The FAA is proposing to revise and update the current AC 43.13-2A, Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices – Aircraft Alterations to “reflect advances in aviation technology”. The current AC provides guidance to mechanics and repair stations for performing simple alterations to non-pressurized, certificated aircraft weighing less than 12,500 pounds.
The new policy would apply to “a landplane, seaplane, or floatplane, fixed gear aircraft of 6,000 pounds or less maximum gross weight or less, and with a reciprocating engine of 200 horsepower or less”. It would allow mechanics and repair stations to “use acceptable data as approved data for major alterations to certain non-pressurized aircraft”. The FAA is hoping to reduce the need for field approvals for alterations to certain non-pressurized aircraft, and to reduce the workload of the FSDO and the waiting time for FAA approvals, while maintaining the level of safety.
The Request for Comments was issued on May 28, 2004 and published in the Federal Register today. For further information or to submit comments contact William O’Brien, Aircraft Maintenance division, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-3796, fax (202) 267-5115.
