Today we published a new RV-12 service bulletin, SB-00005. This document applies only to the original/legacy RV-12 with the Rotax 912 ULS engine. It does not apply to the RV-12iS aircraft.
SB-00005 supersedes and replaces a prior service bulletin, SB 19-03-22. Regardless of whether one has previously made the changes described in SB 19-03-22, you will need to perform the SB-00005 inpsection and take any necessary actions. If you've made the SB 19-03-22 change in the past, you should also read the note below regarding an available price reduction on the SB-00005 kit for people who have purchased a replacement SB-00017-1.
This service bulletin requires inspection of the #2 cylinder exhaust pipe to determine if the installed pipe is affected by this bulletin. If it is an affected part, the bulletin then requires inspection of the EX-00017 or EX-00017-1 exhaust pipe. If cracks are found, the owner/maintainer must replace both the EX-00017/00017-1 and the EX-00015 pipes, as described in the document.
Becuase we have observed multiple instances of cracking of the affected exhaust pipes at a weld joint, and because a broken pipe could potentially result in damage and/or introduction of harmful gases into the cockpit, the bulletin requires that either a) the pipes be replaced, or b) that they be inspected for cracks every 25 hours and a carbon monoxide (CO) detection device be used in the aircraft. Van's has a kit for installation of the Aithre CO detector, or the owner may choose to use another aviation-appropriate CO detector option.
The SB-00005 kit, which contains the necessary parts and hardware, is available to order from Van's. It includes new exhaust pipes/tubes for both forward cylinders as well as replacement exhaust nuts. The new EX-00015-1 is a two-part pipe assembly that incorporates a slip joint. The new EX-00017-2 is a one-part pipe assembly without a weld seam in the affected location. Note that you must use both of these new parts together (do not install just one or the other).
Note to owners who have previously purchased a EX-00017-1 replacement pipe from the earlier service bulletin: If you have purchased and received an EX-00017-1 pipe assembly in the past, please contact Van's directly to place your order. Van's will reduce the prices of the SB-00005 kit by 50% for people in this group. This is financially equivalent to receiving the newest #2 cylinder replacement pipe at no charge. Note that Van's does not mark up SB kits when issues for safety reasons - we sell them at approximately our cost (and in some cases at a significant loss). That is the case with this SB kit.
Note to all owners of the original/legacy RV-12 aircraft: Van's will also be releasing an entirely new exhaust system for the original/legacy RV-12 later this year. It will be constructued using certain parts common to the RV-12iS exhaust, plus certain new parts required to fit the legacy engine and aircraft. Obviously, the cost of a complete replacement exhaust system will be significantly higher than the cost of replacing two pipes, but we wanted to be sure to inform owners now of the future option so they can take it into account in the decision process. If you continue to fly and inspect every 25 hours, be sure to install a CO detector, per the service bulletin.
SB-00005 supersedes and replaces a prior service bulletin, SB 19-03-22. Regardless of whether one has previously made the changes described in SB 19-03-22, you will need to perform the SB-00005 inpsection and take any necessary actions. If you've made the SB 19-03-22 change in the past, you should also read the note below regarding an available price reduction on the SB-00005 kit for people who have purchased a replacement SB-00017-1.
This service bulletin requires inspection of the #2 cylinder exhaust pipe to determine if the installed pipe is affected by this bulletin. If it is an affected part, the bulletin then requires inspection of the EX-00017 or EX-00017-1 exhaust pipe. If cracks are found, the owner/maintainer must replace both the EX-00017/00017-1 and the EX-00015 pipes, as described in the document.
Becuase we have observed multiple instances of cracking of the affected exhaust pipes at a weld joint, and because a broken pipe could potentially result in damage and/or introduction of harmful gases into the cockpit, the bulletin requires that either a) the pipes be replaced, or b) that they be inspected for cracks every 25 hours and a carbon monoxide (CO) detection device be used in the aircraft. Van's has a kit for installation of the Aithre CO detector, or the owner may choose to use another aviation-appropriate CO detector option.
The SB-00005 kit, which contains the necessary parts and hardware, is available to order from Van's. It includes new exhaust pipes/tubes for both forward cylinders as well as replacement exhaust nuts. The new EX-00015-1 is a two-part pipe assembly that incorporates a slip joint. The new EX-00017-2 is a one-part pipe assembly without a weld seam in the affected location. Note that you must use both of these new parts together (do not install just one or the other).
Note to owners who have previously purchased a EX-00017-1 replacement pipe from the earlier service bulletin: If you have purchased and received an EX-00017-1 pipe assembly in the past, please contact Van's directly to place your order. Van's will reduce the prices of the SB-00005 kit by 50% for people in this group. This is financially equivalent to receiving the newest #2 cylinder replacement pipe at no charge. Note that Van's does not mark up SB kits when issues for safety reasons - we sell them at approximately our cost (and in some cases at a significant loss). That is the case with this SB kit.
Note to all owners of the original/legacy RV-12 aircraft: Van's will also be releasing an entirely new exhaust system for the original/legacy RV-12 later this year. It will be constructued using certain parts common to the RV-12iS exhaust, plus certain new parts required to fit the legacy engine and aircraft. Obviously, the cost of a complete replacement exhaust system will be significantly higher than the cost of replacing two pipes, but we wanted to be sure to inform owners now of the future option so they can take it into account in the decision process. If you continue to fly and inspect every 25 hours, be sure to install a CO detector, per the service bulletin.