Who issues Airworthiness Directives?

Airworthiness Directives (ADs) are issued by the National Authority, which is typically the regulatory body responsible for aviation safety in a country. In the United States, for instance, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) serves this role. These directives are legally enforceable regulations that provide information about unsafe conditions and offer corrective actions that must be followed to maintain the airworthiness of aircraft.

The National Authority is responsible for interpreting regulations, conducting oversight, and ensuring compliance with safety practices in aviation. They assess the implications of design flaws or operational issues that could affect safety and, based on their findings, may issue ADs to ensure that the necessary maintenance or modifications are enforced.

While design organizations and manufacturers play critical roles in ensuring that aircraft are safe to operate and they may suggest improvements or modifications, the actual issuance of Airworthiness Directives comes from the National Authority. This ensures that a standardized safety protocol is applied consistently across all applicable aircraft, thereby enhancing overall safety in aviation.