Airworthiness Directives 2004 - Revocation and Remaking - Eurocopter EC 120 Series Helicopters

Overview

The Airworthiness Directives 2004, enacted by David Alan Villiers, the delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under subregulation 39.001 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, serves to revoke and remake various Airworthiness Directives for specific aircraft models, in this case, the Eurocopter EC 120 Series Helicopters. The objective of this legislative instrument is to ensure the ongoing safety and compliance of these aircraft in accordance with the latest regulatory standards. The enactment of these directives was necessary to address identified safety concerns and to update the regulatory framework governing the airworthiness of these helicopters. The policy objective underpinning this legislative instrument is to maintain and enhance the safety standards within Australia's aviation industry, ensuring that all aircraft operated within its airspace meet stringent safety requirements.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directives 2004, as re-made under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), applies to specific airworthiness requirements for the Eurocopter EC 120 Series Helicopters. This legislation governs the maintenance, repair, and alteration of these aircraft to ensure they meet the safety standards set forth by CASA. It applies directly to helicopter operators, maintenance personnel, and any other entities involved in the maintenance and operation of the Eurocopter EC 120 Series helicopters. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, as CASA is a federal authority operating under the Commonwealth of Australia. The Act revokes previous Airworthiness Directives related to the Eurocopter EC 120 Series and re-issues them to reflect the latest safety standards and regulatory requirements. Each re-made Airworthiness Directive is specified in Schedule 1 and detailed in the attached documents. Subordinate instruments may extend or further specify the application of these directives as deemed necessary by CASA.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directives 2004 (F2006B07859) outlines the revocation and remaking of certain Airworthiness Directives related to the Eurocopter EC 120 Series Helicopters, as specified in Schedule 1. Specifically, sections (a) and (b) of this legislative instrument revoke the listed Airworthiness Directives and re-make them as separate instruments. The Airworthiness Directives being re-made are essentially identical to their latest published editions, ensuring consistency and accuracy in the regulatory framework governing these aircraft (Section 1 and Schedule 1). The Act imposes several obligations on the parties and entities it governs. Firstly, it mandates the re-making of the Airworthiness Directives, ensuring that they are updated to reflect the latest safety standards and requirements. This includes specific directives such as AD/EC 120/1 regarding tail gearbox load measurements and AD/EC 120/12 concerning pilot's cyclic stick friction washers. Additionally, it requires these re-made directives to be implemented by operators and maintainers of Eurocopter EC 120 Series Helicopters to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of these aircraft (Section 1). The legislative instrument also outlines potential consequences for non-compliance with the Airworthiness Directives. Any breaches of these directives may lead to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has the authority to issue penalties, which may include fines and other civil or criminal penalties, depending on the severity of the breach. The maximum penalties for non-compliance are not explicitly stated in the text but are governed by the overarching regulations and could potentially include substantial financial penalties or even imprisonment for serious violations (Subregulation 39.001 (1)). In summary, the Airworthiness Directives 2004 ensures that specific safety regulations for the Eurocopter EC 120 Series Helicopters are accurately and effectively enforced. It imposes clear obligations on operators and maintainers to comply with these directives to ensure the ongoing safety of these aircraft. Failure to comply can result in significant penalties, reinforcing the importance of adhering to these safety standards.