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 GANGWAYS. Floats are usually connected to the shore or pier by a gangway. The length of the gangway depends on the maximum water level variation. Gangways should not be less than 15 feet (4.5 m) long, the normal being 40 to 50 feet (12 to 15 m). The width should be at least 5 feet (1.5 m). Floating gangways 5 feet (1.5 m) or less wide should have longitudinal outriggers spaced every 8 to 10 feet (2.5 to 3 m) to prevent excessive rolling of the gangway. Widths of 6 to 8 feet (2 to 2.5 m) enable baggage carts or other freight equipment to be used. Handrails, preferably on both sides, should be provided. A slope of 2.75:1 or less permits easy walking and reduces the danger of the railings becoming an obstruction to wings. If the facility is to adequately serve the public, requirements contained in the  Disabilities act accessibility guidelines should be satisfied.  BARGES. A barge anchored offshore makes an excellent seaplane service facility. An office, lounge, or shop is normal

   Repair . A design change to an aeronautical product intended to restore it to an airworthy condition and to ensure that the aircraft continues to comply with the design aspects of the airworthiness requirements used for the issuance of a Type Certificate for that aircraft type after it has been damaged or subjected to wear.  Major repair . Any repair of an aeronautical product that might appreciably affect the structural strength, performance, powerplant, operation flight characteristics or other qualities affecting airworthiness or environmental characteristics, or that will be embodied in the product using non-standard practices.  Minor repair. A repair other than a major repair.                     Repairs covered in the Structural Repair Manual (SRM) may be carried out by  Approved Maintenance Organisation as per data available in SRM without any  prior approval from the DGCA.  Repairs beyond SRM shall be carried out only after obtaining prior approval  from the DGCA

Modifications covered in ADs, DGCA Man  Mod and SB do not require DGCA approval.  For modifications  apply to RAO along with evidences and data relating to the intended modifications and its effect on the airworthiness of aircraft       Modification design data and documents prepared by the aircraft, component or  equipment manufacturer and approved by State of Design are acceptable for use in modification of aircraft, components or equipment. This data shall be certified by Authorized Representatives (AR)/ Designated Engineering representatives (DER) of the State of Design of the aircraft.      The person responsible for the modification design shall state any particular  requirements to be observed when the modification is completed and before an  aircraft, component or equipment is released for service. The following aspects  shall be considered:         (a) Whether tests or inspections during the progress or after the completion of the modification are necessary to ensure it com

  SAFETY NOTICE Number: SN–2013/002  24 January 2013        CAA issued this Safety Notice is to re-emphasise to pilots the need to fully complete   pre-flight checks, and specifically to ensure that the aircraft is free from tie-down constraints  before being manoeuvred.            Recent reports submitted through the Mandatory Occurrence Reporting Scheme concern  aircraft being taxied, and in one case taking off, with tie-down restraints still attached. In all  cases these involved rope attachments to bulky objects such as weighted tyres and concrete  blocks. All of the aircraft involved were light single-engine piston, low-wing types where the  wing tie-down attachment points were hidden from the cockpit. In addition to the hazard to  normal controlled flight, some of the reports featured damage to the wing-flaps and superficial  damage to the runway surface. It seems to have been almost impossible to detect from the  control responses and power settings required to taxi that t

            Floating docks offer great flexibility. These units ride the waves and work satisfactorily in areas of negligible to significant water level variation. Floating docks are commonly referred to as "floats," not to be confused with aircraft floats. Design Concepts. A small float, 10 by 15 feet (3 by 4.5 m), designed to support loads up to 2,500 pounds (1 134 kg), will handle a single plane. Larger floats intended for mooring two or more aircraft should be designed to support gross loads up to 5,000 pounds (2 268 kg). Floats as narrow as 7 feet (2 m) can be used where a long, floating dock parallelsthe shore. Floats are usually constructed from locally available materials.   Dimensions. Float dimensions are determined by the number of aircraft simultaneously using or projected to use the float. The design aircraf length plus 20 feet (6 m) clearance both fore and aft is recommended where aircraft are to be docked or moored alongside the float. A float should be

