December 20, 2023 - No. 052 In This Issue : FAA Starts 737NG Nacelle Retrofit Mandate Process : Livermore, California, Mandates Providing Unleaded Fuel At Its Airport : Air Plains introduces new airbox for Cessnas : American Airlines to add 300 jobs in Tulsa, use $22 million award for expansion : FAA Tags $159 Million Cost to Repair US Airbus Jet Engines Over Safety Concerns : New Supersonic Jet Completes Ground Testing, Ready for First Flight : Textron Offers Turnkey Carbon-Offset Program For Turbine Customers : AerSale® Receives Boeing 737NG Supplemental Type Certificate for its Enhanced Flight Vision System “AerAware™” : New prop certified for Cessna 414 : STC gives new life to the legendary deHavilland Beaver FAA Starts 737NG Nacelle Retrofit Mandate Process Sean Broderick December 11, 2023 Boeing 737NG nacelle The FAA has kicked off the process that will mandate nacelle design changes on the Boeing 737 Next Generation (NG) fleet that were prompted by a fatal accident and a related NTSB recommendation and are expected to be mandated globally. Three notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRMs) set for release Dec. 11 codify a plan developed by Boeing and approved by the agency over the last two years. The FAA’s timeline provides 45 days for public comment on the proposed changes. Final rules would mandate the modifications, giving affected operators until July 31, 2028, to upgrade their aircraft. Boeing has until Dec. 31, 2029, to develop and issue a related set of maintenance instructions on mitigating risks related to leaving fan cowl doors and other access panels unlatched. Boeing developed the changes and outlined them in an exemption request sent to the FAA in 2022. The exemptions are necessary so that Boeing can roll out the changes in phases and demonstrate the entire system complies with the regulations once all the upgrades are done. This process will get retrofits into the fleet more quickly than waiting for all the changes to be approved and implemented at once, Boeing said. The FAA formally signed off on the plan in September. The changes address design issues flagged in extensive reviews following two occurrences in which Southwest Airlines 737-700s suffered extensive damage when fan blades failed and parts from the affected engines’ nacelles struck the fuselage. In the higher-profile accident, in April 2018, one passenger was killed. Findings from the probe into both occurrences convinced the NTSB recommended the 737NG nacelle redesign. The plan developed by Boeing includes three changes: new inlet spacers and fasteners, a fan cowl support beam, and a stiffer exhaust nozzle. Boeing has designed a spacer for the inlet attachment bolts to improve structural integrity. The company also developed upgrades to inlet aft bulkhead fasteners. Fan cowls will get modified radial restraint fittings and added venting to help ensure they stay closed, intact, and attached to the airplane during broken fan blade, or fan-blade-out, events. Fan cowl support beam bolts are also being upgraded. Changes to exhaust nozzle attachment area structure will improve the part’s load-handling ability, Boeing said. Boeing has committed to getting all required service information to operators by the end of 2024. The company also must convince the FAA that the resulting nacelle “system” complies with Part 25.901(c), which stipulates that any single failure or combination of failures, excluding events calculated as “extremely remote,” will not pose unacceptable hazards. The FAA’s mandate affects about 1,900 U.S.-registered aircraft. But the upgrade requirements are expected to be mandated globally. The Aviation Week Network Fleet Discovery database shows 6,500 737NGs in operation or storage around the world. Some of these will be retired by the expected 2028 upgrade deadlines. Livermore, California, Mandates Providing Unleaded Fuel At Its Airport By Mark Phelps Published: December 14, 2023 The city council of Livermore, California, has approved a resolution that would require the FBO at the city-owned airport to provide unleaded fuel within 24 months. According to a story in local online news outlet Pleasanton Weekly, the resolution amends the airport’s “minimum standards for commercial aeronautical activities” with the new requirement to make unleaded fuel available. Peter Sandhu, owner and CEO of Five Rivers Aviation at Livermore, told AVweb the ruling is driven by “a very small, vocal group” of local citizens that he believes were emboldened by the situation at nearby Reid-Hillview Airport, where local government has mandated banning the sale of leaded 100LL fuel. But the Livermore City Council ruling does not ban the sale of 100LL. It simply cites the requirement to make unleaded aviation fuel available. And it also leaves an opening for extending the 24-month deadline if a suitable unleaded fuel is not readily available at that time. That leaves Sandhu with some