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FAAST Blast
Notice Number: NOTC3427

FAA Issues SAIB for Diamond DA20 Nose Gear Cracks
The FAA recently issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) regarding a potentially unsafe condition with the nose landing gear on the Diamond DA20 series aircraft. The SAIB, issued December 22, warns of cracks discovered in the nose landing gear (NLG) fork assembly during routine inspections. In response, Diamond Aircraft Industries has revised their maintenance manual to require more frequent and detailed inspections.

The FAA recommends all affected owners and maintainers acquaint themselves with and adhere to the changes in Diamond’s revised inspection schedule as well as replace their original NLG fork assembly with the improved part. See the SAIB at: http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgSAIB.nsf/(LookupSAIBs)/CE-12-09?OpenDocument

NPRM Seeks Comments on Future Airspace Transition
On Dec. 15, 2011, the FAA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to seek comments on a proposed transition of the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS) navigation infrastructure to enable performance-based navigation (PBN) as part of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). The FAA plans to transition from defining airways, routes and procedures using VORs and other legacy NAVAIDs towards a NAS based on Area Navigation (RNAV) everywhere and Required Navigation Performance (RNP) where beneficial. Since VORs do not enable RNAV, RNP, or Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) operations, the FAA plans to reduce costs by drawing down the number of these FAA-provided VORs to a minimum operational network.

As part of this transition process, the FAA will form a working group to engage aviation industry stakeholders and other members of the public for input. The group will also provide a candidate list for VORs for discontinuance that will ensure safety and continuous operations. For details and instructions on how to provide comments, see: www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/12/15/2011-31451/proposed-provision-of-navigation-services-for-the-next-generation-air-transportation-system-nextgen

New FAA Safety Briefing Issue Now Available
The January/February issue of FAA Safety Briefing is now available online at www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/. This first issue of 2012 explores some of the resources available to help you in your initial quest for pilot certification, as well as the lifelong quest to improve your aeronautical knowledge. Feature articles show you how to leverage the information power of aviation regulations and handbooks as well as provide tips to help prepare for your next checkride and find an aviation school that’s right for you. Check it out today!

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