                     FAA Correction to AD on Turbocharger turbine wheel on Continental and Lycoming Engines  The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) 2012-24-09 that published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to Lycoming Engines TSIO-540-AK1A, and Continental Motors, Inc. TSIO-360-MB, TSIO-360-SB, and TSIO-360-RB reciprocating engines, with certain Hartzell Engine Technologies (HET) turbochargers, model TA0411, part number 466642-0001; 466642-0002; 466642-0006; 466642-9001; 466642-9002; or 466642-9006, or with certain HET model TA0411 turbochargers overhauled or repaired since August 29, 2012. The Summary paragraph and the Applicability paragraph list an incorrect engine model for Lycoming Engines. This document corrects those errors. In all other respects, the original document remains the same. DATES: This final rule is effective January 14, 2013. The effective date for AD 2012-24-09 (77 FR 72203, December 5, 2012) remains December 20, 2012. Qualty,Safety a

                       Location . A minimum of 100 feet (30 m) of unobstructed water or a turning basin should be available in the direction from which approaches are normally made to the floating dock. Docks should be located so that aircraft have access to both sides. Aircraft are usually tied on the inshore side of the dock during inclement weather, in order to use the dock as a  breakwater.                       Clearance . The recommended minimum clearance between the center line of a taxi route and the near faces of piers, floats, ramps, or marine railway is 60 feet (18 m). Waterborne aircraft can safely taxi past obstructions as close to the centerline of the taxi route as one-half their wingspan plus 15 feet (5 m); however, this factor should be increased at locations having strong currents and windy conditions. An unobstructed dock surface area 21 feet (6.5 m) wide will provide for wing clearance over the dock and permit most floatplanes or small amphibians to come alon

                  Ramps vary widely in size, shape, and construction materials, e.g. from rough logs only slightly  wider than the aircraft floats to wide inclines covered with heavy-duty steel and/or concrete structures. The simplest ramp consists of a wood plank platform  approximately 15 by 20 feet (5 m by 6 m) laid on a sloping shore, with half of its length in the water thereby permitting a small float plane to taxi up and out of the  water.                                                                                          a. Location. A minimum of 100 feet (30 m)  of unobstructed water should be available directly offshore from the ramp, in the direction from which  approaches are normally made. b. Design Concept. Ramps are of fixed or hinged type construction. Fixed ramps are usually weighted down or attached to a fixed in-water footing at the toe, and secured to a stable on-shore structure such as a seawall at the other end. Hinged ramps are allowed to rise an

                                        INTRODUCTION.                  Shoreline Facilities. Shoreline installations  provide two general functions:     (1) enable servicing, loading and  unloading, and mooring without removing the aircraft from the water, and     (2) provide haul-out facilities for  removing seaplanes from the water for fresh water wash downs and maintenance.                  Characteristics . Installations vary  according to need. They range from simple wood-plank ramps or slipways, to docks and piers, to elaborate ramps  and marine railways.

DEMAND AND USE FACTORS a. Demand . Aeronautical demand is the  number of seaplanes and/or seaplane operations a  community has and an estimate of how many it will have  in the future. b. Use . Factors in addition to typical aviation  activity which may justify a seaplane base are:              (1) geographical isolation;              (2) lack of land airports;              (3) special flight activities; and              (4) recreational access.  c. Potential . When urban populations abut  suitable water operating areas, potential exists for a  community seaplane base. The community need and  proximity to the suitable water operating area influence  the size of a seaplane base. Resident pilot operations  plus fixed base operator activities will constitute the  primary use. Fixed base operators may use seaplanes to p rovided charter, student training, aerial photography,  and air cargo services. In emergencies, seaplanes can  evacuate people and deliver food and medical supplies. T