interesting options. “I have a 1,000-gallon fuel tank that I could use to supply unleaded fuel,” he said, “and [Swift] 94UL is easy to get. The tank meets or exceeds all the applicable standards, but because it was not manufactured by one of the four companies on the ‘approved’ list, I have not been able to get it approved by the city. It’s hooked up and ready to go, so, ironically, this ruling could work in my favor.” But Sandhu said he is skeptical of the return on investment in providing an unleaded fuel option, even with a large contingent of homebuilts and other sport aircraft at his airport—aircraft that can safely use lower-octane 94UL (as opposed to higher-powered aircraft that need more octane). He cited the example of nearby Watsonville Airport, where 94UL is available (at a price differential of about 70 cents above 100LL) but constitutes only about 10 percent of fuel sales. If the ratio were applied to Livermore, that would amount to about 80 gallons per day. Still, he realizes that the long-term benefits are potentially attractive. Even with the uncertainty of how the transition to unleaded avgas will shake out, dipping a toe in the UL pool at this stage would be relatively inexpensive for his business—about $18,000 in fees and permits for the tank. If Swift 94UL were to lose out to another candidate for ASTM fleet-wide approval, switching suppliers would be seamless. The same would be true if he stocked the tank with GAMI’s G100UL high-octane unleaded fuel, available with a still-controversial Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) and at an octane level required for aircraft responsible for 70% of the fuel consumption in the piston GA fleet (including Sandhu’s Piper Malibu). If G100UL doesn’t make the commercial cut, Five Rivers could switch suppliers with its next order. Livermore, California, Mandates Providing Unleaded Fuel At Its Airport Air Plains introduces new airbox for Cessnas By General Aviation News Staff · December 13, 2023 · 4 Comments Air Plains Services has gained FAA approval for a new-manufacture Cessna 172 airbox designed for a variety of stock OEM engines, adding to the range of PMA airboxes it produces for the 180-hp 172XP engine upgrade and for various Cessna 180, 182, and 188 aircraft models. “We’ve been including a new PMA airbox with our 172XP upgrade package for 10 years, so it seemed a natural move to develop a similar, improved design for a wider range of 172s that don’t have our upgrade,” said Katie Church, Air Plains president. “Like the other PMA airboxes we produce, we’ve used our years of experience repairing damaged factory airboxes to identify common issues and develop a number of improvements for a stronger unit, at a significantly lower price than the OEM unit.” Improvements for the new 172 PMA airboxes include the addition of structural adhesive reinforcements in areas of high stress, a hardened control arm with a thicker cross-section, and added nut plates to the front of the airbox to accommodate a Brackett air filter, if installed. American Airlines to add 300 jobs in Tulsa, use $22 million award for expansion From Staff Reports Dec 13, 2023 Updated Dec 14, 2023 A Boeing 777 undergoes work at the American Airlines maintenance facility in Tulsa. American was awarded $22 million by the state Department of Commerce and will add 300 jobs. American Airlines has been awarded $22 million by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and will add 300 jobs in Tulsa, officials said Wednesday. American was awarded the funds for the company’s planned infrastructure improvements and expansion to its existing Tulsa facilities. The funds will allow American to continue making a multimillion-dollar capital investment in ongoing improvements to the company’s Tulsa location and allow for the creation of over 300 additional jobs. “We graciously thank Gov. (Kevin) Stitt, Lt. Gov. (Matt) Pinnell and the state of Oklahoma Department of Commerce for recognizing the important work our team does and appreciate their investment in the future of our Tulsa maintenance base,” said Greg Emerson, American Airlines vice president of base maintenance and facilities. “American has a long, rich history in Oklahoma, and this investment in our Tech Ops-Tulsa facility and team members ensures a bright future for years to come.” FAA Tags $159 Million Cost to Repair US Airbus Jet Engines Over Safety Concerns The agency’s directive affects 430 engines in the US and nearly 2,700 worldwide that power newer Airbus A320neo aircraft Published 12/13/23 08:14 AM ET Updated 12/13/23 09:57 PM ET Justin Bachman The Federal Aviation Administration will require inspections and potential replacement of certain Pratt & Whitney engine components after engineering analysis found that some parts of the engines could fail “significantly earlier than previously determined,” the agency said. The engines power Airbus’ top-selling A320neo family of aircraft. In the U.S., this could affect customers like Spirit Airlines, Hawaiian, and JetBlue Airways. About 8% of the U.S. geared turbofan fleet is parked, including 12% of Spirit’s Airbus jets, 11% at Hawaiian and 10% at JetBlue, according to data compiled by Jefferies. Spirit has been the most affected among the U.S. airlines, and expects to average 26 grounded Airbus planes in 2024, climbing from 13 out of service in January to 41 in December. The engine troubles will drive “a dramatic decrease” in Spirit’s ability to grow next year, the airline said Oct. 26 in its third-quarter earnings report. The issue affects 430 Pratt PW1100G series geared turbofan (GTF) engines on U.S.