This may be of interest.
Mike
CASA Media Release - Wednesday 25 August 2010
Cessna Conquests get new lease of life
A program to extend the life span of Cessna 441 Conquest aircraft has
been given the go ahead by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Approval has been given to an Australian supplemental type
certificate for the Cessna Conquest which can allow the aircraft to
be operated for up to 40,000 hours flying time.
This almost doubles the life span of the aircraft, which had a life
limit in service set by the manufacturer in 2007.
Cessna set the life limit at 22,500 hours flying time after the
manufacturer decided not to develop an ageing aircraft maintenance
program for the Conquest.
This meant aircraft could not be safely flown after 22,500 hours and
in Australia had to be grounded. A small number of Conquests were
taken out of service due to the life limit.
Australian aerospace engineering company TAE began working on a life
extension program for the Conquest in 2008.
In collaboration with aeronautical design company Aeronautical
Engineers Australia a detailed engineering analysis of the Conquest
and its components was completed.
The result was the development of a program of major modifications to
be made to Conquests when they reach 22,500 hours.
The program includes replacing major structural elements such as
fuselage frames, reinforcement of other components and external
straps to spread loads and provide redundant load paths.
There is also a new, rigorous maintenance program which has been
developed using modern damage tolerance philosophies.
CASA was closely involved in the development of the life extension
program to ensure safety will be maintained and type certification
standards met up to 40,000 hours in flying time.
CASA's Director of Aviation Safety, John McCormick, said the
development of the Conquest life extension program demonstrates the
technical expertise and vision of the Australian aviation industry.
"The Conquest is a popular aircraft in Australia with charter and
aerial work operators, with 32 aircraft currently on the civil
aircraft register," Mr McCormick said.
Media contact:
Peter Gibson
Mobile: 0419 296 446
begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0419 296
446 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Ref: MR9910
Borgelt Instruments - manufacturers of quality soaring instruments since 1978
phone Int'l + 61 746 355784
fax Int'l + 61 746 358796
cellphone Int'l + 61 428 355784
email: [email protected]
website: www.borgeltinstruments.com
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