Tue, Nov 29, 2011
Complete Replacement Not Needed For AD Compliance
The FAA has granted an STC to Harrison Aero for the Commander
112 and 114 elevator spar cracking issue that prompted
Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-07-13. The AD entails inspection
of the elevator spars at the outboard hinge fittings and requires
the entire elevator spar to be replaced if cracks are found. The
Harrison Aero STC has been FAA approved as an Alternative Method of
Compliance (AMOC) to the AD and allows the fleet of Commander
owners the option of repairing rather than replacing their spars.
In addition, Harrison Aero’s STC reinforces the spar near the
hinge area to prevent future cracks.
“We’re really pleased to be able to offer another
option for complying with the AD. Our fix is lightweight, easy to
install, and a common-sense solution that saves Commander owners
time and money so that they can get their planes back in the air
and keep them flying," said Joa Harrison, President, Harrison Aero,
LLC. "The AD identified the cracking problem and offers a short
term fix, but unfortunately replacing spars isn’t necessarily
the most cost effective option for owners. Plus, whenever you have
to replace such a major structural part of an assembly you risk
further damage and may end up with alignment or trim issues. What
we’ve come up with lets owners simply remove the cracked end
of the spar, splice new material into the existing structure, and
most importantly add reinforcement to prevent cracks down the road.
We’ve kept the price down to about half of currently
available options.”
Harrison said his company is looking forward to the move into
the next phase of aircraft services by offering completed STC-PMA
products. "Traditionally we’ve helped others certify their
planes and products, and of course still do, but now we’ve
demonstrated our ability to design, certify, and manufacture
turn-key aircraft solutions in-house," he said. "This Commander fix
is just the start, we’re looking for more fun projects that
make aircraft safer and perform better.”
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