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September 26, 2011
By The AVweb Editorial Staff
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Tornado Alley Turbo has issued a mandatory service bulletin (PDF) and asked the FAA to issue an airworthiness directive for the owners of up to 950 Cirrus SR22TN aircraft that may have Champion RHB32S fine wire spark plugs, TAT is sounding
the alarm and can only include the aircraft with which it is directly involved in its MSB and the proposed AD. However, the list of affected aircraft could grow to include other aircraft with those
plugs installed. TAT says it has been gathering evidence that indicates those plugs are experiencing an unusually high rate of cracked ceramic insulators. Cracked insulators can cause detonation
problems that can result in severe engine damage. TAT says it's aware of at least two forced landings and one non-injury accident that may have been caused by the damaged spark plugs. TAT President
George Braly said that while the initial MSB applies only to turbonormalized Cirruses, TAT systems have been installed in other aircraft types and he expects action on those, too.
"We have been collecting data and researching this situation very closely. The time has come to deal with this continuing operational safety matter in a definitive manner," Braly said. "Therefore,
it is our recommendation that pilots and operators of aircraft with one of the TAT TN turbo normalizing systems installed should not wait for the subsequent airframe model specific service bulletins
to be issued." The cracked plugs have also been found in normally aspirated engines, which means the issue may not be limited to turbo-equipped aircraft.
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Mobile FliteDeck:
A Paperless En Route Charting Revolution for Your iPad®
Aviation is transformed with the first interactive mobile en route flight application. With Mobile FliteDeck and a Jeppesen electronic chart subscription, you'll benefit from immediate
access to accurate information, improved situational and operational awareness, and a more streamlined flight process. The app's features include en route chart data and Airway Manual ® text, class-leading vector map imaging, and data-driven IFR and VFR terminal charts.
Watch a view
overview.
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EAA and AOPA are jointly proposing a plan to the FAA to allow so-called "driver's license medicals" to be used for some pilots who now must maintain a minimum third-class medical. In a joint
announcement at AOPA Summit on Saturday, AOPA President Craig Fuller and EAA President Rod Hightower said the proposal will be submitted early next year and will allow pilots flying purely for
recreation to use a valid driver's license as proof of medical fitness. The standard, which now applies only to sport pilot certificates, would expand to cover all FAA certificates up to and including
ATP. There would be limits, however, on the aircraft that could be flown and on flight conditions.
AOPA and EAA suggest that limit might be a maximum of four seats with no more than 180 horsepower, fixed gear and day VFR flights only with one passenger. "That would greatly expand the number of
aircraft a pilot might fly while operating under a driver's license medical standard," the joint statement read. Pilots using the new system would be required to undergo periodic online training on
aeromedical topics and self certification. The groups said the proposal is a natural extension of the medical standard applied to sport pilots. "We have more than five years' experience now with the
sport pilot certificate and the driver's license medical standard," said Hightower. "In that time, we have not had a single medical incapacitation accident. The standard works."
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Sebring Regional Airport Hosts U.S. Sport Aviation Expo!
The LSA show is January 19-22, 2012 and features conventional aircraft, kitplanes, powered parachutes, trikes, gyros, amphibians, and innovative designs such as
electrically powered aircraft — 150+ aircraft on display. If it exists in the recreational aviation market, it will be at Expo! Over 12,500 aviation enthusiasts attended last year for
demonstration flights, EAA forums, and what's new in the LSA market.
Visit
Sport-Aviation-Expo.com for details.
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In our story last week about the Unleaded Avgas Transition team's deliberations, we reported that the
committee increasingly believes a direct drop-in unleaded replacement isn't likely. But one reader wrote to ask about the recently approved 100VLL, which the FAA announced as an approved fuel in SAIB
NE-11-55. Isn't this a direct drop-in? Yes, it is, but it's also not an unleaded fuel, but one that contains about 19 percent less lead than 100LL. It still meets exactly the same octane requirements
as 100LL and fits right into ASTM D-910, the current industry avgas specification. The 100VLL spec was developed at the request of industry groups as a potential alternative to 100LL for use in areas
where airports may represent point sources of lead emissions that exceed emerging national air quality standards. Until the EPA completes its research on lead endangerment, it's unclear if 100VLL will
have any role in future fuel supplies.
