{"id":"F2008L02667","name":"AD/EC 135/18 - Cyclic-Stick Locking Device - Modification","slug":"ad-ec-135-18-cyclic-stick-locking-device-modification","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":74704,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2008L02667-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Eurocopter EC 135 Series Helicopters","sectionType":"division","heading":"Eurocopter EC 135 Series Helicopters","content":"### Eurocopter EC 135 Series Helicopters\n\n| AD/EC 135/18 | Cyclic-Stick Locking Device - Modification | 8/2008 |\n| ------------ | ------------------------------------------ | ------ |\n\n| Applicability: | Eurocopter Deutschland (ECD) GmbH EC135 and EC635 series helicopters, all models, serial number (S/N) 0005 through 0699 inclusive, except S/N 0028, 0076, 0093, 0098, 0099, 0102, 0104, 0106, 0108, 0110, 0111, 0113, 0114, 0116, 0117 and 0119.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |\n| -------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | 1. Modify the cyclic stick locking/centering device by removing the slide and spring from the cyclic stick cantilever in accordance with ECD Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) EC135-67A-015 dated 14 April 2008, or later NAA approved revision.2. Amend the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (FLM) by inserting the following note:NOTE: Before starting the engines, the cyclic stick must be moved to its neutral position. By folding up the cantilever to the pin, it is possible to move the cyclic stick into its neutral position and to centre it. A locking of the cyclic stick is no longer possible.This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the FLM, or by FLM page(s) supplied by ECD.Note: EASA AD 2008-0113 dated 10 June 2008 refers. |\n| Compliance:    | Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, unless previously accomplished.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |\n|                | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 31 July 2008.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |\n| Background:    | There have been several cases reported where take-off was executed with a locked cyclic stick. A locked cyclic stick may lead to loss of control of the helicopter. In order to prevent any further occurrences of inadvertent take-off with a locked cyclic stick, Eurocopter Deutschland has developed a modification of the cyclic stick cantilever. After modification, locking of the cyclic stick is no longer possible. The cyclic stick can only be centered in its neutral position.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nJames Coyne  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n20 June 2008","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/EC 135/18","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/EC 135/18","content":"## AD/EC 135/18","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Cyclic-Stick Locking Device - Modificati","sectionType":"part","heading":"Cyclic-Stick Locking Device - Modification","content":"## Cyclic-Stick Locking Device \\- Modification","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"8/2008","sectionType":"part","heading":"8/2008","content":"## 8/2008","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD retains its original safety‑focused scope: prevent inadvertent take‑offs with a locked cyclic stick on specified EC135/EC635 serial numbers. It mandates a specific hardware modification and a Flight Manual note; it does not broaden applicability beyond the listed helicopters or introduce additional regulatory powers."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability by serial number range with specific serial exclusions (S/N 0005–0699, listed exceptions).","Technical modification required (remove slide and spring from cyclic cantilever) per ECD ASB EC135‑67A‑015 — requires maintenance action and parts/work time.","Mandatory Flight Manual amendment (insert AD note) — administrative step for operators.","Short compliance window (within 30 days of effective date) increases logistical burden for affected operators.","Reference to NAA‑approved later ASB revisions and to EASA AD 2008‑0113 creates dependency on regulator approvals."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires operators of Eurocopter EC135/EC635 helicopters (S/N 0005–0699, with listed exclusions) to modify the cyclic‑stick cantilever by removing the slide and spring per ECD Alert Service Bulletin EC135‑67A‑015, and to add a Flight Manual note requiring the cyclic to be centred before engine start. The measure is intended to eliminate the ability to lock the cyclic stick and so reduce inadvertent take‑offs with a locked stick. Compliance within 30 days places the modification cost and compliance burden on affected operators."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope: addressing a specific mechanical defect in a specific helicopter model series. The requirements remain tightly focused on the cyclic stick modification and associated flight manual update, with no expansion into broader operational or maintenance areas."},"complexity_factors":["Single, clearly defined applicability (specific serial number range with explicit exceptions)","Two straightforward requirements: one mechanical modification, one documentation update","No nested conditional logic or cross-references to other legislation","Only one defined term used (S/N for serial number)","Clear compliance deadline with simple exception clause ('unless previously accomplished')","Background provides plain-language explanation of safety rationale","Document is short (approximately 300 words of substantive content)"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive requires owners/operators of specified Eurocopter EC135/EC635 helicopters to modify the cyclic stick locking device (removing the slide and spring per Eurocopter service instructions) so the cyclic can only be centered, not locked, and to add a Rotorcraft Flight Manual note requiring pilots to center the cyclic before engine start. It’s mandatory to prevent accidental locked cyclic takeoffs that can cause loss of control; compliance within 30 days of 31 July 2008."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ec-135-18-cyclic-stick-locking-device-modification","history":"/api/acts/ad-ec-135-18-cyclic-stick-locking-device-modification/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ec-135-18-cyclic-stick-locking-device-modification/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ec-135-18-cyclic-stick-locking-device-modification/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ec-135-18-cyclic-stick-locking-device-modification/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ec-135-18-cyclic-stick-locking-device-modification/documents"}}