A controversial airworthiness directive that affects certain Superior Air Parts cylinders took effect April 25 despite widespread opposition from the maintenance industry and the manufacturer. The AD grounds any aircraft with Continental 550, 520 and 470 engines with SAP cylinders that have been in the engine for more than 12 calendar years. Beyond that, the AD sets specific inspection and replacement requirements for aircraft with the cylinders, with little wiggle room if any signs of cylinder cracking are present. Superior asked the FAA for changes that would ease the impact on its customers but the agency declined. The FAA estimates the total cost of the AD will be more than $14 million for the affected engines.
Not unexpectedly, Textron found redundancies in merging the staffs at Beech Aircraft and Cessna, and announced 750 job cuts in April. Textron, the parent company of Cessna, Bell Helicopter and Lycoming, bought Beech out of bankruptcy in March. Beech and Cessna will remain distinct brands, the company said, and the new company will provide service and support for the Hawker jet line. Both Beech and Cessna are based in Wichita, Kans.
