COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Robinson R22 Series Helicopters
AD/R22/45 Throttle Governor and Low RPM Warning 11/96
DM
Applicability: All R22 series helicopters S/N 0002 through to 2537 inclusive.
Requirement: 1. Adjust the P/N A569-1 or -5 low RPM warning unit so that the warning horn and caution light activate when the main rotor RPM is between 96% and 97% rotor RPM in accordance with the procedures contained in the Model R22 maintenance manual.
2. For helicopters that do not have a governor currently installed, install a Robinson Helicopter Company K1-67-2 Governor Field Installation Kit in accordance with the kit instructions.
3. For helicopters that have a throttle/collective governor currently installed, upgrade the governor with a Robinson Helicopter Company K1-67-3 governor Upgrade Kit in accordance with the kit instructions.
Note 1: A flight manual amendment is required to the Flight and Manoeuvre Limitations Section.
Note 2: FAA AD 96-11-08 Amdt 39-9633 and Robinson SB-80A dated 6 June 1995 refers.
Note 3: FAA AD 96-11-08 Amdt 39-9633 supersedes FAA AD 82-23-51 Amdt 39- 4645 the subject of AD/R22/14 which has now been cancelled.
Compliance 1. Unless previously carried carry out, action in accordance with Requirement 1 prior to 30 September 1996.
2. Unless previously carried out, action in accordance with Requirement 2 or 3, as applicable, prior to 30 September, 1996.
Background: The FAA has mandated installation of an improved throttle governor and adjustment of the low RPM warning unit threshold to increase RPM at which the warning horn and caution light activates and also revised the R22 flight manual to prohibit flight with the improved throttle governor selected off except in certain operational situations. This Directive supersedes AD/R22/14, which has been cancelled.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, address various aviation safety standards, including the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. One such directive, AD/R22/45, targets Robinson R22 series helicopters, specifically serial numbers 0002 through 2537. This directive was introduced to rectify safety concerns regarding the throttle governor and low RPM warning systems in these helicopters. By mandating adjustments or installations of specific governor kits, the AD aims to enhance operational safety by ensuring that the warning systems activate at appropriate rotor speeds and that the flight manual is updated accordingly. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for the specified helicopter models, with deadlines set for ensuring adherence to the new safety requirements.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, outlines specific airworthiness directives for certain aircraft, including Robinson R22 Series Helicopters, through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This particular directive, AD/R22/45, applies to all Robinson R22 series helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 0002 to 2537. The directive mandates the adjustment of the P/N A569-1 or -5 low RPM warning unit so that the warning horn and caution light activate at a specified rotor RPM, as well as the installation or upgrading of a throttle governor according to specified Robinson Helicopter Company kits. Compliance with these requirements is necessary before 30 September 1996 for actions not previously carried out. Additionally, a flight manual amendment is required for the Flight and Manoeuvre Limitations Section, as referenced in related FAA and Robinson Service Bulletins. This legislative instrument has a direct jurisdictional reach as it pertains to civil aviation within Australia, enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Part 39 – 105) mandate specific actions to enhance the safety of the Robinson R22 series helicopters. According to the Airworthiness Directive AD/R22/45, all R22 series helicopters with serial numbers 0002 through to 2537 are subject to these provisions. The directive requires the adjustment of the low RPM warning unit (section 1) to activate when the main rotor RPM is between 96% and 97%. This is to be done in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Model R22 maintenance manual. For helicopters without a governor, the installation of a Robinson Helicopter Company K1-67-2 Governor Field Installation Kit is mandated (section 2). For those helicopters already equipped with a throttle/collective governor, an upgrade using the Robinson Helicopter Company K1-67-3 governor Upgrade Kit is required (section 3). Additionally, there is a note about the necessity of a flight manual amendment to the Flight and Manoeuvre Limitations Section.
The obligations imposed by these regulations require compliance with the specified actions. Operators of the affected helicopters must ensure that the adjustments and installations are carried out by 30 September 1996, unless they have already been completed (section 1). Specifically, the low RPM warning unit adjustment must be completed by this date (section 1). For helicopters without a governor, the K1-67-2 Governor Field Installation Kit must be installed by this date (section 2). Similarly, for helicopters with an existing throttle/collective governor, the upgrade to the K1-67-3 governor must be completed by this date (section 3). Failure to comply with these requirements may result in non-compliance with aviation safety standards.
In terms of consequences, the breach of these regulations could lead to significant penalties. The exact penalties are not specified in the text but typically, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in severe civil or criminal penalties. These can include fines, suspension or revocation of the airworthiness certificate, and potential grounding of the aircraft. The severity of the penalty would depend on the extent of the non-compliance and its impact on aviation safety.