AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2022 - 31

NEWS /
bondline separation that could cause the skin
to delaminate from the aircraft's structure may
now be expanded to include our AA-5B Tiger
(see " FAA Proposes Another AD for Grumman
Aircraft, " December 2, 2021, AOPA.org). If the
proposed AD goes into effect, and upon inspection
the Tiger has any delamination, the remedy
is rivets-hundreds of rivets. Not a nice look on a
brand-new paint job. Frustratingly, the AD may
not go into effect for many months-if in fact
it ever does. And, we cannot comply with the
proposed AD inspection before the AD is final,
which will be long after the aircraft is painted.
It's a bit of a dilemma.
Finally, the AOPA sweeps will have a new N
number when it leaves the paint shop-maybe.
We sent the application to reserve an N number
three weeks before leaving the airplane with
Lancaster Aero-usually plenty of time to make
certain the N number can be assigned to our aircraft
before paint is applied. We've since learned
that despite the FAA's website saying there is
a three-week delay in processing applications,
the real delay is closer to 12 weeks. We'll have
to paint the new N number on the airplane and
cover it with a temporary N28860 (the current
N number) vinyl decal until we receive an airworthiness
certificate and registration for the
new N number.
Someone recently asked me if the surprises
and delays keep me awake at night. " No, " I said,
" we had a good plan, but sometimes things come
up that you can't predict. We'll get creative and
through the hard work of our partners, we'll end
up with one of the nicest Grumman Tigers anywhere
in the world and make it to Sun 'n Fun
for everyone to see. " All the effort will be worth
it for the flying enjoyment of the eventual winner.
kollin.stagnito@aopa.org
SQUAWKS
Visit aopa.org
for the rest of
the story
CubCrafters founder Jim Richmond dies
The man behind the smiling airplane, company founder,
and backcountry aircraft innovator Jim Richmond, died
in November at the age of 67.
Beechcraft Denali makes first flight
Beechcraft senior test pilot Peter Gracey reported
that the new Denali turboprop's first flight was " simply
flawless, " and the company added that the program is
on track for certification in 2023.
GAMA releases third-quarter totals
Aircraft factories suffer from the same shortages
of parts and people afflicting the broader economy,
but turbine aircraft sales and reported revenue
posted double-digit gains through the third quarter,
according to the latest report from the General Aviation
Manufacturers Association.
Bahamas, Caribbean open to GA
If you are ready to escape the cold weather or are
planning a vacation early in the new year, the Bahamas
and Caribbean are open to international general aviation
flights.
Col. McGee 102nd birthday celebration
Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, who turned 102 on December
7, was honored at Randolph Air Force Base.
Visit aopa.org/sweeps for full
sweepstakes rules and a list of
generous contributors.
Sullenberger named ICAO ambassador
The U.S. Senate confirmed Chelsey " Sully " Sullenberger
as ambassador to the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO), the United Nations air safety
agency.
aopa.org
AOPA PILOT / February 2022
31
http://www.aopa.org http://www.AOPA.org http://www.aopa.org/sweeps http://www.aopa.org
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2022

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