Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which were enacted in 1998, provide the legal framework for regulating civil aviation in Australia. This legislation was introduced to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation by establishing standards and regulations that govern the operation of aircraft, personnel licensing, and maintenance. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), a body established under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The policy objective of this Act is to ensure the highest possible standards of safety and efficiency in civil aviation. One specific example of this is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which aims to ensure that aircraft and aeronautical products meet the required safety standards. In November 2001, CASA issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD/ROBIN/36) for Robin Aviation Series Aeroplanes, requiring the inspection of the engine air intake by-pass flap. This directive was introduced in response to reports of the flap sealing felt coming adrift, which posed a potential safety risk. The AD requires the inspection of the air intake by-pass flap in accordance with Robin Aviation Service Bulletin Number 174, with the initial inspection to be carried out within 10 hours of the effective date of the directive and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 110 hours. The AD was issued to ensure that the unsafe condition is corrected and to maintain the airworthiness of the affected aircraft.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies to all Robin Aviation aircraft, excluding the models DR 400-200R, DR 400-500, and R2160i. The directive mandates the inspection of the engine air intake by-pass flap as outlined in Robin Aviation Service Bulletin Number 174, and it must be conducted by the pilot in command, provided they are not a student pilot. Compliance with the directive requires recording the inspection in the Aircraft Log Book and addressing any discrepancies in the "Maintenance required" column of the aircraft maintenance release or equivalent document. This AD applies nationally across the Commonwealth of Australia and became effective on 1 November 2001. The directive stipulates that the initial inspection must be carried out within 10 hours of service from its effective date, and subsequent inspections should occur at intervals not exceeding 110 hours of service time. The directive was issued to address reports of the air intake by-pass flap's sealing felt coming adrift, and it references DGAC AD 2001-036(A).

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), under PART 39 - 105, include an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for Robin Aviation Series Aeroplanes, excluding models DR 400-200R, DR 400-500, and R2160i. The AD, designated AD/ROBIN/36, mandates an inspection of the engine air intake by-pass flap. The requirement is specified in Robin Aviation Service Bulletin Number 174 and must be carried out by the pilot in command, provided they are not a student pilot. Compliance with this directive is documented by noting in the Aircraft Log Book that “AD/ROBIN/36 carried out.” Any issues found during the inspection must be recorded in the “Maintenance required” column of the aircraft maintenance release or a similar document. The obligations imposed by this AD include regular inspections of the engine air intake by-pass flap to ensure it remains secure and functional. These inspections must be conducted within a specific timeframe: unless previously done, the inspection must occur within 10 hours of service from the AD’s effective date, which is 1 November 2001, and then at intervals not exceeding 110 hours of service. The pilot in command has the responsibility to ensure these inspections are performed and recorded appropriately, maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with this AD can lead to safety concerns and potential violations of aviation regulations. While the AD itself does not explicitly state the specific penalties or consequences for non-compliance, general aviation regulations often carry severe penalties for non-compliance with safety directives. These may include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate, and possible criminal charges if the non-compliance results in an unsafe condition that leads to an accident or incident. The exact penalties would be determined based on the broader context of aviation law and the specific circumstances of the non-compliance.