The Forest Service is requesting comments and questions on our aircraft continued airworthiness program. Attached is language being contemplated for the 2008 airtanker solicitation. Please send all written comments and questions to the following by July 30, 2007. If further information is required, please do not hesitate to call me at (208) 387-5695. Colleen Hightower USFS Contracting 3833 S. Development Ave. Boise, ID 83705 Email:
[email protected] The Contractor will define, establish, document, and implement a Continued Airworthiness Program (CAP) to predict and prevent fatigue separations. The CAP must: contain: 1. Define and describe the contractor's airworthiness program and how it meets the exhibit requirements. 2. Insure that the aircraft has been issued a Standard or Restricted certificate by the FAA. 3. Meet the intent of developing a maintenance and inspection program specific to their airtanker fleet. 4. Submit documents for FAA approved Instructions for Continued Airworthiness in accordance with FAR 25.1529 at Amendment Level 54 or later, and be based on the FAA Type certification. Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) are maintenance actions defined by the TC or STC holder in accordance with 14 CFR 25.1529 and delivered with the airplane or provided by the manufacturer. ICA's are documented information that includes applicable methods, inspections, processes, procedures and airworthiness limitations. 1. Obtain documentation of manufacturer support for maintenance of the aircraft while the vendor is operating their aircraft in the firefighting role. 2. Include an evaluation of the airtanker structure (airframe and tank) to FAR 25.571 at Amendment Level 96 or later. Amendment 96 of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 25.571 requires that it ?be demonstrated with sufficient full-scale test evidence that WFD will not occur within the design service goal of the airplane. It requires special consideration for WFD and requires full scale fatigue testing have been completed on a same model airframe. The corresponding Advisory Circular (AC) 25.571-1C provides general guidelines on the requirements and recommends rigorous posttest teardown inspections as a way to generate sufficient evidence. However, AC 25.571-1C does not specify the teardown protocol, inspection procedures, data collection, and subsequent analyses. Comprehensive guidelines and data that are documented and available to the broader aviation community are lacking. It would require that an LOV (or DSG) be established for the airframe. 1. Install and monitor an aircraft Operational Load Monitoring (OLM) system for the purpose of updating and improving the continued airworthiness of the Contractor's aircraft. 2 Provide for the Contractor to submit revised ICA's to the FAA for approval based on the operation of the aircraft as an airtanker using the data collected from the OLM system. The revised ICA would be based on either an analysis similar to that used in FAA certification or a combination of analysis used for FAA certification and data obtained from firefighting operations. As a minimum, revised ICA's would be submitted prior to the 3rd year of the contract. Copies of the package submitted to the FAA will be sent to the Contracting Officer. 3. Explain how a quality assurance program will be put in place to insure that the Contractor can predict and prevent fatigue separations. References: NTSB Safety Recommendations A-04-29 thru A-04-33, Dated April 23, 2004. (available on the internet) CFR 14 Part 25.571, Damage tolerance and fatigue evaluation of structure. (available on the internet) CFR 14 Part 25.1529, Instructions for Continued Airworthiness. (available on the internet) USFS Special Mission Aircraft Specification and Structural Criteria, August 2006 revised through November 2006. (Call Scott Fisher at (208) 387-5968 for deetails on how to obtain copies)