FAA Doesn't Ground Zodiac CH-601XL |
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Special Review Team Investigates NTSB’s Recommendations
FAA Does Not Ground Zodiac CH-601XL
On April 14, 2009, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued an urgent safety recommendation to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), asking the agency to prohibit further flight of the Zodiac CH-601XL. The low-wing, single-engine 2-seater designed by Zenair had been involved in six in-flight structural breakups since ’06. Aerodynamic flutter is suspected in all of the accidents.
In response to NTSB’s recommendation, FAA put together a special review team consisting of FAA specialists from flight test, engineering, manufacturing and accident investigation. “The special review team will analyze the Zodiac CH-601 XL and its derivatives,” writes FAA administrator Randolph Babbitt in a July 13 letter to NTSB. “A design review for each version may suggest further FAA action.”
It should be noted that there are four variants of the Zodiac CH-601 XL: a Special light-sport aircraft (SLSA), an Experimental LSA (ELSA), a European microlight model, and an Experimental amateur-built version. FAA noted that NTSB’s recommendation seemed to treat all the Zodiac derivatives the same, [but] mentioned two specific versions: the SLSA and the Experimental amateur-built models. “Data indicates the CH-601XL has a safety record similar to other SLSA and appears capable of safe flight and operation if maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations,” writes Babbitt.
At this time, FAA “lacks adequate justification” to ground the CH-601XL aircraft.
In the meantime, FAA’s special review team will investigate the following safety recommendations issued by NTSB: Make sure the CH-601XL has adequate protection from flutter, evaluate the wing and aileron system, communicate findings of the special review team, keep the Board informed on the progress of flutter requirements, decide on the appropriate action if a design characteristic is identified as a potential safety issue, make recommendations to the ASTM F37 committee if the special review team determines additional standards regarding stick force and controllability are necessary, clarify the standards for airspeed calibration, and work with the ASTM F37 committee to address proper airspeed calibration.
Babbitt says he will keep NTSB informed of his agency’s progress on these safety recommendations, and expects to provide a further response by March 31, 2010.
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5th Anniversary of Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft Celebrated |
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FAA Aviation News Spotlights Light-Sport Aviation
The latest issue of FAA Aviation News celebrates the 5th anniversary of the Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft regulations, and focuses on the exciting opportunities that light-sport aviation offers to today's pilot, including a look at Sport Pilot certificate privileges, training tips and maintenance requirements. The link to the online edition is:
http://www.faa.gov/news/aviation_news/
FAA Aviation News is the safety policy voice for the noncommercial general aviation community. The magazine's objective is to improve safety by making the community aware of FAA resources, helping readers understand safety and regulatory issues, and encouraging continued training.
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LSUF Subscription Sale |
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Sling Flight Ends Triumphantly |
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Mike and James Arrive Home
Mike Blyth and James Pitman arrived back at their South African home base of Springs Airfield, Johannesburg, after flying for 39 days, visiting 13 countries, and covering a distance of approximately 45,150 km (28,055 miles) in their production prototype Sling light sport aircraft, which they had built with their team at The Airplane Factory.
Taking off on July 18 and heading west, it took the duo a little more than one calendar month to circumnavigate the globe in their 100-hp Rotax 912S-powered LSA. A crowd was on hand to greet the two when they arrived safety home on August 27, 2009.
You can read all about Blyth and Pitman's flight on their Website: http://www.airplanefactory.co.za/world .
Congratulations Mike and James!
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Read more... [Sling Flight Ends Triumphantly]
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100-Year Anniversary of Louis Bleriot's Channel Flight |
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Calais, France to Dover, UK
100-Year Anniversary of Louis Blériot’s Channel Flight
Pascal Kremer stands in front of the full-scale Blériot monoplane that he plans to fly from Calais, France, to Dover, UK, on July 25 to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of French aviator Louis Bleriot’s flight across the English Channel. A 110-hp Rotec 2800 radial engine will power the Blériot.
On July 25, 2009, Pascal Kremer plans to replicate French aviator Louis Blériot’s flight across the English Channel by flying a full-scale Blériot monoplane powered by a 110-hp Rotec 2800 radial engine from Calais, France, to Dover, UK. Blériot’s flight on July 25, 1909, took 36.5 minutes; Kremer expects his flight to take about 20 minutes. “I’ll be flying 55 to 60 mph at an altitude between 1,500 and 2,000 feet,” says Kremer, who was at Sun ’n Fun with the full-size Blériot XI replica. “And I’ll need to have a life vest with me.”
Following original plans, Kremer and Airdrome Aeroplanes’ boss Robert Baslee built the Blériot XI replica with some changes. Instead of oak and poplar construction, Baslee used 6061-T6 aluminum painted to look like wood. The original dimensions were adhered to, and the airfoil shape was modified slightly when the trailing edge was converted to ailerons, says Kremer. The instrument panel also sports a VHF radio and Mode S transponder.
Kremer, a captain for Luxair airlines, planned to complete flight tests at Holden, Missouri, before shipping the plane to France. “This is a cream come true,” says Kremer who has also created a Website to promote aviation history.
Info: Pascal Kremer’s Website: www.earlyaviator.org • Airdrome Aeroplanes, 929 NW Road 1571, Holden, MO 64040. Phone: 816.230.8585 • Website: www.airdromeaeroplanes.com .
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