Flight Controls — Airbrake End Stops / Bushings — Inspection / Replacement
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of affected Duo Discus sailplanes must replace 22 mm plastic bushings with serviceable parts within three months of 10 November 2020. For sailplanes with single metal end stops, an inspection must be completed within the same timeframe, with corrective actions taken before the next flight if insufficient overlap is found. After modification, installation of affected parts is prohibited.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2020-0233 addresses inspection and replacement requirements for airbrake end stops and bushings on Schempp-Hirth Duo Discus sailplanes, including Duo Discus (powered), Duo Discus C, and Duo Discus T models. The directive targets specific serial numbers and mandates actions to prevent airbrake malfunction due to age-related damage. It applies to plastic bushings of 22 mm and single metal end stops used in these aircraft.
What changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2020-0233 introduces mandatory replacement of affected 22 mm plastic airbrake end stop bushings with improved 32 mm bushings made of better material. It also requires inspection of single metal end stops for sufficient overlap and corrective actions if deficiencies are found. The directive prohibits reinstalling affected parts after modification and updates the affected parts definition to include metal end stops following new findings.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for maintaining safe flight control operation by preventing jerky airbrake extension and potential airbrake blade interlocking at high speeds. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to avoid airbrake blockage that could reduce sailplane control. Timely inspections and replacements help sustain airworthiness and regulatory compliance under EASA rules.
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