British Gliding Association – Technical Committee TNS 06/03 Technical News Sheet 06/03 Part 1 Airworthiness issues (all categories) 1.1 EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE Grob G103 Twin Astir AD2003-185, ASB315-63-2 Mandatory G103 Twin II, G103A Twin II ACRO, G103 Twin III ACRO. Reduction in airspeed due reduced structural integrity of fuselage. Details sent to owners, AD details enclosed. 1.2 Grob G109 series BGA 036/06/2003 issue 1 Recommended Inspection of Elevator control rod to prevent possible in flight failure. Details enclosed. 1.3 Grob G109B reported by Tim Dews of Airborne Composites. Information Several cases of engine oil sump plug and oil cooler hose fitting loose. Check tighten between maintenance checks. It is recommended to wire lock sump plug and oil cooler fittings together. 1.4 Piper PA18 & 25 & possibly other types report by CTO Information If battery is housed in a Piper standard battery box ensure that + cable is correctly positioned and tight as it passes through box insulated insert. Can cause short on box lid return lip and explosion of Hydrogen gas produced when charging. 1.5 PZL SZD-9 bis Bocian 1d & 1e BE-031/2003 Service life extension to 4000 flying hours. Information 1.6 PZL SZD 50-1 & 50-3 Puchacz BE-049/SZD-50-3/2000 Mandatory Cracks continue to be found in Front bracket console (Wing front mounting brackets) repeat inspections annually or after heavy landing. An improved and strengthened unit is available. 1.7 PZL SZD 50-1 & 50-3 Puchacz Mod BGA 2003/11 Recommended Modification to install a light return spring to the rear canopy operating lever to help prevent inadvertent opening and loss of canopy in flight. Mod developed by Dave Bullock, BGA Technical Committee. Details enclosed 1.8 PZL SZD 50-1 & 50-3 Puchacz BGA 016/04/2001 issue 2 Mandatory New improved air brake gear available. Fitment deletes the annual inspection requirement. Details enclosed. 1.9 PZL SZD 51-1 Junior BGA 015/04/2001 issue 2 Mandatory New improved air brake gear available. Fitment deletes the annual inspection requirement. Details enclosed. 1 1.10 TNS 06/03 PZL SZD 48 Jantar, SZD 55-1 BGA 017/04/2001 issue 3 Mandatory New improved air brake gear available. Fitment deletes the annual inspection requirement. (MDM FOX deleted as not applicable). Details enclosed. 1.11 Scheibe SF25C (Rotax) AD2003-160, SB653-76 Corrections and revisions to Flight and maintenance manuals. AD details enclosed. Mandatory 1.12 Schempp-Hirth Discus 2a, 2b Revision to Flight and Maintenance manuals. Summary enclosed Mandatory 1.13 Schempp-Hirth Discus 2a, 2b AD2003-048, TN360-19 Add mass balance to elevator and install lighter control rod. N/A if TN360-16 complied with. AD details enclosed Mandatory 1.14 Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 3T Revision to Maintenance manual. Summary enclosed Mandatory 1.15 Schempp-Hirth Ventus bT, cT, 2cT & 2cM Revision to Maintenance manual Summary enclosed Mandatory Engines 1.16 Rotax 2 Stroke Engines Publication index. SB2ST-000 Information 1.17 Rotax 912 series Publication index SB912-000 Information 1.18 Rotax 912A,F,S Introduction of new oil dipstick. SB912-040 Mandatory 1.19 Rotax 914 series Publication index SB914-000 Information 1.20 Rotax 914F Introduction of new oil dipstick. SB914-026 Mandatory 1.21 Rotax 2ST Charging reported by John McWilliam Checking procedure for 866 080 regulators. Details enclosed Information Equipment 1.22 Brüggemann Emergency Parachute TM LBA0001 Ripcord cable high forces in housing Details enclosed Mandatory 2 Part 2 Modifications Type Detail BGA Mod No. Contact TNS 06/03 2.1 K6e Nose hook BGA 2002/19 2.2 K6cr Tailwheel BGA 2003/01 2.3 Skylark 4 C of G hook BGA 2003/02 2.4 Kestrel T59d Forward opening canopy BGA 2003/04 2.5 Junior Increased trimmer range BGA 2003/05 2.6 LS-8 Winglets BGA 2003/06 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 All Tugs Long life landing lamp BGA 2003/07 Skylark 2b Repositioned shoulder strap BGA 2003/08 PA25 Pawnee Top mounted strobe BGA 2003/09 Puchacz Canopy lever return spring BGA 2003/11 BGA BGA Anglia Sailplanes BGA BGA Optimal Aerodynamics BGA BGA BGA BGA Part 3 General Matters 3.1 Motor Glider and Tug C of A Test Flights (All “G” Reg. aircraft) The CAA has revised the requirements for pilots acceptable to carry out C of A test flights. ALL pilots now have to be approved by the CAA and be on the “Test pilot data-base”. This is a change from the previous requirements for Private Category aircraft, where the owner could carry out his/her own airtest without being approved. An owner can still fly his/her own aeroplane but MUST be approved by the CAA. See CAP 520 issue 4, part 6, 2.2. CAP is downloadable from the CAA web site [www.srg.caa.co.uk] [Publications] [Aircraft maintenance], click blue dot in right column on CAP 520 line. To get approved, the procedure is to arrange with the CAA flight department for a one-to-one briefing. It is possible for up to 6 pilots, requiring to test similar aeroplanes, to be briefed together. Please don’t leave this to the last minute, as currently there is a waiting list for briefings. Call CAA Flight Department on 01293 573113 and ask for Mr Malcolm Pedel. Further information can also be found in GASIL and on the Internet at [www.caa.co.uk/srg/airworthiness/flight/default.asp] 3.2 PA25 Pawnee Spares Following consultations with the CAA after the change of Type Certificate holder of the Pawnee from Piper to Lavia SA in Argentina, Argentinean spares are not acceptable without specific approval from the CAA. The main reason is that the CAA does not have knowledge of the Argentinean system of approval and cannot accept Argentinean parts release documents. It is possible to fit Argentinean spares if no others are available; however, authority from the CAA will be required. FAA PMA spares from the US with an FAA 8130-3 approval, are acceptable provided they are unchanged from the original design prior to transfer to Argentina. Of course, this notice only effects Airframe parts. Engine, Propellers and parts fitted by modification (i.e. Tow hooks, Gomolzig hush kits) are unaffected. A letter has been sent by the BGA to all Pawnee tug operators, addressed to the Tugmaster, on this subject. If you need a further copy or did not receive it, please contact the CTO. 3 Compliance Statement: All mandatory inspections and modifications have been included up to the following; Airworthiness Notices, Contents issue 132 Mandatory Aircraft Modifications & Inspections Summary, issue 272 FAA Summary of Airworthiness Directives. Bi-weekly listing 2003-13 Foreign Airworthiness Directives Vol. I and II – CAA Additional Airworthiness Directives, issue 347 Foreign Airworthiness Directives Vol III, issue 357 CAA Mandatory Permit Directives, issue 2002/3 Jim Hammerton Chief Technical Officer TNS 06/03 4