AD/VAT/21 - Fuel Tank Retention Buttons - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, provide a comprehensive framework to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. One specific legislative instrument under this act, F2006B07554, pertains to the Victa and A.E.S.L. Airtourer Series Aeroplanes, addressing the problem of fuel tank retention buttons through Airworthiness Directive AD/VAT/21. This directive was introduced to ensure that the fuel tank retention buttons on affected Victa Airtourer 100 and 115 models with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 75 are modified to comply with safety standards, as outlined in Victa Service Bulletin No. 44. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 20 November 1964, thereby mitigating potential safety risks associated with the fuel tank retention system in these aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the legislative instrument F2006B07554, specifically addresses the airworthiness directives for certain Victa and A.E.S.L. Airtourer series aeroplanes, particularly the Victa Airtourer 100 and 115 models with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 75. This regulation applies to the modification of fuel tank retention buttons, as outlined in Victa Service Bulletin No. 44. The regulation mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after the specified date of 20 November 1964. It applies directly to these particular aircraft models and serial numbers, ensuring that any modifications or inspections required are carried out to maintain the aircraft's airworthiness. This regulation extends to the Australian Commonwealth and operates under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. No explicit exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds are mentioned within the text, but it is understood that the regulation's application might be extended or further defined through subordinate instruments or additional directives.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, detail the requirements for ensuring the airworthiness of certain aircraft models. Within this part, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issues Airworthiness Directives (AD) to maintain safety standards. One such directive, AD/VAT/21, pertains to the Victa and A.E.S.L. Airtourer Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the modification of fuel tank retention buttons (section 11/64). This directive applies to Victa Airtourer 100 and 115 models with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 75. The compliance requirement mandates that the specified modification be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 20 November 1964, as detailed in Victa Service Bulletin No. 44. The AD imposes specific obligations on the parties and entities it governs. Aircraft owners and operators must ensure that the required modification to the fuel tank retention buttons is completed in accordance with the specified timeframe. This involves adhering to the procedures outlined in Victa Service Bulletin No. 44, which provides the technical details and instructions for making the necessary changes to the aircraft's fuel system. Failure to comply with this directive can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which may lead to grounding and potential legal consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 also outline the potential offences, penalties, and consequences for non-compliance with the AD. Operators who fail to comply with the fuel tank retention button modification requirement may face enforcement actions by CASA. The specific penalties for non-compliance can include fines, enforcement notices, and the potential for the aircraft to be grounded until the required modifications are made. The maximum penalties for serious breaches of civil aviation regulations can be substantial, reflecting the importance of adhering to safety directives to protect public safety and maintain airworthiness standards.