29 March 2008

INTRODUCTION OF THE CONTINUING AIRWORTHINESS SERVICE

It is hard to believe that de Havilland Support Ltd is embarking on its eighth year of trading, having begun operations here at Duxford in April 2001.  Throughout the seven successful years we have so far enjoyed, we have managed to meet the demands of our annual budget and financial plan.  As time goes by and as we try to do more, those demands increase and we need to make sure that the way we go about business is the most appropriate to sustain our service in the long term.

Over the past winter we have given much thought to the future of the business and we have decided that the support we offer to subscribers might more properly be termed a Continuing Airworthiness Service, which we will term the CAS.  The service we provide subscribers is much broader than just a subscription to amended Service Bulletins.  We answer queries, provide drawings and publications and undertake modifications etc when required.  These services are aimed at sustaining the continuing airworthiness of our aircraft, which in turn sustains the value of the owners’ investment.

Under these circumstances, it is wholly inappropriate to offer just Technical News Sheet or Service Bulletin amendments to subscribers, so we have decided that the new CAS will provide not just this service, but also a discount on the supply of publications, drawings and spare parts.  In the case of spare parts, with the imminent grant of our Part 145 component repair and overhaul approval, we hope to be able to offer an expanding range of parts and the discount on these alone could allow the inevitably increased cost of the new service to be recouped very quickly indeed.  So, despite the cost going up, we sincerely hope that the discounts available will encourage existing subscribers will stay with us and that the non-believers will take the trouble to join.

We should also point out that CAS subscribers will also receive precedence in our responses to query answers, although by giving precedence it does not mean that answers will necessarily be instantaneous.  As many readers already know, we try to answer all enquiries as quickly as possible, but in future, with greater demands on our time, it will be CAS subscribers that get the first shout.

Obviously, we need a transition phase and we will start the change-over to the new system on 1st April 2008; all subscribers will be on the new system by March 2009.  Over this period, existing subscribers will continue to receive all new issues of Technical News Sheets or Service Bulletins etc until the end of their current subscription period but will not be eligible for the discounts until they have transferred to the new service (ie, paid the higher fee!).  There may perhaps be cases where existing subscribers planning to purchase a number of spare parts might even find it to their advantage to chop early to the new system.

As for non-subscribers, all our services remain available to them.  However, non-subscribers will not be eligible for any of the discounts, nor will they have any precedence on the query answer service.  We are sorry that we have to introduce such a hard-nosed system, but unless everyone helps keep the ship afloat then it will become increasingly difficult to provide the level of service people are seeking.  Full details of the costs of the new CAS and the benefits of membership are explained below.

Benefits of being a CAS Subscriber

In return for subscribing to the CAS, a customer will receive the following benefits:

 General Services:

 All TNS or SB amendments as appropriate - free of charge (FOC).
 The de Havilland Gazette or The Beagle Bulletin - FOC.
 Publications – 10% discount.
 Drawings – 10% discount.
 Spare parts – 10% discount.

 Query Answer Service:  DHSL will respond as soon as reasonably practicable to such enquiries and work for CAS subscribers will have precedence over that for non-subscribers.  DHSL reserves the right to charge manhours etc in the event of a complex enquiry which cannot be resolved by a short phone call or e-mail (customers to be warned if this seems likely).

 Other Work:  Bespoke work carried out for CAS subscribers, such as modification submissions, repair design, consultancy etc, will be charged at normal hourly rates without discount.

Services to Non-Subscribers

The full range of DHSL services remains open to CAS non-subscribers, with the following caveats:

General Services:   No discounts are available on any of the advertised prices.  Non-subscribers may also purchase SB etc but amendments must be purchased individually as and when available (the publication of a new amendment will be advertised on the DHSL website).

 Query Answer Service:  DHSL will respond as soon as reasonably practicable to such enquiries but work for CAS subscribers will be given precedence over that for non-subscribers.  As is the case for subscribers, DHSL reserves the right to charge manhours etc in the event of a complex enquiry which cannot be resolved by a short phone call or e-mail (customers to be warned if this seems likely).

 Other Work:  Bespoke work carried out for CAS non-subscribers, such as modification submissions, repair design, consultancy etc, will be charged at normal hourly rates.

