February 10, 2022 - No. 09 In This Issue : GKN Aerospace to close St. Louis County plant by 2023 : Universal Aviation Singapore Earns IS-BAH Stage 3 : 2022 Aircraft Cabin Air Conference : Slovakia’s Civil Aviation Authority Certifies Flying Car : Are You Flying With Approved Aircraft Parts? : Saudi Flight School, Tayaran, is looking for a Director of Maintenance GKN Aerospace to close St. Louis County plant by 2023 HAZELWOOD, Mo. – Nearly 1,000 workers at the GKN plant in St. Louis County may be losing their jobs. The aerospace supplier stunned workers Thursday afternoon with the announcement that the plant would close by 2023. A GKN spokesperson said the company made the decision because the plant is “not profitable.” GKN Aerospace has made the difficult decision to announce the closure of its St. Louis site. The business has invested significantly in the site over the past decade and, despite the best efforts of everyone involved, the facility has consistently struggled for profitability in recent years. Having now carried out a thorough assessment of the site – including declining orders, capabilities, and cost base – we have regrettably concluded that it does not have a long-term, sustainable future within the business. By making this difficult decision now, we will be able to conclude work packages and carry out a gradual site wind-down process. This will be done in consultation with our customers, aiming for the end of 2023. According to the St. Louis Business Journal, the company is the third-largest employer for the area. The company builds parts for Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and other aerospace manufacturers. The plant has a value of $6.5 million, according to the St. Louis Business Journal. https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/gkn-aerospace-to-close-st-louis-county-plant-by-2023/ Universal Aviation Singapore Earns IS-BAH Stage 3 Universal Aviation’s FBO at Singapore Seletar Airport has earned Stage 3 registration under the International Standard for Business Aviation Handling (IS-BAH), a voluntary safety management system outlining best practices for business aviation ground handlers. The location received IS-BAH Stage 1 accreditation in 2018. With a minimum of two years before it could apply for the next level, the facility earned its Stage 2 status in January 2020. “Although our flight levels dropped significantly as a result of the pandemic and local restrictions, we continued to prioritize recurrent and refresher training,” said Yvonne Chan, managing director of Jet Aviation Singapore. “To earn IS-BAH Stage 3 in the midst of the pandemic demonstrates our commitment to the highest levels of safety and standards.” To date, 12 locations worldwide have achieved IS-BAH Stage 3 status since the first was issued in 2018. Stage 3 is currently is the highest rung in the International Business Aviation Council-sponsored program. “Despite the challenges of the past two years, the uptake and maintaining of IS-BAH among the FBOs has been stronger than I had expected,” Terry Yeomans, the director of the program, told AIN. “It’s a great sign that those that have adopted the voluntary industry standards remain fully committed to the ethos of making this industry sector safer.” https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2022-02-10/universal-aviation-singapore-earns-bah-stage-3 Slovakia’s Civil Aviation Authority Certifies Flying Car AirCar receives a certificate of airworthiness after 70 hours of successful flight testing The Slovak Transport Authority has issued an official certificate of airworthiness to AirCar, a new dual-mode car-aircraft vehicle, following the successful completion of 70 hours of flight testing. The flight tests, which are based on European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standards, involved more than 200 takeoffs and landings, and included a full range of flight and performance maneuvers, demonstrating static and dynamic stability in the aircraft mode. Takeoff and landing procedures were achieved without pilot input to the flight controls. The 2,200 lb. 2-seat dual-mode prototype powered by 1.6L BMW engine was the vehicle that achieved the certification milestone. See video of the aircraft/automobile in action here. “AirCar certification opens the door for mass production of very efficient flying cars,” said Stefan Klein, the inventor, leader of the development team, and the test pilot. “It is official and the final confirmation of our ability to change mid-distance travel forever.” Dr. Branko Sarh, Boeing Co. senior technical fellow, noted after AirCar’s first intercity flight last year, “The automated transition from road vehicle into an air vehicle and vice versa, deploying/retracting wings and tail is not only the result of pioneering enthusiasm, innovative spirit and courage; it is an outcome of excellent engineering and professional knowledge.” Klein Vision has already completed tests of a new powerful, lightweight and efficient ADEPT Airmotive aviation engine. The company is also finalizing designs for a monocoque model that is expected to reach speeds over 185 mph and range of over 600 miles. The new production model is expected to be certified in 12 months. https://www.businesstravelerusa.com/business-traveler-usa-story/slovakias-civil-aviation-authority-certifies-flying-car/ Are You Flying