Overview
Title
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The FAA wants to fix a button cover problem on some Airbus helicopters to make sure it doesn't accidentally cut cables and hurt people, and they are asking for people's ideas on this plan by March 1, 2021.
Summary AI
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a new regulation for Airbus Helicopters Model EC 155B and EC155B1 due to a reported issue with the protective cover of the "SHEAR" control pushbutton on the copilot's stick. This regulation aims to prevent the cover's deformation, which could lead to accidental cutting of the hoist cable and potential harm to persons being lifted. The proposal requires replacing the cover and re-identifying the control sticks in line with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency's (EASA) recommendations. Public comments on this proposed regulation are invited by March 1, 2021.
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC 155B and EC155B1 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of mechanical deformation of the protective cover of the "SHEAR" control pushbutton on the copilot collective stick. This proposed AD would require replacement of the protective cover of the "SHEAR" control pushbutton on the pilot and copilot collective sticks and re-identification of the pilot and copilot collective sticks, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
Overview
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a new regulation targeting Airbus Helicopters Models EC 155B and EC155B1. This action arises from identified deformations in the protective cover of the "SHEAR" control button on the copilot's collective stick. Such deformation could inadvertently trigger the shearing of the hoist cable, potentially endangering personnel lifted by the helicopter hoist system. To mitigate this risk, the proposal mandates replacing the protective covers and re-identifying the control sticks in accordance with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency's (EASA) previously issued guidelines. The public is invited to comment on this proposal until March 1, 2021.
Major Considerations
Technical Complexity
The document is laden with technical language and regulatory jargon typical of aviation directives. This complexity may deter individuals without aviation expertise from fully engaging in the commentary process. Efforts to simplify or elucidate key terms might enhance public understanding and participation.
Financial Implications
Details concerning potential warranty coverage by the manufacturer remain scarce, leaving operators in a state of uncertain financial planning. The document lacks a comprehensive cost breakdown for compliance, obscuring the financial burden operators might face.
Compliance and Exceptions
While the FAA's directive largely echoes EASA's AD 2019-0246, certain exceptions, such as differences in compliance timelines, are not well highlighted. This could lead to compliance confusion. Additionally, vague terms like "equivalent tooling may be used" might open avenues for varied interpretations, potentially affecting the uniformity of compliance.
Public and Stakeholder Impact
Broad Public Impact
For the general public, this regulation functions as a preventive safety measure, ensuring that the helicopters used in their airspace adhere to enhanced safety protocols. It reinforces trust in aviation safety standards, albeit indirectly affecting non-specialists.
Specific Stakeholder Impact
Helicopter Operators
Operators of the affected models will need to assess possible costs of compliance. Although warranty coverage might cushion these financial impacts, without guaranteed specifics, operators could face significant expenditures depending on the scale of required changes.
Manufacturers
The directive underscores the responsibility of manufacturers to correct design flaws that might compromise safety. They might need to coordinate with operators to facilitate smooth compliance, possibly factoring in warranty coverage to assuage operators' financial burdens.
Small Entities
While the document assures no substantial economic impact on small entities, it lacks detailed insights into alternative routes or mitigations for those disproportionately affected. As such, smaller operators might bear financial strain if exclusions are not clearly outlined or if costs exceed preliminary predictions.
Conclusion
The FAA's proposal aims to bolster helicopter safety by addressing mechanical vulnerabilities in Airbus Helicopters. However, the document's technical jargon, unclear financial implications, and scant specifics on compliance exceptions may obscure operators' understanding and strategy for implementation. Open discourses, clearer guidelines, and detailed annotations are requested to ensure a comprehensive and equitable adaptation of the proposed safety measures.
Issues
• The document is quite dense and uses technical jargon that may not be easily understood by individuals who are unfamiliar with aviation regulatory language, potentially limiting public engagement.
• There is a mention of potential warranty coverage by the manufacturer, but no specifics are given, leaving operators uncertain about the financial impact.
• The document does not provide a cost breakdown for the actions required by the airworthiness directive, which may make it challenging for operators to plan financially.
• The exceptions and differences between FAA AD and EASA AD 2019-0246 are not clearly highlighted, which may cause confusion regarding compliance requirements.
• The phrase 'equivalent tooling may be used' is vague and may lead to varied interpretations, potentially affecting compliance.
• No significant insights into the economic impact or alternatives for small entities are provided, despite the document ensuring no substantial economic impact on these entities.