John Dupre wrote:
Didn't Grumman sell the type certificates to the amphibians to someone else who is trying to bring back the Goose? I wonder if they have some interest in the suit?
John,
Atlantic Coast Seaplanes LLC (dba Antilles Seaplanes LLC) in Gibsonville and Graham, NC bought TC 4A24 from Dan Vollum of Aero Planes LLC of Hillsboro, OR (outside Portland) in order to put the McKinnon turbine G-21G back into production. We do not have TC 654 for the original G-21A.
Even though it never got updated in the FAA TC database, Joe Frakes has had TC 654 for the original G-21A Goose, as well as TC A-783 for the G-73 series Mallards for many years (since 4/1/81 in the case of the A-783.)
As far as I know, Frakes has no new production plans for either model (G-21A or G-73) and he'd be more than happy to sell the TC's if you have several million bucks just lying around.
Of interest to me is the fact that although the McKinnon turbine Goose got its own TC (4A24), the G-73T turbine Mallard is only an STC conversion of the basic G-73 and it was only a 100 percent Frakes deal - Grumman had nothing to do with it.
In any case, "Northrop Grumman" had nothing to do with either one, so they should be able to tell Chalk's and AIG to take a hike. And if there is truly any justice, a judge should back them up on that.