AD/ECUREUIL/34 - Main Rotor Head, Main Gearbox and Landing Gear - CANCELLED

What this does: This document officially cancels a previous aviation safety rule (Airworthiness Directive 34) that applied to specific Eurocopter AS 350 helicopters—commonly known as the 'Squirrel' or 'Ecureuil'.

What the old rule required: The cancelled directive previously forced helicopter owners and mechanics to perform specific safety checks on the main rotor head, main gearbox, and landing gear during regular periodic inspections. It also required checks after any incident where the helicopter shook or vibrated excessively while on the ground (called 'self-sustained dynamic excitation').

Why it changed: The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) decided that forcing these actions through a formal Directive was no longer necessary or justified. The safety tasks may still be required under normal maintenance rules, but they're no longer mandated by this specific legal instrument.

Who is affected: Owners and operators of Eurocopter AS 350 series helicopters registered in Australia.