COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Aerostar (Piper/Ted Smith) 600 and 700 Series Aeroplanes
AD/TSA-600/32
Amdt 3
Flap and C of G Restrictions 12/84
Applicability: All Piper models PA-60-600, PA-60-601, PA-60-601P and PA- 60-602P and Aerostar models 600, 601, 601P and 602P.
Requirement: Case 1. For an aircraft not fitted with a modification aimed at removing previously imposed flap and C of G restrictions.
- Remove any placard fitted in accordance with the original issue of this Directive.
b. Fabricate and install a placard in full view of the pilot stating:
“FLAPS MAY BE EXTENDED ONLY IF C OF G IS LESS THAN 4140mm AFT OF DATUM. FLAPS SHALL NOT BE EXTENDED IF C OF G IS MORE THAN 4140mm AFT OF DATUM. LANDING DISTANCE WILL BE INCREASED WITHOUT FLAPS. REFER TO APPROVED FLIGHT MANUAL FOR PERFORMANCE INFORMATION.”
Case 2. For an aircraft fitted with Piper Modification Kit 764969V. Remove any placard fitted in accordance with any issue of this Directive.
Case 3. For an aircraft fitted with Machen Inc. Stall Improvement Kit (STC SA 2143NM). Remove any placard fitted in accordance with any issue of this Directive.
Note 1: Piper Modification 764969V is not approved for aircraft with aerodynamic or power increase modifications.
Note 2: FAA AD 83-14-07 R3 amendment 39-4759 refers.
Note 3: A flight manual amendment was issued concurrently with amendment 1 of this Directive to cover Case 1, and separate flight manual amendments are available to cover Case 2 and Case 3.
Compliance: Case 1 - within 100 hours time in service after 31 October 1983.
Case 2 - optional.
Case 3 - optional.
Background: When handling deficiencies (loss of yaw and roll control occurring in incipient
power-on stalls with flaps extended and C of G near to aft limit) were highlighted, the FAA imposed an aft C of G limit of 4216mm and prohibited the use of flaps.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
This restriction was subsequently eased allowing the use of flaps for C of G ahead of a point 4140mm aft of datum, flaps still being prohibited for C of G between 4140mm and 4216mm aft of datum, with a maximum aft limit of 4216mm aft of datum being retained.
Subsequently, for aircraft fitted with either Piper or Machen kits, the FAA has approved the use of flaps for all C of G locations within the approved C of G range (aft limit of 4216 mm for the Piper Kit, aft limit of 4264 mm for the Machen Kit).
This Amendment authorises the Machen (STC SA 2143 NM) Kit as a means of removing the flap restrictions imposed by the original issue.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the Commonwealth of Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority in 2006, address specific operational safety concerns regarding the use of flaps on Piper and Aerostar aeroplanes. These regulations were introduced to manage the risks associated with incipient power-on stalls that could occur when flaps were extended and the centre of gravity (C of G) was near its aft limit, a condition that had led to loss of yaw and roll control. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority responded by imposing a strict aft C of G limit of 4216mm and prohibiting the use of flaps entirely. Over time, these restrictions were adjusted to permit the use of flaps when the C of G was ahead of 4140mm aft of datum, with flaps still being prohibited for C of G between 4140mm and 4216mm aft of datum. The policy objective was to enhance flight safety by ensuring that aeroplanes were operated within safe parameters, thereby reducing the risk of in-flight incidents. The regulations also allowed for optional compliance for aircraft fitted with specific modification kits, facilitating safer flight operations while accommodating technological advancements.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/TSA-600/32 Amendment 3, pertains to the Aerostar (Piper/Ted Smith) 600 and 700 Series Aeroplanes, addressing flap and centre of gravity (C of G) restrictions. This amendment applies to all Piper models PA-60-600, PA-60-601, PA-60-601P, and PA-60-602P, as well as Aerostar models 600, 601, 601P, and 602P. The directive sets forth specific requirements for different scenarios, including the removal of placards and installation of new placards that clearly communicate operational restrictions regarding the use of flaps and the permissible C of G limits. Compliance timelines and conditions are specified, with certain modifications allowing for optional compliance. The directive's geographic and jurisdictional reach is nationwide, as it falls under the Commonwealth of Australia's regulatory framework for civil aviation safety. The Act extends its application through subordinate instruments, which may include flight manual amendments and other related regulatory updates.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, address the flap and centre of gravity (C of G) restrictions for certain Piper and Aerostar aeroplanes. The key sections include AD/TSA-600/32 Amendment 3, which applies to all Piper models PA-60-600, PA-60-601, PA-60-601P, PA-60-602P and Aerostar models 600, 601, 601P, and 602P. The directive requires the removal of any existing placards and mandates the installation of new placards that inform pilots of the specific flap and C of G restrictions. For aircraft not fitted with specific modifications, the placard must state that flaps may only be extended if the C of G is less than 4140mm aft of datum, and they should not be extended if it is more than 4140mm aft of datum. For aircraft equipped with the Piper Modification Kit 764969V or the Machen Inc. Stall Improvement Kit (STC SA 2143NM), any placards installed in accordance with previous directives must also be removed. Compliance timelines and requirements vary depending on the case; for instance, Case 1 requires compliance within 100 hours time in service after 31 October 1983, while Cases 2 and 3 are optional.
The obligations imposed by this legislation require aircraft operators to ensure compliance with the placard requirements and to adhere to the specified C of G limits to avoid safety issues. Aircraft fitted with the Piper or Machen kits must comply with the approved C of G ranges, which differ for each kit. Specifically, the Piper Kit allows an aft limit of 4216mm, while the Machen Kit allows up to 4264mm aft of datum. Aircraft operators must also ensure that their flight manuals are updated to reflect these changes, as amendments have been issued to cover the modifications addressed by this directive.
Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in this directive may result in safety risks, including potential loss of yaw and roll control in incipient power-on stalls with flaps extended and a C of G near the aft limit. The FAA originally imposed a stringent aft C of G limit of 4216mm and prohibited flap use, but subsequent modifications and amendments have eased these restrictions, provided that the appropriate placards and flight manual amendments are in place. Any non-compliance with these airworthiness directives could lead to enforcement actions, including penalties, as stipulated by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. The specific penalties for breaches are not detailed in the extract but are generally aligned with the regulatory framework governing civil aviation safety in Australia.