FAA Issues SAIB Regarding Aircraft Interior Disinfection
In early November, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) NM-20-27 regarding Aircraft Interior Disinfection. Although it was primarily focused to transport category airplanes, the SAIB states “the information and guidelines may also apply to other categories of aircraft.”
With increased frequency of use of disinfectant, due to COVID-19, on aircraft interiors as well as additional areas not previously disinfected, the SAIB focuses on potential near- and long-term implications for airworthiness.
“Although disinfection is not directly related to aircraft airworthiness, too frequent or improper application could result in negative impacts, which could include the following conditions:
- Corrosion
- Embrittlement
- Increased flammability
- Electrical short circuit
Depending on the system or part affected, any of these conditions could create either an immediate or latent airworthiness issue.”
The bulletin notes that the FAA recommends owners and operators follow the aircraft manufacturer’s disinfection guidelines, which the manufacturers have published on products and methods they have evaluated and found acceptable. Also, the SAIB provides “additional guidance and information regarding potential negative impacts that may develop.”
To review the entire bulletin, go to https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/SAIB/ which allows you to search for specific bulletins.
FAA and EC Expand Collaboration and Commitment to Improving Safety
The FAA reported that it and the European Commission (EC) demonstrated their continued commitment to collaboration and aviation safety improvement during the 14th meeting of the Bilateral Oversight Board.
The FAA and the EC signed four decisions to the U.S.-EU Safety Agreement. Two of the decisions adopted additional annexes to the original agreement for pilot licensing and flight simulators. The new annexes are new areas of collaboration between the FAA and EC. They reflect the completion of a multi-year effort to allow reciprocal acceptance of certain approvals in those areas and implement the expanded scope of the cooperative efforts agreed by the FAA and EC in December 2017.
The first decision establishes an annex that facilitates the conversion of FAA and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) private pilot certificates, airplane ratings and instrument ratings. Currently, up to 9,000 European residents hold FAA pilot certificates.
The second decision establishes an annex that allows the FAA and EU or Member State authorities to conduct recurrent evaluations on Flight Simulation Training Devices on each other’s behalf in the U.S. and in Europe.
These annexes reduce duplication and leverage FAA and EU resources, which allows both agencies to allocate resources to higher safety-risk areas. The streamlined procedures and reduced costs will benefit industry, government and the flying public.
The third decision allows technicians certificated by all EU aviation authorities to perform maintenance on civil aeronautical products. The final decision restores a reduction in the fees that EASA charges U.S. manufacturers for basic design changes on U.S. aerospace products.