# AD 80-01-03: Parachute Top Release

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: Aerostar International S-50A, S-55A and S-60A
- Effective: January 7, 1980
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Balloon
- Amendment: 39-3648
- Registered aircraft: 208 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/04FBC3FAD3EAEC5686256A4E0050E6EC.0001
- DRS record last changed: May 30, 2024
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/80-01-03

## The airworthiness directive

80-01-03 RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.: Amendment 39-3648. Applies to model S-50A, serial no. S50A-275, model S-55A, serial nos. S-55A-330 to S-55A-624, and model S-60A, serial nos. S-60A-102 to S-60A-138 hot air balloons certificated in all categories which have installed the parachute top vent.

Compliance required before further flight unless already accomplished.

To allow proper release of the parachute top, accomplish the following or an equivalent modification approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA Rocky Mountain Region:

Remove all but the middle 1 inch of the length of the "Velcro" tape "hooks" on each of the 24 4-inch long tapes found on the envelope by use of a razorblade or sharp knife.

Raven Service Bulletin No. 111 dated December 19, 1979, covers this same subject.

This amendment becomes effective January 7, 1980

## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS A15CE](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A15CE): Balloonacy LLC; names 3 of 49 models: S-55A, S-60A, S-50A

## Registered aircraft it may apply to (OpenAirDocs)

Matched by airframe and engine model; the AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment.

- Aircraft: 208 (208 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Aerostar International 104, Raven 101, Raven Industries 3

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Aerostar International S-60A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-s-60a): 77 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Raven S55A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-s55a): 57 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Raven S-60A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-s-60a): 32 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Aerostar International S-55A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-s-55a): 13 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Raven S-50A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-s-50a): 12 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Aerostar International RAVEN S-55A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-raven-s-55a): 10 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Aerostar International S-50A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-s-50a): 4 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Raven Industries S-60A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-industries-s-60a): 2 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Raven Industries S-55A](https://openairdocs.org/model/raven-industries-s-55a): 1 aircraft (airframe model)

All 9 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/80-01-03/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/80-01-03/aircraft.md

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

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