{"id":"F2006B06139","name":"AD/PC-6/35 - Rudder Bars in Cockpit - Inspection","slug":"ad-pc-6-35-rudder-bars-in-cockpit-inspection","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":46925,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B06139-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PC-6/35 - Rudder Bars in Cockpit - Inspection","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 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n \n\n![](image.001.png)  Pilatus Porter PC-6 Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/PC-6/35 Rudder Bars in Cockpit - Inspection 4/73\n\nApplicability: All models with S/Nos. 338 to 623. Document:  Pilatus SB No. 120.\n\nCompliance: As detailed in the requirement document.\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\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, targeted safety directive focused on a specific mechanical component in a specific aircraft model range. There is no evidence of scope creep; it remains tightly bounded to its original purpose of addressing a known rudder bar issue in early-production Pilatus PC-6 aircraft."},"complexity_factors":["Extremely short document — only 4 substantive lines of regulatory text","No defined terms section; relies entirely on external reference (Pilatus SB No. 120)","Simple conditional scope: single aircraft type, specific serial number range","No nested exceptions, cross-references to other legislation, or procedural subsections","Single compliance requirement: 'As detailed in the requirement document' — delegates all technical detail to external manufacturer document"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this is:** This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.\n\n**What it does:** It requires owners and operators of specific **Pilatus Porter PC-6 aircraft** (serial numbers 338 to 623) to inspect the **rudder bars** in the cockpit. Rudder bars are the foot pedals that control the aircraft's rudder — essential for steering the plane, especially during takeoff, landing, and crosswind conditions.\n\n**Why it matters:** The directive references a **Service Bulletin (SB No. 120)** from the manufacturer (Pilatus), suggesting there was a known defect or wear issue with these components. If rudder bars fail or malfunction, pilots could lose directional control of the aircraft — a serious safety risk.\n\n**Who must comply:** Anyone operating a Pilatus PC-6 with serial numbers between 338 and 623. They must follow the inspection procedures detailed in the manufacturer's service bulletin.\n\n**Key point:** This isn't optional advice — it's legally enforceable. Non-compliance can ground an aircraft or result in penalties."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD as supplied applies specifically to Pilatus Porter PC-6 aircraft with serial numbers 338–623 and requires inspection per Pilatus SB No. 120. The text does not indicate any expansion or narrowing of that applicability from an earlier or original instrument; no amendments or changes of scope are stated in the supplied document."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow serial-numbered applicability (S/Nos. 338–623) requires operators to identify whether specific aircraft are covered.","Delegation of all technical detail to an external document (Pilatus SB No. 120) means the AD is not self-contained and compliance requires access to and interpretation of the Service Bulletin.","Absence of explicit timelines, intervals, or corrective-action instructions in the AD text increases reliance on the Service Bulletin and on maintenance organisations' judgement.","Regulatory enforcement context (Part 39 airworthiness directives) implies formal compliance and recordkeeping obligations even though the AD text is brief.","Potential operational impact (downtime, parts, labour) concentrated on a defined subset of operators increases practical implementation complexity."],"plain_english_summary":"This AD mandates inspection of cockpit rudder bars on Pilatus PC‑6 aircraft with serial numbers 338–623, requiring work to be done per Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 120. It affects owners/operators and maintenance organisations, with enforcement by the regulator, and makes the SB’s inspection and any corrective actions mandatory. Compliance costs (labour, parts, downtime) fall to owners, and the AD depends on the referenced service bulletin for the specific inspection steps, intervals and remedies."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pc-6-35-rudder-bars-in-cockpit-inspection","history":"/api/acts/ad-pc-6-35-rudder-bars-in-cockpit-inspection/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pc-6-35-rudder-bars-in-cockpit-inspection/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pc-6-35-rudder-bars-in-cockpit-inspection/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pc-6-35-rudder-bars-in-cockpit-inspection/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pc-6-35-rudder-bars-in-cockpit-inspection/documents"}}