AD/RUTAN/1 - Rudder Travel - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), as amended, are pivotal in ensuring the safety and integrity of civil aviation in Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105, which includes Airworthiness Directives, plays a critical role in maintaining aircraft safety standards. One such directive, AD/RUTAN/1, addresses a safety concern identified with the Rutan Varieze Series Aeroplanes, requiring a modification to the rudder travel to prevent loss of control. This legislative instrument was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to mitigate risks associated with the specified aircraft model and ensure compliance with safety regulations. The underlying policy objective is to enhance flight safety by implementing specific modifications to aircraft components, thereby reducing the likelihood of accidents stemming from rudder-related control issues.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the modification of rudder travel in Rutan Varieze Series Aeroplanes to mitigate the risk of loss of control, as per Airworthiness Directive AD/RUTAN/1. This directive applies to all models of the Rutan Varieze Series Aeroplanes and necessitates a reduction in rudder travel from 3.5 inches to 2.0 inches, achieved by shortening the vertical cable between the top hole of bellcrank P/N VECS15 and the brake arm. Compliance with this directive requires performing a rigging check with full rudder pedal deflection, measuring at the top of the rudder while applying a force of 3 to 5 lbs on the rudder trailing edge. The directive must be adhered to before any further flight unless the modification has already been completed. The regulation extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, governed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and is not subject to exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds as outlined in the legislative instrument.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, address the specific requirements for airworthiness directives concerning the Rutan Varieze Series Aeroplanes. The relevant airworthiness directive, AD/RUTAN/1, mandates a modification to the rudder travel (section 105). This directive applies to all models of the Rutan Varieze series (section 1). The requirement is to reduce the rudder travel from 3.5 inches to 2.0 inches by shortening the vertical cable between the top hole of the bellcrank part number VECS15 and the brake arm. Adjustments should be made using the fitting on top of the master cylinder, and a rigging check must be performed with full rudder pedal deflection, measuring at the top of the rudder while applying a force of 3 to 5 pounds on the rudder trailing edge (section 1). This directive imposes specific obligations on the aircraft operators and maintenance personnel. It mandates that the modification to the rudder travel must be carried out unless it has already been accomplished. This compliance must be achieved before the aircraft is used for further flight (section 1). The directive requires precise adjustments to the vertical cable and proper rigging checks to ensure that the aircraft's rudder operates within the specified parameters to prevent loss of control. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive AD/RUTAN/1 can result in significant legal and safety repercussions. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally attracts severe consequences under aviation law. This can include fines, enforcement actions, and potential grounding of the aircraft. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take necessary measures to enforce compliance, ensuring that the aircraft meets the required safety standards before it is permitted to fly. This underscores the importance of adhering to the directive to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the Rutan Varieze Series Aeroplanes.