AD/PADS/1 - Precision Aerial Delivery System (PADS) Static Line - CANCELLED

What this is: A cancellation of an old aviation safety rule about cargo parachute equipment.

What the rule used to do: It banned a specific type of static line (the cable that automatically deploys a parachute when cargo is dropped from a plane) from being used with Precision Aerial Delivery Systems (PADS). The only exception was for actual rescue missions. The banned line was described in a technical drawing (HSJ Aviation drawing 0856).

Why it is cancelled: PADS equipment is no longer used in Australia or on Australian-registered aircraft, so the safety rule is redundant.

What this means: As of 9 April 2009, the prohibition no longer exists. Since the equipment isn't used anyway, this is essentially housekeeping to remove an outdated regulation from the books.