AIRCRAFT LIFE RAFT INSPECTIONS

LIFE RAFT INSPECTIONS

In­spection of life rafts should be performed in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. General inspection procedures to be' performed on most life rafts are as fol­lows.

CAUTION: Areas where life rafts are inspected or tested must be smooth, free of splinters, sharp projections, and oil stains. Floors with abrasive characteristics, such as concrete or rough wood, will be covered with un­treated tarpaulins or heavy clean pa­per.

Inspect life rafts for cuts, tears, or other damage to the rubberized material. If the raft is found to be in good condition, remove the CO_Z bottles) and inflate the raft with air to a pressure of 2 psi. The air should be intro­duced at the fitting normally connected to the CO_Z bottle(s). After at least 1 hour; to allow for the air within the raft to adjust itself to the ambient temperature, check pressure and ad­just, if necessary, to 2 psi and allow the raft to stand for 24 hours. If, after 24 hours, the pres­sure is less than 1 psi, examine the raft for leakage by using soapy "water.         In order to eliminate pressure variations due to tempera­ture differences at the time the initial and final reading are taken, test the raft in a room where the temperature is fairly constant. If the pres­sure drop is satisfactory, the raft should be considered as being in an airworthy condition and returned to service after being fitted with correctly charged CO_Z bottles as determined by weighing them. Rafts more than 5 years old are likely to be unairworthy due to deteriora­tion. It is suggested that serviceable rafts be marked to indicate the date of inspection and that soapstone be used when folding them pre­paratory to insertion into the carrying case. Take care to see that all of the raft's required equipment is on board and properly stowed. If the raft lanyard, used to prevent the raft from floating away from the airplane, is in need of replacement, use a lanyard not less than 20 feet long and having a breaking strength of about 75 pounds.

It is recommended that the aforemen­tioned procedure be repeated every 18 months using the C0₂ bottles) for inflation. If a sin­gle bottle is used for inflating both compart­ments, it should be noted whether the inflation is proceeding equally to both compartments. Occasionally, the formation of "carbon dioxide snow" may occur in one passage of the distribution manifold and divert a larger vol­ume of gas to one compartment, which may burst if the mattress valve is not open to re­lieve the pressure. If the pressure is satisfac­tory, return the raft to service in accordance with the procedure outlined.

Inspect the C0₂ cylinder for evidence of cross-threading or stripping.

Inspect the C0₂ bottle inflation valve cable rigging as follows.

(1)       Remove the screws that attach the cover plate to the valve and remove the cover - plate.

(2)       Inspect the firing line cable ball swage for engagement in the correct recess for either "Upward Pull" or "Downward Pull." The cable will be wrapped around the sheave approximately 270 degrees.

(3)       Reposition the cable ball swage as required.

(4)       Replace the cover plate. The green dot on the sheave should be visible through the window in the cover plate, indicating a charged cylinder.

6.2.5 Check the C0₂ cylinder release cable and housing for condition and security.

6.2.6 Make sure the safety deflector is re­moved from the cylinder outlet before con­necting the cylinder to the raft.

6.2.7 Stencil the life raft's inspection date on the raft