A look at the fly-in at the Spurwink Farm grass field. In the news, the EASA AD for Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, Boeing and DOG agree to a plea deal, 737 oxygen generators, United travel delay messages, 107-II/CH-46 helicopter upgrade, and air travel complaints.

Spurwink Farm Fly-In

Our Main(e) Man Micah attended the 2024 Spurwink Farm fly-in and interviewed attendees and others.

Gyrocopter landing

V-tail Bonanza landing.

Micah and the air bosses.

Aviation News

EASA Issues Airworthiness Directive Over Boeing 787 Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 Engine Parts

EASA (the European Union Aviation Safety Agency) has issued an updated airworthiness directive (2019-0286R1) for Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. The AD pertains to Low Pressure Compressor front cases installed on Boeing 787 airplanes:

Engineering analysis has identified that 38 LPC front cases have non-optimal material properties. This could inhibit the intended function of the LPC front case to contain certain engine failures. This condition, if not corrected, could, in case of fan blade failure, lead to high energy debris release, possibly resulting in damage to, and reduced control of, the aeroplane.

The corrective action is to remove and replace the fan case for certain serial numbers. However, RR updated the population of affected parts to allow some to remain in service with inspections of LPC front case thickness at 16 locations.

Boeing to plead guilty to criminal fraud charge

The US Department of Justice and Boeing agreed to the previously reported plea deal. Boeing will plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge and pay a criminal fine of $243.6m. The judge has to accept the deal. DOJ pointed out that the deal does not grant immunity to individuals.

FAA orders inspection of 2,600 Boeing 737s over oxygen mask issue

The passenger service unit oxygen generators can shift out of position due to a problem with a retention strap. The strap adhesive has been found to allow the generators to move.

Your Flight Is Delayed. Would More Details Make You Feel Better?

United Airlines is sharing a lot of flight delay and cancellation information via mobile alerts, texts, and emails.

Columbia and Piasecki Partner on Upgrade for 107-II and CH-46E Helicopters

Columbia Helicopters and Piasecki Aircraft Corporation (PiAC) are collaborating on a program to upgrade the Model 107-II tandem rotor helicopter to create a CH-46 107-III variant. Columbia holds the 107-II type certificate and intends to implement a phased series of STCs (supplemental type certificates) to upgrade the engines, introduce modern avionics, and make other improvements.

Air travel is getting worse. That’s what passengers are telling the US government

The DOT received so many complaints in 2023 that it took them until July to compile the numbers. Last year, the DOT received almost 97,000, just about a 13% increase over 2022. About 1.2% of flights were canceled in 2023, compared to 2.3% in 2022.So far this year, cancellations are around 1.3% In 2023, delays were about 21% of all flights, the same as this year. The DOT partly attributed the increase in complaints to greater consumer awareness of how to file a complaint. 

Air Travel Service Complaint or Comment Form (Not Related to Airline Safety or Security Issues)

How flying got so bad (or did it?) In this Planet Money Podcast episode, NPR traces air travel's evolution over the past century to discover if flying today is worse or better.

Mentioned

Land use around airports:

Utah Code Land Use Regulations Part 5 - Utah State Legislature [PDF]

12 New Laws that Utah MUNICIPALITIES Need to Know About.

Airports & Land Use - An Introduction for Local Leaders [PDF]

Tips for small towns airports and land use decisions

Aviation News Talk

The Journey is the Reward

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Max Trescott.