{"id":"F2006B03565","name":"AD/BAL/4 Amdt 1 - Flexible Hose Assemblies","slug":"ad-bal-4-amdt-1-flexible-hose-assemblies","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":43132,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B03565-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/BAL/4 Amdt 1 - Flexible Hose Assemblies","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nHot Air Balloons\n\nAD/BAL/4\n\nAmdt 1\n\n  \nFlexible Hose Assemblies 6/86\n\nApplicability: All flexible hose assemblies.\n\nRequirement: Hose and hose assemblies are to conform to the requirements of Australian Standard 1869; British Standards 3212 and 4089; International Standard Organisation 2928; American National Standard ANS1/UL21-1980 and ANS1/NFPA58-1983 or other specification acceptable to the Secretary in which the material is suitable for use with LPG and meets the proof test pressure as required by the appropriate balloon design standard as specified in ANO 101.54. Hose assemblies shall be clearly and permanently marked with the following information:\n\nMaximum working pressure Month and year of manufacture Name or identification of the manufacturer, or\n\nin accordance with the appropriate standard as applicable.\n\nCompliance: Prior to issue of certificate of airworthiness.\n\nBackground: This Directive has been issued to provide a standard for flexible hoses fitted to Hot Air Balloons.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a narrow, technical airworthiness directive focused specifically on flexible hose assemblies for hot air balloons. It has not expanded beyond its original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 300 words)","Only 4 defined structural elements (Applicability, Requirement, Compliance, Background)","Single cross-reference to ANO 101.54 (balloon design standard)","No conditional logic or exceptions","Straightforward prescriptive requirements with clear alternatives ('or other specification acceptable to the Secretary')","Technical but not legally complex - references external engineering standards rather than creating new legal definitions"],"plain_english_summary":"This is a technical safety rule (called an \"Airworthiness Directive\") for hot air balloons that sets standards for flexible hoses used with LPG (liquefied petroleum gas, the fuel that heats the air in the balloon).\n\n**What it does:**\n- Requires all flexible hose assemblies on hot air balloons to meet specific national or international standards (Australian, British, ISO, or American standards)\n- Mandates that hoses must be suitable for use with LPG and pass pressure tests required by balloon design rules\n- Requires permanent markings on hoses showing: maximum working pressure, manufacture date, and manufacturer name\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Hot air balloon operators and owners\n- Balloon maintenance engineers\n- Manufacturers of balloon components\n\n**Why it matters:**\nLPG hoses are critical safety components. If they fail, gas leaks can cause fires or explosions. This rule ensures hoses are built to recognised standards and can be traced back to their manufacturer if problems arise. Balloons cannot get their airworthiness certificate (the official approval to fly) until they comply with this rule."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The amendment sets mandatory standards and marking requirements applying to 'All flexible hose assemblies' and requires compliance before a certificate of airworthiness. The text does not state or show an explicit widening or narrowing of scope compared with any prior instrument, so no change of scope can be identified from this document alone."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple external standards referenced (AS 1869; BS 3212 & 4089; ISO 2928; ANS1/UL21-1980; ANS1/NFPA58-1983) requiring cross-referencing","Regulatory discretion to accept alternate specifications (Secretary; ANO 101.54)","Broad applicability stated as 'All flexible hose assemblies' (scope is wide and non-differentiated)","Compliance timing tied to issuance of certificate of airworthiness (administrative sequencing)","Technical proof-test pressure and permanent marking requirements impose manufacturing, testing and record-keeping obligations"],"plain_english_summary":"Requires all flexible hose assemblies on hot‑air balloons to meet listed national/international standards (or an alternate Secretary‑approved specification) and to be permanently marked with *maximum working pressure, month and year of manufacture, and manufacturer*; compliance must be demonstrated before a certificate of airworthiness is issued.\n\nAffects balloon owners, operators and maintainers who pay for compliant hoses, testing and markings; the Secretary may accept alternate specifications under ANO 101.54, concentrating specification‑approval discretion with the regulator and creating procurement, testing and record‑keeping costs."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-bal-4-amdt-1-flexible-hose-assemblies","history":"/api/acts/ad-bal-4-amdt-1-flexible-hose-assemblies/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-bal-4-amdt-1-flexible-hose-assemblies/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-bal-4-amdt-1-flexible-hose-assemblies/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-bal-4-amdt-1-flexible-hose-assemblies/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-bal-4-amdt-1-flexible-hose-assemblies/documents"}}