[Peetwo]

Here we go again    - Off the Yaffa - 21 December 2015


Older Cessna 200 series such as these C206s have been subject of a Supplemental Inspection Document to ensure ongoing airworthiness. (Steve Hitchen)

Cessna SID Deadline extended for some Aircraft
21 Dec 2015

CASA has extended the deadline for aircraft owners to complete the supplemental inspection document (SID) program for some Cessnas.

The original date for compliance of 31 December 2015 has been moved out three months to 31 March 2016 for Cessna 100 series used in charter and aerial work, and Cessna 200 series used in private operations.

CASA has not extended the 30 June 2016 deadline for private Cessna 100 series.

CASA says it extended the deadline because of a backlog of inspection work, particularly in remote areas where access to specialist engineers is restricted.

Cessna and the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) developed the SIDs inspections because of concerns about  potential corrosion and fatigue damage to principal structural elements of older aircraft.

The SIDs program, which complements existing scheduled maintenance, requires additional detailed inspections of a range of structural components including wing spars, attachment points, strut attachments as well as horizontal and vertical stabiliser attachment points.

About 3600 Cessna aircraft in Australia are covered by the SIDs program.

This was the presser on this released yesterday:

More time for some cessna SIDs


The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has provided an extension to the deadline for the completion of Cessna Supplemental Inspection Documents - or SIDs - on two groups of aircraft.

The extension applies to Cessna 100 series aircraft used in charter and aerial work and Cessna 200 series aircraft used in private operations.

SIDs compliance dates for both these operational categories have been extended by three months to 31 March 2016.

Originally the CASA compliance date was 31 December 2015.

The extension recognises the growing backlog of aircraft awaiting SIDs inspections at maintenance and repair organisations, particularly in rural regions where access to specialist technical staff is restricted.

This additional period also allows for reduced activity at CASA and in the aviation community associated with the Christmas holiday season.

The deadline for the completion of private category Cessna 100 series aircraft remains 30 June 2016.

SIDs inspections were developed jointly by Cessna and the United States Federal Aviation Administration due to concerns relating to potential corrosion and fatigue damage to principal structural elements of the aircraft.

In many cases these components, which are critical to the airworthiness of the aircraft, have not been inspected since the aircraft was manufactured many decades ago.

The SIDs program, which complements existing scheduled maintenance, requires the additional detailed inspection of a range of critical structures including wing spars, wing attachment points, wing struts attachments as well as horizontal and vertical stabiliser attachment points.

About 3,600 Cessna aircraft in Australia are covered by the SIDs program.
 
Media contact:
Peter Gibson
0419 296 446
peter.gibson@casa.gov.au
Ref: MR13815

This was Sandy's disgusted response to the above part in bold   :

To all as addressed,

What a disgrace, this statement para #2 below, has no basis in fact and casts all our LAMES as dunces who would allow basic structural components to go unnoticed. The thrust of this communique is dishonest.

Where is the evidence for such an outrageous claim by CASA? The same dysfunctional body that has to ask the GA industry to help it patch up its unworkable rules that have taken more than twenty five years to develop...and still not finished!

No mention that these inspections are not mandatory for private operations in the USA where they were devised. A whole industry in crisis, thousands of employed people whose livelihood is threatened, all we get is talk and the odd bandaid.

Sandy


***See Paragraph #2 of the latest CASA briefing quote in part as follows:-

"SIDs inspections were developed jointly by Cessna and the United States Federal Aviation Administration due to concerns relating to potential corrosion and fatigue damage to principal structural elements of the aircraft.

***In many cases these components, which are critical to the airworthiness of the aircraft, have not been inspected since the aircraft was manufactured many decades ago.***

The SIDs program, which complements existing scheduled maintenance, requires the additional detailed inspection of a range of critical structures including wing spars, wing attachment points, wing struts attachments as well as horizontal and vertical stabiliser attachment points.

About 3,600 Cessna aircraft in Australia are covered by the SIDs program."

Again Leopard & spots comes to mind, the bureaucratic reform obfuscation will continue loud & clear. It would appear that even Mrdak the Murky Mandarin himself has thumbed his nose at ensuring CASA reform by blocking any possible amendment to the archaic CAA Act, see here - Drowning – not waving.

There’s a very strong rumour floating about the place that Ken has been informed by ‘those who would know’ that there is not a cat in hells chance of the Act being changed.  Just isn’t going to happen.  This due the minister ignoring all calls for reform and taking the advice which best suits the powers that be.

KC suggests - HERE - that..

"..Every participant in the aviation industry should, whenever they feel disenchanted with any current requirement, or proposed requirement, let the CASA Board know.."


Well this (courtesy of Sandy) is something for Jeff Boyd & the Board to chew on over the Xmas & New Year hols...


MTF..P2