Significant Regulatory Activity

Air Safety Week,  Jan 14, 2008  

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A proposal dated 2 January addresses auxiliary fuel tanks made by Southeast Aero-Tek, one of three manufacturers that have built such systems for VIP conversions. Florida-based Aero-Tek holds STCs for the Boeing 727 as well as several models of the DC-9. Based on Aero-Tek's self-funded analysis, the FAA determined that the company must install a transient suppression device (TSD) in the fuel quantity indication system and the "float level switch" in the auxiliary tanks of 37 US-registered aircraft to prevent any possibility of high voltages travelling into the tanks.

In October, the FAA proposed a nearly identical rule for California-based Rogerson Aircraft, which holds auxiliary fuel tank STCs for a variety of classic Boeing jets, among other VIP air carrier aircraft. Thirty-nine US-registered aircraft will require the modifications, although Rogerson no longer supplies the auxiliary fuel systems and is not working on fixes to the design. In both cases, the FAA says the manufacturer has not provided some or all of the service information required under SFAR 88, forcing the regulator to "mandate the deactivation" of the fuel tanks. While time is available to make appropriate fixes before the deadline, key manufacturers of the systems have either left the business or have not had modification packages approved by the FAA. In consequence, operators of as many as 75 US-registered corporate airliners may be forced to deactivate their auxiliary fuel systems by mid-December under new fuel tank safety rules.