About this episode
A technical marketing advisor from Textron Aviation explains the new Cessna SkyCourier. In the news, strategic moves by aerostructures maker Triumph affect the Boeing 747, engine competitions are underway for the B-52 fleet and the F-15EX, a Pakistani airliner crashes under unusual circumstances, Delta Airlines retires the MD-80 fleet, and the U.S. Air Force drops the blanket height requirement for pilot candidates. We also hear about youth programs from the president of EAA Chapter 196. Cessna SkyCourier Martin Tuck is a technical marketing advisor with Textron Aviation. He recently spoke with Airplane Geeks reporter-at-large Launchpad Marzari about the new Cessna SkyCourier which successfully completed its first flight recently. The SkyCourier is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney PT6 turboprops. It can carry 6,000 pounds of cargo or 19 passengers, depending on the configuration. The freight configuration accommodates three LD3 shipping containers. The aircraft features single-point pressure refueling capability and rugged landing gear for use on unimproved strips. FedEx is the launch customer for the SkyCourier, with 50 firm and 50 option orders. Cessna SkyCourier cargo configuration, courtesy Cessna. Cessna SkyCourier passenger configuration, courtesy Cessna. Located in Wichita, Kansas, Martin is a 42-year veteran of the aviation industry and has experience with the Hawker, Cessna, and Beechcraft brands, particularly in the King Air turboprops. He is part of the project team working on the new Cessna SkyCourier. Aviation News Boeing Debates Future of 747 Program Aerostructures company Triumph Group is a long-time producer of the fuselage and horizontal stabilizer panels for the 747. The problem is that Triumph announced it will shut down the two plants manufacturing these components. Boeing has enough parts for the 747 backlog, but that’s the end of the supply. To continue production, Boeing would have to find a new source. Triumph Group Reports Progress On Aerospace Structures Strategic Review Triumph announced it was undertaking a comprehensive review of its structures business as it focuses on its core systems and product support markets and capabilities. The Company has divested its 10 build-to-print machine shops, five fabrication shops, two metal finishing facilities, and its two million square foot Nashville large structures plant. US Air Force launches contest to replace the B-52 bomber’s engine The U.S. Air Force is again looking to replace the TF33 engines on its 76 B-52s. RFPs have gone to Pratt & Whitney, GE, and Rolls-Royce. The eight engines on each bomber would be replaced by eight General Electric TF34, GE Passport, Pratt & Whitney PW800, or Rolls-Royce F130 engines. The engine makers have until July 22, 2020, to submit final proposals. US Air Force cancels GE Aviation sole-source for F-15EX engine, asks for competitive bids The US Air Force initially said engines for the Boeing F-15EX would be sole-sourced to GE Aviation for 480 F110 jet turbines. Now the USAF is asking GE and P&W for engine proposals. Pakistan Airliner Landed Gear Up On First Try: Report Pakistan International Airlines Flight PK8303 attempted it’s first landing with gear up, scraping the engine nacelles on the runway before executing a go-around. It crashed into a residential area on its second landing attempt after both engines failed, killing all but 2 of the 99 people aboard, and one child on the ground. See also: Completely unacceptable approach preceded PK8303 crash Millions in cash found in PIA PK8303 wreckage Black box of Pakistan flight PK8303 en route to France for air crash investigation 12-year-old injured in PK-8303 crash passes away in Karachi Delta Air Lines will be the last US passenger airline to retire its MD-80 fleet in June. Take a look back at the all-American ‘Mad Dog’ jet. Delta will retire its McDonnell Douglas MD-88/MD-90 fleet on June 2, 2020. MD-80 series was powered by two rear-mounted Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200 engines while the MD-90 was powered by IAE V2500 engines. The Air Force Thunderbirds Say They Are Done With “America Strong” Flyovers The Thunderbirds posted a message on social media that their recent flight over Southern California would be the last of the America Strong flyovers. This may have been a change in plans since some people expected flights over the Pacific Northwest and even other western locations. Air Force Drops Pilot Height Requirement The US Air Force Medical Standards Directory requirement previously required pilot applicants to stand between 5’4″ and 6’5″ tall. Applicants sitting height was to be between 34 and 40 inches. The Air Force said dropping those requirements was intended to attract a more diverse group of candidates. The Air Force Times said, “Instead of a blanket height requirement, the Air Force said that it will apply an ‘anthropometric screening process’ to figure out which specific aircraft applicants would be able to fly. These measurements, in addition to standing height, also measure an applicant’s eye height while sitting, buttocks-to-knee length, and arm span, are entered into a computer to determine which aircraft the applicant could and could not safely fit in.” EAA Youth Programs EAA Chapter 196 president Mike Smith tells us about some of their local chapter youth programs. The Experimental Aircraft Association is very focused on developing the next generation of aviation enthusiasts through the Young Eagles program, scholarships, internships, and aviation camps. Van’s RV Formation Team Mark Newton and a Van’s RV formation team landed in a 4-ship on runway 16R at Sydney International. The Stooges – RV Formation Team Facebook page. Video of the arrival shot from #4: Stooges YSSY Arrival Sydney International Forum post on Vans Airforce Sydney Airport v ideo: Unique RV formation flies into SYD https://youtu.be/vSANvFKfQ4k Mentioned The Last B-24 , investigating the wreckage in the Mediterranean of the last B-24 built. Across The Pacific: Airborne , the Pan Am documentary. Chris Manno’s new book “ An Airline Pilot’s Life ” is now available in paperback on Amazon.com. Thromby Air: Social Distancing for Dummies