Costs

The cost of subscribing to the CAS will be as follows:

1. Single-engine types (eg, Tiger Moth, Chipmunk, Bulldog):

 UK/EU - £45.00 (incl VAT) – (£38.30 + £6.70 VAT)
 ROW  - £45.00

2. Multi-engine types:

 a. Dragon/Dragon Rapide/Dragonfly:

 UK/European Union - £75.00 plus VAT (total £88.13)
 Rest of World  - £75.00

 b. Dove/Heron:

 UK/European Union - £100.00 plus VAT (total £117.50)
 Rest of World  - £100.00

3. Special Types:

 a. Beagle Pup/Thruxton Jackaroo:

 UK/European Union - £25.00 (incl VAT) – (£21.28 + £3.72 VAT)
 Rest of World  - £25.00

Transitional Arrangements

The CAS scheme will be implemented with effect from 1st April 2008.  All existing subscribers should be transferred to the new system by 31st March 2009, which will take place when their current subscription expires.  Over this one-year period, current TNS and SB subscribers will continue to receive (FOC) new issues of TNS and SB and The de Havilland Gazette or The Beagle Bulletin as would have been the case under the old scheme.  However, they do not enjoy the 10% discount on publications, drawings or spares until they have made the transition (ie, paid the higher subscription) to the CAS.

5 March 2008

BULLDOG AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE - UPDATE

Further to our news item on 27th February 2008 concerning the Bulldog Airworthiness Directive (AD), for some reason the CAA chose not to publish it in the amendment to CAP 747 dated 29th February.  One can only assume that it will now be published in the 31st March amendment to CAP 747.  Publication on this date will leave only three and a half months for compliance with the requirements of Service Bulletin (SB) BDG/100/172.

The AD, number G-2008-0004, can be found on the CAA website at the following location:

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/1443/UK%20AD%20G-2008-0004.pdf

Bulldog owners, operators and maintenance organisations are advised that the AD requires compliance with SB BDG/100/172 not later than 16th July 2008.  We know of two aircraft which have had the SB carried out and on one of those aircraft, one leg failed the NDT inspection.
 

27 February 2008:

BULLDOG AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

Bulldog owners, operators and maintenance organisations in the UK are advised that on 20th February 2008 the UK CAA issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) No G-2008-0004.  This AD is applicable to all Bulldog aircraft which have flown in excess of 5000 hrs and it requires compliance with Service Bulletin (SB) BDG/100/172.  The AD is already available on the CAA website will be published in CAP 747 at the end of February 2008.

SB BDG/100/172 requires NDT inspection of the main undercarriage legs to look for possible cracking at two locations.  The AD requires that this first inspection be carried out not later than 16th July 2008.  Details of all inspections, especially details of any failures which might be discovered, must be notified to de Havilland Support Ltd so that we might monitor the scope of the problem.

For aircraft operated outside the UK, compliance with the AD must be carried out in accordance with any requirement of the National Aviation Authority.
 

6 July 2007:

EASA AND THE PUP – FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH

Following EASA’s decision in March 2007 to designate the Beagle Pup series as an EASA aircraft type, de Havilland Support Ltd has sought agreement from EASA and the UK CAA to allow the type to remain within Annex II, and therefore under the Company’s design approval issued under the terms of British Civil Airworthiness Requirements (BCAR).  These representations have been unsuccessful and we have received strikingly similar letters from EASA and the UK CAA, both of which say the following:

“In February of this year the EASA Rulemaking Director, Claude Probst, presented a Paper entitled "EASA/NAA Co-operation on Orphan and Annex II Aircraft" to the EASA/NAA Partnership Meeting; (these are senior manager/director level meetings between the national authorities and the Agency).  The Paper included the following text concerning the interpretation and application of Annex II of the EASA Regulation:
 

"The conditions to be met by an aircraft to be excluded from the scope of Community competence are specified in Annex II of the Basic Regulation.

Whether an aircraft meets or not such conditions cannot be an arbitrary decision; the mere fact for example that an aircraft becomes an orphan is not a sufficient reason to decide that it meets the criteria of the Annex.  Doing otherwise exposes the Agency, the NAA and the owners/operators to find themselves in an illegal situation that could be used in courts to transfer liability to any of them.  If an aircraft is declared by the EU Court, on request of a national judge, as an Annex II aircraft, any certificate issued by EASA would be null and void, including the individual certificates issued by Member States on such a basis.  In the same way, if an aircraft is not actually meeting the criteria of Annex II, it cannot be regulated by Member States.  Any certificate they would have issued without an EASA design approval would be null and void".

