HERE ARE TWO NEW FEATURES:

An AD will soon be released based on MT Propeller Service Bulletin No.30 R7, which was first issued in November 2014. The subject of the bulletin is “Replacement of Blade Lag Screws of a certain production lot.”

With a recent incident on June 19, 2022, in which a Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 experienced a blade loss, Gerd Muehlbauer, President of MT Propeller Entwicklung GmbH, is requesting an AD from the EASA who will then forward it to the FAA.

“At the time of the original bulletin in 2014, we assumed that an Alert Service Bulletin was enough to inform our customers and Service Centers about the need of replacement of lag screws in certain blade of different propellers according to the listing in the SB”, said Gerd. “After seven years we are now finding that a great number of affected blades have not been replaced or modified. Until the AD comes out, we would like to bring this alert to our flying community as soon as possible.”

The reason for a possible fatigue failure of the Lag Screw is a manufacturing flaw in the transition area from the thread to the shaft, which was only detected after a routine test of a particular batch, which we perform frequently. Again, this was more than 7 years ago.

The propellers in such airplanes could be the 2-blade MTV-15-B-C, the 3-blade MTV-9-B-C and the 4-blade MTV-14-B-C. Most of these propellers may start with Serial-Numbers 13XXXX and 14XXXX and a few from earlier years according to the SB. 15XXXX and higher or 12XXXX and lower are not affected, but see the SB. 

The blades should immediately be inspected according to Owners Manual No. E-124, Section 6, Item 6.2.2.4(link is external) - if the silicone sealer is cracked, stop flying right now because this is the indication that the blade is already moving in the ferrule.

The SB no. 30 R7 covers action that aircraft owners and their mechanics must take to replace the lag screws in question. https://www.mt-propeller.com/pdf/sbs/sb30r7.pdf(link is external) 

Further information can be obtained by contacting MT Propeller support at: techsupport [at] mt-propeller.com .

Slovenia-based Pipistrel is the only company currently selling a certified electric training aircraft. In this week’s news, we learned that Textron Inc., the U.S.conglomerate that includes Cessna and Beechcraft, has added Pipistrel to its stable of companies. In this video, which first appeared in 2019, find out what Textron got in the deal with an undisclosed price tag.  

Find all of it here on the FAA Website

Notice Number: NOTC2305  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently reviewed two legal interpretation and determined they were overly restrictive. The Glaser (2008) and Pratte (2012) legal interpretations focused on the requirements of an instrument rating under § 61.65.  Specifically, the requirement to use three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems to meet the requirements of § 61.65(d)(2)(ii)(C).  These interpretations inaccurately concluded that an applicant for an instrument rating must use three different kinds of navigation systems to meet these requirements.  On February 28, 2022, the FAA rescinded both the Glaser and Pratte legal interpretations, stating the regulation’s plain language requires three different types of approaches, not three different navigation systems.  Certificated flight instructors (CFI) and designated pilot examiners (DPEs) should be aware that the requirements for an instrument rating may be met by performing three different approaches, regardless of the source of navigation.    

Van's has issued a service bulletin for RV-12 and RV-12iS aircraft, specifically requiring owners to inspect the lower portion of the tailcone for cracks, and install stiffening equipment to bolster them should damage be found.   

• New Update on manufacturing process changes and planned delivery of kits
• Update on forthcoming video communications 
• Heads-up on RV kit and Lycoming price increases 
• Collection of QB deposits and our deposit policy 
• Limitations on raw materials and crating materials sales

A new course developed by Flight Service and available on FAASafety.gov provides students and VFR pilots guidance on how to conduct a safe and regulatory compliant preflight self-briefing using automated weather resources. The objective of the course is to ensure that the pilot understands aviation weather basics and learns to apply meteorological and aeronautical information in a systematic manner to plan a safe flight. The course includes scenarios, real-life examples, videos, reference materials, and practice exercises for pilots to conduct on their own or with their flight instructor. Access the WINGS credit course here: http://bit.ly/ALC683.  

At the FAA, runway safety spans several different domains. That’s why the agency takes on a collaborative approach in this area to ensure all the key players have a say in the decision process. And it’s because of these collaborative discussions among different areas of the FAA — and with airmen like you — that we’re able to realize many new safety-enhancing solutions at airports across the nation. Check out the article “Surface Safety Done Right” here: https://medium.com/faa/surface-safety-done-right-491c772d7f2f. Be sure to check out the entire surface-safety-themed issue at www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing. 

(FAA-H-8083-9)

Designed for ground instructors, flight instructors, and aviation maintenance instructors, the Aviation Instructor’s Handbook was developed by the Flight Standards Service, Airman Testing Standards Branch, in cooperation with aviation educators and industry to help beginning instructors understand and apply the fundamentals of instruction. This handbook provides aviation instructors with up-to-date information on learning and teaching, and how to relate this information to the task of teaching aeronautical knowledge and skills to learners. Experienced aviation instructors will also find the updated information useful for improving their effectiveness in training activities.

This handbook supersedes FAA-H-8083-9A, Aviation Instructor’s Handbook, dated 2008.

The FAA has recently issued a general notice with regard to Surface Safety.  Several recent Runway Incursions have been attributed to communications. The most important concept in pilot-controller communications is understanding. Pilots must acknowledge each radio communication with Air Traffic Control (ATC) by using the appropriate aircraft call sign and confirming all hold short instructions. 

Please touch the Drug List Button below to go directly to the FAA Document covering the subject.  It's very informative!!

AOPA has a great article about these two inventors

WHAT YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT THE WRIGHT BROTHERS

You’d think Milton Wright would be disappointed by his two youngest sons—high school dropouts who wouldn’t move out of the family home, fussed over their appearance, never married, and jumped from job to job. First, his boys tried a newspaper and printing business, then a bicycle shop, and finally they got the dang-fool idea that they could fly.

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Wednesday, February 23, 2022 WASHINGTON— The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a new initiative that outlines how our country can safely eliminate the use of leaded aviation fuel by the end of 2030 without adversely affecting the existing piston-engine fleet.   “This is a safe and practical path to a lead-free aviation system,” FAA Administrator Steve Dickson said. “We look forward to starting a new partnership with aviation stakeholders and the communities that hosts airports to achieve this important goal.”