Winglets

[John.com]

Hi
Will this be a minor mod, or major mod. that seems to be the question?
Fly safe.
Gompou

Agreed, that things are up in the air a bit insofar as interpretation of 'minor' versus 'major' modification goes!

My laymans view would be that a 'Minor Modification' would be something added onto or removed from the aircraft that does not change anything structurally or aerodynamically, or has no influence over existing systems on the aircraft. Whereas a 'Major Modification' would be something that DOES change something structurally or aerodynamically, and/or which has an influence over existing systems on the aircraft.

Again, John's view in this case, although the winglet is a fairly small 'add-on', so to speak, I do believe that it has the propensity to change the aerodynamics of the aircraft and therefore should be considered a 'Major Modification'.

But hey, that's just my view . . . .

Let's keep things safe . . . "When in doubt, go major"!

BTW: I have just emailed Braam Hechter at CAA to get his view!

Cheers, John.com

[John.com]

Fellow Pilots!

Here is the official response from Braam Hechter at CAA:

Good Day John.

I would suggest you submit the 'Application for Modification' (form CA 43-14) to Mr Lobang Thabantso (thabantsol@caa.co.za) at the Certification/Engineering department. They will investigate your application and on the merit of the application make the decision on being a Minor or Major modification.

I trust this will help.

Greetings

Braam Hechter

The form CA 43-14 is available for download HERE: CA 43-14

[Jenya]

to All who have ordered the winglets:
Because of holidays took lots of days off, the manufacturer will give me first few sets of winglets next Friday only.
Sorry for delay!

[p3tr]

In this, since it's easier to get forgiveness than permission sometimes, and there seems to be some grey area in this, maybe one should decide this to be a minor mod internally, and if CAA is upset enough by that ever one could simply remove them and apologise... :D

By which point either a precedent could have been set that this is a minor mod, or their in flight serviceability could have been proven.

Maybe we are complicating this for ourselves this time..

[KlapperKnop]

How do we collectively apply for this modification to CAA?

[Jenya]

The first Aquilla with winglets in the country took off from Petit Airfield today!

aquilla winglets1.jpg (51.66 KiB) Viewed 2487 times

aquilla winglets2.jpg (55.96 KiB) Viewed 2487 times

[AWACS]

Eish Jenya......marketing your product is one thing BUT are you not compromising the pilot here if the issue is not resolved (or at least clear)....?

[Jenya]

Eish Jenya......marketing your product is one thing BUT are you not compromising the pilot here if the issue is not resolved (or at least clear)....?

Theunis, after winglets installation done by me, this aircraft has been checked and signed by Andy Kaspersen as AP, test flown by me as test pilot and the minor changes have been submitted into the aircraft logbook.
BTW, the aircarft flies absolutely beautiful.
The stability has been really improved.

[kloot piloot]

Theunis, after winglets installation done by me, this aircraft has been checked and signed by Andy Kaspersen as AP, test flown by me as test pilot and the minor changes have been submitted into the aircraft logbook.
BTW, the aircarft flies absolutely beautiful.
The stability has been really improved.

Great development !

[Martinvt]

[Blue Max]

[AWACS]

Thanks Jenya - Aha, now we are clear.
Only good reviews from all the pilots.....!

[John.com]

Here is the official response from Pierre Loubscher at RAASA, so it appears an application for a MAJOR modification to CAA is unavoidable:

Hello John.

Simply put, A major modification is any modification to a Class 1 component, or that will affect the aerodynamics or performance of an aircraft.
Class 1 meaning Airframe, Engine and Propeller. As the wing is a critical part of the airframe, it is a class 1 component.
Accordingly any modification to the wing and or control surfaces requires a modification approval.

As RAASA is not yet doing modification approvals, this application needs to be submitted to the SACAA airworthiness department.

In the case of a minor modification, an approved person, AME/AMO can install the or perform a minor modification and sign the appropriate entry in the aircraft logbook. Such modification simply requires a notification in writing together with a copy of the logbook entry to RAASA where the ATF has been issued by RAASA, or to the CAA if the ATF still rests with the CAA.

Part 44 does clarify the requirements, however the definition of a major and modification is not as clear.

I hope this answers your question.


Regards

Pierre Laubscher
Operations Manager
RAASA

Cell: 084 5012177
Tel: 011 827 9330
Fax: 086 605 9378
e-mail: pierre@raasa.co.za
www.raasa.co.za

[tka]

Eish Jenya......marketing your product is one thing BUT are you not compromising the pilot here if the issue is not resolved (or at least clear)....?

Theunis, after winglets installation done by me, this aircraft has been checked and signed by Andy Kaspersen as AP, test flown by me as test pilot and the minor changes have been submitted into the aircraft logbook.
BTW, the aircarft flies absolutely beautiful.
The stability has been really improved.

Hi,

This looks like a good idea. From what I have read there seems to be an improvement from no winglets to winglets fitted which shows that they are having an effect. But what would happen if one came off in flight - i.e. one wing more "effective" than the other? Have you done test flights with only one fitted?

Cheers
Trevor

[John.com]

Eish Jenya......marketing your product is one thing BUT are you not compromising the pilot here if the issue is not resolved (or at least clear)....?

Theunis, after winglets installation done by me, this aircraft has been checked and signed by Andy Kaspersen as AP, test flown by me as test pilot and the minor changes have been submitted into the aircraft logbook.
BTW, the aircarft flies absolutely beautiful.
The stability has been really improved.

Hi,

This looks like a good idea. From what I have read there seems to be an improvement from no winglets to winglets fitted which shows that they are having an effect. But what would happen if one came off in flight - i.e. one wing more "effective" than the other? Have you done test flights with only one fitted?

Cheers
Trevor

My opinion (only) is that losing one would create an imbalance in the aerodynamics, but the aircraft would be controllable.

This should possibly be tested for.

Regards,

John