GCAA issues its First 'Airworthiness Directive'

posted on 25/10/2011: 84 views

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has issued a very first "Airworthiness Directive" bearing UAE's name on it. The issuance of an Airworthiness Directive is remarkable since there are not many civil aviation authorities in the world who issue Airworthiness Directives.

"The names may be different, but the fact remains that National Aviation Authority of any country is the supreme governing body for all matters related to aviation activities for that country. The field of Aviation regulation is multifaceted and complex in nature, to say the least. Be it flying or maintaining, be it designing or manufacturing, be it training or travelling, there are rules and regulations for everything and those rules and regulations are written by NAAs. The field of aviation nonetheless requires so many rules and regulations because the safety in the air and safety on the ground can only be assured by complying with ALL of them. Discount one of the rules and an accident may lurk around the corner", the authority noted in its statement issued on Monday.

So what is an Airworthiness Directive (also commonly called an AD)? An AD is a legally enforceable rule that applies to aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, and appliances. It is in fact, a notification to owners and operators of certified aircraft that a known safety deficiency with a particular model of aircraft, engine, avionics or other system exists and must be corrected. If a certified aircraft has outstanding ADs that have not been complied with, the aircraft is not considered airworthy. It is mandatory for an aircraft operator to comply with an AD. ADs usually result from service difficulty reports submitted by operators or from the results of aircraft accident investigations, the statement added.

"Writing and issuance of an AD not only requires technical expertise but it also requires a suitable regulatory framework, coordination with the State of Design and industry and a supporting infrastructure".

UAE-2011-001 will be the very first AD issued by the GCAA. Applicable to Lear Jet 60, it requires inspection for (and rectification if required) cross connected wires. One of the UAE based operators noted an anomaly of wrong marking and reported the resultant cross connection of wires to the GCAA. The GCAA Engineering Section made a determination that such a situation if left uncorrected may lead to discharge of a fire squib in the engine it was not supposed to. Due to minimal requirements, there will be very little regulatory compliance burden on operators as the AD mandates inspection only during an aircraft check. "Will the recipients of future GCAA ADs be so lucky, not sure but what can be assured that the GCAA is doing whatever it can to address safety issues proactively - even if that means rising above the rest", the statement concluded. - Emirates News Agency, WAM

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