{"id":"F2006B09428","name":"AD/ELECT/54 - Sealed Lead Acid Aircraft Batteries","slug":"ad-elect-54-sealed-lead-acid-aircraft-batteries","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":53827,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09428-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/ELECT/54 - Sealed Lead Acid Aircraft Batteries","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nElectrical Equipment\n\nAD/ELECT/54 Sealed Lead Acid Aircraft Batteries 7/90\n\nApplicability: All installed Gates Varley/Tungstone Energy Products/Hawker Energy Products sealed lead acid batteries listed below:\n\n18 AH batteries with the following product numbers:\n\n  \n25 AH batteries with the following product numbers:\n\n9750-0730, 9750-0734, 9750-0738, 9750-0640, 9750-0650,\n\n9750-0740, 9750-0742, 9750-0744, 9750-0658, 9750-0660\n\n9750-0772. 9750-0750, 9750-0781.\n\nNote 1. Aircraft known to have batteries of this type fitted include but are not limited to BAe 125 Series; Shorts Skyvan Series; and BAe. Jetstream series.\n\nNote 2. Gates Varley SB M1-89 Issue 2 (made mandatory by CAA (UK) also refers.\n\nRequirement: Remove from the aircraft and carry out a capacity test in accordance with the aircraft maintenance manual or other approved procedure.\n\nCompliance: 1. 18 AH batteries in the serial number range A1810 to A7637, and 25 AH batteries in the serial number range B0095 to CO 575 - initially 6 months after initial installation in an aircraft, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 3 months.\n\n2. 18 AH batteries with serial numbers below A1810 and above A7637, and 25 AH batteries with serial numbers below B0095 and above CO 575 - initially 6 months after initial installation, then after a further 6 months, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 3 months.\n\nBackground: Affected batteries have been found to exhibit an unexpected loss of capacity which reduces the time for which the battery can power emergency services in the event of a power failure.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive's scope is confined to the listed battery product numbers and serial number ranges and prescribes testing procedures and schedules. The text shows no indication that the instrument broadens or narrows that scope from any prior or original intent."},"complexity_factors":["Applicability limited to specific manufacturers, product numbers and two battery capacities (Applicability).","Two‑tier compliance schedule tied to serial number ranges, increasing procedural complexity (Compliance).","Mandated physical removal of batteries and capacity testing per the aircraft maintenance manual or other approved procedure imposes operational and maintenance burden (Requirement).","Reference to a manufacturer service bulletin (Gates Varley SB M1-89 Issue 2) introduces an external document for compliance interpretation (Note 2).","Applicability wording lists example aircraft types but does not exhaustively catalogue affected models, requiring operators to check installations (Note 1)."],"plain_english_summary":"This airworthiness directive requires operators of aircraft fitted with specified Gates Varley / Tungstone / Hawker sealed lead‑acid batteries (listed 18 AH and 25 AH product numbers) to remove the battery and perform a capacity test using the aircraft maintenance manual or another approved procedure (Requirement). Tests must begin six months after installation and follow the serial‑number dependent schedules, then recur at set intervals (Compliance). The rule targets unexpected capacity loss that can shorten emergency power availability (Background)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Airworthiness Directive remains tightly focused on its original purpose: addressing a specific safety defect in particular sealed lead acid aircraft batteries. The scope has not expanded beyond the identified battery models and serial number ranges."},"complexity_factors":["Two-tier compliance schedule based on serial number ranges (four distinct serial number categories across two battery capacities)","Cross-reference to external document: Gates Varley SB M1-89 Issue 2 (made mandatory by UK CAA)","Requires reference to aircraft maintenance manual or 'other approved procedure' for testing methodology","Specific product number lists with formatting irregularities (18 AH list appears truncated or corrupted in source)"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive requires owners/operators of certain BAe, Shorts and other aircraft to remove and capacity-test specific 18 AH and 25 AH sealed lead‑acid batteries (Gates Varley, Tungstone, Hawker) because some units can lose charge unexpectedly. Tests must follow the aircraft maintenance manual or an approved procedure, with initial and recurring test intervals specified by battery serial ranges. The aim is to ensure emergency systems remain powered and protect passengers and crew."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-elect-54-sealed-lead-acid-aircraft-batteries","history":"/api/acts/ad-elect-54-sealed-lead-acid-aircraft-batteries/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-elect-54-sealed-lead-acid-aircraft-batteries/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-elect-54-sealed-lead-acid-aircraft-batteries/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-elect-54-sealed-lead-acid-aircraft-batteries/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-elect-54-sealed-lead-acid-aircraft-batteries/documents"}}