[Federal Register: August 23, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 164)]
[Notices]
[Page 54694-54695]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23au02-104]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Proposed Advisory Circular 43-L39, L-39 Albatross Military Jet
Recommended Inspection Program and Overhaul Times
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed Advisory Circular; extension
of comment period.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the extension of the comment period on
proposed Advisory Circular (AC) 43-L39, L-39 Albatross Military Jet
Recommended Inspection Program and Overhaul Times. The proposed AC
provides a recommended inspection program and overhaul times for L-39
Albatross aircraft issued experimental airworthiness certificates for
the purpose of exhibition. This AC provides a means, but not the only
means, of addressing the inspections and overhaul times for the purpose
of complying with continued airworthiness requirements specified in an
aircraft's operating limitations. This notice is necessary to give all
interested persons the opportunity to present their views on the
proposed AC.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 21, 2002.
ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed AC to: Federal Aviation
Administration, Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Division
(Attention: AFS-305), 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC
20591, or electronically to William.O'Brien@faa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill O'Brien, AFS-305, at the address
above, by e-mail at William.O'Brien@faa.gov, or telephonically at (202)
267-3796.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The proposed AC is available on the FAA Web site at http://
www.faa.gov/avr/afs/acs/ac-idx.htm, under AC No. 43-L39. Interested
persons are invited to comment on the proposed AC by submitting such
written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Please identify
AC 43-L39, L-39 Albatross Military Jet Recommended Inspection Program
and Overhaul Times, and submit comments, either hard copy or
electronic, to the appropriate address listed above. Comments may be
inspected at the above address between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays,
except Federal holidays.
Background
The L-39 Albatross aircraft is an all metal, two place, tandem,
military jet training aircraft. Almost 3000 L-39 aircraft have been
manufactured in the Czech Republic by Aero Vodochody and the aircraft
currently constitutes the most numerous former military jet trainer
imported into the United States civilian aircraft market. There are
currently over 110 registered L-39 aircraft operating in the United
States. Additionally, almost 200 L-39 aircraft are undergoing repairs
and alterations in the United States in preparation for the issuance of
airworthiness certificates.
L-39 aircraft registered in the United States have been issued
experimental certificates for the purpose of exhibition. In conjunction
with the issuance of experimental certificates for the purpose of
exhibition, the Administrator issues operating
[[Page 54695]]
limitations under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
91.319. These operating limitations have required the aircraft to be
inspected in accordance with a specified program. Applicants for
experimental exhibition airworthiness certificates, however, have
experienced difficulty in developing or obtaining acceptable inspection
programs for L-39 aircraft. This has resulted in a lack of
standardization in the inspection programs used to support these
aircraft and has significantly increased the time required for these
aircraft to obtain airworthiness certification. The FAA therefore has
developed the recommended aircraft inspection program specified in this
proposed AC. Making this program available to applicants should
encourage standardization in the scope and detail of inspection
programs referenced in operating limitations and facilitate the
issuance of airworthiness certificates to operate L-39 aircraft for the
purpose of exhibition.
The FAA recognizes that the manufacturer's inspection program did
not originally contemplate civilian operation of the aircraft for the
purpose of exhibition and therefore is specifically requesting comments
on the scope of the program for civilian application and that portion
of the program pertaining to ejection seat inspection. The FAA is
particularly interested in comments on how the manufacturer's engine
overhaul times can be extended and comments that include more detailed
procedures for performing L-39 ejection seat and canopy inspections.
Use of the recommended inspection program and compliance with
recommended overhaul times should provide a uniform level of safety for
operators of these aircraft while simultaneously streamlining the
process for airworthiness certification.
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 19, 2002.
Louis C. Cusimano,
Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service.
[FR Doc. 02-21578 Filed 8-22-02; 8:45 am]
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