Who issues Airworthiness Directives?

Airworthiness Directives (ADs) are issued by a National Authority, which is responsible for ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft within its jurisdiction. In the United States, this is typically the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), but other countries have their own national aviation authorities that issue ADs based on their regulations and safety concerns. These directives communicate mandatory requirements for correcting unsafe conditions in aircraft and components, and they are crucial for maintaining aviation safety.

Issuing ADs is a regulatory function meant to address specific safety issues that arise from inspections, analysis, or reports. Maintenance organizations and individual entities like the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) may contribute to the identification of issues needing ADs, but they do not have the authority to issue them. Therefore, the correct answer reflects the role of national authorities in overseeing aviation safety and enforcing compliance with airworthiness standards.