I spoke with Greg Davison at the FAA in Oklahoma City the other day and
he gave me the scoop on the AD and its implications.

SNIP
Don't panic, though. Greg has met with Centrair and they have agreed to
issue a 3000 hr. inspection protocol like other gliders require. Once
this inspection reqirement is issued (probably in the Spring of 2006),
the FAA will put out another AD that will supersede this one.

Greg realized that the 3000 hr. limit is not realistic, and Centrair
agrees. It was just a screwup when the glider was originally certified
in the early 1980's. I have been assured that the problem WILL be
fixed. It is just that the FAA had to comply with the original
manufacturer's intent and the resulting limit.

Greg was extremely helpful in explaining the situation. He has promised
to keep poking at Centrair until they come up with the 3000 hr.
inspection regimen. Greg suggested I call him in February 2006 to check
on Centrair's progress.

OK, this thread probably has limited interest for most glider pilots.
But I've still been waiting for several days for someone to jump in
with, "Hey, this FAA guy sounds like a breath of fresh air. Yeah, the
FAA feels compelled (surprise) to enforce the manufacturer's life limit
but they seem to have a very practical attitude about it. And they're
working to get it fixed. Things haven't always been so. Thanks, FAA."

Sure, it would be nice if the Feds ignored the useless rules and
enforced only the ones that really make sense. But then how do they
look in front of Congress if some yo-yo goes into cloud trying to climb
through a wave window, pulls the wings off a Pegasus, and drops the
debris into a crowded schoolyard? And he shouldn't even have been
flying the aircraft because the manufacturer said it was dangerous!!!!!

We don't always have it so good. Let's give the FAA a little slack on
this one. Sounds like they know what needs to be done even if it will
take longer than anyone likes.

Or maybe it's not the FAA, it's just some relatively clear-headed guys
who work there and know us. Even more reason to say "thank you."

Chip Bearden