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At GlobalAir.com we provide content for the aviation industry, from general and business aviation to FBO and airport news. Some stories from the year stuck out, landing on our list as the most-read stories on GlobalAir.com in 2023. The list covers a wide range of topics within and around the industry, including emergency landings, airworthiness directives, defamation cases, popular warbird restorations and celebrity jets being cut into pieces for charity.
Check out the most-read stories on GlobalAir.com in 2023.
Building a scale replica of the Avro ArrowThe Avro Museum in Canada is undertaking the immense challenge of building a 60% scale, piloted replica of the CF-105 Avro Arrow. The plane has an important history in Canada and many volunteers and sponsors want to bring back a piece of history with the project. The museum has an approved budget and a team of dedicated volunteers, working toward the goal of having the Arrow II flying by 2025.
The Avro Arrow was a Canadian aircraft that the government destroyed in 1959. The museum has had a goal of rebuilding the aircraft for decades, with plans to have the replica built and flying by 2000, but due to several setbacks, work did not begin until 2003. Over the years, the scaled replica has passed structural inspection, moved homes and been registered as the Arrow II. By 2020, the team had taken two GE JC610 engines from a used Learjet to preserve for use in the Arrow II. The aircraft is an estimated 70 percent complete, but it will need time to be fully completed and then approved by government inspectors. At a 60 percent scale, the impressive replica is about 46 feet long, 12 feet tall and with a 30-foot wingspan. It will have a fiberglass fuselage, carbon fiber wing and fin. Fiberglass fuel tanks, fly-by-wire flight controls, touchscreen and autopilot instruments and LED lighting.
The original Arrow was intended to be used as the Royal Canadian Air Force's primary interceptor aircraft as fears began to grow over Soviet bombers. The production of the first arrow was a grandiose project, comprised of costly testing and more than 10 test models. In June of 1957, a new Progressive Conservative Prime Minister, John Diefenbaker, was elected after 22 years of liberal rule. He cut federal spending and the $1.1 billion Arrow program was a point of controversy. On Feb. 20, 1959 the government canceled the project and with a single decision, over 14,000 people lost their jobs. In Canadian aviation, this day became known as Black Friday. The Arrow pieces were cut apart, blueprints destroyed and scraps sold. When Avro dissolved in 1962, job losses had grown to 25,000. Despite the tragic ending, Canadian aviators kept the enthusiasm and are using this project to keep the legacy of the Arrow, and the many employees who made it possible, alive.
FULL STORY: Avro Museum rebuilding scale CF-105 Avro Arrow replicaAviation YouTuber loses defamation case
A controversial aviation YouTuber, Dan Gryder, was ordered to pay over $1 million in a defamation case involving a series of videos he posted online. The subject of his videos, pilot and airport owner Charles Cook, filed a lawsuit after Gryder made allegations Cook said were false. The court sided with Cook and Gryder was ordered to pay $1,081,667 plus interest that will accrue at five percent annually until the amount is paid in full.
In August 2021 Gryder released three videos making accusations against Cook, a Boeing 777 captain and owner of the Flying Oaks Airport (2TE2) in Fort Worth, Texas. His accusations against Cook included an extramarital affair, lying to the FAA about his health and selling a defective plane later involved in a deadly crash. Gryder went as far as to name Cook in the third installment of his videos: "Charles Cook, if you want to get your name in lights, we are about to do that." The court found all of these claims to be false and ruled in favor of Cook.
The allegations stemmed from a crash analysis Gryder did involving an Aeronca 7AC Champion that crashed, killing the pilot and his teenage son. Gryder claimed Cook sold the aircraft with missing log books and that it was not up to date with annuals and licensing. Cook was in the hospital for weeks leading up to the crash with a serious case of COVID-19 and had to be physically helped to the crash site on the day it occurred. Gryder went on to say that Cook's airport was full of unlicensed "cowboy" pilots and had been reported to the FAA numerous times, which was reportedly based on misinformation or did not happen.
