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AOPA steps into the CASA cable wars -

Via Oz Flying today:

A cable terminal fitting of the type affected by the CASA mandate. (ATSB)

AOPA chases Control Cable Data
5 June 2017

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has called on the aviation community to provide information on control cables replaced under a CASA airworthiness directive (AD).

CASA issued AD/GENERAL/87 in early 2015, which mandated replacement of control cables more than 15 years old. The AD drew much criticism from the general aviation industry because it meant many perfectly good control cables needed to be removed and discarded. Last month, CASA amended the AD to include a cable inspection regime, with replacement needed if defects are found.

AOPA has now called on the industry to provide information on control cables that were replaced under the original AD, so it can compile a database on the cost.

AOPA says the information collected will remain confidential, and is asking for:

• Full Name
  
• Contact Email Address
  
• Contact Telephone Number
  
• Aircraft Registration
  
• Total cost of cable replacement
  
• Were removed control cables serviceable?
  
• Were any defects found on the removed control cables
  
• Age of cables removed.
  

 Aircraft owners wishing to provide this information are being asked to contact AOPA Executive Director Ben Morgan ceo@aopa.com.au (02) 9791 9099.

Read more at http://www.australianflying.com.au/lates...5Sv6L6v.99

Interestingly enough KC & the AMROBA Band also focussed on the CASA Cable AD duck-up in their latest newsletter...

2. Cable Inspection AD review

Many operators have changed their flight control cables so they won’t be happy with CASA if it cancels/amends the AD that should never have been published. AMROBA Newsletter Vol. 11, Issue 3, (March 2014) available on the website, raised the approved cable inspection maintenance standard that should be applied in GA. As FAA AC 43-13-1 states, cable tensions need to be relieved to perform inspections correctly. This means every annual inspection maintenance records would require ‘independent’ inspections to rig and functional check flight control systems that had been inspected. As pointed out in the 2014 Newsletter, CASA’s “standard” specified in CAAP 43B-1 still has not been “harmonised” with international standards so why do CASA expect things to change?

Extending the life of cables past a manufacturer/regulator “recommended” replacement time, places the responsibility on the inspector LAME to determine, in the same manner as extending engines or any other component with a “recommended maintenance/overhaul” period, to be safe to proceed beyond the recommended period. Is it wise to make such decisions? AMROBA encourages its members to input to CASA Proposed AD amendments.

The first reaction CASA should take to safety issues is to research the inspection standards that apply, determine whether the inspections standards are appropriate and then make a decision to enforce the inspection standards if appropriate.

In AMROBA’s opinion, the inspection standards can be confusing if one looks at the inspection standards specified in CASA’s CAAP 42B-1. If the FAA promulgated inspection standards were applied, they are appropriate and should be enforced.

AMROBA has for over a decade lobbied for this CAAP to be changed – its inspection standards are way below world standards and conflict with FAA AC43-13-1.

CAAP 42B - 6.4 All items are to be inspected for GENERAL CONDITION together with specific requirements where nominated.

6.5 The term GENERAL CONDITION includes, but is not limited to, the following: freedom from excessive:

 leakage;
 corrosion, deterioration of protective treatments;
 cracking and disbonds;
 deformation, wear, scoring, chafing, flat spots and fraying;
 obstruction or other obvious damage; or
 burning, arcing or heat damage; and
 that hoses are within inspection and testing periods.

What is “excessive”? CASA should fix their own standards.

Volume-14-Issue-5.pdf Size: 619.96 KB  Downloads: 0

IOS - "..Not happy Shane.." -  


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