Introduction

Airworthiness Directives  An airworthiness directive is a notification

(from the FAA or EASA) to owners and
operators of certified aircraft that a known
safety deficiency with a particular model of
aircraft, engine, avionics or other system
exists and must be corrected, in accordance
with the instructions within the AD.

AD status details Identification

An airworthiness directive is divided into
several parts. The identification heading on the AD indicates:
 AD number with effective date – When the AD was written.
 SB, SL reference – What product it is directed toward.
– Federal identification numbers
 Description of problem
 Applicability
 Method of Compliance
 Repetitive? Next due date?

Identification Effectivity

This is a copy of an identification header from an AD.
– 2004 is the year it was written.
– 14 denotes the bi-weekly in a year, in this case this AD
came out in July.
– 12 denotes that in the month of July this was the twelfth AD
issued.
– The other numbers are used for identification purposes by
the FAA.
 When do I have to comply with an AD?
 The AD specifies a compliance time that
relates to the effective date of the AD. That
compliance time determines when the
actions are required.

2004-14-12 The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-13721;

Docket No. FAA-2004-18032; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-
15-AD.

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Applicability
 How do I determine the applicability of an
AD?
 The AD subject line specifically identifies the
Type Certificate Holder of the product(s)
affected by the AD. Specific model(s)
affected, and any special considerations
such as specific installed part number(s) or
modification(s), are listed in the AD
applicability section.
 Who has to comply with ADs?
 No person may operate a product to which an
AD applies, except in accordance with the
requirements of the AD. Furthermore, the
owner or operator of an aircraft is required to
maintain the aircraft in compliance with all ADs.
Method of Compliance
This section gives a detailed instruction about
how to correct the identified problem. Be it an
inspection/modification.
Frequently a service bulletin is used as the
instruction to fix a problem or perform a
modification.
Applicability
 How do I find all applicable ADs to a
specific product?
 In order to find all applicable ADs for a
specific product, you must search for ADs on
the product, for example, the aircraft,
engine(s), propeller, or any installed
appliance. If there are multiple series under
the aircraft or engine model, you must also
search for ADs applicable to the model, as
well as the specific series of that model.
Description of Problem
This section gives an overview of the unsafe
condition identified for this AD.
A identification statement looks like:
 This AD is the result of inadequate control wheel attaching
hardware. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct
inadequate control wheel attachment design, which could result
in loss of control of the ailerons and elevator. This failure could
lead to loss of airplane.
Test Your Knowledge
 In your own words, what is an AD and why is
it relevant?
 An Airworthiness Directive (AD) is a directive issued by the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to correct a specific
unsafe condition found on a series of aircraft. Compliance with
an AD is mandatory.
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 Test Your Knowledge
 List the different sections/parts of an AD
• AD number with effective date
• SB, SL reference
• Description of problem
• Applicability
• Method of Compliance
• Repetitive? Next due date?
Test Your Knowledge
 Describe the Method of Compliance section
– This section gives detailed instruction about how
to correct the identified problem.
Example of a status listing
Test Your Knowledge
 What does the Identification heading on the
AD include?
The identification heading on the AD informs :
– When the AD was written.
– What product it is directed toward.
– Federal identification numbers
Example of a status listing
If you had to perform an audit
on AD’s only
 Contact airline to get an up to date status listing
 Ask airline to make available ALL dirty fingerprint 
evidence of compliance/applicability
 Obtain a listing of ALL AD’s applicable to that 
particular series of aircraft
 Check ALL AD’s are on airlines AD listing
 Check status listing columns for the minimum 
recommended headings
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If you had to perform an audit What should you find in an AD
on AD’s only dirty fingerprint folder?
 Go through every AD and appliance AD to check for the 
The AD folder should contain
following:
o Inspection or modification or both  The actual AD print‐off
o SB reference?  Evidence of Non‐applicability if N/A.
o Description‐is it accurate?  Last accomplished work along with any Form 
o Compliance due date?
One certificates if applicable 
o Was it complied with? When? Hours? Cycles?
o Applicability
 Relevant Service Bulletin(s) data if applicable
o One time? Repetitive? What is the interval?  Any other evidence, for example a fitted listing 
o When is it next due? showing part numbers etc.
o Reference to evidence of compliance or non‐applicability  Next due schedule
 Check dirty fingerprint folder for each AD.  Evidence of work 
performed, Work Order numbers, dates of sign offs etc need to 
correlate with status list.

What should you find in an AD

dirty fingerprint folder? Over to you.
The AD folder should contain AD project:
 The actual AD print‐off • Each student will be given a number of AD’s by your 
 Evidence of Non‐applicability if N/A. lecturer
 Last accomplished work along with any Form  • Your job is to produce a summary page for that AD 
One certificates if applicable  (hand written)
 Relevant Service Bulletin(s) data if applicable • Read the actual AD 
 Any other evidence, for example a fitted listing  • Study the AD status listing to see what it says about 
showing part numbers etc. your AD
 Next due schedule • Student the dirty fingerprint folder to find the 
evidence for the details in the AD status

Over to you.
AD project:  Your summary page must include the following:
• AD number and effective date
• A description of why the AD was issued
• A summary of the steps required to comply with AD, ie 
inspection/modification etc
• If applicable, when is/was due date/time/cycles?
• Is there sufficient evidence to support status listing that shows 
compliance/partial compliance?
• When was work done and by whom? If repetitive, when is next due?
• If not applicable, is there sufficient evidence to prove it? Describe 
what the evidence is.