Kerry Lynch stepped into the role of editor of the&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;monthly magazine in May 2022 after serving with&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;for eight years. She joined&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;in December 2014 as a senior editor covering Washington and business aviation news. She has also served on Convention News teams, including as editor of&nbsp;HAI Convention News. Lynch previously spent 25 years with Aviation Week. During her time there, she reported for and later steered&nbsp;The Weekly of Business Aviation, oversaw business aviation content on the&nbsp;Aviation Week Intelligence Network, served on the&nbsp;Show News&nbsp;staff, and held roles as the Washington columnist for&nbsp;Business &amp; Commercial Aviation&nbsp;and&nbsp;Overhaul &amp; Maintenance&nbsp;monthly magazines. In 2021 she was honored with the National Business Aviation Association Platinum Wing Award for lifetime achievement in journalism and was the 2004 recipient of the National Air Transportation Association’s Aviation Journalism Excellence Award. She also has been a recipient of an Aerospace Media Award for business aviation (2022) and NBAA Gold Wing Award (2003, 2024). Lynch graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor of arts in journalism.

Editor, AIN monthly magazine

Kerry Lynch

The U.S. FAA, which has long been working on a policy statement for rotorcraft inlet barrier filter (IBF) installation, has turned to SAE International for help on two technical aspects. SAE was tasked with developing a recommended practice standard on an alternative means to substantiate that the IBF modification does not exceed engine inlet distortion limits. The FAA also asked SAE to define a means to determine and verify power availability for IBF-equipped rotorcraft.


SAE’s S-12 Helicopter Powerplant Committee is taking the lead on the standards with help from the S-16 Turbine Engine Inlet Flow Distortion Committee. A virtual committee meeting is scheduled&nbsp;for February 15 to begin work on the standard, with a face-to-face meeting on March 9 during Heli-Expo.


“We are pleased to be working with the FAA on the development of these important rotorcraft standards and appreciate the trust that the FAA has placed in SAE International to use industry standards as guidance material,” said David Alexander, director of aerospace standards for SAE International. Power availability and engine distortion limits have been two of the more difficult issues that the FAA has faced as it has attempted to put together a policy on IBF installations.


The FAA has been sorting through public comments it received on a <a href="http://www.gama.aero/public-consultation/content/policy-statement-certification-engine-inlet-barrier-filter-ibf-installat">draft policy statement</a> released a little more than a year ago, an agency spokeswoman said. Noting the SAE activities, the spokeswoman added, “Our hope is these tasks will result in Aerospace Recommended Practices that can then be referenced in our helicopter advisory material.”


The draft policy had generated substantial opposition because it called for detailed proprietary engine data that manufacturers tend to be reluctant to share publicly. In addition, industry executives expressed concern that the original policy had included the potential for performance penalties that would render IBFs impractical and would drive up certification costs considerably. The primary aftermarket providers, Aerometals and Donaldson, questioned whether they would be able to remain in the market should the draft policy become final as originally written.


FAA officials have said they would carefully consider the comments, but the agency has maintained, “The increased usage of…IBF installations on rotorcraft requires guidance to ensure safe and standardized installations.”


The FAA has not released a timeline when a final statement might be released. Timing of the SAE standards also was unclear, but an SAE spokeswoman said that on average, the development of standards and recommended practices could take between 18&nbsp;and 24 months.

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.

SAE To Tackle Helicopter IBF Standards

The FAA has asked SAE to work through two of the more difficult issues as it attempts to complete a policy statement on IBF installation.

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.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Panel participants included Boeing, Gulfstream Aerospace, and West Star Aviation

Summit Highlights St. Louis Aero MRO and Manufacturing

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.

What began 22 years ago as a Caravan project is now a busy multimillion-dollar business

Building Interiors at Yingling Aviation

MRO services for E1000 turboprops available at company’s Denver location

Stevens Aerospace Joins Epic Aircraft Service Network

Executives share their experience with system

Duncan Adds Gogo 5G to Company Citation Excel

Charles Alcock

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

More In Maintenance and Modifications

Summit Highlights St. Louis Aero MRO and Manufacturing

Panel participants included Boeing, Gulfstream Aerospace, and West Star Aviation

Building Interiors at Yingling Aviation

What began 22 years ago as a Caravan project is now a busy multimillion-dollar business

Stevens Aerospace Joins Epic Aircraft Service Network

MRO services for E1000 turboprops available at company’s Denver location

Duncan Adds Gogo 5G to Company Citation Excel

Executives share their experience with system

Australian Regulator Approves Textron Service Centers

Textron operates service centers in Melbourne, Perth, and Gold Coast

C&L Aerospace Tapped for Challenger Flutter Damper Mx

The company was selected by OEM Héroux-Devtek

Avcon Delivers Aerial Weapon in Florida Mosquito Fight

The Kansas-based company specializes in modifying airframes

Duncan Aviation Authorized for Honeywell APU Repairs

MRO’s Lincoln facility expects to bring work online in early 2027

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN