EAA Warbirds of America Reports on T-34 Fleet
With the summer flying season in full swing, EAA Warbirds of America is taking this opportunity to report on the status of the T-34 fleet. Over the past few months, EAA and it’s Warbirds of America Division have been consulting with the T-34 Association in order to help return the T-34 fleet to flying status.


At this time the FAA is expected to extend the present AMOC from 60 hours to 240 hours with a mid-term inspection at 120 hours. This is a short term “get ‘em flying” AMOC while the T-34 Association and its Engineering committee work on the long- term solution. This AMOC carries flight limitations of 152 Kts, +2.5 G, -0 G, and no aerobatics permitted. The T-34 Association has shared the engineering data and inspection procedures so that all T-34s can be inspected and returned to service while they continue to work on the long-term solution.


Presently Aviadesign is approved with an AMOC for their Spar Strap, which has no flight restrictions from the normal certified limits, but does require an inspection of the center section every 300 hours.


G.A.M.I. is currently developing an alternate to the Aviadesign Strap with an internal part that will require far less labor to install and nothing visible to the outside of the plane. It is expected that the cost of this modification will be far less than the Spar Strap.


The T-34 Association is recognized as being the lead group on this issue. Their expertise and dedication has been most valuable in this process. EAA Warbirds of America is providing a support role, helping coordinate FAA contacts, making recommendations, and insuring that we continue to be involved in the process.


We believe the most successful way to proceed is by providing the FAA with accurate engineering data to help demonstrate the safety of the T-34 fleet. The T-34 community has stepped up to the plate and contributed funds to hire a D.E.R. that will help conduct these engineering studies. With the help of EAA/Warbird members Jud Nogle, Dan Thomas, George Braly, and Tim Roehl, we feel confident that the T-34 Association will prevail and that the T-34 will eventually be returned to its original flight envelope.

  EAA Aviation Center
  P.O. Box 3086
  Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086

www.warbirds-eaa.org
Phone: 920.426.4800
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