AVweb’s coverage of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) includes links to the complete text of the documents.
Cessna Model 680 Sovereign
The FAA has issued Final Special Conditions for the Cessna Model 680 Sovereign airplane. The agency claims this airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with side-facing single-occupant seats. The FAA states its applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions, which become effective October 14, contain the additional safety standards that the agency considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.
Gulfstream Model G-V
The FAA has issued a final rule for certain Gulfstream Model G-V series airplanes. This amendment, which became effective on Sept. 26, adopts a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) that is applicable to some of these business jets and requires a one-time inspection of the balance weight installation of the left and right ailerons for correctly installed attachment components, and corrective action if necessary. The FAA claims this action is necessary to prevent separation of the balance weights of the aileron, which could result in jamming of the pilot’s aileron control system, subsequent loss of aileron control, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
Sabreliner Model NA-265
The FAA has issued final special conditions for the Sabreliner Model NA-265, as these modified airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. The modification incorporates the installation of Air Data systems that perform critical functions by providing altitude, airspeed, or other critical data. The FAA claims the applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for the protection of these systems from the effects of high-intensity radiated fields (HIRF).
Eurocopter France
The FAA has issued a final rule for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS 365 N3 and EC 155B helicopters. This amendment, which becomes effective Oct. 23, adopts a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) that requires replacing each Fenestron pitch change control rod (control rod) with an improved reinforced steel airworthy control rod. The FAA states this amendment is prompted by a failure of a control rod on a prototype helicopter and by the manufacturer making available a newly designed reinforced steel control rod. The agency claims the actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the control rod, loss of control of the tail rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
