I see this issue as a heads up to the need for developing and fielding a glider
FDR.
The commercial aviation world lives with monitoring, engines for performance,
temps, fuel burn etc, airframes for fatigue etc. They know there are issues,
and they don't like nasty surprises. They want to avoid disasters obviously,
but they also want to avoid costly damage & repairs, and on the other side, the
unnecessary expense of unnecessary maintenance. The extension of many TBO's
has only been made possible by the building of the appropriate operational data
records that allowed extensions to those TBO's. Thus, Condition Monitoring is
now an integral part of the business.
The gliding world has been hit with a nasty surprise. The effects of L-13
grounding, if permanent, will be severe, and may terminally damage gliding in
this country, and perhaps some others. Perhaps gliding should consider
catching up with commercial aviation thinking, in a hurry.
The technology exists today to design, build and field a relatively simple and
cheap GFDR, using single chip 3 axis accelerometers, that could record all
necessary parameters quite simply, which could be downloaded and stored on PC's
just as easily as our existing loggers. The downloads should also be regularly
uploaded to a central repository at say GFA (or elsewhere), and could also be
used by clubs and RTOA's etc to monitor not only individual aircraft, but type
and fleet usage trends. The data may also have secondary benefits in
monitoring flight performance with a view to indirectly assisting in analyzing
the effectiveness of training etc. In the worst case, they may even be of
invaluable assistance in accident investigation.
Perhaps some of our techno-savvy / engineering students / young guns in the
Joey League, might like to give this matter some thought. Sound like a good
thesis project for an Engineering Student at an Australian University doing
Aeronautical Engineering, or System Process and Control Electronic Engineering,
or similar ? God forbid, perhaps even the GFA might consider sponsoring a
design contest, and the development of a prototype or two. Comments ?
----- Original Message -----
From: emilis prelgauskas
To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia.
Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2010 3:37 PM
Subject: [Aus-soaring] L13
Thank you Ian, for your work to connect people with L13 with people with
older 2 seaters for interim loan, hire, etc.
Those who offered 2 seaters on the list might like to either join that
matching service or look at the loan, hire, etc. methods being used
with an eye to the capital capabilities of the clubs affected.
The factory email to me:
Dear L13, L13A BLANIK operators,
Let me call your attention to new issued EASA AD No.: 2010-0160-E dated 30.7.
2010. Its full text is attached.
The AD establishes stricter conditions for next operation of the L13, L13A
BLANIK with immediate validity.
The gliders whose complete history of flight spectrum is not proved are
prohibited to operate.
Acrobatic flights are prohibited.
The gliders whose flight limits were exceed more than 50% of dual flights
and/or acrobatic flights are more then 2% and/or the gliders flew more than 5
take offs per 1 flight hour – the gliders are grounded.
By this information all evaluations and statements issued by Aircraft
Industries, a.s. till today loose their validity. If the gliders do not comply
with the conditions mentioned hereinabove their next operation is prohibited.
We are sorry for this information. However we are in intensive deal with EASA
and we try to find a solution.
Thank you for your understanding.
Best regards
Bohumila Krizkova
Aircraft Industries, a.s.
Product Support Department
Phone: +420-572-817-664
Mobile: +420-604-718-493
Fax: +420-572-817-669
email: [email protected]
www.let.cz
At Monarto we have 3 other 2 seaters on-field, so our L13 can sit while the
issue clarifies.
Ours met all the administrative and visual check tests, so we will wait for
clarifications whether the factory has a different view on what proves complete
history of flight spectrum.
Emilis
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