Notes FAA Has Approved AMOC To Replace Valves

Hoping to dispel any misconceptions regarding a recent Airworthiness Directive involving fuel valves -- specifically, who is authorized to replace them -- the American Navion Society tells ANN the club has received an AMOC (Alternate Means of Compliance) for AD 2008-05-14 for the replacement of fuel valves in all Navions, models A, B, D, E, F, G, H, and all versions of the military L-17 Navions.

This is a blanket FAA approval for all of their members for installation of one of their fuel valves and installation kit including complete instructions and FAA signed paperwork.  The installation only requires an aircraft logbook entry, according to the type club.

The AD was precipitated by two or three accidents allegedly caused by worn fuel valves and requires a one time inspection of the entire fuel system with pressure and vacuum tests of some components. The ANS Field Service Bulletin 1001, dated April 30, 2007 provides guidelines for the inspection and tests. Installation of the American Navion Society, Ltd valve is terminating action of the repetitive inspections and function tests required by the AD.

"Contrary to false information being circulated, there is no FAA Field Approval or individual AMOC’s required for installation of the ANS valves," said the club. "In an unprecedented action the FAA has granted the AMOC approval, provided the FAA approved instructions and paperwork are followed. The valves and kits are available by calling the ANS Parts Warehouse at 970-835-5096, 8-5 MDT, Monday through Thursday.

"The valves are a very safe, high quality aircraft valve, and the same brand and construction used in various certified aircraft such as the Cirrus," ANS added.

The valve installation is recessed into a cup in the aircraft cabin to protect it from passengers stepping on it during ingress and egress from the aircraft, and is furnished with fuel line fittings adaptable to the many different types of fuel tank installations in the Navion.

Many Navions have been highly modified, and one of the four ANS valves is suitable for virtually any Navion regardless of its configuration.

FMI: www.navionsociety.org, www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/airworthiness_directives/