Swift Gets 100R STC
Swift Fuels’ 100R unleaded aviation fuel has received an STC for use in Cessna 172 R and S fuel injected models. The STC is a significant milestone for the fuel and making it the second high octane unleaded to get FAA approval behind GAMI’s G100UL. The two aircraft models, the most modern 172s, can already run on several lower-octane unleaded makes of avgas and at least one type of automotive fuel and Swift CEO said the STC is a first step toward universal application of 100R. “Swift Fuels is managing a comprehensive program targeting the global replacement for 100LL within 3 to 5 years, said Swift CEO Chris d’Acosta. We are actively working with industry and OEMs on FAA-certifications and ASTM International specifications.”
737 Rudders Can Freeze Stuck
The NTSB is suggesting the removal of potentially faulty rudder control servos on more than 353 Boeing 737 MAX and NG model airliners and recommends Boeing come up with a better way of dealing with the problem than stomping on the rudder pedals. As part of its investigation in a February 2024 incident with a United MAX in Newark in which the pilots were unable to move the rudder pedals during rollout, the NTSB discovered that water could seep into the rollout guidance actuator, which is only used during CAT IIIb approaches but is always linked to the rudder controls. That water can freeze making it difficult or impossible to move the pedals. The board is also suggesting Boeing find an alternative way to unstick the rudder other than to “overpower the jammed or restricted system [using] maximum force, including a combined effort of both pilots.”
Controller Hiring Hits Target
The FAA says it’s making progress restoring air traffic controller staffing levels. It announced that it hired 1811 new controllers in the last fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 11 more than it targeted for the year. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said the turnaround was a combined effort “to rebuild the controller workforce.” Staff shortages have been blamed for many of the airline delays that have rippled through the system since the end of the COVID pandemic measures although the FAA says airlines have also been to blame. Regardless, Whitaker said the hiring blitz will continue. “We will not rest on the success of this hiring push—we are already thinking about how to meet our goals next year and into the future.”
Starlink Used To Detect Stealthy Aircraft
Chinese researchers say the blanket of Starlink Internet satellites enveloping the Earth can be used to find and track stealthy military aircraft. Although they deflect and absorb radar energy, the aircraft naturally block the radio signals between the satellites and ground transceivers and those disturbances can be plotted to detect the planes. They proved their hypothesis using a DJI Phantom drone, approximating the radar signature of an F-22. Now they’re testing it with China’s own Thousand Sails small satellite constellation, potentially giving their military an indigenous early warning system against attack by stealth aircraft.
ADS-B Landing Fees Deferred
A controversial proposal by several Florida airports to use ADS-B to detect and bill landing fees has been deferred or dropped by most of them in the face of backlash from the aviation community. Ormond Beach, Deland, Kissimmee, and Orlando Executive have shelved the idea although some say they may revisit the idea in the future. The airports all got a sales pitch from Vector Airport Systems to install a system that would detect a landing aircraft using its ADS-B-out signal and then use the data to generate and send an invoice based on the weight of the plane and address of the registered owner. AOPA raised major objections about the plan.
NOTAMs
Musk calls for FAA administrator’s resignation … Cap on VA aviation education benefits protested … Darren Pleasance named AOPA president … Textron, Gulfstream and Dassault all skipped NBAA-BACE … New Zealand pilot released by Papuan rebels after 19 months … Alaska-Hawaiian merger complete … Heart Aerospace rolls out 30-seat hybrid regional airliner … Find breaking news in general aviation at AVweb.com.
