The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has decided it will rigidly enforce a little-recognized air regulation mandating that all Lycoming and Continental piston aircraft engines be overhauled every 12 years, regardless of condition or flight hours logged. SACAA calls the move a safety measure. Operators of some Pratt & Whitney and Rotax engines may also be affected.
According to an article on the news site Biznews, the ruling immediately grounds more than 1,400 light aircraft, including helicopters. Aviation advocates argue that, in many cases, the cost of a full overhaul would exceed the value of the aircraft, effectively rendering them obsolete.
In 2023, SACAA expressed a desire to enforce the 12-year rule but issued an Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC 18.19) providing an exemption and an alternate means of compliance (through inspection) to ensure safety. But without any supporting safety-related justification, the SACAA subsequently withdrew AIC 18.19 later in 2023, creating havoc among flight schools, students, aircraft owners and commercial operators. The exemption policy reappeared and the issue lay dormant over the past several months, according to the news report, but SACAA has unexpectedly re-upped the controversy. Industry advocates argue that the economic impact goes way beyond the aircraft operators, as helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft represent the only means of accessing many remote areas in South Africa.
Aviation advocacy groups such as the Commercial Aviation Association of South Africa (CAASA), the Aeroclub of South Africa and the Aviation Watch Action Committee join aircraft owners, pilots, technicians and operators in protesting. They say that one insurance underwriter estimated that 70% of the general aviation fleet of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft will be affected. Further, an industry with some 300,000 employees could be economically hobbled.
CAASA CEO Kevin Storie said the new directive decimates a decades-old ecosystem of aviation expertise and economic activity. While the SACAA insists the ruling is all about ensuring safety, Storie countered, “This isn’t about safety. It’s about control and a failure to understand the consequences of that control.”
The engine manufacturer does say,_____hrs or 12 years.The “air regulation”is problay just based on that
Tis my understanding that some US shops will not annual a plane whos engines exceed the 12 year rule. I think an average GA plane usage, private use, averages 60 hours a year. That would only be 720 hours in 12 years, about time for a TOP overhaul, not a major.
I suppose it’s a cold comfort that our FAA isn’t the stupidest aviation regulator in the world, although there are times it seems like it. On the whole, it’s harder (read: “more expensive”) to be a private aircraft owner everywhere else. Find a good, healthy A&P/IA, trust its judgement, feed it well, and you’ll fly safely, and more importantly, legally, for years.
I think a rule such as that may have some merit with regard to commercial GA operations but does not make sense for noncommercial operations. Mechanical failure of all types account for about 15% of all GA accidents (Avweb.com). Engine related accidents occur at a rate of 0.21/100,000 hours (Avweb.com). That equates to an engine failure about every 500,000 hours of operation. It is difficult to find data relevant to how often the engine’s age is a factor in the failure, most studies focus on maintenance and maintenance inspection errors as the cause of failure. One study found that there was a 33% higher chance of engine failure in the first hour following an inspection. That is a good reason to consider yourself a test pilot on your first flight after any engine maintenance of an annual inspection. There is little data to indicate that the age of the engine is a significant factor in it reliability if it is well maintained.
Just got installed news OH big Boi continental. Bottom was 20 years old.. As was the TAWS card.
Top done about 1000 prior, Hobbs was approaching 3k.
Comps were fine.. But bleeding oil even after ring flush. Mechanics start getting resistant to sign off..
Paging Mike Busch to the white phone..i euthanized because it wasnt worth doing another top only.
Setting a random rule on years is just dumb really. SA is hosed and corrupt AF but it is a beautiful country (cape, safari, etc)
Given the higher risk of engine failure just AFTER major work, this ruling should result in an increase in accidents - all at once, as people comply. Fun!