Astra / Westwind Summer 2005

• Westwind Engine Inlet Inspection
• Astra/Westwind Check Valves
• ProPilot PRASE Survey Results
• Want Graphical Weather?
• Enhanced Surveillance Mandate

Westwind Engine Inlet Inspection

- Tim Garity

Duncan Aviation technicians have noted that an inspection item on the Westwind Engine Inlets is routinely missed. Per Chapter 5-20-07, page 201, item 1, A, inlets are to be inspected every 200 hours, inspection reference 54-00-00, Inspection/Check. Reference, 54-00-00, page 601, details the inspection criteria of the various inlet P/Ns. For P/N F10A--5- B20201 only, a borescope inspection of the midframes through the vent holes and lightening holes is required, per 54-00-00, page 601, item 1, D, (1). Inspection areas are shown in figure 203 and crack limitations and dispositions are given in Table 201B.

Astra/Westwind Check Valves

- Tim Garity

Duncan Aviation technicians recently found defective pressurization check valves in two Astra aircraft (Westwind uses the same style valve). These are valves in the aft pressure bulkhead area (under the lavatory floor) that keep the air from leaking out of the cabin if air sources are lost.

We found the bad valve while pressurizing the aircraft to leak check the cabin door. Upon removing the valve, we found the spring that holds the valve closed was broken. The spring is not available, so we ordered a valve and found it was not available. To complete an aircraft delivery, a valve was borrowed from another Astra, but it also had a broken spring. Since there is more than one valve in the aircraft, we were able to find a good valve and install it.

We never were able to get a replacement valve from Gulfstream, however, we found a serviceable Westwind valve at Worthington Aviation which was approved as a suitable replacement. Two aircraft with bad valves in one day leads us to believe that this may be a problem on many aircraft. Inspection guides do not call for inspection of these valves, and you won’t know it’s bad until you need it. Our advice is to check the valves the next time you’re in the area.

ProPilot PRASE Survey Results

- Aaron Hilkemann

Duncan Aviation again placed high in Professional Pilot magazine’s annual PRASE readership survey. Conducted annually, Duncan Aviation has received top ratings for decades.

Here are the 2005 results:

• Best Avionics
  • Duncan Aviation-Lincoln — #1
  • Duncan Aviation-Battle Creek — #2
  • Duncan Aviation Teterboro — #4
• Best Maintenance
  • Duncan Aviation-Lincoln — #1
  • Duncan Aviation-Battle Creek — #6
• Best FBO (Line Service)
  • Duncan Aviation-Lincoln — #32

Thank you for recognizing our team members for their hard work!

Want Graphical Weather?

- Dennis DeCook

If you have a Universal MFD-640, you can now get WSI or XM Graphical Weather. Contact Dennis DeCook for more information, 800.525.2376.

Enhanced Surveillance Mandate

- Dave Pleskac

Enhanced Surveillance (EHS) is now mandatory for all IFR flights within the airspace of Germany and Great Britain, and will be mandatory in France March 31, 2006.

However, EUROCONTROL has established a transition period until March 31, 2007. Operators who do not currently have Enhanced Mode S Surveillance must apply for an exemption. For more information about this installation, please contact Ron Hall at 800.228.4277.

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