I avoid politics on this channel, but this move from the SACAA (South African Civil Aviation Authority) is killing general aviation in South Africa. The pictured privately owned Cessna 210 was flown in for an MPI (mandatory periodic inspection), when it was unexpectedly grounded by the authorities.
The Continental IO-520 in this Cessna 210 is at about 850 hours. There is nothing wrong with the engine, but the plane has been grounded due to an arbitrary rule - the "12 year" rule - that makes it required (previously recommended) that that engine be overhauled, regardless of its condition, when it reaches 12 years of age. All in the name of "safety".
The owner of this privately operated C210 doesn't fly massive amounts of hours in a year, and so would have at least 15 more years to enjoy his plane (assuming its condition remains good at every MPI) before needing to overhaul the engine at 1,700 hours. Those years of enjoyment have been stolen from this owner.
The plane is based not far from the South African highveld, more than 250 nm from the closest coastline, hangared, and in that dry environment only about one 30+ minute flight per month is required to stave-off corrosion (more is better of course).
To overhaul the engine will cost well north of R1,000,000 in South Africa (equivalent to $56,000+ US). Statistically these engines are far more likely to fail soon after an overhaul, than when close to TBO years. Engine age means nothing, condition is the important factor. This engine as it stands is in known-good condition, very unlikely to have an unexpected failure without prior warning, unlike a newly overhauled engine.
The plane can't even be sold at anything close to its actual value as it can’t get a certificate of airworthiness without first having the engine overhauled.
This is but one story of one grounded plane. There are almost 2,000 other aircraft in SA currently grounded due to the change of this rule.
This change will have no positive impact on safety, but could actually have a negative safety impact. That’s not even mentioning the financial impact, not just to aircraft owners, but also AMO’s and its staff who will lose their jobs if this isn’t stopped soon.
Lets Go Aviate
I avoid politics on this channel, but this move from the SACAA (South African Civil Aviation Authority) is killing general aviation in South Africa. The pictured privately owned Cessna 210 was flown in for an MPI (mandatory periodic inspection), when it was unexpectedly grounded by the authorities.
The Continental IO-520 in this Cessna 210 is at about 850 hours. There is nothing wrong with the engine, but the plane has been grounded due to an arbitrary rule - the "12 year" rule - that makes it required (previously recommended) that that engine be overhauled, regardless of its condition, when it reaches 12 years of age. All in the name of "safety".
The owner of this privately operated C210 doesn't fly massive amounts of hours in a year, and so would have at least 15 more years to enjoy his plane (assuming its condition remains good at every MPI) before needing to overhaul the engine at 1,700 hours. Those years of enjoyment have been stolen from this owner.
The plane is based not far from the South African highveld, more than 250 nm from the closest coastline, hangared, and in that dry environment only about one 30+ minute flight per month is required to stave-off corrosion (more is better of course).
To overhaul the engine will cost well north of R1,000,000 in South Africa (equivalent to $56,000+ US). Statistically these engines are far more likely to fail soon after an overhaul, than when close to TBO years. Engine age means nothing, condition is the important factor. This engine as it stands is in known-good condition, very unlikely to have an unexpected failure without prior warning, unlike a newly overhauled engine.
The plane can't even be sold at anything close to its actual value as it can’t get a certificate of airworthiness without first having the engine overhauled.
This is but one story of one grounded plane. There are almost 2,000 other aircraft in SA currently grounded due to the change of this rule.
This change will have no positive impact on safety, but could actually have a negative safety impact. That’s not even mentioning the financial impact, not just to aircraft owners, but also AMO’s and its staff who will lose their jobs if this isn’t stopped soon.
5 months ago | [YT] | 82