Textron Aviation and the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States are preparing Supplemental Inspection Documents (SIDs) for Beechcraft aeroplanes.
SIDs generally require in-depth inspection of airframe components for the effects of ageing such as corrosion and fatigue cracking. The cost of inspection and any repairs can often equal or exceed the value of the airframe, leading to some aeroplanes being effectively scrapped.
SIDs are developed by the manufacturer and the National Aviation Authority (NAA) in the country of manufacture, but applied to aircraft by the NAA in the country each aircraft is registered, in Australia, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
"CASA understands SIDs are being developed for certain Beechcraft aircraft models," a CASA spokesperson told Australian Flying.
"CASA will consider the application of a Beechcraft SIDs program once the content of the program has been finalised and is available for review.
"CASA will assess the impact of the new program on the continuing airworthiness of the affected aircraft, along with any other relevant matters.
"No decisions or actions have yet been taken by CASA."
The SIDs program will affect owners and operators of BE33, BE35 and BE36 Bonanza/Debonairs, and the BE19, BE23 and BE24 Musketeer/SuperSport/Sundowner/Sierra range.
SIDs are also being prepared for Beechcraft twins like the BE55 and BE58 Baron, with the Travel Air and Duchess likely to be included also.
SIDs were recently applied to Cessna 100 and 200 series aircraft, causing significant cost to owners. As Textron Aviation now owns both Cessna and Beechcraft, it is likely the same team that developed the Cessna SIDs are working on the Beechcraft documents.
US Beechcraft expert Thomas P. Turner believes that the Beech SIDs will not have an impact to the extent of the Cessna SIDs.
"With the Cessna/Beechcraft merger, Textron Aviation engineers began laying the groundwork for creating SIDs for Beech aircraft as well," he wrote in the American Bonanza Society (ABS) magazine.
"With ABS as a major window into the true state of airplanes in the fleet, however, the engineers chose to do things a little differently this time. They want to learn what the ABS knows from decades of conducting Service Clinic inspections."
The ABS produces landing gear and flight control inspection guides, Turner says have impressed Textron Aviation engineers to the extent that the ABS information could be included in the SIDs.
There has been no indication from the USA when the SIDs are likely to be completed and presented to the FAA or CASA.