-registered airplanes, and would cost an estimated $159 million for ultrasonic inspections and replacements across the entire U.S. fleet, according to an airworthiness directive the FAA published on Tuesday. The proposed directive collects and updates much of the earlier work regulators have ordered for the engines. Globally, the order covers 2,674 Pratt engines, the FAA said Tuesday in an emailed statement. New Supersonic Jet Completes Ground Testing, Ready for First Flight by Roman Perkowskiin 5 December 2023 Summary: A significant milestone in aviation has been achieved as the latest supersonic jet surpasses its ground testing phase. This revolutionary aircraft, aimed at redefining high-speed transportation, is now poised to take to the skies for its inaugural flight. The Dawn of a New Supersonic Era The world of aviation is on the brink of a significant leap forward as a new supersonic jet, designed to cut down travel times by flying at speeds exceeding the speed of sound, has successfully completed its ground testing. Ground tests are crucial to ensure the airworthiness, safety, and systems functionality before any aircraft is cleared for takeoff. Testing Milestones Surpassed Throughout the ground testing phase, the aircraft has undergone rigorous checking, including taxi tests which involve the jet maneuvering on the runway under its own power. Systems checks, calibration, and safety evaluations were all part of the checklist that needed to be marked off before advancing to aerial tests. Features of the New Supersonic Aircraft Equipped with advanced propulsion systems capable of reaching Mach speeds, the jet is designed not only for speed but also for efficiency and reduced sonic booms—a key environmental and social consideration for operating at supersonic speeds. Impact on Commercial Aviation and Beyond The introduction of this supersonic jet is set to have significant implications for commercial aviation, potentially transforming transcontinental travel. If successful, passengers could experience drastically reduced flight times, revolutionizing the way we connect across long distances. Sources of Information The latest developments in this supersonic project have been reported by reputable aerospace publications and industry analysts. Additionally, data was provided by the manufacturing company that has conducted the ground testing phase. Research builds upon the history of supersonic flight and insights into contemporary concepts in aircraft design. FAQs: 1. What is a supersonic jet? A supersonic jet is an aircraft designed to fly at speeds faster than the speed of sound, which is approximately 767 miles per hour (1,235 kilometers per hour) at sea level. 2. What does completing ground testing mean? Completing ground testing signifies that the aircraft has passed a series of evaluations on the ground to ascertain its safety, reliability, and performance. This clears the path for flight tests. 3. When can we expect the first flight? While the exact date for the first flight has not been publicly disclosed, completion of ground testing suggests that the initial flight could occur in the near future, pending any final checks or regulatory approvals. 4. What is a “reduced sonic boom”? A sonic boom is the sound associated with the shock waves created when an object travels through the air faster than the speed of sound. A reduced sonic boom implies that the aircraft is designed to minimize the noise impact of these shock waves when breaking the sound barrier. 5. Where can I find more information about this project? Further information can be found on the aviation company’s official website or through reputable aerospace news outlets. For a more in-depth look at supersonic travel and the latest advancements, one might refer to leading industry sources such as Aviation Week or Aerospace Technology. Textron Offers Turnkey Carbon-Offset Program For Turbine Customers By Mark Phelps Published: December 13, 2023 On Monday (Dec. 11), Textron Aviation announced its SustainableAdvantage program. Derived in conjunction with 4AIR, self-described as a “sustainability solutions” provider, the trademarked program is designed to provide aircraft owners with a turnkey program for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Scheduled for launch next month, the SustainableAdvantage program is open to Textron customers who own and operate turbine-powered Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker models. Brad White, Textron Aviation senior VP for global parts and programs, said, “Owners have increasingly become interested in solutions that mitigate the carbon footprint of operating their aircraft. SustainableAdvantage provides them the opportunity to have a seamless option to offset their carbon emissions through a Textron Aviation-approved program and supplier.” 