{"id":"F2006B08542","name":"AD/CHA/16 - Front Pilots Seat","slug":"ad-cha-16-front-pilots-seat","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":51323,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B08542-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/CHA/16 - Front Pilots Seat","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)  \nAmerican Champion (Aeronca, Bellanca) Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/CHA/16 Front Pilot’s Seat 1/77\n\nApplicability: All models 7ECA with S/Nos. 1126-76 to 1173-76. 7GCAA with S/N 324-76 to 332- 76. 7GCBC with S/N 887-76 to 942-76. 7KCAB with S/N 551-76 to 584-76. 8KCAB\n\nwith S/N 219-76 to 265-76. 8GCBC with S/N 188-76 to 228-76 and all previous S/Nos. in which the adjustable front seat has been installed in accordance with Bellanca Kit No 252.\n\nRequirement: 1. To detect permanent deformation and/or cracks in the lower frame side tube members:\n\nInspect the LH and RH side lower seat frame side tubes for evidence of cracks and/or permanent deformation in an area just forward of the side brace and side tube junctions.\n\n2. Modify seat by installing reinforcement in the area of the side brace and side tube junctions in accordance with a scheme approved by the Secretary.\n\nNote 1: Remove seat cushion to facilitate inspection.\n\nNote 2: Bellanca Kit No 253 is an acceptable means of reinforcement. Note 3: This Directive is based on FAA AD 76-22-01.\n\nCompliance: For para 1 \\- Within 100 hours time in service after 31 January 1977 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service until modified.\n\nFor para 2 \\- Within 300 hours time in service after 31 January 1977.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, single-issue airworthiness directive focused specifically on front seat frame integrity for a narrow range of aircraft. It has not expanded beyond its original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific technical requirement with clear mechanical scope","Limited applicability: only 6 specific aircraft model variants with defined serial number ranges","Straightforward two-part compliance structure (inspect, then modify)","Simple temporal compliance framework (hours in service, not calendar dates beyond the initial reference point)","Only one conditional element (alternative approval pathway for reinforcement scheme)","No nested definitions or extensive cross-referencing to other legislation","Short document (approximately 250 words)"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD requires owners/operators of certain American Champion aircraft (including models with Bellanca Kit No. 252) to inspect the front pilot’s seat for cracked or bent lower frame tubes and to install a reinforcement (Bellanca Kit No. 253 or approved alternative). It affects specific 1976 and earlier aircraft and is mandatory because seat-frame failure in flight could cause loss of control; inspections recur until reinforcement is fitted."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive’s scope is self-contained in the text: it applies only to the listed models and serial-number ranges where the adjustable front seat (Bellanca Kit No 252) has been installed. The instrument’s stated aim is to detect and correct seat-frame cracks/deformation by inspection and reinforcement; no expansion or contraction of that scope is evident from the text provided."},"complexity_factors":["Specific applicability by model and narrow serial-number ranges increases administrative tracking (Applicability).","Technical detection standard — inspect for cracks and permanent deformation at a precise junction — requires trained personnel and seat-cushion removal to access the area (Requirement para 1; Note 1).","Two-stage compliance timeline: recurring inspections every 100 hours until modification plus a separate 300-hour modification deadline creates ongoing monitoring and scheduling burdens (Compliance).","Modification must follow a scheme approved by the Secretary, creating regulator discretion over acceptable repairs (Requirement para 2).","Prescriptive acceptable alternative — Bellanca Kit No 253 — reduces uncertainty for operators choosing a known compliance method (Note 2).","References an FAA directive as its basis, implying alignment with an external regulator’s technical standard (Note 3).","Costs and labour for repeated inspections and for retrofit reinforcement fall on aircraft owners/operators (Requirement; Compliance)."],"plain_english_summary":"This airworthiness directive requires owners/operators of specified American Champion (Aeronca, Bellanca) aeroplanes to inspect the front pilot’s adjustable seat lower frame for cracks or permanent deformation and to install reinforcement where needed. The reinforcement must follow a regulator‑approved scheme (Bellanca Kit No 253 is listed as acceptable). Inspections are due within 100 hours’ time-in-service after 31 January 1977 and every 100 hours until modification; reinforcement must be fitted within 300 hours."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-cha-16-front-pilots-seat","history":"/api/acts/ad-cha-16-front-pilots-seat/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-cha-16-front-pilots-seat/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-cha-16-front-pilots-seat/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-cha-16-front-pilots-seat/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-cha-16-front-pilots-seat/documents"}}