Microlighters

BAD NAV wrote:S&M Dame needed to CAA out of their loooong weekend ! This is going at a pace!

We need an emoticon that depicts fire under the backside!

Dear Members,

By now, I should be used to it and know what to expect, but somehow, I still find myself surprised at how long these things take to get finalized … the big NTCA / Part 24 meeting that Chris van Hoof chaired was in November last year. Today is the 1st April already and the only thing that we have properly finalized is the build number issue.

About 2 weeks ago, the Alternate Rotax 2-stroke Maintenance Schedule was agreed to by the Airworthiness Dept at the CAA and by the Rotax distributor. A week ago, Andre Swanepoel finalized all the supporting documentation and sent it through to the CAA CEO for approval. It seems he has seen it (and has given it the nod) and has passed it on to Obert Chakarisa to draw up the necessary documentation (I guess it will be in the form of an AIC). Unfortunately the CEO and Obert are away this week so it seems that it will only be finalized next week, at best.

I spoke to Andre a few minutes ago and he feels confident that it will be approved - Andre also mentioned that he has already prepared the paperwork for the Authority to Fly applications on the aircraft which have been held back since the beginning of the year … pending the go-ahead from the CAA.

Trying to be realistic I would guess the middle of April is when we can expect to have the Alternate Maintenance Schedule in place

So, this is positive news for us on April fools day!

On the owner maintenance and certification issues - there is progress, but it is slow … also James is away until next week as he is participating in the world’s toughest mountain bike race - the Cape Epic. If you are interested check it out on http://www.cape-epic.com/.

Regards and fly safe

Mike Blyth

Rotax alternative Rotax 2-stroke maintenance schedule

News from the CAA is that the Commissioner of Civil Aviation, Capt Colin Jordaan, has signed an approval, as contemplated in Part 43.02.5(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR’s), for an “alternative maintenance schedule” for Rotax 2-stroke motors. The approval was signed in response to the AeroClub’s exemption application made on behalf of its members. The CAA is now apparently trying to decide exactly what to do next with the signed document, though no doubt it will be published in an AIC some time soon!

The AeroClub has not yet had sight of the actual approval, which is apparently on Andre Swanepoel of the CAA’s desk. The alternative schedule is, however, likely to be materially similar to that proposed by the AeroClub. (A link to a PDF copy of the AeroClub proposal appears in the NTCA report back article of 18 March 2008). As soon as a copy of the final approved schedule is available, it will be posted on this website.

While the writer has never favoured this solution as a first choice solution to this issue, the net effect of the approval is that with immediate effect, provided owners have at least complied with the alternative maintenance schedule, a failure to meet the Rotax manufacturer’s guidelines will not result in a failure by the CAA to issue an authority to fly. The primary benefits of the alternative maintenance schedule for a 582 owner are that the first engine overhaul now takes place at 600 hours rather than 300 hours, and that the crankshaft needs to be replaced only if 60% of wear limit is exceeded. Other onerous obligations have also been lessened.