Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

Worn-out latch springs could cause the pilot seats on some Dassault Falcons to slide aft and the pilot or copilot to lose contact with the flight controls, according to an FAA <a href="http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgad.nsf/0/d6c55438f9b4053586257fa700553365/$FILE/2016-09-03.pdf">Airworthiness Directive</a> issued yesterday. The AD affects Falcon 900/900EXs and 2000/2000EXs equipped with Sicma 132- or 142-series pilot and copilot seats with spring P/Ns 132100-19 and/or 147100-19.

 


According to the FAA, there has been a documented case of a copilot’s seat sliding aft in a Falcon on rotation due to fatigued springs. “The results of the investigations concluded that one spring of the seat-locking system was broken and the other was weak. The root cause was determined to be fatigue wear. As springs accumulate cycles in service, they become increasingly exposed to the risk of unnoticed degradation or rupture,” the AD notes.

 


This AD, which affects 528 U.S.-registered airplanes, requires the springs to be replaced within nine months of the June 2 effective date for affected Falcons that are more than 74 months old or have more than 3,750 total flight cycles. It also requires the springs to be replaced thereafter at intervals not to exceed 78 months or 3,750 flight cycles, whichever occurs first.

 


The issue might not be limited to Falcon 900s and 2000s, the FAA noted. “If we determine that an unsafe condition exists on other airplane models, we might consider further rulemaking on this issue.”

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

FAA Warns of Fatigued Latch Springs on Pilot Seats

There has been a documented case of a copilot’s seat sliding aft in a Falcon on rotation due to fatigued springs.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Flight-tracking service is available for display on passengers' devices

FlightPath3D and Gogo Extend Bizav Partnership

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

The German company is taking a new approach to aerospace display technology.

Zeiss Microoptics Brings New Display Tech to Aircraft Cabin, Cockpit

Charles Alcock

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

ProSight technology is being demonstrated at the Farnborough Airshow

Zeiss Debuts New Approach to Cockpit and Cabin Displays 

Expands company’s offerings for high-speed, global connectivity

Pro Star Delivers G280 Gogo Galileo Satcom Installation

New service plans distinguish between a single area and global coverage

Starlink Doubles Aviation Prices, Adds Region Boundaries

Amy Wilder

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

More In Cabin Interior and Electronics

FlightPath3D and Gogo Extend Bizav Partnership

Flight-tracking service is available for display on passengers' devices

Zeiss Microoptics Brings New Display Tech to Aircraft Cabin, Cockpit

The German company is taking a new approach to aerospace display technology.

Zeiss Debuts New Approach to Cockpit and Cabin Displays

ProSight technology is being demonstrated at the Farnborough Airshow

Pro Star Delivers G280 Gogo Galileo Satcom Installation

Expands company’s offerings for high-speed, global connectivity

Starlink Doubles Aviation Prices, Adds Region Boundaries

New service plans distinguish between a single area and global coverage

Jet Access Maintenance Earns Starlink Dealer Status

Services span three locations in Indianapolis, Nashville, and West Palm Beach

Gogo Galileo Now Available for Gulfstream G650/G650ER

HDX antenna installed under the tail-mounted radome

Gogo Galileo Satcom Now Factory Option on Pilatus PC-24

System is FAA- and EASA-certified

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN