COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

Precision Aerial Delivery System

AD/PADS/1 Precision Aerial Delivery System (PADS) Static Line

Applicability: Static Line used with PADS.

4/97 TX

Requirement: The Static Line described in HSJ AVIATION drawing 0856 is prohibited from use in the release of Precision Aerial Delivery System (PADS), except for actual rescue tasks where PADS is used because of discernible risk to life or health of persons requiring assistance.

Compliance: Before further use from 20 February 1997.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 20 February 1997.

Background: Controlled tests have demonstrated that the static line can rebound when the PADS trail line releases from the static line, resulting in the static line contacting the aircraft. Instances have occurred where the static line passed over aircraft control surfaces.

Other tests have shown that the static line can oscillate in a wide circle and contact the aircraft after the PADS has released. The manufacturer, Search and Rescue Pty Ltd, has issued Service Alerts six and seven of 2 Feb 97 which require modification of the static line and amend procedures for use of the static line. The effect of these Service Alerts has not been verified, and the modified static line has not been approved for service.