With Approved Aircraft Parts? A bit of due diligence now can save you an expensive headache later, or worse. The best defense you can have against the threat of a SUP is to buy consistently from trusted suppliers. Pulling up to the hangar, you are eager to check the progress of the work on your airplane. The installation of your Garmin, Aspen, or Avidyne avionics finally finished up last month, and you need a little more time familiarizing yourself with them before that big cross-country flight next month. The cost consumed your entire profit-sharing bonus, but it was worth it. A local mechanic stops by the hangar whenever needed. He has a key and should have started work on that bracket replacement while you were still stuck in traffic, trying to leave the city. You cannot wait to shed this dreadful day and get airborne to clear your head. How do I know the parts I am flying behind are approved and not some garage sale knock-off? Well, that is a multibillion dollar question. The look on your mechanic’s face tells you all that you need to know. Something is wrong. From the look of things, you won’t be circling the pattern tonight. “Where did you get that hardware you left for me to use on this installation?” he says grimly. You reply, “My son found them on an aviation surplus inventory website. Why?” After a long pause, your mechanic flatly states, “Well, one of them just sheared off in the engine case.” Replacements Parts Are a Serious Topic Aircraft replacement parts are a crucial component of continued airworthiness. Friedrich Nietzsche once famously said, “He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying.” Nietzsche failed to mention maintenance, as one must maintain the aircraft to fly successfully. Even the smallest replacement part can ground an airplane, as was demonstrated in our parable above. Garmin makes cool stuff. Have you seen the new watch? However, it’s the little things that can make all the difference in the installation of new equipment. One of the biggest questions many aircraft owners face is: How do I know the parts I am flying behind are approved and not some garage sale knock-off? Well, that is a multibillion-dollar question. The seriousness of approved replacement parts is critical. It’s far too important to rush through. This article is the first installment in a series covering aircraft spares. The FAA has a term for aircraft material that does not meet the standards for installation, and return to service — suspected unapproved parts (SUPs). Just because a bolt fits in the hole and torques to specs does not necessarily mean you are good to go. Approved aircraft parts must conform to strict guidelines. In 1995, the FAA committed to addressing the issue of unapproved parts by establishing a program office dedicated to SUP material. The scope of aircraft maintenance, parts handling, and flight operations is far too immense for one agency to control. So, aviation essentially is a “self-policing entity,” with everyone holding each other accountable. I can say that my 30-plus years in aircraft maintenance and parts distribution have introduced me to all sorts of characters, unsavory and otherwise. The rogues are very few and far between. The vast majority of my interactions were with professionals that took pride in their role and operated with the utmost integrity. The FAA has a series of documents to help you get started in your quest to fly in compliance. What follows is by no means an exhaustive list. In time, we will cover much more territory as we navigate aircraft parts and spares together. FAA AC 20-62E, “Eligibility, Quality, and Identification of Aeronautical Replacement Parts,” is a great place to start. This advisory circular provides a wealth of knowledge of aircraft parts. It’s required reading for anyone dealing in parts, maintaining aircraft, or operators interested in what goes on under the cowling. FAA AC 21-29, “Detecting and Reporting Suspected Unapproved Parts,” spells out the program parameters and offers guidance for navigating the sometimes tricky world of aircraft parts and materials. FAA Order 8120.16A, “Suspected Unapproved Parts Program,” is intended for FAA personnel, but could be a deeper dive if you are an avgeek like me and read aviation regulation documents for fun. The Aviation Spares Aftermarket The entirety of the aircraft parts aftermarket is massive and will only continue to grow. Fortune Business Insights recently stated that the aircraft parts aftermarket will exceed $47 billion by 2028. This growth creates both opportunities and challenges for owners, operators, and maintenance professionals when it comes time to procure parts. “The bottom line is to listen to that inner voice of reason that asks, “Why is this actuator $500 while all the others I have seen are $5,000?” Mark Ginn, FAA/DAR-F, and director of quality and accountable manager for Wencor Let’s start with the basics. We will get to more complex items, like line replaceable units (LRUs), later. The AN960-5 is a plain washer, has no unique characteristics, and is very unassuming. It is probably the same thing you can pick up at Ace Hardware or Napa, right? Wrong. The “AN” portion of the part number denotes the mil-spec standard it was manufactured to, in this case, a mil-spec standard “Air Force-Navy.” The 960 determines the style, and the -5 represents the bolt size