- 08 September 2009 - Still in a holding pattern, waiting for the
FAA to approve our application. We've been "tinkering" for the past
several weeks, readying everything for the moment when we finally get
the good word! Radios are going in, engines are getting tweaked and
re-tweaked - lots of little details to take care while we wait.
Keep checking back - more exciting news is just over the horizon!
- Thursday, June 18th saw the first engine run-ups in 5 years.
Successful runs on these engines means you're one step closer to skies on N836D, Eastern's last operational DC-7B.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Lpenjp5-Fs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_wiYHJN-Zc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfMbh32pN9o
- June 2, 2009:
We put fuel in the starboard wing and began pressurizing the boost pumps, checking fuel lines, and getting them ready to start. Engines number #3 and #4 should be ready to start this week, and #1 and #2 should be late next week. After the engines are on line, we will conduct taxi tests. This should occur in the next several weeks. All in all, there have been no serious issues to contend with. We also have 4 spare engines that can be used if or as needed. From the regulatory side, we are anxiously awaiting to hear from the FAA, so we can finalize the planning of the living history flights.
We have planned and hope that approvals will be in time to take the airplane to Orlando in second half of July. We will not push safety, and we cannot push the regulatory side to do that. If we can make this appearance, we will.
- Monday, March 6th, 2009: Is it ready yet???
Many people have been
asking “when are you going to crank engines? ” It is getting more and
more exciting as we near that time. As a practical matter, once we do
run engines, then there is an ongoing expense of running the airplane,
and engines on a regular basis. For that reason we are trying to
dovetail the engines and systems timeline with the final approval from
the FAA so that we can proceed with flying as we finish it. We don’t
want the airplane to sit all ready with “nowhere to go. ”
March 24th Update: Good news. On Monday
March 23rd, Carlos Gomez, and Roger Jarman, met with the FAA Flight Standards
Office in Washington D.C. The purpose of the meeting was to try and determine
which rules apply to the operation of the DC-7 as an historical airplane for
"Living History" flights. Each and every aircraft or application is unique
in several ways. Consequently, the FAA requires that the applicant tailor
the request that best suits the intended use and operation -- safety being
paramount to all. It was a great meeting and we were able to determine most all
parameters for the operation. We are submitting an application today to cover
the rules as we understand the requirements set out. Should there be no major
"hiccups", our application may be approved in the very near future. We sincerely
thank the FAA personnel for the time they took to go over the issues, and help move this effort
forward. We will update all of you to our progress over the next several weeks.
February '09 Updates: A group of Civil Air Patrol Cadets from Miami Springs
Optimist Cadet Squadron, Florida were given a tour of the DC-7B this past
Saturday, February 14th. It was an honor for us to give this great group of
our future leaders a tour. We are inviting the other Squadrons to
come and visit as well. The more the merrier!The airplane is going through system checks right now, and
initial engine start-ups are getting much closer. We will give a
heads up as soon as we can. January '09 Updates: From
the interior side, the bulkhead to the cockpit has been installed, and
the rear galley is ready for installation this week. The cushions for
the rear lounge are also expected this week, and will be installed as
received.We will be
putting some fuel on the airplane this week and checking the system for
leaks and checking fuel pressures. Each engine will be checked
thoroughly prior to engine start. Engine starts will not begin until
the interior is complete. This is because we need to be close to the
hangar facility for air and power resources for the last of the
interior issues. At that point the plane will be pulled out to the open
ramp for initial engine starts.
On the regulatory approval side, our best guess is that they will be granted in April 2009, and flight testing will begin!
Visual History Presentations:
Work BeginsOpa-locka, FLWork BeginsOpa-locka, FL
|
|
