Astra / Westwind Fall 1998

• Team Changes
• Aft Baggage Heat Blankets
• Changing Owners
• Do You Have An MPI Due In 1999?
• SB 1125-34-164
• Mesh Static Diversion Strips

Team Changes

Throughout the year, Duncan’s Lincoln facility has been significantly increasing its structures repair area. With eight official members on its “Structures Team,” Duncan can perform repairs on virtually all business class aircraft.

At Duncan’s Battle Creek location, changes have recently been made to create a specialized Astra/Westwind team. This Astra/Westwind team is now supp o r t e d b y Jim Overheul, Astra/Westwind technical specialist. Jim and his Astra/Westwind team members are dedicated to offering the highest quality of Astra/Westwind support in the industry.

Aft Baggage Heat Blankets

Galaxy has issued SB1125-25 177 concerning replacement of the Astra main baggage heat blankets. Currently, this is offered as a special program by Galaxy; operators need to order the blankets before October 31, 1998. Kits are available now. Special pricing from Galaxy will expire on January 31, 1999. Warranty considerations will depend on aircraft serial numbers.

For more information, please contact Tim Klenke in Lincoln at 800.228.4277 or Pete Kilmartin in Battle Creek at 800.525.2376.

Changing Owners

During the month of August, 14 Astra/Westwinds changed owners.

Do You Have An MPI Due In 1999?

Duncan Aviation will give away coupons worth $4,000 at the NBAA this year to six operators who have a TFE 731 engine with an MPI coming due between now and the end of 1999. The coupons will be redeemable at either the Lincoln or Battle Creek locations. For MSP or JSSI customers, the coupon can be used for work performed in conjunction with an MPI. (One registration per event is allowed.)

To register for the drawing, stop by Duncan’s booth #7564 during the NBAA or call your Service Marketing Rep, Jon Dodson or Cecil Sloan at 1.800.228.4277. You do not need to be present at the NBAA to win.

SB 1125-34-164

SB 1125-34-164 affects 1125 models 004-082. The purpose of this SB is to prevent moisture accumulation in the static tube assemblies. It recommends that the pitot system modification procedures contained in SB 1125-34-013, paragraph 2D, be performed concurrently with SB 1125-34- 164. Aircraft not in compliance with SB 1125-34-013 will require installation of additional static tubes. Aircraft in compliance with SB 1125-34-013 will require certain tubes to be replaced. Compliance with SB 1125-34- 164 will be required for aircraft applying for RVSM approval.

For more information, please contact Tim Klenke in Lincoln at 800.228.4277 or Pete Kilmartin in Battle Creek at 800.525.2376.

Mesh Static Diversion Strips

Aircraft composite areas build up a positive static charge in flight (PStatic) because they do not conduct electricity. This often prevents the proper operation of some avionics.

Astra/Westwinds typically have solid aluminum strips on composite areas to disperse this charge into the main fuselage. It then travels through the aircraft to the trailing edges and out through the static wicks. This solid aluminum strip is covered by body filler in order to conceal the strips. The filler lessens the effectiveness of the strip and typically cracks. A new process is available to replace these strips. Composite areas are removed and sanded down to gel coat. New mesh strips are applied and covered with an anti-static primer, painted, then reinstalled. The mesh is thin enough to avoid using body filler and effective in dispersing the positive charge.

Composite areas on Astras include the radome, canopy, horizontal stabilizers & wing tips. Areas on Westwinds include the radome & tip tank tail cones.

For more information, please contact Steve Elofson in Lincoln at 800.228.4277.

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