of the helicopter being in service after 16 August 1984 (section 10/84). The compliance timeframe is critical, and failure to adhere to this requirement could result in safety risks. Operators are also required to document that the inspection and cleaning were performed according to the regulations, keeping records as evidence of compliance.
Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline potential penalties for non-compliance, which can include substantial fines and, in severe cases, criminal charges (section 10/84). The specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, but it is clear that adherence to these directives is legally mandated to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. Non-compliance not only risks the safety of the flight but also subjects the operators and maintenance personnel to legal repercussions and potential grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved.