EAA Reviewing FAA’s Supplemental NPRM for ECi Cylinders

January 8, 2015 - EAA is reviewing a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) issued Thursday by the FAA regarding an airworthiness directive (AD) regarding certain aftermarket cylinders produced by ECi for Continental engines. This SNPRM supersedes an initial proposal for an AD unveiled in August 2013 and is intended to address some concerns raised by the aviation community, including EAA.

The new AD draft replaces the previously proposed serial number “groups” and associated removal schedules for cylinders and instead uses a “phased” approach to mandatory replacement times based on total time in service. The revised proposal extends the previously required replacement of affected cylinders from 500 hours to 1,000 hours time in service (TIS). Cylinders that have been removed would not be eligible to be used again. Overhauled cylinders would need to be removed and replaced within 80 hours after issuance of a final AD.

EAA is continuing to evaluate this new proposal. Members of the public wishing to weigh in are encouraged to read the SNPRM and submit comment to the federal docket. Comments will be accepted for the next 45 days, closing Monday, February 23.