Page 32 - World Airnews Magazine May 2021 Edition

NEWS

HOW ARE INSECTS

AFFECTING PARKED

AIRCRAFT PITOT TUBES?

or parked aircraft, there is a po-
Ftenti al and real issue related to

static and pitot source contamination from
insects. What inspection and maintenance

are required to ensure air data sources are

functioning properly as the COVID-19 pan-

demic eases and more aircraft are returned
to service?

Lee Ann Shay, Aviation Week’s executive

editor for MRO and business aviation
said “For aircraft in long-term parking or

storage, covering openings such as engines,
pitot tubes and static ports is strongly

recommended. Critters and bugs are not

good for aircraft systems. Boeing has had

reports of contamination in pitot tubes,

so it requires installation of “covers on air

data system components within the first 48 it regularly checks them throughout the air data are functionally and operationally

hour of landing” when aircraft are entering period. tested before flight,” said AerSale.
storage. Ascent Aviation Services, based in Marana, And Boeing’s advice? “Most aircraft

AerSale, which provides maintenance, Arizona, said pitot and static system require a flushing at return to service, and

repair and overhaul (MRO) and storage contamination is a concern - not just because others may have a conditional flushing” if

services in Goodyear, Arizona, and of insects but also because of its desert foreign object damage or contamination is
Roswell, New Mexico said, “Proper environment. Ascent also covers all engines, found, the company said. Q

protection of pitot probes and static ports pitot and static systems upon arrival.

are fundamental to an aircraft storage Before aircraft can return to service, Article courtesy: https://aviationweek.

programme.” aftermarket providers inspect all com/air-transport/airlines-lessors/

The company installs covers when probes and ports to ensure they are not how-are-insects-affecting-parked-

inducting aircraft into storage and said contaminated. “The systems that rely on aircraft-pitot-tubes
AVIATION BODY TO
ACCELERATE SAF USAGE
have involved a limited set of SAF and president as well as CEO of the

producers and aircraft operators, there National Air Transportation Association

he aviation industry is establish- is increasing interest in multiple-party said, “SAF provides a viable means of

Ting the Council on Sustainable purchase and deployment agreements. decarbonising the majority of aviation

Aviation Fuels Accountability (CoSAFA), CoSAFA represents a unified operations both now and for the

which is intended to accelerate the vision across the aviation industry foreseeable future.
industry’s movement toward further for advancing consistent, accurate “The formation of CoSAFA is a

sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) use. accounting practices documenting the critical step toward the aviation

The global aviation industry currently production and use of SAF in such multi- industry further reducing its

accounts for around 2% of man-made party transactions – a crucial tool for carbon footprint and achieving its
CO² emissions. The aviation industry further reducing the industry’s carbon sustainability goals. The movement

is committed to limit and reduce these footprint. toward a cleaner future is continuing

emissions through the deployment CoSAFA’s mission is to work through to gain traction and make inroads -
of advanced technology, operational an orderly, global approach toward unifying every sector of the industry.

measures, infrastructure improvements providing the necessary transparency We look forward to continuing to

and SAF. for multi-party SAF transactions. make progress and advancements that

While most SAF transactions to date Timothy Obitts, CoSAFA board chair can make a meaningful difference.” Q
World Airnews | May 2021
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