Looking for an Airworthiness Directive Jedi

[Hengelo]

I am trying to understand AD's better and have so many questions. Does anyone here wear a brown robe, carry lightsaber and confidently speak on AD's and their many strangenesses?

 

[Bell206]

I am trying to understand AD's better and have so many questions.

There are several FAA guidance materials out there that will give you a good foundation on the topic. Perhaps start with AC 39-7 then post more specific questions after you have reviewed it?

 

[Magman]

IMHO when reading an AD the first thing you check is Applicability by

Make , Model and serial number. If it does not apply Stop right there.

If it does apply the next thing is When. This can be referenced to hours or

years. In turn it may be referenced to the Effective Date.

Take Bells suggestion to and come back with your concerns.

Note that the “style” of writing has varied considerably over the years.

 

[Josh Mac]

What are your specific questions? There are a few key parts of the AD documents that you'll want to look for
- Effective Date - for the AD.
- Applicability - what the AD applies to. ADs are broken down to airframe, engine, prop, and appliances (i.e. avionics)
- Actions and Compliance - What needs to be done to comply with the AD. This section will also typically tell you if its a one time or recurring inspection. Recurring inspections can be time based on the engine time, AFTT, or calendar months.

We built a free AD lookup tool into PlaneDNA that allows you to look up ADs by serial number, engine, and prop type. Note that you do have to create an account to use the 'Aircraft Review' AD feature. We list all the relevant data for each AD and also link out to the FAA document. Attaching a few screenshots to give you an idea.

I'll be the first to admit what an absolute mess the FAA DRS system is to figure out which ADs actually apply to an aircraft.

 

[Barrett50]

Another broke-ass POS from the swamp of the FAA. I feel the pain. An IA told me that AD research adds at least 2 hours to every annual, except a very few rare planes.

 

[Magman]

When years ago when I got my IA knowing folks that knew all 17 PAGES of

Cessna ADs was very impressive. When paper went away it must have been

up to 1 THOUSAND Pages. Most “First Time” Annuals required 3-4 hours

with paper or OnLine RGL. One issue is it seems every IA has a “better”

way to record Compliance Status. Often they just use c/w with no details.

 

[Hengelo]

The FAA's AD repositories make a truck stop toilet look like a surgical room.

 

[Bell206]

We built a free AD lookup tool into PlaneDNA that allows you to look up ADs by serial number, engine, and prop type.

Does your system support appliance ADs as well?

The FAA's AD repositories make a truck stop toilet look like a surgical room.

Only if you don't know where to look. While I'm not a fan of the DRS system vs the old RGL system, it does have its pros with its cons. But neither those two FAA systems or any previous FAA AD system to include the ancient microfiche system were user friendly. So while computers and the internet have made AD searching easier, no 3rd party system will ever be equivalent to the official FAA system and its bi-weekly AD updates.

 

[Bell206]

An IA told me that AD research adds at least 2 hours to every annual, except a very few rare planes.

For a new to you aircraft it could easily go 2 hours if not more depending totally on how well the owner maintained his AD records. For repeat customers, it shouldn't be that long since one only needs to review 26 AD update reports.

 

[Magman]

I agree with Bell regarding the Bi-weekly portion. You can actually go to the

last issue of the year ( ie 2025-26) and check all issued in that year. It will

show make but for more details you have to go to the individual B/W.


So a PA-12 is a Piper and a 11AC is a Aeronca. Well, maybe? The are

numerous aircraft that have changed the Type Certificate Holder.

ie Aeronca, Champion, Bellanca, American Champion

 

[Domenick]

Home - adlog

THE adlog™ SYSTEM is a total aircraft maintenance recordkeeping system. Its 13/14 color coded indexed sections simplify, organize and centralize all data, providing lightning fast retrieval of all maintenance, airworthiness directive, service bulletin and inspection requirements for your aircraft.

www.adlog.com

Everything is contained in a single binder with heavy dividers. Get the biggest binder they offer. Service Letters and Bulletins are not included in the service, only Airworthiness Directives. They determine which ADs are potentially applicable to your plane because you give them, tailnum, manufacturer, model, and serial number.

Binder separators are:
General Information
Aircraft Inspection Status
Airframe log
Engine log
Propeller log
Avionics
Applicable Airworthiness Directives
ADs Permanently Complied With
ADs Requiring Additional Compliance
Major Alterations & Alteration Forms (FAA Form 337)
Weight & Balance Papers
Factory Service Notes or Bulletins
Maintenance Release or 8130-3 Forms
Oil Analysis

There is an initial setup fee of $160-180 (depending on the size of the binder), with yearly subscription of $36. If you save your A&P-AI an hour of time, the subscription is more than paying for itself.

One of the setup steps for converting to ADLog is to put a last entry in each separate logbook stating: "See ADLog System Log No. <num> for further entries after <date>"

I had two Airframe, two Engine, and one Propeller Logbook. So, <num> was '3' for Airframe and Engine, and '2' for Propeller.

 

[Josh Mac]

Does your system support appliance ADs as well?

I'm currently working to support appliances, and should be ready in April! This has been a regular request from users, and would remove the need for owners to check the DRS site.

 

[Magman]

It would help if OP would state their questions!

 

[BillTIZ]

It would help if OP would state their questions!

Or which AD they are having a problem understanding.

 

[Magman]

Ask 10 people and get 10 answers. Why not contact the folks that

can provide the OFFICIAL policy relating to a particular AD?

Near the end of most ADs the FAA office that handles that AD is provided.

Often the contact info of a particular person is included.

I have also sent my question in a fax which they wrote comments on

and returned the same way.

 

[leftcoast]

you can search for AD's for free at app.aircraft-logs.com It does a great job of giving you better view of the AD than the FAA's website.