{"id":"F2006B06061","name":"AD/PARA/4 - Rigging Innovations Skyhook Reserve Pilotchute","slug":"ad-para-4-rigging-innovations-skyhook-reserve-pilotchute","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":114459,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B06061-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PARA/4 - Rigging Innovations Skyhook Reserve Pilotchute","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 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n \n\n![](image.001.png)  Parachute Equipment\n\n \n\nAD/PARA/4 Rigging Innovations Skyhook Reserve Pilotchute 8/93\n\nApplicability: Skyhook reserve pilotchutes P/n 2233-( ) serial numbers 2405 to 5551 inclusive. Requirement:              Action in accordance with Rigging Innovations SB 1513 Rev A dated 22 June 1992.\n\nNote: FAA AD 93-08-02 Amdt. 39-8549 refers.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Prior to 30 November 1993.\n\n \n\nBackground: This Directive requires testing of the pilotchutes to verify spring tension. It is prompted by an overseas incident of total pack closure of the pilotchute.\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":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, time-limited safety directive addressing a specific technical defect in identified equipment. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating spring tension testing for the affected pilotchutes."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 200 words)","Only one defined term (P/n, meaning Part number)","Single, unambiguous requirement with clear reference to external technical document","No conditional logic, exceptions, or nested provisions","Simple applicability test based on serial number range","Single compliance deadline with no alternative methods or extensions"],"plain_english_summary":"This is a **safety notice** (called an \"Airworthiness Directive\") issued by Australia's aviation safety regulator, CASA. It applies to a specific piece of skydiving equipment: the **Skyhook reserve pilotchute** made by Rigging Innovations, with serial numbers between 2405 and 5551.\n\n**What it requires:**\nOwners or operators of this equipment must **test the spring tension** in their pilotchutes following the manufacturer's instructions (Service Bulletin 1513 Rev A, dated 22 June 1992).\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThere was an overseas incident where one of these pilotchutes failed to deploy properly — the parachute stayed completely closed (\"total pack closure\"). This testing is to make sure the spring is strong enough to open the reserve parachute in an emergency.\n\n**Deadline:**\nThe testing had to be completed before **30 November 1993**.\n\n**Key point:**\nThis is a mandatory safety fix. If you owned one of these pilotchutes, you were legally required to get this test done by the deadline."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive's scope is narrow and targeted: it requires testing of Skyhook reserve pilotchutes identified by part number and serial numbers, to be carried out per Rigging Innovations SB 1513 Rev A, by a specified deadline. The text does not indicate any change from that original, specific requirement."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow technical scope: applies only to specific part number and a tight range of serial numbers (Applicability)","Single prescriptive action tied to a specific manufacturer Service Bulletin (Requirement)","Fixed compliance deadline that creates a time-limited implementation window (Compliance)","Safety-critical testing that may require certified personnel or authorised service providers (implicit in Requirement)","Dependence on the content and availability of the referenced Service Bulletin for how to comply (Requirement)"],"plain_english_summary":"### What this directive does, in plain English\n\n- It requires testing of specific reserve pilotchutes made by Rigging Innovations to check the tension of their springs. (Requirement)\n- The rule applies only to Skyhook reserve pilotchutes with part number 2233-( ) and serial numbers from 2405 through 5551 inclusive. (Applicability)\n- The testing must be carried out in accordance with Rigging Innovations Service Bulletin SB 1513 Rev A dated 22 June 1992. (Requirement)\n- The testing had to be completed before 30 November 1993. (Compliance)\n\n### Who is affected and who decides\n\n- Owners or operators of the specified pilotchutes are the primary parties required to act: they must ensure the testing is done. (Applicability, Compliance)\n- The practical work — the test and any follow-up repair or replacement called for by the Service Bulletin — will typically be performed by whoever the owner engages (for example, a certificated rigger or an authorised service centre). (Requirement)\n\n### Why it matters (stated purpose and mechanical effect)\n\n- The directive states its purpose as verifying pilotchute spring tension following an overseas incident in which a pilotchute experienced total pack closure. (Background)\n- Mechanically, the rule imposes a mandatory inspection/test and any required corrective steps specified in the manufacturer’s Service Bulletin. (Requirement)\n- The FAA airworthiness directive referenced provides an overseas regulatory parallel but the Australian text sets the local requirement. (Note)\n\n### Costs, incentives and trade-offs (mechanics, not judgement)\n\n- Who pays: owners/operators pay for the inspection, any required repairs, and any service-provider labour. (Applicability, Requirement)\n- Compliance burden: the action is narrowly prescriptive — follow SB 1513 Rev A — so the burden is to obtain the Service Bulletin, perform the prescribed test, document results and carry out any corrective action the bulletin requires. (Requirement)\n- Implementation risk and discretion: the directive is prescriptive and ties compliance to a specific Service Bulletin, so there is little regulatory discretion in what must be tested; practical discretion remains with the person or organisation performing the test about how and when (subject to the deadline). (Requirement, Compliance)\n- Effects on private activity and markets: the measure creates short-term demand for inspection and possible repair services for holders of the affected pilotchutes; it limits owners’ options to the corrective steps in the Service Bulletin while aiming to reduce a specific equipment failure mode. (Requirement)\n\n### Other observable mechanics and constraints\n\n- Applicability is narrow and serial-number specific: only a defined set of part numbers/serial numbers are in scope, which limits who bears cost and who benefits. (Applicability)\n- The directive points to a single manufacturer document for technical compliance. That centralises the required technical standard but means compliance depends on access to and the contents of SB 1513 Rev A. (Requirement)\n- The directive cites an overseas regulator’s AD as related material but imposes the Australian action through the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. (Note)\n\nSources cited: Applicability; Requirement (Rigging Innovations SB 1513 Rev A); Compliance (deadline); Background (incident prompt); Note (FAA AD reference)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-para-4-rigging-innovations-skyhook-reserve-pilotchute","history":"/api/acts/ad-para-4-rigging-innovations-skyhook-reserve-pilotchute/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-para-4-rigging-innovations-skyhook-reserve-pilotchute/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-para-4-rigging-innovations-skyhook-reserve-pilotchute/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-para-4-rigging-innovations-skyhook-reserve-pilotchute/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-para-4-rigging-innovations-skyhook-reserve-pilotchute/documents"}}