All of the control cable fittings called out in the Australian AD are roll crimped terminations. The internal areas of the terminals that grip the cable are not visible for corrosion inspection. Nothing in the AD about Nicopress or similar cable crimps.
Sid Wood Tri-gear KR-2 N6242 Mechanicsville, MD, USA -------------------------------------------------------- Hi guys CASA has released an AD in Australia limiting control cable life to 15 years, this seem to include building time on some fittings. I have added the AD number and link below. Does this indicate the parts need a Date of Manufacture stamped on them from now on? Phil Matheson AD/GEN/87 This Airworthiness Directive became effective on 1 February 2015 and will apply to all the amateur built aircraft fitted with the stated stainless steel cable hardware. Please read the AD carefully to determine how/if it applies to your aircraft. Mike Horneman has written an excellent article on this subject which will appear in the next Airsport edition. Although the AD mandates replacement based upon ?time in service?, the SAAA recommends that you consider the circumstances carefully if you project had a long gestation period. If not properly stored, the damaging corrosion can be still be occurring whilst your project is under construction. http://www.casa.gov.au/ADFiles/airgen/gen/GEN-087.pdf ------------------------------ Time in service is for the cable assembly, not the individual pieces, and is based off the aircraft manufacture date. The clock starts after the aircraft is signed off as airworthy, and repeats every 15 years. (technically). If you live on the coast and the project is taking 10 years to complete, consideration of cable assembly deterioration must be taken into account. As an alternative, using MSG-3 methodology (maintenance program) will allow a potential extension. I don't see MSG-3 as an option for the KR builder. Darn. Roger Baalman rbaalman at cox.net
