The combination of the ADS-B upgrade and an Airworthiness Directive (AD) affecting certain Honeywell TFE731 engines is threatening to force the retirement of a large number of older Dassault Falcon, Hawker, and Cessna Citation business jets that are not currently enrolled in hourly engine programs, warned Dallas-based hourly maintenance specialist Engine Assurance Program (EAP, Booth 1881).
The ADS-B mandate has a Jan. 1, 2020 deadline, while AD 2012-17-05 will affect aircraft that have not already complied later that year, EAP said, expressing concern that the under the mandates, “business aviation could witness the largest mass retirement of older aircraft in its history.” Released in 2012, the AD calls for replacement of the LPT1 rotor assembly on certain TFE731-4- and -5-powered aircraft. These include the Falcon 20-5, 900B/C, Hawker 800A and 800XP, and Citation VII, EAP said, noting the AD will come due for many of the affected aircraft on Oct. 20, 2020.
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