Airworthiness Directives

Chapter 7: Airworthiness Directives

Overview

Airworthiness Directives (ADs) are legally enforceable rules issued by the FAA when an unsafe condition exists in a product. Compliance with applicable ADs is required to maintain your aircraft's airworthiness. Aircraft-logs.com helps you discover, track, and document compliance with all applicable ADs.

Understanding ADs

What is an AD?

An Airworthiness Directive is issued when:
- An unsafe condition is found in an aircraft, engine, propeller, or appliance
- The condition is likely to exist in other products of the same design
- Corrective action is needed to maintain safety

AD Structure

ADs typically contain:
- Applicability: Which aircraft/components are affected
- Compliance Requirements: What must be done and when
- Alternative Methods: Sometimes alternative compliance is allowed
- Compliance Times: Deadlines based on hours, calendar time, or both

Types of ADs

One-Time ADs: Require a single action, then complete
- Example: "Within 100 hours, inspect for cracks and repair if found"

Recurring ADs: Require repeated action at intervals
- Example: "Inspect every 500 hours or 12 months, whichever comes first"

Terminating Action: Work that ends a recurring requirement
- Example: "Install modified part to terminate repetitive inspections"

AD Discovery

Automatic Discovery

When you add an aircraft, Aircraft-logs.com automatically:

  1. Searches the FAA AD database for your make/model
  2. Identifies potentially applicable ADs
  3. Presents them for your review

To search for additional ADs:

  1. Navigate to Aircraft > Airworthiness Directives
  2. Click Search FAA ADs or use the global Search ADs feature
  3. Search by:
    • AD number
    • Make/model
    • Subject keywords
    • Docket number
  4. Select applicable ADs to add to your aircraft

Adding ADs

From FAA Database

  1. Search for the AD
  2. Click Add to Aircraft or Create from FAA AD
  3. Review the pre-populated information
  4. Set applicability and compliance status
  5. Save

Manual Entry

  1. Navigate to Aircraft > Airworthiness Directives
  2. Click Add AD or New Airworthiness Directive
  3. Enter all required fields
  4. Save

AD Fields

Field Description
AD Number Official FAA AD number (e.g., 2024-10-05)
Monitor Type How compliance is tracked (see below)
Applicable Does this AD apply to your aircraft?
Component Specific component if applicable
Duration (Years) For recurring: years between compliance
Duration (Hours) For recurring: hours between compliance
Compliance Date Date last complied with
Compliance Hours Tach/Hobbs at last compliance
Tracking Status Current status (Active, Complied, etc.)
Comments Your notes about compliance

Monitor Types

Lifetime

One-time ADs that, once completed, require no further action.

  • Compliance date is recorded
  • No recurring due date
  • Status shows as "Complied"

Years

Recurring ADs based on calendar time.

  • Set Duration (Years): e.g., 1 for annual
  • Due date calculated from last compliance date
  • Example: 12-month inspection requirement

Time (Hours)

Recurring ADs based on flight hours.

  • Set Duration (Hours): e.g., 500
  • Due calculated from compliance hours
  • Example: Inspect every 500 flight hours

Both

Recurring ADs with dual requirements: whichever comes first.

  • Set both years and hours
  • Due date is earlier of the two calculations
  • Example: "Every 12 months or 500 hours, whichever comes first"

Tracking Status

Active

AD is being actively tracked. Use for:
- Applicable recurring ADs
- One-time ADs not yet completed

Complied (One-Time)

For one-time ADs that have been completed:
- Terminating action accomplished
- No further action required

Not Applicable

AD does not apply to your specific aircraft:
- Different serial number range
- Already incorporated at manufacture
- Modified configuration

Important: Document why it's not applicable in the comments field.

Superseded

AD has been replaced by a newer AD:
- The superseding AD number should be noted
- Track the new AD instead

Archived

AD is no longer actively tracked:
- Aircraft has been modified
- Configuration changed
- Keep for historical reference

Compliance Tracking

Recording Compliance

When you complete AD compliance work:

Method 1: Through Logbook Entry (Recommended)
1. Create a logbook entry for the work
2. Add a work item
3. Link the work item to the AD
4. When you save, the AD is automatically updated

Method 2: Direct AD Update
1. Navigate to the AD
2. Click Edit
3. Update compliance date and hours
4. Add notes describing compliance
5. Save

Compliance Information

For each compliance, record:
- Date: When compliance was completed
- Tach Hours: Tach time at compliance
- Hobbs Hours: Hobbs time at compliance
- Comments: How compliance was achieved

Multi-Part ADs (Sub-Requirements)

Some ADs have multiple paragraphs with different requirements.

Example

AD 2024-XX-XX might require:
- (a) Initial inspection within 100 hours
- (b) Repetitive inspections every 500 hours
- (c) Terminating action: Install modified part

Creating Sub-Requirements

  1. Navigate to the parent AD
  2. Click Add Sub-Requirement
  3. Enter:
    • Paragraph: The letter/number (e.g., "a", "b")
    • Requirement Description: What this paragraph requires
  4. Set monitor type and intervals for this specific requirement
  5. Save

Each sub-requirement is tracked independently:
- Separate compliance dates
- Separate due calculations
- Individual status tracking

AD Status Dashboard

Viewing All ADs

Navigate to Aircraft > Airworthiness Directives to see:

  • All ADs for the aircraft
  • Status indicators (Compliant, Due Soon, Overdue)
  • Due dates and hours
  • Quick filters

Filtering ADs

Filter the list by:
- Applicability: Applicable, Not Applicable, All
- Status: Active, Complied, Superseded, Archived
- Monitor Type: Lifetime, Years, Time, Both
- Component: Filter by specific component

Sorting

Sort by:
- AD number
- Due date (nearest first)
- Compliance date
- Status

Priority Order

By default, ADs are sorted by urgency:
1. Overdue - Past due date/hours (red)
2. Due Soon - Within 30 days or 50 hours (yellow)
3. Compliant - Currently in compliance (green)

Printing AD Status

Generate a compliance report:

  1. Navigate to Aircraft > Airworthiness Directives
  2. Click Print AD Status or Print Report
  3. The report shows:
    • All applicable ADs
    • Compliance status for each
    • Due dates and hours
    • Last compliance information
  4. Print or save as PDF

This report is useful for:
- Annual inspections
- Pre-purchase evaluations
- Regulatory audits

Editing ADs

  1. Navigate to the AD
  2. Click Edit
  3. Modify fields as needed
  4. Save changes

Common Edits

  • Update compliance date/hours after work
  • Change applicability determination
  • Add detailed compliance notes
  • Attach documentation

Deleting ADs

  1. Navigate to the AD
  2. Click Edit
  3. Click Delete
  4. Confirm

Caution: Only delete if the AD was added in error. For non-applicable ADs, change status to "Not Applicable" instead.

AD Documentation

What to Attach

  • Compliance documentation
  • Work orders showing AD compliance
  • Part tags for replacement parts
  • Photos of inspections/repairs
  • SB compliance records

Attaching Files

  1. Edit the AD
  2. Scroll to Documents section
  3. Upload files
  4. Save

Best Practices

Research Applicability

Before marking an AD as "Not Applicable":
- Read the full AD text
- Check serial number ranges
- Verify your aircraft configuration
- Document your reasoning

Document Everything

Record complete compliance information:
- What was done
- Who did it
- Part numbers used
- Reference to logbook entry

Always create logbook entries for AD compliance work, and link the work item to the AD. This creates a complete audit trail.

Regular Review

Periodically review your AD list:
- Check for new ADs (search FAA database)
- Verify due date calculations
- Update compliance as work is done
- Archive superseded ADs

Stay Current

Subscribe to FAA AD updates for your make/model at FAA website.

Compliance Scenarios

New One-Time AD

  1. AD is discovered/added
  2. Determine applicability
  3. Plan compliance before deadline
  4. Perform required work
  5. Create logbook entry with work item linked to AD
  6. AD automatically updates to "Complied"

Recurring AD Compliance

  1. Check AD due dates regularly
  2. Schedule work before due
  3. Perform inspection/action
  4. Create logbook entry with linked work item
  5. AD compliance date/hours update
  6. Next due date automatically calculates

Non-Applicable AD

  1. Review AD applicability section carefully
  2. Determine why it doesn't apply to your aircraft
  3. Change status to "Not Applicable"
  4. Document reasoning in Comments field
  5. AD is filtered from active tracking

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