COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Robin Aviation Series Aeroplanes
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
AD/ROBIN/33 Control Surface Balance 7/2000
Applicability: Models R2160 and R2160i S/N 265*, 270*, 271*, 375, 287, 288, 289, 290, 300, 304,
305, 307, 309, 310, 311, 313, 316, 318, 320, 322, 323, 324, 325, 329, 337, 341*, 343.
Serial numbers marked with an asterisk need not conduct the aileron balance check.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Robin Aviation SB 168 dated 29 March 2000.
Note: DGAC AD 2000-172(A) refers.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after the effective date of this directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 13 July 2000.
Background: This directive is raised following the possibility that some control surfaces may not be within the balance limits required for type certification.
William Ronald Smith
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 25 May 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 June 2000
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) were enacted by the Australian Government to establish regulations that govern all aspects of civil aviation, ensuring safety and efficiency within the industry. One specific legislative instrument under these regulations is the Airworthiness Directive AD/ROBIN/33, issued in 2000 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address a potential safety issue with certain Robin Aviation Series aeroplanes. The directive was introduced to correct an unsafe condition identified in some control surfaces of specified models that may not meet the required balance limits for type certification. The policy objective behind this directive is to mandate corrective actions to maintain the airworthiness of the affected aircraft, ensuring that they operate within safe parameters. This directive is a part of the ongoing efforts by CASA to uphold the highest safety standards in Australian civil aviation.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Robin Aviation Series aeroplanes, namely models R2160 and R2160i, with particular serial numbers as outlined in the applicability section. The directive mandates corrective action to ensure that the aircraft's control surfaces meet the necessary balance requirements to maintain airworthiness, addressing a potential issue where these surfaces may not conform to the balance limits set for type certification. Excluding the serial numbers marked with an asterisk, all affected aircraft must adhere to the action detailed in Robin Aviation Service Bulletin 168 dated 29 March 2000. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of time in service following the effective date of 13 July 2000. The AD extends across the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), with William Ronald Smith acting as the delegate of CASA for this directive. This legislation underscores the critical nature of maintaining strict airworthiness standards to ensure the safety of aviation operations within the jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the issue of airworthiness directives for Robin Aviation Series Aeroplanes. Section 39.1(1) allows the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to correct unsafe conditions. The relevant AD in question is AD/ROBIN/33, which concerns control surface balance. This AD applies to certain Robin Aviation Series aeroplanes, specifically models R2160 and R2160i, with specific serial numbers listed in the applicability section (sections 1 and 2). It mandates actions as outlined in Robin Aviation Service Bulletin 168 dated 29 March 2000. Notably, serial numbers marked with an asterisk (*) do not require the aileron balance check.
The obligations imposed by this AD are clear and precise. The directive requires the specified action, following the instructions set out in Robin Aviation Service Bulletin 168, to be completed within 100 hours of time in service after the effective date of the directive, which is 13 July 2000. Compliance with this AD is essential for maintaining the airworthiness of the affected aircraft. Failure to adhere to these requirements could result in the aircraft being deemed unsafe for operation.
Breach of the AD requirements may lead to significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Act 1988 and Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 impose strict obligations on aircraft operators and owners to ensure that their aircraft comply with ADs. Non-compliance with an AD can result in enforcement actions by CASA. The maximum penalty for non-compliance can be substantial, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. Additionally, continued operation of a non-compliant aircraft could result in criminal charges under the Act, further highlighting the importance of adhering to the AD's stipulations.