4AIR will provide participating operators with a personalized annual report documenting offset purchases (payments to approved carbon mitigation services, such as reforestation programs, that “offset” carbon emissions from the aircraft). 4AIR also will monitor operations and ensure compliance with reporting requirements with the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (Corsia) as well as the European Union (EU), French and U.K. Emissions Trading System (ETS). Nancy Bsales, 4AIR chief operating officer, said, “Our relationship with Textron Aviation acknowledges the many strides we have made in the industry to make sustainability more accessible.” AerSale® Receives Boeing 737NG Supplemental Type Certificate for its Enhanced Flight Vision System “AerAware™” December 06, 2023 06:27 PM Eastern Standard Time CORAL GABLES, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AerSale Corporation (NASDAQ: ASLE) (“AerSale”, the “Company”), a leading provider of aviation products and services, announced today that the FAA has issued AerSale a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for “AerAware™”, the Company’s revolutionary Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) for the Boeing B737NG product line. 1 This achievement marks the world’s first commercial EFVS system 2 to achieve a 50% visual advantage (over unaided natural vision) and the first large transport aircraft to be certified with a complete dual-pilot EFVS solution featuring a Head-Wearable Display. AerSale developed the AerAware certification program under license with The Boeing Company, which included access to necessary technical services, maintenance, and engineering data. The certification of AerAware is the result of a collaboration with Universal Avionics, an Elbit Systems company, which features the integration of ClearVision™ technology developed by their team, including dual SkyLens™ Head-Wearable Displays and a state-of-the-art EVS-5000 multispectral camera providing heads-up capability to overcome low visibility – both day and night. AerAware incorporates Synthetic Vision and Enhanced Vision Systems along with Primary Flight Display symbology, resulting in a user-controlled Combined Vision System that substantially increases situational awareness during all phases of flight including low visibility operations. Nicolas Finazzo, AerSale’s Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Today marks a milestone achievement for AerSale as we announce the FAA’s issuance of a Supplemental Type Certificate for AerAware™. I am proud of our team and grateful to our partners and the FAA for their tireless effort to complete a comprehensive and robust certification process and bring AerAware to its commercialization phase.” Finazzo added, “This achievement not only establishes AerAware as the world’s first commercial EFVS system with a remarkable 50% visual advantage, but also puts the Company in a leadership position to provide this advanced technology to airlines operating the Boeing 737NG family of aircraft. The proposition to customers is compelling, as enhanced safety combined with improved efficiency lowers airline operating costs, while reducing system bottlenecks and advancing environmental initiatives.” AerAware’s benefits include enhanced safety, reduced operating costs, better airline efficiency and environmental advantages. The system’s core capability is its capacity to enhance safety and situational awareness during all phases of flight, and not just limited to low visibility weather conditions. Moreover, the AerAware EFVS system aligns with the FAA’s Next Generation Air Transportation System project as an operational improvement initiative related to improved approaches and low-visibility operations.3 It is a key strategic aspect of the FAA’s Human Systems Integration Roadmap envisioned to achieve the transformation of the National Airspace System. Key Features and Benefits of AerAware: Enhanced Safety: With a 50% visual advantage, the AerAware EFVS substantially improves crew resource management and cockpit coordination, reducing the risk of accidents, runway incursions, tail strikes and hard landings in all conditions (not just those where visibility is limited) during all phases of flight. Additionally, AerAware greatly enhances flight crew situational awareness, which results in improved