It is for these reasons that the CAA-UK has agreed to EASA's view that the Beagle B121 series is an EASA type; it is not a betrayal by CAA-UK of a British heritage aircraft, but an acceptance of a responsible and legally tenable position with regard to the Regulations.  Specific Airworthiness Specification EASA.SAS.A.082 has been finalised.  This document is essentially the old CAA-UK BAl TCDS plus Airworthiness Directives and instructions for occurrence reporting.  It will be posted on the EASA website in the near future, along with other SASs, when the website has been modified to cater for them.”

With the publication of EASA SAS A.082, EASA has acknowledged that the Pup no longer enjoys its former level of continued airworthiness oversight and has therefore become an ‘orphan’ aircraft.  No new limitations have been included in the SAS so it seems that there should be no constraint on the future use of the aircraft, which from now on will be issued with an EASA Restricted Certificate of Airworthiness.  As EASA Part M maintenance requirements are fully implemented, Pup owners and maintenance organisations will be required to comply with these new regulations.  Note that Part M is presently subject to considerable change and it is not yet possible to say what the final shape of these requirements will be.

Similarly, it is not yet clear what future level of support for the Pup can be provided by de Havilland Support Ltd.  We continue discussions with the UK CAA and our product liability insurance underwriters and will make further announcements when these are concluded.
 

1 July 2007:

EASA AND THE BEAGLE PUP

Despite our representations, and support for our position from the UK CAA, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has decided that the Beagle B.121 Pup series must be classified as an EASA aircraft.  The UK CAA has immediately implemented the change by amending CAP 747 and already a number of Pups have been issued with EASA Standard Category Certificates of Airworthiness.

As a result of this decision, the Pup’s Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS), number BA1, has been suspended.  We at de Havilland Support Ltd do not hold an EASA Part 21, Subpart J, design approval and we cannot therefore hold an EASA Type Certificate for the Pup.  In future, the basis of certification of the Pup will be EASA Specific Airworthiness Specification A.082, known as EASA.SAS.A.082.

This document has been prepared jointly by EASA and the UK CAA with circulation to us; it includes data taken from the now defunct UK TCDS BA1, as well as the list of current Airworthiness Directives taken from CAP 476 and CAP 747.  Once it has been approved and the necessary software changes made, EASA.SAS.A.082 will appear on the EASA website.

Thus, as of 31st May 2007, de Havilland Support Ltd’s ability to directly support the Pup has been curtailed.  We will continue to do what we can to assist owners, within any constraints placed on us by our product liability insurers.  We continue to press the CAA to file a UK Alternative Means of Compliance (AMC) with EASA.  Such an AMC would keep the Pup an Annex II aircraft, which we understand is what the DGAC in France has done with a number of aircraft types of French design origin.  We remain convinced that the best interests of safety are served by the Pup remaining an Annex II aircraft.

Outline details of any changes to this situation will be reported on this website whilst comprehensive information will be published to subscribers to our Service Bulletin amendment service by way of our informal newsletter, The Beagle Bulletin.

July 2006

de Havilland Support Ltd is delighted to announce the appointment of John Tempest as its new Deputy Chief Engineer.  Formerly filling a similar appointment with the Popular Flying Association, John has been with the Company since March 2006 and has been working hard getting to know the aircraft and responding to the CAA on a number of important airworthiness issues.  John brings with him a wealth of experience in aircraft design and he will be a key element in meeting the much more stringent demands now being placed by the CAA on all approved organisations.  Further details of John’s career and experience can be found under the DHSL Company Profile.

In parallel with the announcement of John Tempest’s appointment, the Company has the sorry duty to announce the retirement of its renowned Pup and Bulldog expert, Ray Clegg.  During 2005 Ray sadly suffered a brain haemorrhage, the effects of which have left him seriously ill.  Ray is being cared for in a specialist rehabilitation unit but he will be unable to return to duty with de Havilland Support Ltd.  Throughout the three years he worked for the Company Ray made an immense contribution to the future support of both the Pup and the Bulldog types; he will be sadly missed.

