{"id":"F2006B09353","name":"AD/ECUREUIL/48 - Emergency Locator Transmitter Antenna","slug":"ad-ecureuil-48-emergency-locator-transmitter-antenna","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":53593,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09353-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/ECUREUIL/48 - Emergency Locator Transmitter Antenna","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)  \nEurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters\n\nAD/ECUREUIL/48 Emergency Locator Transmitter Antenna 10/92\n\nApplicability: All AS 350 helicopters, versions B, BA, B1, B2 and D, fitted with a \\`Jolliet’ emergency locator transmitter antenna, not modified per AMS 350A.07.2492 (Eurocopter France Service Bulletin AS 350 No 25.43 dated 30 March 1992).\n\nRequirement: Modify the antenna in accordance with Eurocopter France Service Bulletin AS 350 No 25.45 dated 2 June 1992. (SB No 25.45 contains a misprint in Part A - Effectivity, SB No 25.42 should read No 25.43).\n\nNote: DGAC AD 92-144-061(B) dated 8 July 1992 refers.\n\nCompliance: Within 400 hours time in service from 17 September 1992 or by 1 April 1993, whichever occurs first.\n\nBackground: Compliance with this Directive improves the antenna resistance to vibrations and reduces the risk of loss in flight.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive applies to a defined subset of AS 350 helicopters fitted with a particular ELT antenna and requires a specified modification. It does not broaden or shrink that applicability within the text provided; it also excludes helicopters already modified per AMS 350A.07.2492. The directive therefore maintains a narrowly targeted scope consistent with the stated safety purpose (Applicability, Requirement)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability limited to specific AS 350 variants and a specific ELT antenna (Applicability)","Single, well-defined technical action: modify antenna per a named service bulletin (Requirement)","Short, explicit compliance window with two alternative triggers (400 hours TIS from 17 Sep 1992 or by 1 Apr 1993) (Compliance)","Dependence on an external service bulletin that contains a documented misprint, requiring attention when sourcing instructions (Requirement, Note)","No layered certification or approval pathways described; enforcement mechanics are straightforward (Requirement, Compliance)"],"plain_english_summary":"The directive mandates a specific modification to the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) Jolliet antenna on certain Eurocopter AS350 (B/BA/B1/B2/D) helicopters to improve vibration resistance and reduce risk of in‑flight antenna loss. Affected owners/operators (and their maintenance providers) must comply per Eurocopter SB instructions by the earlier of 400 flight hours from 17 Sept 1992 or 1 Apr 1993; operators pay costs. Helicopters already modified per the earlier SB are excluded."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, time-bound safety directive addressing a specific mechanical defect in a specific aircraft component. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating an antenna modification."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific technical requirement with clear reference to external technical document (Eurocopter Service Bulletin)","Limited applicability: only 5 specific helicopter versions with one specific antenna type, excluding those already modified","Simple conditional compliance deadline (whichever occurs first of two dates)","Only one defined term requiring clarification (the misprint note)","No nested exceptions or cross-references to other legislation beyond a single note referencing the French aviation authority's equivalent directive"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive** — a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for aircraft.\n\n**What it does:**\nOrders owners and operators of specific Eurocopter AS 350 helicopters (nicknamed \"Ecureuil\") to modify a particular emergency locator transmitter antenna. The \"Jolliet\" antenna must be upgraded following instructions in a Eurocopter service bulletin.\n\n**Who it affects:**\nAnyone who owns or operates an AS 350 helicopter (versions B, BA, B1, B2, or D) that has the Jolliet emergency locator transmitter antenna installed, **unless** the helicopter was already modified according to an earlier service bulletin (AMS 350A.07.2492 / SB 25.43 from March 1992).\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThe original antenna can fail due to vibration during flight. If it breaks, the emergency locator transmitter — which sends a distress signal if the helicopter crashes — won't work properly. This modification makes the antenna more durable and reduces the risk of it falling off in flight.\n\n**When it had to be done:**\nWithin 400 flight hours after 17 September 1992, or by 1 April 1993 — whichever came first.\n\n**Key detail to note:**\nThe service bulletin referenced (SB 25.45) contains a typo: where it says \"SB No 25.42\" it should actually say \"SB No 25.43\"."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-48-emergency-locator-transmitter-antenna","history":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-48-emergency-locator-transmitter-antenna/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-48-emergency-locator-transmitter-antenna/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-48-emergency-locator-transmitter-antenna/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-48-emergency-locator-transmitter-antenna/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-48-emergency-locator-transmitter-antenna/documents"}}