After the case, he continued to speak out about the 2021 crash and even made a response video to the AOPA after a story was published on the suit. He noted multiple outlets that reported on the case and said: "You'd have to be stupid to run this story."FULL STORY: Aviation Youtuber ordered to pay $1M in defamation of airport owner; slams AOPAFAA issues multiple airworthiness directives
The FAA will issue an Airworthiness Directive when a problem or unsafe condition is found in an aircraft. These ADs can require inspections, grounding of aircraft or repairs. Throughout 2023, numerous ADs issued by the FAA caught the attention of GlobalAir.com readers, including an AD for an iconic warbird.
In February the FAA released an AD for reciprocating Continental Engines, linked to the Cirrus fleet grounding on Feb. 8. The AD required the inspection of the crankshaft assembly for proper installation of the counterweight retaining rings and corrective measures if improper installation is found. Just weeks before, Cirrus grounded its fleet of SR22 and SR22Ts built between June 1, 2021, and Feb. 7 2023 due to an issue with the engines, identified by the installer Continental Aerospace Technologies. A notice was sent out and owners and GlobalAir.com readers waited to hear from the FAA. A statement given to GlobalAir.com on behalf of Cirrus and Continental said that the two were working together to determine how many aircraft were impacted and the specific serial number range.
An AD for some Pilatus PC-12 NG aircraft caught the eye of GlobalAir.com readers in April. The FAA issued the AD after identifying a safety risk involving corrosion that can decrease the effectiveness of surface protection. The AD required the replacement of some MLG and NLG electro-mechanical actuators. The EASA also issued an AD over the concern and the service bulletin from Pilatus was mandatory, listing different timetables for different serial numbers. Pilatus commented on the publication during the comment period, requesting some changes like applying the three-month compliance time only to older aircraft or the references to outdated service bulletins, which the FAA obliged. The AD impacted about 440 planes in the U.S.In April, rumors began flying around after the Yankee Air Museum decided to proactively ground it B-17 Yankee Lady after inspections of another B-17 led to the discovery of wing spar issues. Many sensed an AD was coming for the warbird, citing a 2001 AD also concerning the wing spars. By mid-May, the FAA issued the feared AD for all Boeing B-17E, B-17F and B-17G planes after a report indicated the left front spar lower fitting had separated at the wing-to-fuselage joint and the corresponding right joint was cracked. These planes are an important part of aviation history and very few remain in flying condition. Often, restorations on aircraft like these are difficult due to the availability of parts and the associated costs.
With less than five operational B-17s left, this instilled a fear that the remaining few would not return to the sky, whether due to cost or inability to conduct the repairs. Fortunately, the Yankee Lady returned to the sky by September.RELATED STORY: Priceless volunteers have the B-17 'Yankee Lady' flying again
At the end of November, the FAA extended the comment period for the AD over replacing rudder equipment on Piper aircraft. The AD was issued as a result of two accidents involving Piper planes caused by broken rudder posts which structurally failed above the upper hinge in flight. Both crashes were in Anchorage, Alaska with one in a Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser and the other in a Piper PA-14 Family Cruiser. In both cases, the rudder posts fractured above the upper hinge, with the top portion of the rudder folded over the upper tail brace wires and the carbon steel rudder posts had fractured due to fatigue. If these issues go unchecked, it could result in a broken rudder and reduce the flight crew's ability to maintain a safe flight and landing.