15 September 2005

TNS CT(89) No 37 was issued to require inspection of ‘stainless steel’ streamline wires on DH 84, 89 and 90 aircraft.  The UK CAA has issued Proposed Airworthiness Directive No 1811, which is available for comment until 19th October 2005.

Depending upon any comments received, the UK CAA will issue an Airworthiness Directive to take effect on 31st October 2005.  The AD will require ‘stainless steel’ streamline wires on the subject aircraft to be checked in accordance with the TNS not later than 31st December 2005.

1 August 2005

TNS CT(Moth) No 40 was issued to require inspection of ‘stainless steel’ streamline wires on DH 60, 82, 82A, 83, 85, 87A and 87B aircraft.  The UK CAA has subsequently issued Airworthiness Directive G-2005-0025 which mandates the inspection requirements of this new TNS.  The AD requires ‘stainless steel’ streamline wires on the subject aircraft to be checked in accordance with the TNS not later than 31st December 2005.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  With effect from 30th September 2005, the UK CAA has prohibited aerobatics and intentional spinning (where permitted) until the inspections and where required replacement of streamline wires in accordance with TNS CT(Moth) No 40 has been carried out.

August 2005

Article in General Aviation Magazine

The August 2005 edition of General Aviation magazine, the journal of the
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) carried an article by DHSL's
CEO, Bill Taylor, on the outcome of EASA’s consideration of the Regulatory Impact Assessment carried out on the proposed new aircraft maintenance regulations, known as Part M.  de Havilland Support Ltd is a Corporate Member of AOPA.

28 JANUARY 2005

Article in Pilot Magazine
A feature article on de Havilland Support Ltd and its activities appears in
the February 2005 edition of Pilot magazine.  The article was written by
Pilot staff member Ian Davies.

Article in General Aviation Magazine
The February 2005 edition of General Aviation magazine, the journal of the
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) carries an article by DHSL's
CEO, Bill Taylor, on the implications of the Regulatory Impact Assessment
being carried out following acceptance of the European Aviation Safety
Agency's aircraft maintenance regulations, known as Part M.  de Havilland
Support Ltd is a Corporate Member of AOPA.

17 AUGUST 2004

Appointment of New Support Engineer
de Havilland Support Ltd is pleased to announce the appointment of Dave Puleston as its new Support Engineer.  Dave is an experienced pilot and light aircraft engineer and a short biography can be found under Company Profile (on the Home Page).
 

Wider Availability of Chipmunk Spares
The range of new manufacture Chipmunk spares available from de Havilland Support Ltd has been increased with the arrival of tailplane attachment brackets.  Full details of all Chipmunk spares available from de Havilland Support Ltd can be found for each Chipmunk model listed under Represented Aircraft Types (on the Home Page).
 

October 2003: Stop Press 1 for Chipmunk Owners

Just arrived are our stocks of newly-manufactured Chipmunk parts, including fuselage steel tie-bars, rudder torque tube extensions and ground steel pins for the elevator torque tubes.  Those who have placed advance orders will be advised direct.  Production of new tailplane attachment brackets has been delayed because we have been forced by the UK CAA to take major modification action to gain approval for the substitution of a modern material.  Supplies of all these items are limited so prospective customers should contact de Havilland Support Ltd as soon as possible.

October 2003: Stop Press 2 for Chipmunk Owners

To install the new steel tie bar in your Chipmunk you will require qty 10 special bolts, part no RC1-FS-192ND.  Stocks of these bolts have also arrived and they are available at a cost of UK£10.00 each.  This price includes the appropriate plain nuts and washers.  If supplied together with a tie-bar, the bolt sets are shipped free of charge.  Orders should be placed with de Havilland Support Ltd.

June, 2003: Announcement

CHIPMUNK SPARES
NEW MANUFACTURE
Due to worldwide demand, de Havilland Support Ltd has initiated new manufacture of the Chipmunk components listed below. All Parts will be supplied with JAA Form One Certification.  The forecast  delivery dates vary between June and September 2003.  The production run is small and parts will be allocated on a first come/first served basis.  It is therefore essential that potential customers express their interest NOW.  Invoices will not be issued until parts are available.
Carriage will be charged at cost.   VAT is payable by EU customers.
 

