RBR Maintenance Offers Aileron Rebalancing for Hawker 800 with API Winglets

Last May, Aviation Partners issued Service Bulletin SBH-13-001 limiting winglet-equipped 800-series Hawkers to a maximum permissible altitude of 34,000 feet. The result of reported vibrations and aileron/wing oscillations, the SB prompted the FAA to issue an Airworthiness Directive calling for operators to comply with the service bulletin within 45 days. Subsequently API found that rebalancing the ailerons to a new tolerance forward of the hinge line offers a solution to the vibrations and wing oscillations and, once completed, this clears the way for operators to use the airplane’s 41,000-foot ceiling.

RBR Maintenance is offering a flat-rate price of $6,000 plus paint for the fix. The process takes about five business days to complete.

“It turns out if there was some anomaly, something as simple as too much sealant on the leading edge of the wing disturbing the airflow, it would cause the flutter. The fix is a balance weight issue and includes making it a little more nose heavy,” said Chris Lesniak, manager of outside part sales for the Dallas-based maintenance company.