Finding replacement parts for legacy aircraft has become increasingly difficult over the years, but owners can now breathe a sigh of relief. The FAA has approved a new program called the Vintage Aircraft Replacement and Modification Article program (VARMA), which will allow the use of certain off-the-shelf parts in type-certificated aircraft. The new rules apply to non-safety-critical parts used in planes weighing less than 12,500 pounds built before 1980.

AD 2023-05-16, adopted March 15, 2023, supersedes AD 2023-04-08, adopted February 23, 2023. The FAA has provided guidance in the form of a flowchart to assist in complying with AD 2023-05-16. Every Continental engine model listed in section (c) of the AD, titled “Applicability” is affected by this AD. However, every affected engine does not require the inspection detailed in Continental Aerospace Technologies Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB23-01A. Operators of affected engines can follow the flowchart to determine whether their engine requires inspection.

The FAA has announced an airworthiness directive (AD) AD-2022-01586-E for Continental engine...