As far as what defines "drop-in replacement," it's generally considered to be a fuel that has the same octane value as 100LL and/or one that can meet any of the other octanes and requirements found
in ASTM D-910 and can be handled by the existing transportation and distribution network without regulatory or infrastructure changes. Octane is only one factor. While 100VLL meets D-910, the ARC
committee said last week that it appears that unleaded replacements may not, hence the statement about an unleaded drop-in being unlikely. That doesn't mean they aren't suitable replacements; it only
means they don't meet fuel certification specs as currently written, thus revisions may be necessary.
Further, the lack of across-the-board drop-in capability may require the development of entirely new fuel certification specifications and expensive testing. The FAA or industry will have to come up
with the resources to do that testing.
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Trade Up to the Lightspeed Aviation Zulu
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headsets, Lightspeed Zulu features Full-Function Bluetooth™ connectivity, enhanced communications, a distinctive look, and unparalleled comfort.
Visit
LightspeedAviation.com, learn the value of your headset, and trade up to Zulu.
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All 19 people aboard a sightseeing flight returning from Mt. Everest died when the Buddha Air Beech 1900D they were on crashed on approach to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The
aircraft clipped a hilltop house in heavy rain and fog about six miles from the airport. There were at least two Americans on board. One person survived the crash but died later in hospital. The crash
has prompted comment in some quarters about the safety standards for Nepalese carriers, but according to the airline's website, Buddha Air
operates one of the most modern fleets in that part of the world.
According to the airline, the aircraft in question, one of four Beech 1900Ds, was less than 15 years old and purchased new from Beech. The airline also operates five various models of ATR
turboprops. It was the first fatal accident for the airline, which began operating in 1997. It was a tough day for air travel in Kathmandu. Although the Buddha Air accident occurred far from the
airport, operations were shut down for part of the morning, resulting in several diversions. Not long after the airport reopened, an apparently mentally ill passenger on a SpiceJet flight claimed a
bomb was on the aircraft, and that resulted in a six-hour closure. The airport had only been open briefly when an aircraft blew a tire on the runway, prompting another brief closure.
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Southeast Aerospace —
Leading Avionics Resource Now More Effective!
The newly designed industry-leading web site
SEAerospace.com
has been released! Get to know all of SEA's services: Part Sales, Repairs, Installations, Special Missions and Engineering. Each online department provides detailed information on services,
capabilities, experiences and contact information. Save time and go directly to the resources you need. And, as always, you can find real-time inventory pricing and delivery on the part sales site,
SEA-Avionics.com. 
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The FAA's ARC Committee gave a briefing of sorts at AOPA Summit in Hartford, Connecticut last week. It dealt mostly with process and little with substance. In his latest post to the AVweb
Insider blog, Paul Bertorelli again argues for a more transparent process.
Read more and join the conversation.
In the aviation biz, we like air shows because they promote the industry -- but after a season of bad crashes, have we actually gone backwards in terms of public image? How are non-aviation people
impacted by witnessing a crash? We decided to ask. Chloe Barkdoll was present when a T-28 Trojan crashed at Martinsburg Air Show in West Virgina on September 17; she shares her reactions in a guest
post to the AVweb Insider blog.
Read more and join the conversation.
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Fly More for Less
Visit the AVbuys page for discounts, rebates, incentives, bargains, special offers, bonus depreciation, or tax benefits to help stretch your budget. We're helping you to locate and view
current offers instantly, with a direct link to sponsors' web sites for details.
Click for the
resource page.
