{"id":"F2008L03243","name":"AD/SUPP/21 - Helicopter External Rescue Systems","slug":"ad-supp-21-helicopter-external-rescue-systems","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":75337,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2008L03243-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Supplementary Equipment","sectionType":"division","heading":"Supplementary Equipment","content":"### Supplementary Equipment\n\n| AD/SUPP/21 | Helicopter External Rescue Systems | 10/2008 |\n| ---------- | ---------------------------------- | ------- |\n\n| Applicability: | All helicopter external rescue systems (ERS) including, but not limited to, emergency mountain rescue systems installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Approval SH82-3 Issues 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.                                                                                                                                         |\n| -------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | Helicopter external rescue systems are classified as Class D external loads extending below the landing gear and, as such, they require a jettison capability.Accordingly, remove existing non-jettisonable rescue systems or modify with a jettisonable feature approved by Transport Canada.Note: Transport Canada AD CF-98-15 refers.      |\n| Compliance:    | Unless already accomplished, before 31 December 2008.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |\n|                | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 25 September 2008.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |\n| Background:    | In the past, a number of Supplemental Type Approvals (STA), Limited STA (LSTA), and possibly U.S. FAA Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) were granted for the installation of non-jettisonable ERS. Latest Canadian regulations state that a Class D external load can only be carried by a helicopter equipped with a jettisonable system. |\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\nDavid Villiers  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n11 August 2008","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/SUPP/21","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/SUPP/21","content":"## AD/SUPP/21","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Helicopter External Rescue Systems","sectionType":"part","heading":"Helicopter External Rescue Systems","content":"## Helicopter External Rescue Systems","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"10/2008","sectionType":"part","heading":"10/2008","content":"## 10/2008","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Airworthiness Directive maintains its original narrow scope. It addresses a specific safety gap identified in helicopter external rescue systems and aligns Australian requirements with updated Canadian aviation regulations. The directive does not expand beyond its original purpose of mandating jettison capability for Class D external loads."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 200 words of substantive content)","Only one primary requirement with two alternative compliance paths (remove or modify)","Single defined term reference ('Class D external loads') explained in context","Minimal cross-referencing (only one external reference to Transport Canada AD CF-98-15)","Simple conditional structure: applicability limited to specific approval numbers (SH82-3 Issues 1–5)","No nested exceptions or layered conditional logic","Clear, single-date compliance deadline"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive mandates that certain helicopter external rescue systems (Class D external loads) be jettisonable. Operators of helicopters fitted with systems approved under Canadian STA SH82‑3 (Issues 1–5) must either remove non‑jettisonable gear or modify it with a Transport Canada‑approved quick‑release.\n\nIt’s a safety measure to allow dropping snagged loads in emergencies and aligns Australian rules with Transport Canada; compliance was required by 31 December 2008 (effective 25 September 2008)."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Yes. The directive narrows allowed ERS installations by converting previously permitted non‑jettisonable systems into prohibited items unless removed or modified to be jettisonable, shifting costs and compliance obligations onto operators and installers (Background; Requirement; Compliance)."},"complexity_factors":["Technical classification of ERS as Class D external loads requiring a specific jettison capability","Need for physical retrofits or removal of existing equipment (costs, engineering, downtime)","Dependence on Transport Canada approval processes and cross‑reference to AD CF‑98‑15","Interaction with existing Supplemental Type Approvals (STA/LSTA) and possible FAA STCs","Fixed compliance deadline creating implementation scheduling pressure","Recordkeeping and demonstration of compliance to the regulator"],"plain_english_summary":"This directive classifies helicopter external rescue systems (ERS) that hang below the landing gear as Class D external loads and requires them to be jettisonable. Non‑jettisonable ERS must be removed or modified with a Transport Canada‑approved jettison feature. (Requirement; Applicability.)\n\nIt applies to helicopter owners/operators and installers, who must pay for removal/modification and obtain approval by 31 December 2008. The change replaces prior permissive approvals for some non‑jettisonable STAs under updated Canadian rules. (Compliance; Background.)"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-supp-21-helicopter-external-rescue-systems","history":"/api/acts/ad-supp-21-helicopter-external-rescue-systems/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-supp-21-helicopter-external-rescue-systems/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-supp-21-helicopter-external-rescue-systems/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-supp-21-helicopter-external-rescue-systems/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-supp-21-helicopter-external-rescue-systems/documents"}}