AD/RB211/20 - Fuel Flow Governor

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, contain provisions aimed at ensuring the safety of civil aviation. One such regulation is Part 39, specifically addressing Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to manage and mitigate risks associated with aircraft and engine operations. This legislative instrument was introduced to address specific safety concerns identified in the operation of certain aircraft engines. In this case, AD/RB211/20, which became effective on 10 October 1996, pertains to Rolls Royce RB211-535E4 series engines that have not incorporated specific Rolls Royce service bulletins. The directive mandates the incorporation of a revised fuel flow governor or modification of the existing governor to prevent engine issues such as surge and run down during certain flight conditions. This measure was introduced to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of aircraft utilising these engines, aligning with the overarching policy objective of maintaining high safety standards in Australian civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 106, pertain to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which are critical in ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft in Australia. This particular directive, AD/RB211/20, applies to Rolls Royce RB211-535E4 series engines that do not incorporate Rolls Royce Service Bulletins RB. 211-73-B869 or RB.211-73-B876. The directive mandates the incorporation of a revised fuel flow governor (FFG) in accordance with Rolls Royce Service Bulletin RB.211-73-B869 or the modification of existing FFG in line with RB211-73-B876. The directive is effective from 10 October 1996 and requires compliance no later than 28 February 1997, aiming to address issues such as engine surge and run down during specific flight conditions. It is also noted that the incorporation of the specified Rolls Royce Service Bulletins on both engines of an aircraft will terminate the action required by the FAA AD 96-04-11 for Boeing 757 aircraft. The geographic reach of this Airworthiness Directive is comprehensive within Australia, as the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 are administered under the Commonwealth of Australia, affecting all entities and industries involved in the operation of aircraft equipped with the specified Rolls Royce engines. The directive does not explicitly exclude any particular entity or industry, but its focus is on ensuring the safety of civil aviation operations by mandating specific modifications to the fuel flow governors of the Rolls Royce RB211-535E4 series engines.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39, under Section 106, includes specific airworthiness directives that apply to certain aircraft components to ensure safety and compliance with aviation standards. One such directive, AD/RB211/20, pertains to Rolls Royce RB211-535E4 series engines, which are required to incorporate a revised fuel flow governor (FFG) in accordance with Rolls Royce Service Bulletin RB.211-73-B869 or modify the existing FFG in accordance with RB.211-73-B876. This directive applies to engines that do not already incorporate these service bulletins. The obligations imposed by AD/RB211/20 are straightforward but critical for ensuring the safety of aircraft operations. Operators of Rolls Royce RB211-535E4 series engines must ensure that their engines are either fitted with a revised fuel flow governor as specified or modified according to the service bulletins provided. This directive is applicable to engines that are not already compliant with the aforementioned service bulletins. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be achieved no later than 28 February 1997. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/RB211/20 can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations stipulate that non-compliance with an airworthiness directive can lead to penalties and other legal ramifications. Although specific penalties are not detailed in the directive itself, general regulations under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 provide for significant fines and potential prosecution for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the directive to maintain airworthiness and ensure the safety of all aircraft operations.