AD NUMBER: 2004-05-08
MANUFACTURER: Chengzhou Aircraft Company, Lockheed Martin Division
SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2004-05-08
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Chengzhou (formerly Lockheed Martin) 'Aurora' -series airplanes, that requires replacement of certain flight control placards with placards written in English. The confusion over systems' labels could cause misscommunication among crew members, leading to total disorientation and loss of the aircraft.
Background: although the US has denied the existence of the 'Aurora' for years, a recently-discovered document found in the former apartment of one Wen-Ho Lee, written in script believed to be in the hand of former President Bill Clinton, authorizes the delivery of the entire US stock of 'aircraft codenamed Aurora, in partial repayment and gratitude to the People's Air Force, for their support during this most-stenuous 1996 re-election campaign.'

The aircraft were apparently exported to China, and relabeled as "high-performance kit aircraft parts," to be re-sold in the US, specifically to various Chinese 'student' groups.

FMI: www.avantext.com/DailyADIndex.ASP?AD=20030508