AD/VAT/9 - Aileron Mass Balance Attachment - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, were enacted by the Australian Parliament to ensure the safe operation of aircraft in Australian airspace. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, addresses the issue of maintaining airworthiness standards for various aircraft types, including the Victa and A.E.S.L. Airtourer Series Aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/VAT/9, pertains to the inspection of aileron mass balance attachments in specific models of Victa Airtourers, namely the Airtourer 100 and 115 with serial numbers between 5 and 49, excluding those that have undergone modifications B75 or B118. The policy objective of this directive is to enhance safety by ensuring that these inspections are carried out at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service, with compliance required after 1 September 1971, as referenced in Victa Service Bulletin No. 18.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, concerns the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which apply to various aircraft, including the Victa and A.E.S.L. Airtourer Series Aeroplanes. The particular directive AD/VAT/9 mandates an inspection of the aileron mass balance attachment on Victa Airtourer 100 and 115 models with serial numbers ranging from 5 to 49, excluding those incorporating modifications B75 or B118. This directive applies to aircraft operators and maintenance personnel who must ensure compliance with the inspection intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service, effective from 1 September 1971. The regulation is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and applies throughout Australia, encompassing both Commonwealth and state jurisdictions, with adherence necessary for airworthiness certification. The regulation is complemented by subordinate instruments that may further define compliance requirements and enforcement mechanisms.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 (section 39.105), detail the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes provisions for the maintenance and inspection of various aircraft. For the Victa and A.E.S.L. Airtourer Series Aeroplanes, section 39.105 AD/VAT/9 addresses the aileron mass balance attachment. This directive mandates that Victa Airtourer 100 and 115 models with serial numbers between 5 and 49, excluding those incorporating modifications B75 or B118, must undergo an inspection of the aileron mass balance attachment at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service, beginning after 1 September 1971. Compliance with this directive is to be verified through Victa Service Bulletin No. 18. Entities and parties governed by these regulations must ensure that the specified inspections are performed by qualified personnel and that records of these inspections are maintained as per CASA's requirements. The aircraft operators and maintenance personnel are obligated to adhere strictly to the outlined inspection intervals and ensure that any discovered issues are rectified in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and CASA's standards. These obligations are designed to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensure the safety of all personnel onboard and on the ground. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directives outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations can result in significant legal consequences. Section 39.105 provides that non-compliance with these directives may lead to enforcement actions by CASA, which could include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other administrative penalties. In severe cases, failure to adhere to these provisions could result in criminal charges under section 97 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, leading to substantial fines or imprisonment for individuals or corporations responsible for the non-compliance. The specific penalties are not detailed within section 39.105 but are subject to the broader regulatory framework governing aviation safety in Australia.