AD/SC7/25 - Brake Unit Friction Pads

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the Civil Aviation (Airworthiness) Notice (AD/SC7/25) of 1996, was enacted to address safety concerns associated with the brake units of Shorts Skyvan and Shorts Skyliner aircraft equipped with specific Dunlop Brake Unit Part Numbers. The legislation was introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft by mandating changes to the brake unit friction pads. The policy objective is to maintain a high standard of safety in civil aviation by ensuring that all aircraft meet stringent performance and safety criteria. This particular regulation responds to the unavailability of the original friction pad material and the need for a new material that meets updated performance standards, as evidenced by dynamometer tests, to ensure the effectiveness of brake units in high-energy or rejected take-off scenarios.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, governs the maintenance and operational standards for aircraft operating within Australia. This regulation applies to all Shorts Skyvan and Shorts Skyliner aircraft equipped with Dunlop Brake Unit Part Numbers AHA2133 or AH52109. The directive mandates compliance with Dunlop Limited's Mandatory Service Bulletin 32-1108, which references Shorts Service Bulletin 32-71. The directive necessitates actions to be taken in accordance with these bulletins, specifically requiring the replacement or modification of brake unit friction pads to adhere to the new material standards. Compliance with this directive must be achieved by 31 December 1995, with further actions to be taken as specified in the Requirement Document. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this legislation is national, applying to all aircraft registered and operating within Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the text provided, and any further application or restrictions would be detailed in subordinate instruments or additional service bulletins.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, include specific Airworthiness Directives (ADs) that mandate certain actions to ensure the continued safety and airworthiness of aircraft. One such AD, AD/SC7/25, pertains to the brake unit friction pads of Shorts Skyvan and Shorts Skyliner aircraft equipped with Dunlop Brake Unit Part No. AHA2133 or AH52109 (section 1). This directive was issued on 2/96 and requires the implementation of actions specified in Dunlop Limited Mandatory Service Bulletin 32-1108 (section 2). It is noteworthy that Shorts Service Bulletin 32-71 also references this directive (section 2). The new requirement arises due to the introduction of a new friction pad material, necessitated by the unavailability of the previous material. Through dynamometer tests, it has been established that the permitted friction pad wear must be reduced to ensure that the brakes can achieve a maximum high energy or rejected take-off stop (section 3). Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, the AD/SC7/25 imposes specific obligations on the owners and operators of Shorts Skyvan and Shorts Skyliner aircraft equipped with the specified Dunlop Brake Units. These obligations include ensuring that the mandated service bulletin actions are carried out according to Dunlop Limited Mandatory Service Bulletin 32-1108. If the action has not already been completed, it must be done before 31 December 1995. Thereafter, the frequency of compliance is as detailed in the Requirement Document (section 4). This ensures that the brake units' friction pads are maintained to the required standards to guarantee safe operation of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/SC7/25 could result in serious safety implications. The Civil Aviation Regulations outline penalties and consequences for breaches of these requirements. While specific penalties are not detailed in this particular directive, the overarching regulations provide for both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties can include fines up to a substantial amount, and criminal penalties may include imprisonment, reflecting the gravity of non-compliance with airworthiness directives. It is imperative for operators to adhere strictly to these requirements to avoid any legal ramifications and to ensure the safety and compliance of their aircraft.