Global Regulatory Update, Nov. 22-28, 2020

FAA has issued airworthiness directive 2020-24-02 for all Boeing 737-8 and -9 MAXs, requiring installing new flight control computer software, revising the existing airplane flight manual to incorporate new and revised flight-crew procedures, installing new MAX display system software, changing the horizontal stabilizer trim wire routing installations, completing an angle of attack sensor system test, and performing an operational readiness flight, effective Nov. 20, 2020.

FAA has issued special airworthiness information bulletin AIR-20-18, advising owners and operators of Boeing 747-400s and 747-8s equipped with flight management computer software block point 4.0 of dual failures and resets.

FAA has issued special airworthiness information bulletin AIR-20-19 for owners and operators of Boeing 777s, 787-8s, -9s and -10s of failure of the auto-throttle to disconnect during a balked landing.

FAA has issued airworthiness directive 2020-23-13 for all ATR42-200s, -300s and -320s, requiring a one-time inspection for discrepancies of the wire bundles between the left- and right-hand angle of attack probes and the crew alerting computer, and, depending on findings, applicable corrective actions, effective Dec. 3, 2020.

FAA has issued airworthiness directive 2020-23-12 for all Airbus SAS A350-1041s, requiring repetitive inspections for wear or corrosion damage of the drive strut anti-rotation knuckles and level bearing assembly bushes, and applicable corrective actions, effective Dec. 3, 2020.

EASA has corrected airworthiness directive 2020-0248 for Airbus A340-213s, -541s, -642s and -643s, requiring modification of backup control module, fuel control and monitoring computer, flight warning computer, modification and replacement of braking and steering control unit, modification of circumferential and longitudinal joints and reinforcement of leading edge overhang, effective Nov. 25, 2020.

EASA has issued airworthiness directive 2020-0258 for Airbus A318s, 319s and 320s, requiring inspection of main landing gear sliding tubes, effective Dec. 2, 2020.

EASA has issued proposed airworthiness directive 20-182 for BAE Systems AVRO 146RJs and BAE 146s, requiring inspection of rear fuselage skin and frames, effective 14 days after airworthiness directive is issued.

EASA has not adopted Transport Canada airworthiness directive CF-2018-33R1 for MHI RJ Aviation CRJ 701s, 702s, 550s, 705s, 900s and 1000s, which required the introduction of a navigation system limitation to the airplane flight manual.

EASA has issued proposed airworthiness directive 20-183 for ATR42-500s and ATR72-212A, requiring replacement of navigation global navigation satellite system and amending aircraft flight manual, effective 14 days after airworthiness directive is issued.

Transport Canada has issued airworthiness directive CF-2020-45 for Viking Air DHC-6 series 1, DHC-6 100s, 110s, 200s, 210s, 300s, 310s, 320s and 400s, requiring inspecting the rudder pedal torque tube quadrant assembly riveted connection, plus other actions, effective Nov. 17, 2020.

Transport Canada has issued airworthiness directive CF-2020-48 for Airbus Canada Limited Partnership CS 100s, requiring replacement of incorrect low-pressure distribution supply duct, effective Dec. 3, 2020.

Transport Canada has issued airworthiness directive CF-2018-33R1 for MHI RJ Aviation CRJ700s with certain flight management computers, amending airplane flight manual by incorporating the navigation system limitation to prohibit editing of the climb to altitudes and the use of the temperature compensation, effective Nov. 26, 2020.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority is currently looking for design and certification specialists to help fulfill the UK’s ICAO State of Design responsibilities.

Civil Aviation Administration of China Administrator Feng Zhenglin held a video conference with the Director General of Mexico's civil aviation authority, Rodrigo Vázquez Colmenares, exchanging in-depth views on strengthening civil aviation cooperation between the two countries and reinforcing global aviation governance.

Rosaviation recently held a conference on state support for Russian aviation during the coronavirus infection, with heads of leading airlines, Aeroflot, Red Wings, Ural Airlines, Siberia, UTair, Ai Fly, Nord Star and Severstal, plus others, attending. As of Nov. 1, 2020, $120 million in aid has been granted. Airline and airport leaders said the future goal should be to keep aviation personnel at the level of at least 90% of the number of such employees as of Jan. 1, 2020.