APPENDIX 2. - FAA order 8130.27

INSPECTION PROGRAMS FOR EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT THAT ARE TURBINE-POWERED OR OVER 12,500lbs.

1. PURPOSE. This appendix contains information and guidance concerning inspection programs that are required during certification and prior to operating these experimental aircraft.

2. DEFINITIONS. The following definitions are terms that may be used in the development of inspection programs for these aircraft.
a. Overhaul. Methods, techniques, or practices for disassembling, cleaning, inspecting, repairing as necessary, reassembling, and testing in accordance with approved standards and technical data acceptable to the Administrator. Overhaul should not be confused with life-limit.
b. Life-limit. The finite/retirement time assigned to a component that requires the removal of that component from service.
c. Shelf-life. A recommended time determined by the manufacturer for removal of a component from service.

3. INSPECTION PROGRAM SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
The applicant should submit the following material for review:

a. Proposed Inspection Program. The submitted program for an aircraft may be a current manufacturer's; current military; an owner/operator developed program; or it can be based on one previously approved for the same make/model. Prior FAA approval of an inspection program does not guarantee an automatic approval for a similar make/model because inspection programs are aircraft specific and will be identified by the aircraft serial number. Inspection programs are subject to amendment whenever significant changes in operating environment and/or equipment occurs.

b. Operable Ejection Seats. The inspection program for operable ejection seats will be based on a current manufacturer's or current military developed program, and will include replacement intervals for shelf-life components, such as pyrotechnic cartridges.

NOTE: When an aircraft base of operation is changed, the owner/operator will notify the local FAA FSDO having jurisdiction over the area in which the aircraft is based. If an aircraft with an approved inspection program is sold, the new owner/operator will provide the FSDO with a copy of the approved inspection program identifying the person responsible for scheduling and performing the inspections.

c. Required Manufacturer/military Manuals. If the manuals were not originally published in English, the applicant will submitan English translation of the original manuals. It is to the applicant's benefit to ensure that the translation is performed by a technically competent individual familiar with aviation terms and practices.

d. Extension of Component Life-limits. (1) The applicant may submit data (review by an FAA Designated Engineering Representative is encouraged), with a request to the Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), that could extend the life-limit on specific components of the aircraft beyond the manufacturer's, military, and/or technical order recommended life-limits. This data and inspection procedure, if approved by the ACO, will be submitted to the local FSDO to be included into the FSDO-approved inspection program for the aircraft. As a minimum, the data submitted by the applicant should contain the following:
(a) The original strength, stress, and fatigue data for the aircraft and the pertinent parts, including other parts which may be affected by changes of the life-limits and inspection intervals;
(b) The methodology the designers used while developing the life-limits and inspection intervals;
(c) The operational history of the aircraft and parts (usage affects life-limits and inspection intervals);
(d) The service history of the aircraft and pertinent parts, including any repairs and modifications which affect the strength, stress, and fatigue characteristics of the parts and their affects upon the parts' life-limits and inspection intervals;
(e) How the present operational usage differs from prior military usage;
(f) That the applicant's inspection/testing techniques, e.g., NDI/NDT, are comparable to those used by the military;
(g) That the methodology chosen by the owner (e.g., damage tolerance with inspections versus safe-life with automatic removal) produces at least as safe a product as the military's approach.
(h) The request must include a procedure to inspect the component to some appropriate physical standard and should include non-destructive testing, where applicable.
(i) This data and inspection procedure, if approved by the ACO, will be submitted to the local FSDO to be included in the FAA-approved inspection program. (2) In cases where the data mentioned in paragraph 3d(1) is unavailable or cannot be substantiated, the components will not be eligible for any extension of life-limits. e. Extension of Component Recommended Overhaul Times. The owner/operator may elect to continue in service any component that has reached its recommended overhaul time providing an approved inspection is implemented which includes a procedure to inspect the component to an appropriate physical standard with a definitive time period for review. Testing to the standard may be accomplished in place where practicable. This inspection procedure will be submitted to the local FSDO to be included in the FAA approved inspection program.

4. INSPECTION PROGRAM CONTENT
a. The owner/operator developed inspection program presented for FAA approval should reference specific details from the appropriate military/manufacturer's manuals while encompassing the scope and detail of part 43, appendix D, as appropriate.
b. As an alternative, a military/manufacturer's inspection program may be adopted and presented for FAA approval. Specific irrelevant sections may be deleted for aircraft systems that have been removed or deactivated.NOTE: Although part 43, appendix D, refers to annual and 100-hour inspections, the applicant is not limited to these time and hour requirements. However, all inspection programs will provide for a complete inspection of the aircraft within the preceding 12 calendar months.
c. The following items should be a part of an approved inspection program:
(1) Title page that includes the aircraft manufacturer's name and the aircraft model, serial number, and registration number to which the inspection program applies; and the owner/operator's name and address.
(2) Table of contents;
(3) Log of revisions;
(4) Method of revision;
(5) List of effective pages;
(6) Introduction that includes the following:
  (a) A description of the inspection program with references to the sections of the supporting documents to include standards of performance, procedures, methods, instructions, or other technical data. If the references are not specified by title, page, and revision, the documents in their entirety become a part of the inspection program.
  (b) A statement that this inspection will be performed to ensure that the aircraft is in a condition for safe operation and that the inspection is performed in accordance with the procedures of the program.
  (c) Identification of the individual responsible for scheduling and performing the inspections, including their name and address.
  (d) A listing of the specific maintenance/inspection manuals for the make and model of the aircraft being certificated.
(7) Program unique definitions and/or acronyms.
(8) A replacement schedule of life-limited/retirement items, if applicable.
(9) Procedures to ensure that inspection records are kept and that the following information is included:
  (a) Date of inspection;
  (b) Name and certificate number of the person performing the inspection;
  (c) Type of inspection; and
  (d) Total time of the component being inspected expressed in cycles, calendar time, hours, or any combination of these.
(10) Instructions and procedures for the conduct of inspections for the particular make and model of aircraft including necessary tests and checks. The instructions and procedures must set forth in detail the parts and areas of the airframe, engines, propellers, and appliances required to be inspected, including survival and emergency equipment.
(11) A schedule for performing the required inspections under the program as expressed in terms of time-in-service, calendar time, number of system operations, or any combination of these. It should also include low-utilization inspections.
(12) Additional procedures that should be included in the instructions and procedures may include:
  (a) Special Inspections such as short and long term storage/out of service inspections, hard landing inspections, structural inspections, etc.
  (b) Compliance with service letters, service bulletins, time compliance technical orders, and airworthiness directives; and the method to insure compliance.
  (c) Corrosion inspections.
  (d) Any other inspection that may be required due to unusual environmental operations or aircraft design, such as composite construction.

5. INSPECTION PROGRAM APPROVAL. Approval of the inspection program will be indicated on the cover page. Include the date of approval, the inspector's signature, the office name, number, and location. Stamp each succeeding page with the district office stamp, date, and initials of the inspector.

6. MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS. The owner/operator of the aircraft will have the inspections performed as prescribed in the approved program and will, between inspections, have discrepancies repaired in accordance with the appropriate manufacturer/military manuals, instructions, and technical orders.

7. MAINTENANCE RECORDS. The owner/operator shall keep the records required under part 91 § 91.417 as applicable to the aircraft.

 

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