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File Size 7.9 MB / Running Time 8:35
Podcast Index
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How to Listen
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Subscribe Via RSS
We've been hearing a lot about how China will be the next big thing in general aviation but it's still in its infancy. AVweb's Paul Bertorelli spoke with Yinjie Zhang of AOPA China
about the realities and the possibilities at AOPA Summit in Hartford.
Click here to listen. (7.9 MB, 8:35)
File Size 8.8 MB / Running Time 9:35
Podcast Index
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How to Listen
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Subscribe Via RSS
Toronto's Canadian Air and Space Museum got an eviction notice from an arm of the Canadian federal government last week and
has abruptly closed, calling into question the future of a priceless collection of artifacts and archives, not to mention the building itself, the original de Havilland Canada factory and birthplace
of such iconic aircraft as the Beaver, Otter and Twin Otter. The Crown corporation that runs the site has made a deal with a private developer to put up four hockey rinks on the site. AVweb's
Russ Niles spoke with Ian McDougall, the volunteer chairman of the museum (who also loves hockey) about the fight that is about to ensue.
Click here to listen. (8.8 MB, 9:35)
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Peter Drucker Says,
"The Best Way to Predict the Future Is to Create It"
It's easy for your company to be more proactive, flexible, and entrepreneurial with AVweb's cost-effective marketing programs. Discover the benefits of instant response, quick copy
changes, monthly tracking reports, and interactive programs. To find out how simple it is to reach 255,000 qualified pilots, owners, and decision-makers weekly,
click now for
details. 
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Nominate an FBO
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Rules
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Tips
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Questions
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Winning FBOs
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Atlantic Aviation at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport
(KGPT) in Gulfport, Mississippi.
AVweb reader John Hunt gave this location a stellar recommendation:
Incredible service! You would think I was pulling up in a G450 the way they treated us. We were met at the line by two extremely professional folks with a rental car, all paperwork filed out.
Additionally, when it was time to leave, all my bills were in order, the plane was fueled, and they returned our rental car. I'd fly out of my way to use the services of Atlantic at KGPT!
Keep those nominations coming. For complete contest rules, click here.
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBOs in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
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The Top Reporter on Our Crack Staff ... Is
You! |
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back to top |
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Our sister publication, Aviation Consumer, would like to know. We're doing a survey on owner experiences with factory-new, factory-reman and factory-overhauled engines. (No field overhauls
this time.)
The survey will take about five minutes, and you can take it merely by cliking this link.
Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something 255,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. You're a part of our team ... often, the best part.
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Inbound to Kennedy in the early '60s. Canarsie approach. Aircraft lined up on the inbound radial to keep 210 knots.
Controler:
"American 123, what's your speed?"
American 123:
"210."
Controller:
"Scandinavian 456, what's your speed?"
Scandinavian 456:
"210."
Controller:
"Air France 789, what's your speed?"
Air France 789:
"210."
[Silence for a while. Then ...]
Controller:
"One of you is a #*@! liar!"
Björn Ekberg
via e-mail
Heard anything funny, unusual, or downright shocking on the radio lately? If you've been flying any length of time, you're sure to have eavesdropped on a few memorable exchanges. The ones that
gave you a chuckle may do the same for your fellow AVweb readers. Share your radio funny with us, and, if we use it in a future "Short Final," we'll send you a sharp-looking AVweb hat
to sport around your local airport. No joke.
Click here to submit your original, true, and previously unpublished story.
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AVwebFlash is a weekly summary of the latest news, articles, products, features, and events featured on AVweb, the internet's aviation magazine and news service.
The AVwebFlash team is:
Publisher
Timothy Cole
Editorial Director, Aviation Publications
Paul Bertorelli
Editor-in-Chief
Russ Niles
Contributing Editors
Mary Grady
Glenn Pew
Features Editor
Kevin Lane-Cummings
Webmaster
Scott Simmons
Contributors
Jeff van West
Mariano Rosales
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