Global Regulatory Update, Sept. 6-12, 2020

The Civil Aviation Administration of China is gradually restoring direct operations to Beijing, starting Sept. 3, for Beijing-bound international passenger flights that previously had their entry points diverted to designated first-entry points in China. This move aims to improve the role of Beijing as an international aviation hub, improve efficiency of international passenger and cargo transport and facilitate international travel. On Sept. 3, Flight CA746 operated by Air China from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to Beijing was the first international passenger flight received.

Comments of the draft revision to civil aviation regulations section 5, series x, part I, safety hazard-use of mobile and cellular telephones on flights, are due by Sept. 25, 2020 to A. X. Joseph, director of air safety at India’s Director General of Civil Aviation.

EASA has issued proposed airworthiness directive 20-124R1 for Rolls-Royce Deutschland RB211 Trent 970-84s, 972-84s and 972E-84s, requiring inspection of intermediate pressure compressor rotor shaft, effective 14 days after airworthiness directive is issued.

EASA has issued airworthiness directive 2019-0236R1 for ATR 72s, requiring inspection of main landing gear bush, effective Sept. 7, 2020.

EASA has issued proposed airworthiness directive 20-126 for Pilatus PC-24s, requiring software update of integrated modular avionics utility management system, effective 14 days after airworthiness directive is issued.

EASA has issued safety information bulletin 2015-16R3 for the Ukraine’s Simferopol flight information region.

EASA has issued safety information bulletin HQ-18-09R1 on alodine coating for aircraft structures.

EASA has issued proposed airworthiness directive 20-128 for certain Airbus A319s, A320s and A321s, requiring replacement of galley container end stop, effective 14 days after airworthiness directive is issued.

EASA has issued proposed airworthiness directive 20-129 for Airbus A320 family, amending time limits and maintenance checks under airworthiness limitations section part 3, certification maintenance requirements, effective 14 days after airworthiness directive is issued.

EASA has issued proposed airworthiness directive 20-131 for Airbus A350-1041s and -941s, requiring modification of indicating-recording system integrated control panels and amending airplane flight manual abnormal and normal procedures sections, effective 14 days after airworthiness directive is issued.

EASA has issued proposed airworthiness directive 20-132 for Airbus A320 family, requiring inspection and repair of 80vu rack attachments, effective 14 days after airworthiness directive is issued.

FAA has issued airworthiness directive 2020-17-16 for certain Airbus A330-202s, -203s, -223s, -243s, -301s, -321s, -322s, -323s, -341s, -342s and -343s and A340-200s and -300s, requiring upgrading the flight control data concentrator, associated flight control primary computer and flight warning computer and activation of the stop rudder input aural warning device, effective Oct. 8, 2020.

FAA has issued airworthiness directive 2020-18-05 for all Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B-37As, requiring replacing the fuel control unit with a part eligible for installation, effective Oct. 7, 2020.

FAA has issued airworthiness directive 2020-18-03 for certain Airbus A350-941s and -1041s, requiring modifying a certain electronic location transmitter by installing a diode between the transmitter and the terminal block, effective Oct. 8, 2020.

FAA has issued airworthiness directive 2020-18-06 for certain Airbus A320 family aircraft, requiring a rotating probe test of the fastener holes at FR43 on the left and right sides for any cracking, and on-condition actions if necessary, effective Oct. 8, 2020.

FAA has issued airworthiness directive 2020-18-04 for all Airbus A350-941s and -1041s, requiring a one-time health check of the slat power control unit torque sensing unit for discrepancies, and corrective actions if necessary; a detailed inspection of the left-hand and right-hand slat transmission systems for discrepancies, and corrective actions if necessary; and left and right track 12 slat gear rotary actuator water drainage and vent plug cleaning, which includes an inspection for moisture, effective Sept. 18, 2020.

FAA has issued airworthiness directive 2020-17-13 for certain Boeing 787-8s and -9s, requiring installing new inboard and outboard compressor outlet check valves on the left-side and right-side cabin air conditioning and temperature control system packs, effective Oct. 8, 2020.

FAA has issued airworthiness directive 2020-18-07 for certain Airbus A318s, A319s and A320s, requiring repetitive inspections of the fuselage skin for chafing damage at certain frames using a new inspection process, and corrective actions if necessary, effective Oct. 9, 2020.

On Sept. 2, 2020, a video conference was held by Rosaviation with the Mexican Civil Aviation Authority to discuss the draft working agreement on airworthiness and validation of Mi-171A2 and ANSAT helicopter certificates in Mexico. The event followed consultations held in Moscow in November 2019, at which the parties reached an agreement on the signing of the working agreement in support of validation of Russian aircraft and further operation in Mexico. The parties confirmed their interest in developing and strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of airworthiness and agreed on further steps in order to reach agreement as soon as possible.

On Sept. 2, 2020, a meeting was held by Rosaviation with the Ural Civil Aviation Plant on certification of aviation equipment. The meeting considered the current status of certification work on the LMS-901 light multirole aircraft project, certification of the planned turboprop regional aircraft TVSS, piston engines ADP-80 and ADP-200 and other projects. The implementation of these projects is aimed at solving the problems of import substitution, increasing transport access and expand operating conditions and functionality of aircraft.