Use of AC 43.13

[WDD]

As I'm entering the end of year 1 of A&P school, I'm getting more appreciation for folks that have already been doing this kind of work, building their own planes, doing repairs, etc. Along with that is working with repair and service manuals, parts diagrams, wiring, etc.

How many people also utilize the AC 43.13?

 

[JScarry]

If we do preventive maintenance on our planes we are required to comply with (a) and (b)—( c) doesn’t apply to us. So the answer is “always”. Do I look up how to do an oil change, change a tire, change a light bulb, or clean spark plugs in the referenced documents—no. But I have been trained by A&Ps on how to do it to “assure completion of the work in accordance with accepted industry practices”.

 

[asicer]

If we do preventive maintenance on our planes we are required to comply with (a) and (b)—( c) doesn’t apply to us. So the answer is “always”. Do I look up how to do an oil change, change a tire, change a light bulb, or clean spark plugs in the referenced documents—no. But I have been trained by A&Ps on how to do it to “assure completion of the work in accordance with accepted industry practices”.

I think you're referring to FAR 43.13 while the OP is referring to this:

https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_43.13-1B_w-chg1.pdf

 

[WDD]

Yes, the 600 some odd page, 5 pound reference book that lists acceptable data and methods for everything from torque limits for bolts to rivet spacing to how to repair fiberglass. If it's not listed in the service manual for your plane, you can find acceptable values and procedures in this reference book.

 

[asicer]

I referred to it when learning about safety wire.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

There are some gems there

 

[JScarry]

I think you're referring to FAR 43.13 while the OP is referring to this:

https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_43.13-1B_w-chg1.pdf

I guess I missed that.

 

[Bell206]

How many people also utilize the AC 43.13?

You’ll find on Part 91 aircraft certified prior to 1980 or so, you’ll use both parts of AC 43.13 more than 50% of time for mx guidance or references. After 1980, OEMs were required to release complete ICAs for new TC’d products and STCs. So with these new volumes of guidance and references it reduced the use of AC 43.13 by a lot less than 50% depending on the aircraft and OEM.

5 pound reference book that lists acceptable data and methods for everything

FYI: Both -1B and -2B can also be used as approved data for repairs and alterations.

Do I look up how to do an oil change, change a tire, change a light bulb, or clean spark plugs in the referenced documents—no. But I have been trained by A&Ps on how to do it to “assure completion of the work in accordance with accepted industry practices”.

FWIW: Except being “trained” by a mechanic does not absolve you from the Part 43.13(a) performance requirement: “shall use the methods, techniques, and practices prescribed in the current manufacturer's maintenance manual…” Same for a mechanic no matter how much training they receive. So its important to know where the required mx reference is and what it states as that is what an FAA ASI will quiz you on should the need arise.

 

[asicer]

ou’ll find on Part 91 aircraft certified prior to 1980 or so, you’ll use both parts of AC 43.13 more than 50% of time for mx guidance or references. After 1980, OEMs were required to release complete ICAs for new TC’d products and STCs. So with these new volumes of guidance and references it reduced the use of AC 43.13 by a lot less than 50% depending on the aircraft and OEM.

What about aircraft that spanned 1980? Say for example the C172 where the N was in the 1970s, the lightly revised P in 1981 and the R/S around the turn of the century.

 

[Bell206]

What about aircraft that spanned 1980? Say for example the C172 where the N was in the 1970s, the lightly revised P in 1981 and the R/S around the turn of the century.

Key point was newly type certificated after 1980, actually after Jan 28,1981 per Part 21.50. So for the 172s up to the Q model, which were certified under CAR 3, it did not trigger the 21.50 ICA requirement.

However, when Cessna introduced the restart models (R & S) after 1996, they also made a new design approval application under Part 23 which triggered the 21.50 ICA requirement and led to Cessna releasing new manuals per Part 23.1539.

The same thing happened on the engine side where if Lycoming released a new engine variant and made a new design approval app under Part 33 vs CAR 13, it triggers the same ICA requirement. And for a couple of those new variants, which now come with an ALS section, it has caught a few people off guard as previous models/variants never had any ALS requirements.