Part Number	Item	Cost (each)
DHS1293-06-165	Ground Steel Pin (Required for Mod H.269 - qty 2 per a/c)	£12
C1-TR-159	Rudder Torque Tube Extension Piece (Required for Mod H.225 - qty 1 per a/c)	£325
C1-TP-313	Tailplane Attachment Bracket (Required for Mod H.357 - qty 2 per a/c)	£175
RD-C1-FS-107	Fuselage Tie Bar (Steel) (Required for Mod H.288 - qty 1 per a/c)	£750

16 September 2002: News Release

Imperial War Museum, Duxford, UK
BAE SYSTEMS COMPLETES TRANSFER OF TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITY
FOR ALL BULLDOG AIRCRAFT TO DHSL
BAE SYSTEMS has completed the transfer of technical responsibility for all Scottish Aviation Bulldog aircraft from BAE SYSTEMS Regional Aircraft at Prestwick to de Havilland Support Ltd (DHSL) based at Duxford in Cambridgeshire.

During a brief ceremony at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, the UK Civil Aviation Authority Type Certificate for the Bulldog was handed over by Nick Sibley, Engineering Director of BAE SYSTEMS Regional Aircraft to Bill Taylor, Chief Executive of de Havilland Support Limited. A small static display of aircraft now the technical responsibility of DHSL featured a Tiger Moth, Hornet Moth, Chipmunk, Beagle Pup and three Bulldogs. The Tiger Moth, Chipmunk and Bulldog represent 70 years of RAF pilot training aircraft.

DHSL was formed in 2001, with assistance from BAE SYSTEMS, to support historic de Havilland aircraft. This venture has proved successful to date with customers of these types enjoying a dedicated service consistent with the needs of the aircraft. In December 2001, BAE SYSTEMS announced the transfer of responsibility for the Beagle Pup to DHSL, and this was followed in May 2002 by the decision to transfer the UK-registered Bulldog fleet.

A total of 328 Bulldogs of all marks were built and delivered to operators around the world between 1971 and 1982.

About BAE SYSTEMS:

BAE SYSTEMS is a systems company, innovating for a safer world. BAE SYSTEMS employs nearly 100,000 people including Joint Ventures, and has annual sales of around a313 billion. The company offers a global capability in air, sea, land and space with a world-class prime contracting ability supported by a range of key skills. BAE SYSTEMS designs, manufactures and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, space systems, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, guided weapon systems and a range of other defence products. BAE SYSTEMS is dedicated to making the intelligent connections needed to deliver innovative solutions.
 

2 August 2002: Tiger Moth Harnesses
The index of modifications for Tiger Moth series aircraft has been amended for Modifications no´s 158 "Introduction of Schroth Safety Harness" and 160 "Introduction of Alternative "Sutton" Harness.

The above two modifications are now CAA-approved and available for use.  Contact details for the parts and Modification Leaflets are as follows:-

Mod 158:
de Havilland Moth Club (1925) Limited
Staggers, 23 Hall Park Hill, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire,
HP4 2NH, England.

Tel/Fax +44 (0) 1442 862077.
E-mail dhmoth@dhmothclub.co.uk

Mod 160:
Anglia Sailplanes
The Patch, Norwich Road, Dickleburgh, Diss, Norfolk,
IP21 4NR, England.

Tel/Fax 01379 741188.  Mobile 07860 545812.
E-mail stu@angliasailplanes.co.uk
 

31 May 2002: Press Release: BAE SYSTEMS TO TRANSFER TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR UK-BASED BULLDOG AIRCRAFT TO DHSL
Ref: 102/2002

BAE SYSTEMS and De Havilland Support Ltd (DHSL) have signed a Heads of Agreement to transfer technical responsibility for the UK-based Scottish Aviation Bulldog aircraft, from BAE SYSTEMS Regional Aircraft at Prestwick to DHSL based at Duxford in Cambridgeshire.

The transfer date for all UK-based aircraft will be announced on completion of negotiation and approval of the CAA to proceed. Responsibility for all non-UK aircraft will remain with BAE SYSTEMS.

