EAC91-3.1
Applicability:
The rules mentioned
in this circular apply to aircraft registered in Egypt and certified in aerial
work category and intended for use in sign-towing aerial type of operations.
EAC91-3.3
Responsibility for compliance with the rules of this circular:
The pilot in command
of an aircraft certificated for sign towing type of operations shall, whether
manipulating the controls or not , be responsible for the operation of the
aircraft in accordance with ECAR's, except that he may depart from those
regulations only in emergency circumstances that render such departure
absolutely necessary in the interests of safety.
EAC91-3.5
Eligibility:
To be eligible for
aircraft sign-towing
certification; it is necessary to get an approved tow hook installation
on the towing airplane, and have a tow pilot that meets the requirements for
this type of rating and the operator must have the facilities to maintain and
operate the aircraft under this certification in accordance to the requirements
specified in this circular .
EAC91-3.7 Type
certification requirements for sign tow release installations:
(a) Tow
release installations on certificated aircraft must be approved by the
ECAA. This approval can be
accomplished by either of the following methods:
(1)
Approved original equipment item:
Here the aircraft
manufacturer designed, tested and received a type approval for the tow hook
installation as a part of the approved equipment items for a specific aircraft.
In this case the design and manufacture organization shall supply the ECAA with
the declaration of design and performance containing at least the following:
(i)
Particulars identifying the aircraft and its design standards including
references to the specifications to which it is designed, and a record of
drawings.
(ii) Any
limitations applying to its use. This shall include limiting conditions
implicit to the design and the ability of the various items to perform under
different ambient conditions.
Note:
All aircraft, modifications or equipment related to sign towing manufactured in
the A.R.E. shall, in general, be designed and constructed under the supervision
of an organization approved by the ECAA for that purpose, and in compliance
with the relevant technical standards.
(2) Supplemental
type certificate approval
Here one can design,
engineer and test (in accordance with the relevant technical standards) and
obtain approval of an installation on a specific airplane model under the
provision of an ECAA supplemental type certificate. This installation can be
accomplished on other aircraft of the same model with the approval of the
supplemental type certificate holder.
(b) The
aircraft design and manufacture organization, in conjunction with the aircraft
sign towing design and manufacture organization, shall prepare the relevant
installation, maintenance and operations manuals or such parts thereof as are
appropriate.
EAC91-3.8 Specific
maintenance and inspection requirements
(a) A
continuous maintenance and inspection program should be conducted on the
aircraft and supplemental sign towing installations through an approved
maintenance organization .
(b) To
assure proper release operation after attachment of a tow hook assembly to the
structure, a proof test must be accomplished after each new installation not
previously tested.
(c) Care
should be taken to attach the
appropriate tow rope applicable for each
flight condition and landing field according to the related instructions
in the manufacturer's manual.
EAC91-3.9 Specific
sign towing operation requirements :
(a) If the tow rope is dropped, care has
to be taken to see that the proper end is attached to the tow plane. If not, in
an overload condition, the weak link could fail at the tow plane end.
(b) Tow
planes landing with their tow ropes attached should be avoided because weak
links may fail and release prematurely.
(c) No
aircraft shall be flown for sign towing without a flight permit from the
appropriate air traffic service unit.
(d)
Aircraft shall not be flown for sign towing in a prohibited area or in a
restricted area, except in accordance with special authorization from the
appropriate authorities having jurisdiction over those areas.
(e)
Aircraft shall not perform sign towing operations over congested areas except
at such height permitted by the authorities controlling those areas and the
altitudes permitted in the manufacturer manual for proper and safe
operation and to allow in the event of an emergency, a landing
to be made without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.
(a) The
applicant should be either a holder of a valid air operator certificate or
contracting with a holder of such a certificate, otherwise he should apply for
an air operator certificate along with this application.
(b)
Application should be submitted to the Executive Chairman of the ECAA using the
appropriate form issued for that purpose , along with the related fees.