Commonwealth legislation

AD/GENERAL/71 Amdt 1 - Helicopter Occupant Harnesses

RepealedCTH

This Act has been repealed and is no longer in force. It is retained for historical reference.

Jurisdiction

Commonwealth

Collection

legislative instrument

Plain English Summary

3/10 complexity

This directive requires shoulder harnesses (lap plus shoulder straps) on any helicopter seat used during take-off or landing for helicopters manufactured after 16 September 1992. It affects manufacturers and operators by mandating harnesses that meet the aircraft’s original strength certification, with provisions for secure stowage and warning signs where only lap belts remain. Amendment 1 permits other approved harness standards (not just the old CAO 108.42), giving operators more flexibility while keeping the safety goal.

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Current sections

Direct links to the current provisions in AD/GENERAL/71 Amdt 1 - Helicopter Occupant Harnesses.

AD/GENERAL/71 Amdt 1 - Helicopter Occupant Harnesses

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

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Aircraft - General

AD/GENERAL/71

Amdt 1

Helicopter Occupant Harnesses 6/98

Applicability: All helicopters manufactured after 16 September 1992.

Requirement: 1. Install an approved safety harness to each seat that is to be occupied during take- off or landing. The safety belt and shoulder harness must meet the static and dynamic strength requirements, if applicable, specified by the certification basis of the aircraft type. There must be means to secure belts and harnesses, when not in use, to prevent interference with the operation of the helicopter and with rapid egress in an emergency.

Install a placard prohibiting occupancy during take-off or landing for seats that are only fitted with a safety belt.

Compliance: This amendment becomes effective on 21 May 1998.

Background: In August 1991, the FAA introduced a requirement that shoulder harnesses be fitted to all seats in helicopters manufactured after 16 September 1992. This directive is issued to ensure that passengers in Australian aircraft are provided with the same degree of protection in an emergency.

Amendment 1 is issued to remove reference to CAO 108.42 which will permit other approved harnesses to be installed.

The compliance date of the original AD was 23 July 1993.

Source text

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.

1 AD/GENERAL/71 Amdt 1 - Helicopter Occupant Harnesses