Aircraft News - North America

AirGuide Business, March 17, 2008

Cessna Citation modifier Sierra Industries is expanding its product line by offering extended-range upgrades for the Citation I, II and S-II. The Uvalde, Texas company recently introduced for these older Citations a new aft fuel tank modification that adds 120 gallons of fuel capacity, extending range by as much as 400 nm. Mar 13, 2008

Cessna Citation

Cessna Citation Mustang S/N 049, the first very light jet to suffer major damage, returned to service on February 29 after enduring the collapse of its left fuel tank and two broken wing spars on a December 19 ferry flight. According to the FAA, the twinjet received [sup.3]substantial damage[sup.2] during the flight from Cessna[sup.1]s Independence, Kan. factory-where owner Spectator Grupa of Croatia took delivery of the aircraft earlier that day-to Allegheny County Airport (AGC) near Pittsburgh for a planned fuel stop. The crew, a Spectator Grupa pilot and a contract ferry pilot, heard a bang at 18,000 feet during the descent into AGC, which was followed by a left-engine low fuel pressure warning. They then noticed distortion on top of the left wing and heard a second bang. The crew continued the descent and landed safely at AGC. FAA inspectors found that Cessna workers inadvertently blocked the left fuel tank vent with adhesive vinyl, which covered the Croatian registration numbers while the aircraft carried a temporary N-number. This blockage prevented the inflow of air to replace fuel drawn from the tank by the engines, and the tank deformed. Cessna technicians disassembled the twinjet before trucking it to the Independence plant, where new wings were installed at Cessna[sup.1]s expense. Mar 11, 2008

Continental Airlines, Boeing, GE Aviation

Continental Airlines, Boeing and GE Aviation announced plans to conduct a biofuels demonstration flight in the first half of 2009 in an effort to identify sustainable fuel solutions for the aviation industry. Continental is the first major U.S. carrier to announce plans to highlight technological advancements in sustainable biofuels that can help to further reduce carbon emissions. The biofuel flight will use a Boeing Next-Generation 737 equipped with CFM International CFM56-7B engines. CFM is a 50/50 joint company of General Electric Company and Snecma (SAFRAN Group). In the months leading up to the flight, Continental, Boeing and GE will work together and with an undisclosed fuel provider to identify sustainable fuel sources that don't impact food crops, water resources or contribute to deforestation, and which can be produced in sufficient quantities to support a pre-flight test schedule that includes laboratory and ground-based jet engine performance testing to ensure compliance with stringent aviation fuel performance and safety requirements. Mar 13, 2008

Flight Safety Foundation

Flight Safety Foundation announced a partnership with Aviation Safety Foundation-Australasia designed to "better spread the FSF safety message through Australia and Southeast Asia" and offer the Melbourne-based organization access to FSF resources and assistance. ASF will host the FSF Approach and Landing Accident Reduction Took Kit workshop in several Australian locations in May. Mar 10, 2008