Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Legislative Instrument F2006B07191, address the need for specific safety measures concerning certain aircraft models. This legislative instrument introduces an Airworthiness Directive aimed at ensuring the safety of Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes by addressing issues with the aileron control cables. The directive was enacted to rectify potential wear on these cables caused by contact with aileron trim tab cable pulleys, which could compromise the aircraft's operational safety. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the authority of the Australian Parliament, established this directive to ensure compliance with safety standards, thereby protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of civil aviation in Australia. The overarching policy objective is to mandate timely actions to prevent any possible safety hazards, ensuring the continued safe operation of these aircraft models.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 105, applies to the operation and maintenance of aircraft within Australia, including the Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes. These regulations are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and cover a range of operational and safety requirements for aircraft and their operators. The scope of the regulations extends to all models of the specified aircraft series, with a particular focus on aileron control cables. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, ensuring that all aircraft within Australia adhere to the specified safety standards. The applicability of the airworthiness directive AD/SWSA226/50 Amendment 1 is limited to certain serial numbers of the SA227-TT, SA277-AT, and SA277-AC models. The directive mandates specific actions to address potential wear of the aileron control cables caused by contact with the aileron trim tab cable pulley, requiring compliance within 200 hours of service time after 30 September 1986 or at the next scheduled letter check, whichever comes first. This directive ensures that identified safety concerns are addressed in a timely manner. The regulations allow for certain exclusions or exemptions through subordinate instruments, although these are not detailed in the provided text.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this piece of legislation, specifically AD/SWSA226/50 Amendment 1, pertain to the applicability of the Airworthiness Directives for Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes. Section 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, dictates that certain models of the SA226 and SA227 series must comply with the directive regarding aileron control cables. Specifically, SA227-TT models with serial numbers ranging from TT 421 to 555, SA277-AT models with serial numbers ranging from AT 423 to 591 excluding the Expediter, and SA277-AC models with serial numbers AC 406, 415, 416, and 420 to 599 are subject to these requirements (Section 105). The directive requires that action be taken in accordance with Fairchild Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin No. 227-27-015. Compliance must be achieved within 200 hours of time in service after 30 September 1986, or at the next scheduled letter check B after 30 September 1986, whichever occurs first. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose specific obligations on the entities governed by this legislation. Primarily, the directive mandates that the relevant aircraft models undergo necessary inspections and actions as outlined in the referenced service bulletin. This involves ensuring that the aileron control cables are examined for wear, particularly where they may come into contact with the aileron trim tab cable pulley at a specified location. This requirement is aimed at preventing potential safety issues that could arise from cable degradation. The legislation requires that compliance is achieved within the stipulated timeframes, ensuring that the safety of the aircraft is not compromised. The Act also delineates the consequences for non-compliance with the Airworthiness Directives. While the specific civil or criminal penalties for breaching these directives are not explicitly stated in the excerpt, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can generally lead to severe repercussions. This includes potential civil penalties such as fines, and in more serious cases, criminal charges. The severity of penalties may depend on the nature and extent of the breach, and the impact on aviation safety. The overarching aim of these provisions is to ensure that all governed entities maintain high safety standards to protect passengers and crew.