See document at:
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-10-26/pdf/2022-22698.pdf

Same AD as for the ASW-15, but now including the "B" version.

Here's a part of the verbiage in the document:

"This proposed AD would retain the requirements from AD 2022–14–14 of repetitively inspecting the wing root ribs for cracks, looseness, and damage and replacing any root rib with a crack, a loose rib or lift pin bushing, or any damage; and would add the Model ASW–15B gliders to the applicability."

Ray
Carrboro, NC

I own an ASW-15b and this AD helps me to realize why Mark Mocho holds the FAA in such high regard (Sarcasm fully intended). Reading the AD at face value indicates that no matter the ASW-15b, it needs to have the inspection done every 12 months unless the wing root ribs are replaced with new fiberglass ribs which is considered terminating for the AD. When in fact the Schleicher TN states that the issue only applies to the few ASW-15b's that were manufactured with wood wing root ribs. Unfortunately Schleicher does not know which ASW-15b SN's had the wood root ribs, thus their TN to check all ASW-15b's. My 15b has fiberglass root ribs since new so the TN and the AD don't apply, which is also the opinion of my A&P IA, but a strict reading of this AD indicates that I need to do the inspection every year for cracks in non-existing wood ribs.

Alex

On Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 6:02:28 PM UTC-5, Alex Zobell wrote:
> I own an ASW-15b and this AD helps me to realize why Mark Mocho holds the FAA in such high regard (Sarcasm fully intended). Reading the AD at face value indicates that no matter the ASW-15b, it needs to have the inspection done every 12 months unless the wing root ribs are replaced with new fiberglass ribs which is considered terminating for the AD. When in fact the Schleicher TN states that the issue only applies to the few ASW-15b's that were manufactured with wood wing root ribs. Unfortunately Schleicher does not know which ASW-15b SN's had the wood root ribs, thus their TN to check all ASW-15b's. My 15b has fiberglass root ribs since new so the TN and the AD don't apply, which is also the opinion of my A&P IA, but a strict reading of this AD indicates that I need to do the inspection every year for cracks in non-existing wood ribs.
>
> Alex

I read the AS TN No. 29 issue II and it clearly states it's for ASW 15 and 15B's with wooden root ribs, not all 15B's. From the TN Reason section:

"Following the publication of the TN 29 (initial issue) and the belonging EASA AD2021-0187 several customers reported that also some sailplanes of the model ASW 15 B are equipped with wooden wing root ribs. Accordingly, the actions of this technical note have to be applied for this model too, if the sailplane was built with wooden wing root ribs."

EASA AD 2022-0146 states that Group 1 sailplanes are those that have an affected part installed and Group 2 are those that have only improved parts installed. The Affected part section describes them as wooden root ribs.

The FAA NPRM for the AD should reflect the fact that it applies only to ASW 15B's produced with wooden wing roots IAW the TN and EASA AD. You can comment on the AD at regulations.gov I don't own a -15B, but I'd also send an email to Jim Rutherford at jim.rutherford AT faa.gov

The inspection can be done every time the ship is rigged/de-rigged. Up until recently, I had a 15 and I didn't even need a mirror to see the cracks. A more thorough exam might have taken 5 minutes. My understanding is that there were no 15s that didn't have the cracks. Unless you never take the wings off, it seems to me that it would take more effort to deal with the FAA than to comply with the non-sensical AD.

Mike