In a move intended to help keep vintage aircraft safely maintained, restored and flying, the FAA has issued Advisory Circular AC 23-27, Parts and Materials Substitution for Vintage Aircraft.
The publication gives guidance to both owner/restorers and FAA aviation safety inspectors when collecting information needed for an FAA approval when parts or materials used in the original construction of the type-certificated airplane are no longer available, or newer, more appropriate materials are now common and would be more appropriate to be used when repairing or replacing components, according to officials at the Experimental Aircraft Association and Vintage Aircraft Association.
This AC is an outgrowth of the FAA’s recognition that obtaining exact original parts and materials was becoming problematic for aircraft restorers and owners, EAA officials noted.
The advisory circular details the level of information needed to document a part or material substitution, and while it is not intended as a “how to” manual, it does give specific examples of the types of changes that can be made with a simple logbook entry.