energy management during critical phases of flight. Improved Efficiency: Pilots can confidently take off and land in limited visibility conditions, leading to fewer delays and cancellations – ultimately saving time and resources. Furthermore, the AerAware system provides dispatch and landing approach priority, as well as low visibility landing capability, regardless of the destination airport’s infrastructure, resulting in improved operational efficiency. Reduced Costs: AerAware minimizes the potential for delays, diversions, and cancellations, reducing the need for expensive alternate transportation/hotel arrangements and aircraft repositioning costs, ultimately benefiting both airlines and passengers. Additionally, a reduction in fuel burn is achieved when flights can avoid holding patterns while waiting for improved visibility to land. Reduced Environmental Impact: Enhanced route efficiency during adverse weather contributes to lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions, aligning with the aviation industry’s commitment to sustainability and ESG. The newly certified AerAware system is available exclusively through AerSale and its business partner Universal Avionics, an Elbit Systems company. For more information on the AerAware system, please visit www.aersale.com, email aeraware@aersale.com, or call 305-764-3200 to speak with an AerAware specialist. For more information about AerSale, please visit our website: www.AerSale.com. AerSale: Jackie Carlon Telephone: (305) 764-3200 Email: media.relations@aersale.com New prop certified for Cessna 414 By General Aviation News Staff November 30, 2023 MT-Propeller has received an EASA STC for its 4-blade natural composite propeller on Cessna 414A aircraft. The STC applies to aircraft with or without RAM IV and VII, powered by Continental TSIO-520-N, -NB or TSIO-520-NB engines modified through an FAA STC, according to officials with the German company. The FAA STC for the new prop is in progress. According to MT-Propeller Vice President Martin Albrecht, the new prop has the following advantages: • Shorter takeoff distance by approximately 6% • Enhanced climb by 5% to 8% • Cruise performance increased by approximately 3 to 5 kts • Approximately 20 pounds less weight than the original propellers • Bonded on stainless steel edges for erosion protection of the blades MT-Propeller natural composite blades provide “significant inside and outside noise reduction,” according to company officials, who note the props have no life limitation and are repairable in case of a FOD. For more information: MT-Propeller.com STC gives new life to the legendary deHavilland Beaver By General Aviation News Staff November 14, 2023 After more than six years in the making, Valdor Aircraft has received an STC from Transport Canada to replace the original piston engines on the legendary deHavilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver with turboprop engines from Pratt & Whitney Canada, along with the installation of BX wings, built at the company’s facility in Val-d’Or in Quebec’s Abitibi-Témiscamingue region. The project is part of a sustainability initiative designed to extend the Beaver’s lifespan by several decades, according to company officials, who call the Beaver the “most versatile bush plane ever built in the world of aeronautics.” “The Beaver was originally built in the late 1940s, and maintaining radial engines that are nearing end-of-life has become increasingly more difficult,” said Gaétan Gilbert, president and senior director of Valdor Aircraft. “We worked with Pratt & Whitney Canada to retrofit the Beaver with a PT6A-34 to increase its reliability, durability, and performance.” The retrofit program meets Transport Canada’s latest requirements, and to achieve this, many of the Beaver’s original systems and features have been modified and upgraded, company officials added. “Collaboration is key when propelling an industry and joining forces with Valdor Aircraft continues the legacy of the BX Turbo Beaver, upgraded with the PT6A-34 engine,” said Anthony Rossi, vice president of Global Sales and Marketing at Pratt & Whitney Canada. “We are bringing new life to the aircraft and creating value for operators for many years to come.” In its 60 years of service, the PT6 engine has flown over 500 million hours, according to company officials. With more than 64,000 PT6 engines produced since its introduction in 1963, it powers more than 155 different aviation applications, officials added. “Today’s PT6 engine is up to four times more powerful, has a 50% better power-to-weight ratio, and up to 20% better specific fuel consumption compared to the original engine,” company officials said in a prepared release. Company officials noted that Beaver owners have been waiting for the STC’s approval and the company is now ready to begin modifying aircraft. For more information: AvionnerieValdor.com, PrattWhitney.com. Curt Lewis