{"id":"F2006B08806","name":"AD/DC3/30 - Front (Pilots) Seats Restraint Installations - Modification","slug":"ad-dc3-30-front-pilots-seats-restraint-installations-modification","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":52178,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B08806-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/DC3/30 - Front (Pilots) Seats Restraint Installations - Modification","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\nmeta-generator: Aspose.Words for .NET 22.10.0\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n \n\n![](image.001.png)  Douglas DC3 Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/DC3/30 Front (Pilots) Seats Restraint NK Installations - Modification\n\n \n\nApplicability: All models.\n\n \n\nRequirement: Modify each front (pilot) seat restraint installation by fitting a symmetric safety harness incorporating an inertia reel in with a scheme approved by the Secretary.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Before 1 July 1973 unless already accomplished.\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The text does not indicate any change from an original scope or intent. The directive applies to all DC‑3 models and mandates a specific retrofit for front (pilot) seat restraints, with a compliance deadline; there is no material indication within the provided instrument that the applicability or substantive requirement has been broadened or narrowed from an earlier version."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow technical scope (single retrofit requirement) reduces complexity","Regulatory discretion: installations must follow a scheme approved by the Secretary (creates administrative and timing complexity)","Fleet‑wide applicability across all DC‑3 models increases implementation logistics","Lack of technical detail in the text about standards/specifications for the harness or inertia reel (operators must seek approval or rely on regulator guidance)","Fixed compliance deadline requires coordinated scheduling and causes potential downtime for multiple operators"],"plain_english_summary":"This airworthiness directive compels owners/operators of all Douglas DC‑3 series aeroplanes to retrofit each front (pilot) seat with a symmetric safety harness incorporating an inertia reel, using an installation scheme approved by the Secretary. Due by 1 July 1973, it raises pilot crash‑protection standards while placing retrofit cost, downtime and an approval gate on operators."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, single-purpose safety directive. It has not expanded beyond its original intent of mandating improved pilot restraints for DC-3 aircraft."},"complexity_factors":["Extremely short — only 4 substantive lines","No defined terms section","No cross-references to other legislation","Simple unconditional requirement: fit approved harness by fixed date","Single applicability criterion (all models)","No exceptions, exemptions, or conditional logic"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this is:** An Airworthiness Directive (AD) — essentially a mandatory safety order — for Douglas DC-3 aircraft.\n\n**What it requires:** All DC-3 planes must have their front pilot seats fitted with a **symmetric safety harness with an inertia reel** (a seatbelt system that automatically tightens during sudden deceleration, like in a car crash). The design must be approved by the Secretary (of the relevant government department).\n\n**Who it affects:** Anyone operating a Douglas DC-3 aircraft — typically vintage aircraft operators, museums, and charter companies flying these classic planes.\n\n**Why it matters:** This improves pilot survivability in accidents by replacing older, less effective restraint systems with modern inertia-reel harnesses. The DC-3 is a 1930s-40s design, so many were flying with outdated safety equipment.\n\n**Deadline:** The modification had to be completed before **1 July 1973** (unless already done)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-dc3-30-front-pilots-seats-restraint-installations-modification","history":"/api/acts/ad-dc3-30-front-pilots-seats-restraint-installations-modification/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-dc3-30-front-pilots-seats-restraint-installations-modification/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-dc3-30-front-pilots-seats-restraint-installations-modification/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-dc3-30-front-pilots-seats-restraint-installations-modification/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-dc3-30-front-pilots-seats-restraint-installations-modification/documents"}}