US-related maintenance subjects
The S10 Maintenance Manual
- During the Reno meeting I committed to start a review of the S10 Maintenance Manual.
- My goal was to shift a number of maintenance requirements from “mandatory” to “on condition.”
- This has effectively been done with constructive input from the relevant agencies in the US and Europe
- The S10-VT manual is now in final review stage at the FAA, and we await formal approval
- Revising the S10 and S10-V manuals will come at a second stage, i.e. once the FAA has approved the S10-VT revisions.
- I have to add that the FAA staff has rapidly responded with helpful comments along the way. Their officials are fully cooperating. I am confident that the FAA professionals will continue to handle diligently this important task. S10 propeller overhaul in the US.
- The March 6th Stemme Newsletter reported that Stemme AG is in the process of becoming an FAA Part 145 repair station.
- The process of certifying a second facility in the US is under way.
- Obtaining repair station approval obviously takes time.
- Procedures and documentation need to be established, audited, and approved; however, the process is efficiently under way both in Germany and in the US.
- Meanwhile Stemme AG, as the original manufacturer of the S10 propellers, is authorised to re-build propeller assemblies. Spare parts stock in the US.
- I decided to defer this major undertaking. These are the reasons why:
- Because the S6 and S10 are certified aircraft, spare parts logistics is subject to regulations that entail specific procedures and administrative duties.
- Setting up and managing a US based spare-part stock and distribution network will impose substantial costs and capital needs on Stemme.