Willie,
My understanding is that the CAA Mandatory Permit Directives 2007/005 and
006 required UK operators to comply with PFA Flight Safety Bulletins
247/FSB-006 and 007 respectively, which in turn are superseded by Mods 73
and 74. The requirement was for an immediate inspection, followed by
subsequent inspections of certain aspects at 10 flying-hour intervals.
Issue 3 of FSB 006 was dated 12 July 2007, and stated "7. Within 10 flying
hours following the issue of this bulletin, or next permit renewal,
whichever
comes first, Europa modification 73 'Tailplane Retention' must be
incorporated."
Compliance with Mod 73 itself would reset the clock so that further
tailplane inspections would be required at 10-hour intervals after that.
I have not received Francis's letter dated 30 July, but I would be surprised
if it was his intention to reset the start date for FSB 006 unless this was
explicitly stated. I am copying this to Francis so that he can clarify this
as necessary.
Best regards
Mike
_____
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of William
Harrison
Sent: 05 August 2007 17:57
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Europa Tailplane - Mod 73
Mike
I expect you have seen Francis Donaldson's letter of 30 July. As well as
summarising how things stand on mods 73 and 74, his letter seems to reset
the ten hour clock regarding mod 73. This was previously within 10 flying
hours of the date of the previous notice (12/7). Now, by my reading at
least, it says it is within ten flying hours of the date of the most recent
notice (30/7). For many, this won't make a difference, for some it would. Do
you know if my interpretation is correct?
Best wishes
Willie
On 13 Jul 2007, at 19:18, Mike Gregory wrote:
Willie,
We have now spoken on the phone - your message crossed with my posting
explaining that it is not within the gift of the PFA to extend or eliminate
the 10-hour inspection, but requires action by the CAA, who are not moving
on this at the current stage of the AAIB investigation. I'm putting this
message on the List so that others may share a more optimistic outlook about
the way ahead.
You are not the only one to express concern regarding the severity of the
10-hour restriction, on touring operations particularly. We are all hoping
that the inspection intervals can be extended to 25 or 50 hours, or
(preferably) eliminated. However, as the PFA receive reports from
inspectors on the results of the 10-hourly inspections, they should soon
learn whether there are many instances of aircraft passing one inspection
and failing the next: if not, they should be able to use this evidence to
recommend to the CAA that the intervals can be extended. Otherwise, they
will certainly want to consider further measures to improve the integrity of
the system so that frequent inspections are no longer needed.
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