This FAA rule could stop me flying

In this video, I fly my Piper PA28 Turbo Arrow to my maintenance organisation in Suffolk, England, to take a closer look at a new FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) that could ground many turbocharged light aircraft within months.

The directive requires the replacement of a specific V-band clamp on certain turbocharged engines by July 2025. This clamp, which is a critical part of the turbocharger assembly, has been identified as a potential failure point that could lead to serious safety issues if not addressed.

The major challenge? These replacement clamps are proving incredibly difficult to source, leaving many aircraft owners uncertain about how they’ll comply in time.

In this episode, my engineering team shows me the affected part, explains the reasoning behind the FAA’s directive, and outlines what options I have as an aircraft owner. We also discuss the broader implications for the general aviation community if the supply issue isn't resolved.

Whether you're a pilot, aircraft owner, or just interested in aviation, this is an important topic that could impact a large part of the GA fleet.

Let me know in the comments if your aircraft is affected, or if you've managed to find a solution.

Link to the FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD 2023-09-09):

Aircraft: PA28R-201T Turbo Arrow
Maintenance Organisation: Suffolk, UK
Deadline for Compliance: July 2025

#GeneralAviation #AirworthinessDirective #FAA #FlyingVlog #GAcommunity #AircraftMaintenance #LightAircraft #UKFlying

I make inspirational videos about my flying adventures around the UK and Europe. I have a dream too, to one day fly my PA28 across the atlantic to the USA. Subscribe to my channel for more inspirational flying vlogs and honest post-flight debrief videos.

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00:00 Introduction, engine start, taxi
01:03 Take off and setting cruise
02:09 The problem
04:14 Controlled airspace transit
04:51 Chris Hadfield competition winner
06:51 Landing on an up-sloping runway
07:18 Final approach
09:23 Inspecting the affected part
11:22 Calling the parts company
11:46 FAA estimate of cost
12:13 What are my options?
13:08 Will the deadline be extended?
14:23 Departure from Elmsett

[jamesdachtler]

I sat opposite you whilst waiting to go into the exam. Would have said hello but was getting myself into the zone. Wishing you the best with your exams

[davidcrocker]

I used to fly a Turbo Arrow IV. About 20 years ago, after departing an airfield when I was still in the climb, the CO detector in the cabin went off. It was indicating 600ppm. I stopped the climb early, leaned the mixture (I had an engine monitor and Gamijectors in that aircraft so I always cruised lean of peak) and opened the cabin vents. The CO reading fell to below 100ppm but not to zero as it normally did in the cruise. After landing I opened the cowling and found that the V-band clamp had broken. The CO detector may have saved my life.

[PACrewchief]

I had to replace the V-band clamp due to this AD on my Turbo 182. The old clamp was indeed cracked and failing so in my case at least I was grateful to comply.

[tez]

£1200 for something that would likely cost £50 if it was for a car. That's aviation for you. Also why can't the parts be NDT'd, surely X-ray or Uv would show any cracks.

[pavelavietor]

this type is one of my favorite, I have many hours on it, thanks for the memories. saludos

[MaxTwst]

As an R44 Pilot. I feel you. Had 2 AD within a year. Rear tail rotor blades and a yoke! £1250 doesn’t sound bad. At least the labour will be cheap.

My tail blades were extended twice, however it ended up having to be inspected every 14 days. Which was a pain.

[idlewise]

@8:49 nice landing with that last addition of power!

[neilphelan]

We used to make those turbo clamps in the UK from inconel. The company is called Teconnex in West Yorkshire

[matthewfulghum]

I think Acorn Welding might have the V-band clamps you need? I stumbled across them when looking for clamps for a buddy's Socata.

[DavidCassidy-qg]

Excellent video again John. Shared this with a good friend who is an engineer knowing he would find this interesting. Hope you get your 100k subs soon. 😊

[terrallputnam]

I got to fly my night cross country in a Turbo Lance.
It was a wonderful plane. I hope that they don't just knee jerk reaction issue an AD because of some corrosion issues on some Turbo family planes.

[DaleSteel]

That looks like any typical connector you use on car turbos

[MrJpbmusic]

It's a real shame that there isn't a British Aero engineering company that is able to retrofit this particular part. I suspect this part will become very expensive due to demand

[ctcaviation]

I am in Florida and have a PA34-200T, the V clamp is for the exhaust end of the turbo not the inlet end, so to meet the AD if the inlet end is the better of the 2 then just switch them around and you will not comply with the AD up to the 500hours or the 6 month check, or like I have just done get two from amazon that will be here tomorrow

[alandaters]

Grass runways can be quite forgiving for tricycle gear airplanes which don't get lined up perfectly when straightening out from a "crab" at touchdown. The wheels will gently slip a bit as the plane lines up instead of swerving.

[altypeRR]

Honestly that price is utterly disgusting. Those v band clamps can be bought for £100 or so for a car which uses the exact same clamp. But I’m guessing here (as I don’t know for sure) that because it’s for an aircraft it has to be approved.

[combatclifton]

It’s absolutely mental. Vee bands are so dam common and readily available. We’ve been getting them form the USA 🇺🇸

[tomdchi]

It's crazy that this AD can come out and no one puts the required part into production.

[PeteK-pe]

Such a shame when this happens Jon and one has to think why the price differential. Its a V-band clamp!!

[DAllan-lzlg]

I find it incredible that if you go down the experimental aircraft route you can effectively machine your own parts yet an established aircraft has this supply issue ?