The extension was requested by groups like the AOPA and Short Wing Piper Club, saying that the notice was controversial and could drive substantial costs. Many of the comments relayed concerns over the applicable aircraft, the scale of the AD and possible inaccuracy of the estimated costs. Some recommended removing the lower HP engine aircraft from the list and focusing on higher-powered aircraft. The FAA agreed to the extension, stating that an additional 90-days would not compromise the safety of the aircraft and the comment period was extended to Feb. 20, 2024.RELATED STORY: FAA extends comment period for Piper aircraft rudder replacement AD
Pratt andamp; Whitney celebrates GTF engine milestone
In January, Pratt andamp; Whitney announced a major milestone for the GTF engines. Since entering into service, the geared propulsion system has saved one billion gallons of fuel and 10 million metric tons of carbon emissions. Over the past year, Pratt andamp; Whitney has made several improvements to the engine family, including its fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions for the A320neo family. The company also announced plans to enhance the geared fan architecture. The enhancement is with hybrid-electric systems and water-enhanced turbine technology and being completed through a SWITCH collaboration with MTU Aero Engines, Airbus, GKN Aerospace and Collins Aerospace. Pratt andamp; Whitney was also selected by NASA to develop advanced engine technologies to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
The GTF engine is the only geared propulsion system to deliver industry-leading sustainability benefits and dependable operating costs. Aircraft powered with the GTF engine will reduce fuel consumption and CO2 by 16-20 percent. NOx emissions can be reduced up to 50 percent and noise footprint up to 75 percent.FULL STORY: Pratt andamp; Whitney hits milestone for GTF engines
Restored P-47D Razorback flies again
For the first time in nearly 80 years a restored Republic P-47D-23RA Thunderbolt flew. The plane owned by the Dakota Territory Air Museum was restored over a period of about eight years at AirCorps Aviation. With extensive work and numerous FAA approvals, pilot Bernie Vasquez took the WWII plane for a 35-minute test flight. This is believed to be the only Republic-built "Razorback" variant of the Thunderbolt in the world. The P-47D Bonnie was a regular mount for WWII flying Ace, William Douglas Dunham, in New Guinea. The plane was abandoned in 1944 after an accident and kept on display in New Guinea for years before it was sold to AirCorps Aviation.
The plane was brought back to life and after receiving the required number of hours from flight testing, made its way to the museum. Bonnie made its debut at EAA AirVenture this year, showing off its new formal livery.FULL STORY: Watch as a restored P-47D 'Razorback' flies for first time in 80 years
Cessna 172 highway landing
On July 8 a pilot flying a Cessna 172 Skyhawk made an emergency landing on a highway in Blaine, Minnesota. The pilot experienced low oil pressure and could not reach the nearest airport, requiring him to conduct an emergency landing on a highway. The pilot managed to land the plane successfully without any reported injuries or damage to the aircraft. Video from nearby cars captured the landing, showing the Cessna approach smoothly and land on the road as if it were a runway, amidst cars and shocked passengers.
The pilot had 13 years of experience in his Cessna 172 and managed to execute a landing under high-stress conditions successfully. The roadway remained open and the plane was towed away. Highway landings are more common than one might think, but often more dramatic. GlobalAir.com wrote about several highway landings in 2023, some ending with fires and some where the crew members were not as fortunate.FULL STORY: Watch a Cessna 172 make a highway emergency landingThe last C-123 Thunderpig heads to AirVenture
The last flying Fairchild C-123 Provider visited EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this year and the big announcement in June caught the attention of readers. EAA shared that the Thunderpig would be attending and the story on GlobalAir.com became one of the most read for the year. The C-123 was part of the "Vietnam Remembered - 50 years later" commemoration event. The aircraft, also known as "Thunderpig" is the only surviving C-123 in flying condition. Thunderpig was one of 300 built between the late 1950s and mid-1970s. The C-123 was primarily used as a cargo and troop transport aircraft. Thunderpig was built in 1956 and served at bases across the U.S. The plane was found in an aircraft graveyard in Arizona in the 1990s and sent to the Air Heritage Museum's restoration facility.
In addition to the Vietnam War-era aircraft on display at AirVenture, vets were honored with a special Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight. The flight took 100 Vietnam War vets to Washington D.C. in an annual salute to veterans.FULL STORY: Last flying C-123 'Thunderpig' coming to EAA AirVenture
Gulfstream G150 crew races before runway overshoot
The flight crew on a Gulfstream G150 decided to race another plane before it overran the runway and sustained substantial damage. The NTSB released its report on the May 5, 2021 incident, releasing the revealing audio from the flight. The cockpit voice recorder revealed that as the plane neared the Ridgeland-Claude Dean Airport (3J1) in Ridgeland, South Carolina a passenger asked the two pilots about an estimated arrival time, to which the pilot in command responded, "I'll speed up. I'll go real fast here."
One of the three passengers on the G150 reportedly liked to challenge the PIC to see how fast they could reach their destination, like a previous flight where the estimated time was 40 minutes and the passenger challenged the pilot to make it in 39. The audio from the cockpit revealed the conversation between the PIC and second in command after learning that another jet was also headed to the airport. The two said they were "trying to win a race," and the PIC said, "This is NASCAR."
The CVR recorded the overspeed warning tone numerous times during the descent as the PIC and SIC said "goal achieved" and "final lap." The plane pulled in hot, just like NASCAR, overshooting the runway and coming to rest about 400 feet past the end of the runway in wet and marshy terrain. The passengers and pilots were unharmed but the plane had serious damage to the wings and fuselage. The jet they were trying to beat was then diverted to another airport.
FULL STORY: Gulfstream G150 crew was racing before runway overshoot, NTSB saysBrand-new Boeing 737 MAX turns around after takeoffIn March, the pilot of a Boeing 737-8 MAX straight from the factory declared an emergency, notifying the ATC tower that they did not have autopilot trim or an electrical trim system and had to trim the aircraft manually, requesting to return to the airport. The crew requested to level off at 11,000 feet and began running checklists. Audio from the incident reveals a calm conversation between the pilot and controller as they communicated the situation and were able to navigate back to the airport safely.
Trimming the aircraft means adjusting the aerodynamic forces on the control surfaces which allow the pilot to maintain a set altitude without any control input.
The plane returned to the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) about 23 minutes after departure. The pilot navigated back to PHX, trimming manually, and safely landing without any injury to the 164 passengers on board or damage to the aircraft. The plane had just arrived in Phoenix on its delivery flight one day before.FULL STORY: Pilot turns brand new Boeing 737 MAX around when trim systems aren't working
Elvis jet sold at auction, converted to RV, cut into pieces for charity
As 2022 came to a close, GlobalAir.com reported about the early 2023 auction of Elvis Presley's 1962 Lockheed 1329 JetStar, and readers were instantly hooked on the unfolding Elvis jet saga. On what would have been Presley's 88th birthday, the plane sold at the Mecum Kissimmee Collector Car auction with his ex-wife, Pricilla Presley on the stage. The plane as originally purchased by the late rock legend on Dec. 22, 1976, for $840,000, or $4.4 million today. The jet was bought at the auction for $260,000. After the bidder backed out, it was bought by a popular aviation YouTuber, James Webb of Jimmy's World, for $234,000.
Webb documented his experiences with the jet on his channel, showing as it powered on for the first time in over 40 years, after sitting in storage in the desert for decades. The plane was evaluated and it was discovered that the likely cost to repair the plane would be $5.7 million. On top of the exorbitant repair costs, an associated airworthiness directive over the noisy jet meant it was legally too loud to start. The jet, which had faded in the sun for years, needed a new purpose, which sadly did not involve a return to the sky.
The YouTuber revealed that his new plan was to convert the plane into an Elvis RV experience. Webb and a team dismantled the aircraft, sifting through 40 years of dust, dirt and debris as they took the plane apart, piece by piece, nose to tail. The plane pieces went on a cross-country road trip to Florida, even stopping at the King's former home in Graceland, where they were later asked to leave by security. Many of the plane parts, including the lavish red velvet and gold accented cabin, will be converted into an Air BnB RV. Viewers and GlobalAir.com readers had mixed reactions, with some wishing the plane had stayed in one piece as a display and others happy it was finding a new use.
In August, Webb revealed his planes for the plane parts that are not needed in the RV conversion. Webb began cutting the wings and other parts into pieces, creating thousands of JetStar tags for aviation enthusiasts and Elvis fans alike. There was also a special contribution to Presley's favorite charity, St. Jude. The tags were sold at a range of prices and with different offerings like plaques or VIP access to the RV reveal party and comeback tour.
The Elvis jet saga was the most read of 2023, with viewers watching in amazement, or horror, as the dilapidated jet was sold, torn apart, cut into pieces, and is now being converted into an RV. With the conversion process ongoing, who knows what new developments we will see in 2024?FULL STORY: YouTuber cuts Elvis Presley's JetStar into pieces to raise funds for charity, RV conversion
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