{"id":"F2006B04835","name":"AD/CA25/4 - Tail Wheel Springs","slug":"ad-ca25-4-tail-wheel-springs","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":44636,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B04835-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/CA25/4 - Tail Wheel Springs","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)  \nSkyfox Aviation (Hedaro) CA25 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/CA25/4 Tail Wheel Springs 1/96\n\nApplicability: CA25 aircraft.\n\nRequirement: Inspect the tail wheel springs for deformation in accordance with Skyfox Aviation Service Bulletin No.8.\n\nCompliance: Before the first flight of each day after 4 January 1996.\n\nThis Directive must be entered onto the Maintenance Release as maintenance required. The inspection may be performed by the pilot in command, in which case a certification is to be made by entering AD/CA25/4 against the Daily Inspection certification on the Maintenance Release. A copy of this Directive and of the Requirement Document must be carried in the aircraft.\n\nBackground: Several instances have been reported of fractured tail wheel springs. This AD requires the tail wheel springs to be inspected on a daily basis by the pilot, with replacement of the springs if deformation is discovered.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Airworthiness Directive remains tightly focused on its original purpose: addressing the specific safety issue of fractured tail wheel springs on CA25 aircraft. The scope has not expanded beyond this narrow technical safety requirement."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 150 words)","Only 1 defined term implicitly referenced (Maintenance Release — standard aviation term)","No cross-references to other legislation or regulations beyond the parent Civil Aviation Regulations 1998","Single, clear compliance requirement with straightforward timing (daily, before first flight)","No conditional logic, exceptions, or nested provisions","Single applicability criterion (CA25 aircraft)","Background section provides clear rationale without adding legal complexity"],"plain_english_summary":"This is a **safety rule for a specific type of light aircraft** — the Skyfox Aviation CA25 series (also known as Hedaro).\n\n**What it does:**\nIt requires **daily inspections of the tail wheel springs** on these planes. The tail wheel is the small wheel at the back of the aircraft that helps with steering on the ground. The springs in this wheel have been breaking, so pilots must check them every day before the first flight.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Pilots** flying CA25 aircraft — they must do the inspection themselves\n- **Aircraft owners/operators** — they must ensure the inspection happens and keep records\n\n**What must happen:**\n- **When:** Before the first flight of each day, starting from 4 January 1996\n- **What to look for:** Deformation (bending, cracking, or damage) in the tail wheel springs\n- **How:** Follow the instructions in \"Skyfox Aviation Service Bulletin No.8\" (a technical notice from the manufacturer)\n- **Record keeping:** The inspection must be written on the aircraft's **Maintenance Release** (the official document showing the plane is safe to fly). If the pilot does the check, they write \"AD/CA25/4\" next to their daily inspection entry.\n- **Paperwork:** A copy of this rule and the manufacturer's service bulletin must be kept in the aircraft at all times.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nSeveral tail wheel springs have already broken on these aircraft. A broken tail wheel spring could cause loss of control while taxiing or during takeoff/landing — potentially causing an accident. This rule catches problems before they become dangerous.\n\n**Key point:** This is an **Airworthiness Directive** — a mandatory safety order issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Unlike recommendations, these are legally binding. If you don't comply, the aircraft is not considered airworthy (legally safe to fly)."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Directive maintains a narrowly defined scope: it targets CA25 series aeroplanes and mandates daily inspection of tail wheel springs per Skyfox Aviation Service Bulletin No.8, with replacement if deformation is found (Applicability; Requirement; Background). There is no indication in the text that the scope was broadened or narrowed from the instrument's expressed requirements."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability: applies only to CA25 aircraft (Applicability).","Single, specific technical action required: inspect tail wheel springs for deformation per Service Bulletin No.8 (Requirement).","High-frequency timing: inspection required before first flight each day (Compliance).","Record-keeping requirement: must enter the AD on the Maintenance Release and carry copies of the Directive and Requirement Document in the aircraft (Compliance).","Limited discretion: pilot in command may perform the inspection, but the standard and timing are prescribed (Compliance)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Directive requires pilots/operators of Skyfox (Hedaro) CA25 aeroplanes to perform a daily pre‑flight inspection of tail‑wheel springs per Skyfox Service Bulletin No.8, replace any deformed springs, record the action and AD reference (AD/CA25/4) on the Maintenance Release, and carry a copy of the Directive and service bulletin on board. It targets CA25 owners/operators, imposing recurring inspection, replacement costs and paperwork to reduce the risk of tail‑wheel spring fractures."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ca25-4-tail-wheel-springs","history":"/api/acts/ad-ca25-4-tail-wheel-springs/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ca25-4-tail-wheel-springs/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ca25-4-tail-wheel-springs/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ca25-4-tail-wheel-springs/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ca25-4-tail-wheel-springs/documents"}}