Air Force transport pilots flying record hours to support U.S. commitments overseas, the Pentagon is mulling over what to do about replacement transports. According to a copyrighted story in the Washington Post, the Air Force will have to decide between three contenders. Cost is an issue, reports The Post. After a troublesome start involving design changes, delays and cost overruns, the C-17 project has turned around and is now running smoothly, The Air Force will need replacements soon. The backbone of the fleet, the C-141 Starlifter, is rapidly wearing out.
Some airframes are already beyond economical repair.
Following what it called a productive review of regulations last year, the FAA says it would like to have a periodic review of the FARs on a three-year interval. These reviews would be announced in the Federal Register and commenters would be invited to address the three issues they consider most important. He was 83 years of age and worked at the factory almost to his last day. Maule is best-known for its stout utility aircraft, which were popular with bush pilots and float operators. Over the years, the Maule factory has built some 2000 airplanes, including some recent tri-cycle gear models.