AD/VAT/16 - Elevator Stops on Torque Shaft - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the Civil Aviation (Airworthiness) Regulations 2006, establish a comprehensive framework to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australia. This legislation, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, was introduced to address the need for stringent oversight and regulation of civil aviation activities, ensuring that all aircraft meet the highest safety standards. The specific legislative instrument F2006B07548, pertaining to Part 39 - 105, targets Victa and A.E.S.L. Airtourer Series Aeroplanes, with the aim of mitigating safety risks associated with the elevator stops on the torque shaft. The policy objective is to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation by issuing specific airworthiness directives that mandate modifications to aircraft to prevent potential hazards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, under Part 39 - 105, encompasses the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically addressing the Victa and A.E.S.L. Airtourer Series Aeroplanes. This legislation applies to the Victa Airtourer 100 and 115 models and mandates compliance with either Victa Service Bulletin No. 30 or Victa Modification B87, with a requirement for compliance before 1 September 1971. The regulation focuses on the modification of elevator stops on the torque shaft, ensuring these aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to maintain their airworthiness. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, applying to all operations within Australia, thereby ensuring a consistent application of safety standards across the Commonwealth. This directive does not specify any exclusions or exemptions and is enforced through the regulatory authority of CASA, with potential extensions or restrictions through subordinate instruments as deemed necessary.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, specifically addresses the airworthiness directives for certain aircraft, including the Victa and A.E.S.L. Airtourer Series Aeroplanes. In this context, AD/VAT/16 is a directive that mandates modifications to the elevator stops on the torque shaft of Victa Airtourer 100 and 115 aircraft (section 1). Compliance with this directive can be evidenced by either Victa Service Bulletin No. 30 or Victa Modification B87, provided these modifications are completed before 1 September 1971 (section 5/64). The obligations under this directive are quite clear. Aircraft owners and operators must ensure that the modifications specified in Victa SB No. 30 or Victa Mod. B87 are carried out on their Victa Airtourer 100 and 115 aircraft prior to the specified compliance date. Failure to comply with these modifications could result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, which in turn would prevent the aircraft from being legally operated in Australian airspace. Any breach of the airworthiness directive AD/VAT/16 could lead to severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take enforcement action against non-compliance, which may include fines and other penalties. The exact penalties are not specified in the provided excerpt, but under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, serious breaches can attract significant financial penalties, and in some cases, criminal charges may be filed against individuals responsible for the non-compliance. It is crucial for aircraft owners and operators to adhere to these directives to avoid these potential repercussions.