{"id":"F2006B06075","name":"AD/PC-12/12 - Standby Magnetic Compass","slug":"ad-pc-12-12-standby-magnetic-compass","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":114473,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B06075-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PC-12/12 - Standby Magnetic Compass","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)  \nPilatus PC-12 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/PC-12/12 Standby Magnetic Compass 14/98\n\nApplicability: Model PC-12 and PC-12/45 aeroplanes Manufacturers Serial Numbers 101 up to and including 230.\n\nRequirement: Unless previously accomplished, perform a standby magnetic compass swing and install a new ‘Compensation Placard’ (part number 511.32.12.195). Both actions are to be accomplished in accordance with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd PC-12 Service Bulletin 34-006 dated 3 September 1998.\n\nNote: FOCA Switzerland AD HB 98-426 refers.\n\nCompliance: Prior to 31 January 1999.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 31 December 1998.\n\nBackground: Changes to aircraft configuration required the standby compass swing procedures to be revised. The revised procedure permits the compass to be compensated for any configuration of windshield heating and aircraft systems. The new ‘Compensation Placard’ advises the correct procedures for reading the standby magnetic compass.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The directive revises the prior standby compass procedure to allow compensation that works across different windshield heating and aircraft system configurations; it therefore changes the procedural scope of compass compensation from configuration-specific procedures to a single revised procedure and requires a new placard to reflect that change (Background; Requirement)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability limited to specific airframe models and a defined serial number range (Applicability).","Single, well-defined maintenance action (compass swing) and a single parts installation (compensation placard) reduce procedural complexity (Requirement).","Mandatory reliance on an external technical document (Pilatus Service Bulletin 34-006) concentrates technical detail outside the AD itself (Requirement).","Fixed compliance deadline introduces scheduling constraints for operators and maintenance providers (Compliance).","Safety-critical nature of compass calibration increases the importance of correct technical execution despite administrative simplicity (Background)."],"plain_english_summary":"What this directive does (mechanics)\n\n- It requires owners/operators of certain Pilatus PC-12 and PC-12/45 aeroplanes (serial numbers 101 through 230) to have the standby magnetic compass swung (a calibration procedure) and to have a new \"Compensation Placard\" (part number 511.32.12.195) installed. The work must be carried out exactly as set out in Pilatus Aircraft Ltd Service Bulletin 34-006 dated 3 September 1998. (Requirement; Applicability)\n\nWho it affects\n\n- Aircraft owners/operators, and the maintenance organisations that service those aircraft, for Pilatus PC-12 and PC-12/45 aeroplanes with manufacturer serial numbers 101 up to and including 230. (Applicability)\n\nWhen it must be done\n\n- The actions must be completed before 31 January 1999. The directive became effective on 31 December 1998. (Compliance)\n\nWhy the change was made (official rationale and a mechanics-first restatement)\n\n- The directive says aircraft configuration changes meant the previous standby compass swing procedures were no longer adequate. The revised procedure (in the Pilatus service bulletin) allows the compass to be compensated for any combination of windshield heating and aircraft systems. The placard supplies the correct procedures for reading the standby magnetic compass. These are described as the reasons for the required swing and placard installation. (Background)\n\nCosts, incentives and who pays\n\n- Direct costs fall on the owners/operators: the compass swing requires maintenance labour and possible aircraft downtime; the new placard is a specific part to be installed (part number given). The requirement to follow the manufacturer’s service bulletin means operators must use the methods and sequences that the manufacturer prescribes. (Requirement; Applicability)\n\nCompliance burden and implementation risks\n\n- The burden is a single mandatory maintenance action plus installation of a labelled placard to be completed by the compliance deadline. Implementation depends on carrying out the compass swing correctly and fitting the placard as described in Service Bulletin 34-006; incorrect application of the procedure or placard could leave compass readings unreliable. The AD also references an equivalent Swiss AD (FOCA Switzerland AD HB 98-426). (Requirement; Background; Note)\n\nDecision rights and discretion\n\n- The Civil Aviation Safety Authority issued the directive and set the deadline and applicability. The technical steps and exact method are specified by the Pilatus service bulletin, so technical discretion about how to perform the swing is limited to what that bulletin permits. (Requirement; Compliance)\n\nPractical effects on operator behaviour\n\n- Affected operators must schedule and fund a maintenance action before the deadline, follow the manufacturer’s specified procedure, and fit the specified placard. After compliance, compass compensation should be valid across different windshield heating and system configurations per the revised procedure. (Requirement; Background)\n\nSource references within the directive: Applicability; Requirement; Compliance; Background; Note."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted safety directive addressing a specific technical issue with specific aircraft. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of ensuring standby compass accuracy following aircraft configuration changes."},"complexity_factors":["Single, unambiguous requirement with no conditional branches or exceptions","Only one defined term of note ('Compensation Placard' identified by part number)","No cross-references to other legislation or complex procedural triggers","Clear, fixed compliance deadline with single applicability criterion (serial number range)","Background explanation provided in plain language"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive** (a mandatory safety order) issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority for **Pilatus PC-12 aircraft**.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Requires owners/operators of specific PC-12 planes (serial numbers 101–230) to **recalibrate their standby magnetic compass** and **install a new instruction placard** by 31 January 1999.\n\n**Why it matters:**\n- The standby magnetic compass is a critical backup navigation instrument used if electronic systems fail.\n- Changes to the aircraft's windshield heating and electrical systems meant the old calibration procedures no longer worked reliably.\n- The new procedure ensures the compass stays accurate regardless of which systems are running, and the new placard tells pilots how to read it correctly.\n\n**Who must comply:**\n- Anyone operating PC-12 or PC-12/45 aircraft with serial numbers 101 through 230, unless they've already done this work.\n\n**What happens if they don't:**\n- Operating without complying would breach civil aviation regulations, potentially grounding the aircraft and exposing the operator to enforcement action."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pc-12-12-standby-magnetic-compass","history":"/api/acts/ad-pc-12-12-standby-magnetic-compass/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pc-12-12-standby-magnetic-compass/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pc-12-12-standby-magnetic-compass/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pc-12-12-standby-magnetic-compass/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pc-12-12-standby-magnetic-compass/documents"}}