[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 164 (Friday, August 23, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54694-54695]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-21578]


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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; extension 
of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the extension of the comment period 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 for 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 November 21, 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 William.O'[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill O'Brien, AFS-305, at the address 
above, by e-mail at William.O'[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

[[Page 54695]]

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 August 19, 2002.
Louis C. Cusimano,
Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service.
[FR Doc. 02-21578 Filed 8-22-02; 8:45 am]
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