{"id":"F2006B06471","name":"AD/R44/3 - Push-Pull Guide Tubes","slug":"ad-r44-3-push-pull-guide-tubes","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":47968,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B06471-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/R44/3 - Push-Pull Guide Tubes","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)  Robinson R44 Series Helicopters\n\n \n\nAD/R44/3 Push-Pull Guide Tubes  8/95 DM\n\n \n\nApplicability: All R44 helicopters S/N 0001 through 0150 inclusive.\n\n \n\nRequirement: Unless previously carried out action in accordance with Robinson R44 Service Bulletin No 4.\n\n \n\nNote: FAA AD 95-09-07 Amdt 39-9210 refers.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Within 50 hours time in service after 26 May 1995 or before 30 June 1995, whichever occurs first.\n\n \n\nBackground: The manufacturer has received reports of cyclic control binding.\n\n \n\nThe binding is caused by excessive guide wear in which the P/N C121-7 push-pull tubes slide.\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":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD's stated scope is to require the service-bulletin action for Robinson R44 helicopters S/N 0001–0150 to address push-pull guide wear that can cause cyclic control binding (Applicability; Requirement; Background). The text contains no provision that expands or narrows that scope beyond the stated serial-number range and the single corrective-action reference, so there is no indication in this document that the scope has changed from its stated intent."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability (specific serial number range: 0001–0150) limits affected population (Applicability).","Clear, short compliance timeframe (50 hours after 26 May 1995 or before 30 June 1995) reduces scheduling flexibility (Compliance).","Requirement delegates technical detail to an external document (Robinson R44 Service Bulletin No 4) rather than setting procedures in the AD, which adds a dependency on that bulletin's content (Requirement).","Conditional exemption if action already completed (\"Unless previously carried out\") introduces a simple conditional compliance check (Requirement).","Reference to a related FAA AD creates an external cross-reference but does not materially complicate the local requirement (Note)."],"plain_english_summary":"What this directive does\n\n- It requires owners/operators of certain Robinson R44 helicopters (serial numbers 0001 through 0150 inclusive) to carry out the corrective action set out in Robinson R44 Service Bulletin No 4. (Applicability; Requirement)\n- The stated technical problem is excessive wear in the guide where push-pull tubes (P/N C121-7) slide, which the manufacturer reported can cause cyclic control binding. The AD aims to remove that hazard by mandating the service bulletin action. (Background)\n- Timing: the work must be done within 50 hours time in service after 26 May 1995 or before 30 June 1995, whichever comes first. (Compliance)\n- The AD explicitly allows that no further action is needed for helicopters where the service bulletin action has already been completed. (Requirement)\n\nWho this affects\n\n- Owners and operators of Robinson R44 helicopters with serial numbers 0001–0150. (Applicability)\n- Maintenance organisations or technicians who will perform the action specified in the manufacturer’s service bulletin. (Requirement)\n\nWho decides and who pays\n\n- The regulator (Civil Aviation Safety Authority, via this AD) decides that the service bulletin action is mandatory for the listed helicopters. (entire AD)\n- The directive requires operators/owners to have the work done; arranging and paying for the inspection/repair work and any parts is therefore their responsibility (inferred from the Requirement and Applicability). The AD does not itself specify who funds repairs or whether costs are recoverable from the manufacturer. (Requirement)\n\nHow it changes behaviour and the practical mechanics\n\n- Operators must schedule and complete the service-bulletin action within a short, fixed compliance window. (Compliance)\n- The AD does not set the technical steps itself; it mandates compliance with the manufacturer's Service Bulletin No 4, so execution depends on following that external document. (Requirement)\n\nTrade-offs, incentives and implementation notes (source-grounded)\n\n- Safety purpose: the AD is premised on manufacturer reports of control binding caused by guide wear and therefore directs the corrective action specified by the manufacturer. (Background; Requirement)\n- Compliance burden: the short compliance window (50 flight hours or before a calendar date) concentrates the timing pressure on operators, who must prioritise this work ahead of other maintenance. (Compliance)\n- Delegated technical detail: because the AD references the manufacturer’s service bulletin rather than prescribing repair steps in the AD text, technical discretion about how to meet the requirement lies with the service bulletin’s content and the maintenance provider that implements it. (Requirement)\n- Cross-reference: the AD cites a related FAA AD (FAA AD 95-09-07 Amdt 39-9210), indicating coordination with foreign regulator actions but not changing the local compliance requirement. (Note)\n\nWhat is not specified in this text\n\n- The AD text does not give cost estimates, parts lists, or the exact procedures — those are in the referenced Service Bulletin. It also does not state whether the manufacturer will reimburse costs or whether any operational relief is available. (Requirement)\n\nBottom line\n\nThis AD makes compliance with Robinson R44 Service Bulletin No 4 mandatory for R44 helicopters S/N 0001–0150, on a short timetable, to address reported push-pull guide wear that can cause cyclic control binding. (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance; Background)"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, single-issue airworthiness directive targeting a specific mechanical defect in a specific aircraft model range. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of addressing cyclic control binding caused by guide tube wear."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 150 words)","Only 2 defined elements (applicability by serial number range, compliance deadline)","Single requirement with clear reference to external document (Service Bulletin No. 4)","No nested exceptions or conditional logic — just one straightforward compliance path","Simple temporal compliance calculation (whichever occurs first of two dates/hours)","Minimal cross-referencing (only one FAA AD mentioned in a note, not binding)"],"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) for specific Robinson R44 helicopters.\n\n**Who it affects:** Owners and operators of Robinson R44 helicopters with serial numbers 0001 through 0150 (the first 150 helicopters made).\n\n**What it requires:** These helicopters must have a specific repair or inspection done according to the manufacturer's Service Bulletin No. 4. This involves fixing or checking the \"push-pull guide tubes\" — metal tubes that help transfer the pilot's control movements to the helicopter's rotor system.\n\n**Why it matters:** The manufacturer found that these tubes were wearing down excessively, causing the cyclic control (the main stick the pilot uses to steer) to become stiff or \"bind.\" This could make the helicopter difficult or dangerous to fly. The directive forces operators to fix this problem within a tight deadline: either within 50 hours of flying time after 26 May 1995, or before 30 June 1995 — whichever comes first.\n\n**Key point:** This is a **time-critical safety mandate**. Ignoring it would mean flying an aircraft with a known dangerous defect."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-r44-3-push-pull-guide-tubes","history":"/api/acts/ad-r44-3-push-pull-guide-tubes/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-r44-3-push-pull-guide-tubes/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-r44-3-push-pull-guide-tubes/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-r44-3-push-pull-guide-tubes/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-r44-3-push-pull-guide-tubes/documents"}}