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.”
