AD/DAUPHIN/10 - Retirement Life - Flexible Couplings on MGB Input End - CANCELLED

What this document does

This officially cancels a previous aviation safety rule (Airworthiness Directive 10) that applied to Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 Dauphin helicopters.

The old rule The cancelled rule required operators to retire (permanently remove from service) the flexible couplings on the main gearbox (MGB) input end after reaching a specific temporary lifespan. This was a safety measure to prevent mechanical failures.

Why it is being cancelled The retirement limits are now included in the aircraft's standard maintenance manual (section 5.99 of the Periodic Review and Examination section). Because the manufacturer now specifies these limits in the standard documentation, the temporary Australian-specific rule is no longer needed.

What this means for operators From 27 August 2009, operators no longer need to follow the specific retirement life mandated by this Australian directive. Instead, they follow the retirement instructions in the aircraft maintenance manual.