Page 40 - Volume 10 Number 12

Compliance – Mandatory: An Airworthiness Directive has been requested on the matter covered by this Service Bulletin.
Civil Airplanes: Textron Aviation considers this to be a mandatory inspection/modification and it should be accomplished no later than the next Annual/Phase 1 In- spection, as applicable, after receipt of this Service Bulletin.
Military Airplanes: For compliance information on military airplanes affected by this Service Bulletin, contact the appropriate headquarters.
Reason: This Service Bulletin is being issued to provide safety information once more regarding usage of unauthorized or altered flight control (gust) locks on various Beech propeller airplanes. Recurring inspection information will be contained in the inspection program for the applicable airplane Maintenance Manual.
Numerous accidents and casualties over the years have resulted from the failure of a pilot to remove an unauthorized or altered flight control (gust) lock prior to attempted takeoff. A review of the records from these accidents, dating back to 1975, has revealed that many of the accidents involved use of a make-shift control (gust) lock that was not the one provided by Textron Aviation. In some cases, a common bolt or nail had been inserted through the hole provided in the control column for the flight control (gust) lock. Such a device does not meet the requirements for flight control (gust) locks as defined in 14 CFR 23.679, which states in part: “If there is a device to lock the control system on the ground or water, (a) There must be a means to (1) give unmistakable warning to the pilot when the lock is engaged...”
Warranty: None.
Labor: No warranty coverage will be allowed for the
inspection portion of this Service Bulletin. Estimated man-hours: 0.5 hours Suggested number of technicians: 1
The above is an estimate based on experienced, properly equipped technicians complying with this Service Bulletin.
Refer to ICAs at https://www.beechcraft.com/customer_ support/technical_publications/downloadable_data/ for Maintenance Manual Revisions.
From King Air Communiqué 2016-10:
Issued: October 2016
Utilization Inspection Program. The web address and email provided have changed as follows:
Web address: http://pubs.txtav.com Email address: tmdc@txtav.com
ATA 05 – High Utilization Inspection Program
Several operators with Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion® equipped King Airs have reported flickering or dimming of the AFD 3700 when the overhead dimming control is set to the full bright position. This is due to a failsafe function programed into the AFDs which sets the display to 50% brightness if it senses that the dimming control may have failed. The programmed value for this operation is very close to the specification of the dimming potentiometers. The potentiometers are rated for 1K ohms ± 10% and the programmed value to activate the function is set slightly over 1K ohms. A future update to the AFD software will increase the value for this function and prevent its premature activation. In the interim, Rockwell Collins has published the Operators Service
(HUIP) Contact Information Update
King Air Communiqué 2013-04 provided instructions and contact information on how to sign up for the high
38 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
DECEMBER 2016
ATA 30 – Prop Heat Operational Check
Procedure-Engines Not Running, Rev 1
King Air Communiqué 2016-08 provided instructions on how to check the propeller heat with the engines not running to prevent damage to the propeller de-ice boots. In the De-Ice Timer Check portion, a step was omitted. The wires to terminal block E21 should be disconnected before this check is done.
ATA 31 – King Air Fusion Adaptive Flight
Display (AFD) Nuisance Fan Inop Messages
There have been reports on airplanes equipped with Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion® avionics of PFD 1FAN INOP, MFD FAN INOP, and PFD 2 FAN INOP Advisory CAS messages during flights with high cabin altitude. The messages only appear when the cabin altitude is higher than would be seen during normal flight operations. When the airplane’s cabin reaches a higher than normal altitude, the air density is reduced and the fan speed can vary outside of the current expected range but are still fully functional. Analysis revealed that an overly conservative tolerance for the fan speed monitor was used and the messages are not indicative of an actual fan failure. These messages would not be seen during normal airplane operations, but could be present during testing of the pressurization and cabin altitude warning systems.
Rockwell Collins has made production changes to the fan monitor to compensate for this condition. An optional service bulletin for fielded AFDs has been released to incorporate the change into fielded displays. Please refer to Rockwell Collins Service Bulletin AFD-3700- 31-1 for serial applicability and warranty information (Editor’s Note: attached to this Communiqué on website referenced at end of article.)
ATA 31 – Pro Line Fusion Adaptive Flight
Display (AFD) 3700 Flickering