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All News

December 28, 2022

Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin for Seamax Model M-22

SAIB Addresses Optional Folding Wing Assembly

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) 2022-24 alerting owners, operators, maintenance technicians, and inspectors of an airworthiness concern regarding Seamax Aircraft LTDA’s (Seamax’s) Model M-22 light-sport airplanes which incorporate the optional folding wing assembly. Specifically, subject SAIB provides procedures to inspect the aircraft’s wing strut attachment hardware for proper security.

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140 Alaskan Pilots Face Surprise Re-Checks in 2 Weeks

Long Time Bush Pilot DPE Defrocked by FAA, Sending Local Scene Into Hurry to Retain Airman Ratings

The FAA issued notice that almost 140 pilots will be required to sit for a new checkride in the next 15 days in order to retain their certifications after “defrocking” a longtime DPE in Alaska. Pilots who took their Instrument and Flight Instructor checkrides (both initial and add-on) with backcountry aviator Don Lee between July 2018 and May 2022 will be required to be re-inspected to keep those ratings - and complete the re-check within 15 days.

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Abandoned Dog-Turned-Mascot Finds United Airlines Home

After Lengthy Quarantine Process, 'Polaris' Leaves SFO Terminal for New Family

Awwwww... A United Pilot got a free dog thanks to some erroneous paperwork, adopting the abandoned german shepherd mix at a local adoption party. A traveler from China incorrectly filled out the paperwork for the dog's importation, resulting in a mandatory quarantine for the pup. The owner apparently had little interest in keeping it, leaving the dog at the San Francisco, California airport and flying out to New York, never to be seen again.

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DOT Criticizes SWA Over Flight Delays and Cancellations

Agency Tacitly Censures Sound Operational Judgment?

The delays and cancellations of thousands of Southwest Airlines flights in the days following Christmas 2022 have occasioned criticism of the Dallas, Texas-based carrier by disgruntled passengers and a federal government seemingly unable to accept, or incapable of understanding, that airlines do not control meteorological phenomena the likes of winter storms. That inclement holiday weather forced every airline to delay or cancel flights did little to stem the tide of ire, as did the possibility that Southwest acted out of an abundance of caution.

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FAA Issues New Weather Text

December 22nd Publication of "Aviation Weather Handbook" Goes Nearly Unnoticed in Holiday Rush

A new textbook from the 8083 series of FAA publications dropped earlier this month, the Aviation Weather Handbook. FAA-H-8083-28 combines a number of Advisory Circulars frequently cited by CFI's and PPL's alike in their checkride prep, conveniently bound into one single volume for easy reference and a more cohesive narrative.

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Oklahoma City Claims USAF C-17 Damaged Runway

A Dispute of Some Gravity

The municipal leaders of Stillwater, Oklahoma assert the runway and taxiways of the city’s airport, Stillwater Regional (SWO), sustained significant damage when a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III carrying the U.S. Air Force Academy women’s basketball team allegedly landed without prior authorization on Sunday, 13 December 2022.

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Classic Aero-TV: Wipaire At NBAA17 - More Than Just Floats

From 2017 (YouTube Version): Caravan Floats Updated With Oil Bath Wheels For Reduced Maintenance…

Wipaire Floats was founded in the 1960s, and over the years has come to offer a line of products for everything from small recreational airplanes to large commercial aircraft, including firefighting airplanes. At NBAA-BACE is Las Vegas last month, Clint Clouarte, VP of Marking and Sales for Wipaire, said one of the most recent developments is the introduction of oil bath wheels on new production Wipline 8750 amphibious floats for Cessna Caravans, eliminating the need for repeated greasing. 

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R22, R44, and R66 Helicopters Require Tail Rotor Inspection

Seaside Operators Particularly Susceptible to Loosening Rotor Tips, Gearbox Failure

Robinson Helicopters from the R22-series saw the issuance of a new service bulletin this week, mandating tail rotor inspection and replacement for affected parts. The company has “received reports of tail rotor blade tips coming loose due to corrosion at the bond,” finding that helicopters operating near saltwater are particularly susceptible to corrosion, especially when stored outdoors.” A debonded tip can cause severe vibration in flight which can speedily deteriorate into failure of the tail rotor gearbox housing.

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NTSB Prelim: Cessna R172K

Pilot Attempted To Maintain Directional Control With Rudder And Brake Applications Without Success

On December 16, 2022, at 1515 eastern standard time, a Cessna R172K, N5405V, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport (BKV), Brooksville, Florida. The private pilot sustained a minor injury.  The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. Preliminary information from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed the pilot was returning from Orlando International Airport (ORL), Orlando, Florida, where he had deplaned a friend.

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ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (12.28.22)

Aero Linx: Santa Clara Valley 99s We are women pilots or future women pilots. Our members live, work & fly in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our local airports are San Carlos (SQL), Palo Alto (PAO), San Jose (SJC), Reid-Hillview (RHV) and Hollister (CVH). Currently, the Santa Clara Valley 99s has about 85 members; our membership includes professional airline pilots, flight instructors, FAA personnel, and women who work in other fields and fly for fun. Our members are also active in other aviation organizations...

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ANN's Daily Aero-Term (12.28.22): Mountain Wave

Mountain Wave Mountain waves occur when air is being blown over a mountain range or even the ridge of a sharp bluff area. As the air hits the upwind side of the range, it starts to climb, thus creating what is generally a smooth updraft which turns into a turbulent downdraft as the air passes the crest of the ridge. Mountain waves can cause significant fluctuations in airspeed and altitude with or without associated turbulence.

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Aero-News: Quote of the Day (12.28.22)

“Airmen who 'cannot complete the exam within 15 days of receipt of the letter must contact the Anchorage FSDO and temporarily deposit their airman certificate in accordance with paragraph 8.'” Source: From yet another bizarre FAA letter targeting 140 pilots who had the misfortune to take a checkride with an Alaskan DPE targeted by the FAA for reasons not yet fully known.

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