[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 121 (Monday, June 24, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 42702]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-15834]



[[Page 42701]]

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Part V





Department of Transportation





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Federal Aviation Administration



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Proposed Advisory Circular 43-L39, L-39 Albatross Military Jet 
Recommended Inspection Program and Overhaul Times; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 121 / Monday, June 24, 2002 / 
Notices  

[[Page 42702]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Proposed Advisory Circular 43-L39, L-39 Albatross Military Jet 
Recommended Inspection Program and Overhaul Times

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed Advisory Circular and 
request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and requests 
comments on proposed Advisory Circular (AC) 43-L39, L-39 Albatross 
Military Jet Recommended Inspection Program and Overhaul Times. The 
proposed AC provides a recommended inspection program and overhaul 
times L-39 Albatross aircraft issued experimental airworthiness 
certificates for the purpose of exhibition. This AC provides a means, 
but not the only means, of addressing the inspections and overhaul 
times for the purpose of complying with continued airworthiness 
requirements specified in an aircraft's operating limitations. This 
notice is necessary to give all interested persons the opportunity to 
present their views on the proposed AC.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 23, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed AC to: Federal Aviation 
Administration, Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Division 
(Attention: AFS-305), 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591, or electronically to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill O'Brien, AFS-305, at the address 
above, by e-mail at [email protected], or telephonically at (202) 
267-3796.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The proposed AC is available on the FAA Web site at http://www.faa.gov/avr/afs/acs/ac-idx.htm, under AC No. 43-L39. Interested 
persons are invited to comment on the proposed AC by submitting such 
written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Please identify 
AC 43-L39, L-39 Albatross Military Jet Recommended Inspection Program 
and Overhaul Times, and submit comments, either hard copy or 
electronic, to the appropriate address listed above. Comments may be 
inspected at the above address between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays, 
except Federal holidays.

Background

    The L-39 Albatross aircraft is an all metal, two place, tandem, 
military jet training aircraft. Almost 3000 L-39 aircraft have been 
manufactured in the Czech Republic by Aero Vodochody and the aircraft 
currently constitutes the most numerous former military jet trainer 
imported into the United States civilian aircraft market. There are 
currently over 110 registered L-39 aircraft operating in the United 
States. Additionally, almost 200 L-39 aircraft are undergoing repairs 
and alterations in the United States in preparation for the issuance of 
airworthiness certificates.
    L-39 aircraft registered in the United States have been issued 
experimental certificates for the purpose of exhibition. In conjunction 
with the issuance of experimental certificates for the purpose of 
exhibition, the Administrator issues operating limitations under Title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 91.319. These operating 
limitations have required the aircraft to be inspected in accordance 
with a specified program. Applicants for experimental exhibition 
airworthiness certificates, however, have experienced difficulty in 
developing or obtaining acceptable inspection programs for L-39 
aircraft. This has resulted in a lack of standardization in the 
inspection programs used to support these aircraft and has 
significantly increased the time required for these aircraft to obtain 
airworthiness certification. The FAA therefore has developed the 
recommended aircraft inspection program specified in this proposed AC. 
Making this program available to applicants should encourage 
standardization in the scope and detail of inspection programs 
referenced in operating limitations and facilitate the issuance of 
airworthiness certificates to operate L-39 aircraft for the purpose of 
exhibition.
    The FAA recognizes that the manufacturer's inspection program did 
not originally contemplate civilian operation of the aircraft for the 
purpose of exhibition and therefore is specifically requesting comments 
on the scope of the program for civilian application and that portion 
of the program pertaining to ejection seat inspection. The FAA is 
particularly interested in comments on how the manufacturer's engine 
overhaul times can be extended and comments that include more detailed 
procedures for performing L-39 ejection seat and canopy inspections.
    Use of the recommended inspection program and compliance with 
recommended overhaul times should provide a uniform level of safety for 
operators of these aircraft while simultaneously streamlining the 
process for airworthiness certification.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 13, 2002.
Louis C. Cusimano,
Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service, AFS-2.
[FR Doc. 02-15834 Filed 6-21-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M