DHSL was formed in 2001, with assistance from BAE SYSTEMS, to support historic De Havilland aircraft. This venture has proved successful to date with customers of these types enjoying a dedicated service consistent with the needs of the aircraft. In December 2001, BAE SYSTEMS announced the transfer of responsibility for the Beagle Pup to DHSL and the Bulldog decision is a natural progression.

About BAE SYSTEMS:
BAE SYSTEMS is a systems company, innovating for a safer world.  BAE SYSTEMS employs nearly 100,000 people including Joint Ventures, and has annual sales of around £13 billion.  The company offers a global capability in air, sea, land and space with a world-class prime contracting ability supported by a range of key skills.  BAE SYSTEMS designs, manufactures and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, space systems, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, guided weapon systems and a range of other defence products.  BAE SYSTEMS is dedicated to making the intelligent connections needed to deliver innovative solutions.
 

For further information contact:
Nick Godwin, SVP Marketing and Communications, BAE SYSTEMS
3 allée Pierre Nadot, BP 16, 31701 Blagnac Cedex, France
Tel: +33 (0) 5 34 60 73 47 Fax: +33 (0) 5 34 60 73 00   rjx.marketing@baesystems.com
www.bae.regional.co.uk

Issued by:
BAE SYSTEMS, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384605 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947 www.baesystems.com
 

27 March 2002: Sutton Harness (ref, TNS CT(Moth) No. 33, Issue 2

After detailed negotiations with the CAA it has been agreed that the compliance date for the replacement of Sutton harnesses with an installed life in excess of nine years or of indeterminate age can be extended from 1st March to 1st July 2002.  The extension is conditional upon recertification of the condition of the harness installation in accordance with the requirements of Part A of the TNS.  Copies of the revised TNS have been sent by post to all subscribers to the DHSL TNS CT(Moth) Amendment Service (by Air Mail to overseas destinations).

We understand from Stu Hoy at Anglia Sailplanes that deliveries of new-manufacture Sutton harnesses under the joint arrangement with Slingsby Aviation should begin by the end of April 2002.  Tiger Moth Modification No 160 will shortly be available from DHSL to provide the authority and instructions for installation of the new harnesses and attaching fittings.  Another modification, No 158, is being developed for the installation of the Schroth harness to the Tiger Moth.  Details of the availability of this equipment should be directed to the de Havilland Moth Club.  The new Sutton harness is initially lifed at nine years from the date of installation but will be subject to a sampling programme to seek a life extension.  The Schroth harness is lifed at 12 years from the date of manufacture.
 

NEWS RELEASE FROM de HAVILLAND SUPPORT LTD

de Havilland Support Ltd to Provide Design Support to BBMF Chipmunk Aircraft

Following negotiations with the Equipment Support (Air) staffs of the Defence Logistics Organisation at RAF Wyton, de Havilland Support Ltd, located at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, has signed a contract to provide design support for the Chipmunk training aircraft operated by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, based at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire.  The contract took effect on 1 November 2001.

The two Chipmunks of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight fulfil a valuable role in providing continuation training for the pilots who fly the Flight’s historic aircraft.  Working together with the Defence Logistics Organisation, de Havilland Support Ltd will provide the design support necessary to sustain the continued airworthiness of the Flight’s Chipmunks.

Bill Taylor, Chief Executive of de Havilland Support Ltd, said:  “We are proud to be able to contribute directly to support of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, whose magnificent aircraft bring great enjoyment to so many people”.
 

Note to Editors.

The Chipmunk is one of de Havilland Support Ltd’s current portfolio of de Havilland aircraft for which the Company holds Type Design Responsibility.  These aircraft include: all Moths, Dragon, Dragon Rapide, Dragonfly, British-built Chipmunk, Dove and Heron.  On 1 December 2001, the Company is also to assume Type Design Responsibility for the Beagle Pup.

For further information please contact:

Bill Taylor, Chief Executive, de Havilland Support Ltd, Building 213, Duxford Airfield, Cambridgeshire, CB2 4QR.  Telephone 01223 830090.
 

NEWS RELEASE FROM de HAVILLAND SUPPORT LTD

BAE SYSTEMS transfers Type Design Responsibility of the Beagle Pup to de Havilland Support Ltd.

