Page 12 - February 2015 Volume 19 Number 2

• Legacy: partial and full glass cockpit completions• Garmin GTN650 and GTN750 installations• XM Weather, traffic and mode S upgradesinfo@northeastair.comwww.northeastair.com Portland Jetport (KPWM) Maine10 • TWIN & TURBINEFEBRUARY 2015Turbines Inc. Half Page 4/C Adfor fuselage frame cracking that is to be performed every 2,400 hours, usually in conjunction with a phase inspection. Since some of the airframes have accumulated 20,000 hours in service, continuing airworthiness concerns led MHI to issue the bulletin, which may or may not become an AD. In truth, very little cracking has been found, and nearly all was on long-body models, James said. The MU-2 is a very over-built airplane. A test- article fuselage in the shop had been used for pressurization cycle testing, again showing no damage after an extended time-in-service regimen.Mark James’ advice for prospective MU-2 buyers is to get their aircraft into an approved service center, where the aircraft is well understood, have it given a good prepurchase check, and have the pilot attend the PROP training, along with sending a mechanic to the SimCom service training course. The aircraft is a good buy, but it needs proper care and operation. ICJS sees very little corrosion, even from coastal locations, James says.Originally, the MU-2 was test flown with Turbomeca Astazou turboprops, changed to Garrett TPE- 331-25AA engines of 605 eshp for production. It was upgraded to the 705-eshp TPE-331-1-151A after two years. The aircraft was originally marketed by Mooney Aircraft in the U.S.A., but the arrangement was abandoned in 1970. The MU-2 was actually built and certified in the U.S., at a San Angelo, Texas plant, from MHI-supplied subassemblies. There, the 60-percent American components were added to the airplane, which received an airworthiness certificate from the FAA instead of the JCAB.Understanding The DifferenceThe MU-2’s unusual appearance was cutting edge in 1967; fuel was carried in large tip tanks, requiring simultaneous or staged refueling to avoid tipping imbalance. Pronounced wing droop can beMAINTENANCE• All scheduled and non-scheduled maintenance by our friendly, experienced technicians• Qualified to work on Citation, KingAir, Twin Commander, and PilatusAvionics Northeast Air Inc.Sixth Page4/C AdCRS #FTUR030E