 

[Ed Haywood]

Many projects will require multiple references.

For instance, recently we had to repair a cracked fuel tank in my Decathlon. Doing so required following the aircraft service manual procedures for removing and installing the wing and tank, AC 43.13 for tank repair, and an STC or manufacturer's specification document for recovering the wing.

 

[Craig]

I use 43-13 as well as MIL-HDBK-5 Rev J at times. Add a link to your desktop to everyspec.com for the oddball stuff and for looking up hardware data. Lots of the old AN numbers have been converted to MS, NASA and commercial specs over the last couple of decades. I'm part of Air Corps Library for the really oddball early specs that don't seem to be out on the net anywhere else. Lastly, I use SOVA to search what I can, of the NASM archives for the really oddball AAC or AAF stuff for restorations that I work on. Not many other places to find things like Drawing 35A2282 from December 1934, for the IN-84 Insulator...

Yeah, I know I deal with a lot of really old, but insteresting stuff!

 

[Brad W]

I'm actually a little surprised...and disappointed... that I never found myself a printed copy of that!

When I was in the university studying engineering, and in the years when I was fresh out of school, I gained an appreciation for references such as Machinery's Handbook, Cameron's Hydraulic Data, and Mark's Standard Handbook For Mechanical Engineers. It's been a long time since I've picked up a copy now, but I used to browse those pages fairly often....just for fun in my downtime....

 

[donjohnston]

When I was building, all the time. Once finished, only when I was doing work where I needed it.

 

[Bell206]

I use 43-13 as well as MIL-HDBK-5 Rev J at times. Add a link to your desktop to everyspec.com

Definitely. May also want to include a link to the MMPDS which replaced the HDBK. Everyspec only has the -01 revision but it still is a valid reference. And to note, another common mechanic reference is the Standard Aircraft Handbook which was usually part of a company's minimum tool requirements at one time.

MMPDS-01

 

[Dana]

I do have printed copies of AC43.13 and MIL-HDBK-5 but rarely open them; the digital copy is more convenient.

Mark's Standard Handbook For Mechanical Engineers

I have a 1929 edition, which is pretty neat... it has a section on the latest advances in aeronautics, including data for wire braced biplanes and coal gas filled dirigibles.

 

[Craig]

Here's what I currently have onhand in my reference folder on the computer. I don't have a copy of NAVAIR 01-1A-505-2 yet, but working on getting a copy. The list grows every time I find something referenced in a process or standard while dealing with other things. There's several hundred megs of files there, but all have been found freely on the net in various locations.

My copy of MIL-HDBK-5 is the J rev, which I believe was the last before everything moved to MMPDS.

NAVAIR
01-1A-9 Aerospace Metals General Data and Usage Factors

01-1A-505-1 Installation Practices Volume 1 A/C Electric and Electronic Wiring

01-1A-505-3 Installation Practices Volume 3 A/C Rectangular Electrical Connectors and Accessories

01-1A-505-4 Installation Practices Volume 4 A/C Fiber Optic Cabling

MIL Spec
MIL-H-6088G Heat Treatment of Aluminum Alloys

MIL-H-6875H Heat Treatment of Steel

MIL-HDBK-5J Metallic Materials and Elements for Aerospace Vehicle Structures

MIL-HDBK-525 Chg Electrical Wiring Interconnect System (EWIS) Integrity Program

FAA
FAA -H-8083-32A AMT Powerplant Volume 1

FAA -H-8083-32A AMT Powerplant Volume 2

FAA -H-8083-31A AMT Handbook Airframe Volume 1

FAA -H-8083-31A AMT Handbook Airframe Volume 2

FAA -H-8083-30A AMT Handbook General

FAA-IR-M-8040.1C Airworthiness Directives Manual

AC 43.13-1BAcceptable Methods

AC 43.13-2BAcceptable Methods

AC 43.18 Chg 2Fabrication of Parts By Maintenance Personnel

 

[steingar]

43.13 and 8083-30B are your friends.