Spot-welded V-band Couplings Cause Accidents; FAA Final Rule issued
On June 12, 2023, the FAA published an Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-09-09 for turbocharged, reciprocating engine-powered airplanes and helicopters and turbocharged, reciprocating engines with a spot-welded, multi-segment v-band coupling installed at the tailpipe to the turbocharger exhaust housing flange. This AD only applies to spot-welded, multi-segment v-band couplings installed at the tailpipe to the turbocharger exhaust housing flange (it does not apply to riveted couplings). This AD establishes a 500 hour life limit of the v-band coupling and requires repetitive inspections. The AD contains an optional inspection in paragraph (i)(2) for only the first 2 years after AD publication so
FAAST Blast —FAA Publishes Rule Removing CFI Expiration Dates, Issuing Medical Certificates After DUIs, The Importance of a Prop
FAAST Blast — Week of November 11 - 17, 2024 Biweekly FAA Safety Briefing News Update FAA Publishes Rule Removing CFI Expiration Dates The FAA published a final rule eliminating expiration dates on flight instructor certificates, replacing them with recent experience requirements every 24 calendar months. Removing the expiration date on certificates will increase efficiency, cut costs, and align instructor certificates with other airman certificates such as private and commercial, which do not expire. Under the new rule, instructors must still renew their certificates every 24 calendar months by completing a flight instructor refresher clinic (FIRC), obtaining an additional