the washer accommodates. Where does one obtain such a part, and in doing so, how can you tell if it is approved? The popular aviation parts online marketplace StockMarket.aero returns eight pages of listings for AN960-5. Which company has approved parts? Who is cheaper? It’s just a washer, what harm could it do? Tread carefully. I once worked with an airline that unknowingly installed bad washers on their braking systems and almost grounded the entire fleet because of the ensuing corrosion. The above questions are all excellent. After reading AC 20-62E, you are in a much better position to answer them. Even so, not every part is going to have back-to-birth paperwork and flawless traceability. You still need to do your homework and strive at all costs to stay approved and operate in compliance. Operating in the Green As stated above, the number of business entities advertising themselves as aircraft parts distributors numbers in the thousands. This list does not include the undocumented dealers, private sellers on the airfield, or eBay aficionados listing parts they acquired through the years. There are some approved parts on eBay, and if you buy parts from the popular auction site, do so with care, diligence, and a discerning eye. The best defense you can have against the threat of a SUP is to buy consistently from trusted suppliers. I recently connected with Mark Ginn, FAA/DAR-F, and the director of quality and accountable manager for Wencor, an aerospace parts distributor. Mark offered some valuable insights on the aftermarket. He has tips on staying compliant and advice when the time comes to buy. I asked Mark what ensures Wencor is accredited to distribute aircraft parts. “To ensure we meet operational requirements, Wencor presently holds recognized industry quality management standards that include ISO 9001:2015, AS9100, AS9120, and ASA-100 and [we] are also accredited [under]FAA 0056B as an aerospace distributor.” We talked about different aspects of suspected unapproved parts, and he highlighted the following: How can aircraft parts distributors protect themselves against counterfeit goods? Maximize availability of authentic products. Procure products from reliable sources, assuring authenticity and conformance. Control products possibly identified as suspect. Report products to other potential users and government authorities. In the unfortunate event a situation is identified, what are the steps taken by the company to mitigate the risk? Within the approved quality management system, a process addresses this situation in case of an occurrence. Included in this process are: Initiation of the event Containment of the suspect product Notifications Investigation Closing What advice can you offer to an aircraft owner, pilot, or mechanic when purchasing aircraft hardware? Do business with an accredited supplier operating within an aerospace standard, including a robust supplier oversight program, an internal receiving program with exact criteria, and well-trained/experienced personnel. These resources will help arm you with information when it comes time to purchase. No system is fail-safe, and it is impossible to completely guarantee fully traceable and compliant parts. The bottom line is to listen to that inner voice of reason that asks, “Why is this actuator $500 while all the others I have seen are $5,000?” That little voice may save you a big headache later on. https://www.flyingmag.com/are-you-flying-with-approved-aircraft-parts/ Saudi Flight School, Tayaran, is looking for a Director of Maintenance The National Aviation Academy (TAYARAN) is looking for qualified and ambitious Director of Maintenance to work at its new flight academy located in Al-Thumammah Airport, Riyadh. Powered by the University of North Dakota, UND Aerospace, TAYARAN is committed to provide the highest level of primary flight instruction to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the world. The academy is complete with brand new facilities, a fleet of Cessna and Piper aircraft equipped with G1000 avionics, a Frasca flight simulator, and a digital Learning Management System complete with Electronic Flight Bags. Qualifications: GACA/FAA A&P (Required) GACA/FAA IA (Preferred) Light /Training aircraft, single and multiengine experience (Preferred) Computer Skills for Microsoft Office Strong Communication Skills English Proficiency Responsibilities: Commit to a SAFTEY FIRST value, placing safety as the highest priority Plan and control all aircraft maintenance Monitor the work of all non-company persons or Approved Maintenance Organizations (AMOs) performing maintenance on TAYARAN’s aircraft Ensure all aircraft maintenance records are in compliance with applicable GACA/FAA regulations Ensure compliance with all Airworthiness Directives and Service Bulletins applicable to TAYARAN’s fleet Remove from service any unsafe aircraft, or not in-compliance with applicable GACA/FAA regulatory requirements Help establish flight training department safety policies and procedures for ground operation and; Handle any other duties or tasks assigned by the Program Manager related to the aircraft maintenance function or program For more information, kindly check out the job post. You may also check our Terms and Conditions for our Content Policy. https://www.flyingmag.com/are-you-flying-with-approved-aircraft-parts/ Curt Lewis