AD Covers 31,000 Legacy Pipers
Over strong protests, the FAA finalized an airworthiness directive that will require modifications or replacement of the rudders in up to 31,000 high-wing Pipers. The AD was proposed in 2023 after two rudder failures in Alaska in 2020 and 2022. Both pilots landed safely. The NTSB determined the cause was fatigue and corrosion in rudder posts made of 1025 carbon steel and the AD mandates the use of more durable 4130N low-alloy steel rudder posts. Commenters pointed out that both incident aircraft were modified and had STC’d beacons mounted on the rudders. Steve Carruthers, president of the Short Wing Piper Club, said his group was “deeply saddened” by the AD but is working on an alternative method of compliance that will make the AD “as palatable and affordable to the owners as possible.”
Silent But Speedy
Boom Supersonic says its first three supersonic flights did not produce a sonic boom heard on the ground. The flights occurred in January and exploited something called Mach cutoff that essentially causes the shockwave to curl upward instead of hitting the ground. Company founder Blake Scholl said the phenomenon is well known among aerodynamicists but has been elusive in the practical sense because it requires precise speed and altitude adjustments depending on the atmospheric conditions. Scholl said the technology exists now to set up the plane for supersonic silence and allow it to cruise at about Mach 1.3 without anyone below knowing.
Honeywell Creates New Aerospace Company
Honeywell has joined the ranks of other conglomerates like GE, 3M and United Technologies and will split into three standalone companies, one of which will cover its various aviation enterprises. There will also be an advanced materials company and one focused on automation. The split was triggered by the $5 billion stake in the company taken by activist investor Elliot Management which has been calling for the move since buying in late in 2024. The value of the aviation company is estimated at about $104 billion. The disentanglement of the various enterprises is expected to take until the end of 2026 and there’s no word yet on what the new aerospace concern will look like.
Flexjet Places $7 Billion Embraer Order
Flexjet has ordered 182 aircraft from Embraer in the largest deal ever undertaken by either company. The $7 billion package is mostly made up of Praetor 600 and 500 super midsize jets but there will also be some smaller Phenom 300s in the mix. The deal includes options for up to 30 more aircraft. It will take six years to get all the planes delivered and by then the Flexjet fleet will have doubled to about 600 airframes. Embraer has broadened its footprint in the U.S. considerably from its relatively humble beginnings with a Phenom plant in Melbourne, Florida 15 years ago. It built a $50 million operations center in Cleveland in 2023, perhaps in anticipation of its Flexjet order.
Unleaded Fuel Feedback Sought
As unleaded avgas becomes increasingly available at fuel retailers, AOPA is looking for feedback from those who are burning it. New AOPA President Darren Pleasance, who took over from Mark Baker at the beginning of the year, said a new survey page on the organization’s web site is part of its “burn and learn” philosophy to rapidly gain insight to the benefits and challenges associated with the transition to unleaded fuel, which the EPA has mandated for 2030. “We owe it to the entire industry to quickly assess issues as they arise and respond accordingly as we learn,” Pleasance said. GAMI G100UL is available at three airports and there have been reports of issues with paint damage and possibly fuel tank sealants, nitrile rubber parts and fuel system lubricants.
NOTAMs
The Martin Mars made its final flight to Arizona museum … France to tax biz jet passengers … FAA considers helicopter ban at Reagan National … Marines looking for Osprey replacement … Embry-Riddle buys competition Carbon Cubs … Sporty’s has acquired PilotWorkshops … Space company Blue Origin announced layoffs … Find breaking news in general aviation at AVweb.com.
