Falcon Winter 2002

• Falcon Relief Valves P/N A24518001 Inspection Update
• Falcon Windshields
• Warning: Garmin GNS-430/530 Incompatibility With Older Jet Aircraft Flight Management Systems
• Falcon 900 Brake Assemblies P/N C20181100-7

Falcon Relief Valves P/N A24518001 Inspection Update

— Vince Cruickshank

The original Falcon chapter 5 requirements for this valve were for a 1,200 hour inspection. This has now been changed to a 600 hour inspection. However, this requirement can be removed by installing an improved housing.

The new housing is referred to in amendment “A” and is designated as P/N 7339-20. This improved housing removes the repetitive inspection requirements, and should reduce downtime. These housings have been in short supply so prior scheduling will help ensure that your accessory service provider will have stock on hand.

Falcon Windshields

— Ron Grose

During the inspection of all model Falcon windshields, Duncan Aviation technicians have noticed a few windshields which have a “golden brown” color band beginning to form around the edge of the windshield. The “defect acceptance criteria ” in the maintenance manual does not mention this particular phenomena. The windshield manufacturer (Sully) considers this phenomena as delamination. Operators should treat it using the “delamination ” criteria in the maintenance manual to determine if this defect is within allowable limits.

Warning: Garmin GNS-430/530 Incompatibility With Older Jet Aircraft Flight Management Systems

— Curt Campbell

Duncan Aviation technicians have discovered that an incompatibility issue exists between Garmin GNS-430/530 units and most Collins and Honeywell Flight Control Systems (FMS). In most cases, when GNS-430/530 units are coupled to a Collins or Honeywell FMS, the system will remain in NAV ARM and will not capture. This problem appears to be caused by the method in which the Garmin units provide navigation information to the FMS.

Operators should be reminded that these Garmin units were designed for the light twin and turboprop market. Recently, Duncan Aviation has fielded numerous calls from operators who have installed the GNS- 430/530 in older jet-powered aircraft and who are now experiencing these incompatibility problems.

Duncan Aviation recommends that only systems which are compatible with your current FMS should be installed in older jetpowered aircraft. Duncan Aviation is currently unaware of a solution for this incompatibility issue, although Garmin has been informed of its existence.

Falcon 900 Brake Assemblies P/N C20181100-7

— Jerry Cable

You can increase the wear potential of these brake assemblies by installing a carbon disk spacer. There are a few requirements to be met first:

1. The unit must be a C20181100- 7 or higher index to be eligible.
2. The thickness of the entire “heat pack” assembly must measure less than 4.45”. The maximum “heat pack” dimension is extremely critical. If this dimension is even .01” larger, the brake will drag. If these requirements are met then the shim may be installed.

This operation requires the brake to be disassembled and requires only minimal extra cost and time to reseal the brake during this operation. This is an advisable option.

If the brake is not resealed at the time of shim installation, extreme care must be taken to remove contaminants from the piston assemblies before reinstallation of the wear compensation devices. Failure to do so will cause the brake to leak when the contaminants enter the piston cavities after reassembly.

This task is accomplished in accordance with Falcon 900 work card 32-437.

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