Following negotiations between BAE SYSTEMS (Operations) Ltd at Prestwick, the Civil Aviation Authority and de Havilland Support Ltd, located at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, BAE SYSTEMS intend to transfer Type Design Responsibility for the Beagle Pup to de Havilland Support Ltd with effect from 1 December 2001.

The proposed transfer has the full support of the CAA and the Beagle Pup Club.

A statement from BAE SYSTEMS (Operations) Ltd, delivered to members attending the Beagle Pup Club Annual General Meeting at White Waltham on 29 September, explained that: ‘de Havilland Support Ltd was formed through an initiative at BAE SYSTEMS, Chadderton to support a significant number of their legacy aircraft and give the dedicated customer focus that these aircraft types require. The successful set-up and wide customer acceptance of this arrangement made the addition of the Beagle Pup to DHSL’s portfolio the logical way forward for BAE SYSTEMS’.

Mr Ray Clegg, Engineering Committee Member of the Beagle Pup Club, representing almost all the owners of 66 Pups on the British Civil Register plus a further six aircraft registered overseas, said that the Club, which has received support direct from Prestwick for over 15 years through its Technical Agreement with British Aerospace and later BAE SYSTEMS, was delighted that continued design responsibility was now assured.

‘The Beagle Pup Club will co-operate fully with DHSL to facilitate a smooth handover of responsibility and to create a sound partnership to ensure the longevity of this ever-popular and much under-rated classic British aircraft,’ he said.
 

Note to Editors.

The Beagle Pup joins de Havilland Support Ltd’s current portfolio of de Havilland aircraft for which the Company, which began operations in April 2001, already holds Type Design Responsibility: all Moths, Dragon, Dragon Rapide, Dragonfly, British-built Chipmunk, Dove and Heron.

For further information please contact:

Tom Brady, BAE SYSTEMS (Operations) Ltd, Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, Scotland, KA9 2RW.  Telephone 01292 672465.

Bill Taylor, Chief Executive, de Havilland Support Ltd, Building 213, Duxford Airfield, Cambridgeshire, CB2 4QR.  Telephone 01223 830090.

Ray Clegg, Engineering Committee Member, Beagle Pup Club, 4 Manor Close, Somersham, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE28 3HS.  Telephone 01487 840617.
 

Amendments to Technical News Sheets

On 1st August de Havilland Support Ltd cleared its first amendments to the various aircraft series of Technical News Sheets (TNS).  Amended leaflets include the Index of TNS for each aircraft type and the TNS describing the Company’s Product Support Policy.  The opportunity has also been taken to cancel a number of non-effective leaflets.

The publication of this first series of amendments is good news for maintenance organisations, several of whom have been criticised during JAR 145 and CAA M3 audits over the amendment state of their de Havilland publications.  In particular, many years have elapsed since the indexes of TNS were last updated and subscribers should check that all of their leaflets are to the correct issue standard.

If you are a subscriber to our new TNS Amendment service you will receive the amendment appropriate to your subscription.  However, if you have not subscribed to the TNS Amendment then your publications will become more and more out of date and cannot be relied on to sustain the continued airworthiness of your aircraft.  Thus, the message is clear – subscribe and keep your documents up to date.
 

de Havilland Support Ltd Newsletter

The first series of TNS amendments is being circulated together with the first of our regular Newsletters.  The aim of the Newsletter is to pass on news and titbits of information which are not appropriate for the issue of a formal TNS.  For example, the contents of the first Newsletter include the following:

* An update on the availability of replacement Tiger Moth seat harnesses.
* Discussion of the TNS 32 inspections which are applicable to Moths.
* Comment on the recurring mandatory inspections which affect the Chipmunk.
* Care of stainless steel flying wires.
* Oil leak from a Gipsy Major front cover – an easy cure.
* The need for improved maintenance schedules, particularly for Dove and Rapide aircraft.

The key point we want to make with the Newsletter is  that we need feed back from you, the aircraft owners and operators but particularly the Maintenance Organisations, so that we can gather the first-hand data we need to support our proposals to the CAA to make changes to the periodicity of TNS inspections.  Chipmunk owners will have TNS CT(C1) No 165 etched on their collective brains, in the same way that most Tiger Moth owners view TNS CT(Moth) No 32.  With the right level of authoritative feedback we may be able to persuade the CAA to accept alternative periodicities for some of the more complex and expensive inspections.