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Modification
of Canadian Aircraft
What
is a design change
The maintenance release for a modification
design change
The AC 43.13 as specified data for
major modifications
AC
43.13-1B Change 1 Acceptable Methods, Techniques and Practices
- Aircraft Inspection and Repair
AC 43.13-2A Acceptable Methods,
Techniques and Practices - Aircraft Alterations
Depending
on the individual, the FAA Advisory Circulars AC 43.13-1 and -2
can be your best friend or worst nightmare. The reason is because
of its vagueness. These documents contain a good collection of information
and general practices that a good mechanic should be aware of. Because
of this, these documents tend to be more of a collection of good
design practices rather than a collection of specific design changes.
That means comfort level. What one individual that would have no
hesitation in signing off as a modification or repair as in accordance
to the AC 43.13 another may argue the point depending on an the
individuals experiences. I must admit that I have signed out my
share of gray aera design alterations in accordance with the AC
43.13. Personally, I think that the AC 43.13 does fill a needed
gap for the mechanic in the day to day performance of his or her
work, particularly in the area of older light aircraft where maintenance
manuals are lacking and SRMs are non-existent. The best guide I
can offer for the use of the AC 43.13 comes from CAR 571.06 as follows,
and is also repeated in a similar fashion in the AC 43.13-1:
FAA
Advisory Circulars AC 43.13-1 and AC 43.13-2, subject to the following
conditions:
(i)
the aircraft is a small aircraft, and the alteration does not
affect dynamic components, rotor blades, structure that is subject
to pressurization loads, or the primary structure of a rotorcraft;
(ii)
the alteration does not affect an existing limitation (including
the information contained on mandatory placards) or change any
data contained in the approved sections of the Aircraft Flight
Manual, or equivalent;
(iii)
the data are appropriate to the product being altered, and are
directly applicable to the alteration being made; and,
(iv)
the data are not contrary to the aircraft manufacturer’s
data.
Be
aware of item 1, the AC 43.13-1 and -2 is only intended for small
non-pressurized aircraft. Note that this means that certain sections
of AC 43.13-2 that refer to installations on pressurized aircraft
can not be used as specified data in the sign off for a major modification
or repair in Canada.
Approved
data for major modifications
How do you obtain a design change approval
What is a DAR and a DAO
Why use a DAR or DAO
Standards and Approvals
Mechanics, Engineers and good design
Whose responsibility is the aircraft
modification
Change Product Rule and the basis
of certification
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