Delta Turbines, Inc. is about to be issued an STC for the U-series conversion for the TPE 331-10UA and has been issued STC #SA09062SC for servo tabs for the ailerons, rudder and elevators for all Dromader aircraft. This is a noteworthy achievement. With this combination, this industry has one of the most cost effective BIG ag aircraft available and it has power steering! (Editor's Note: As of June 27, DER test pilot Fred Griffith of Lake Stevens, Washington signed off all paperwork for submission to FAA for issuance of an STC for the Garrett powered engine conversion.)
The massive Garrett Dromader waits between flight tests at McGehee, Arkansas airport.
wasn’t something good to write about a business or a product or even an aircraft, I just didn’t write anything or wrote only about the good. Believe me, everything that comes across my desk doesn’t find its way into AgAir Update . Carl assured me that he wasn’t about to settle with the way his Dromader flew that day in August. He was accustomed to the ultra-light controls of his AT-301 (with a 750 hp Garrett and 450+ gallon
hopper) and he intended to engineer that Dromader to fly as close-like the Air Tractor as possible. I believe Carl has finally outdone himself. If there is one repetitive complaint about the Dromader, it is its inherent heavy controls and slow roll-out rate. Dromader pilots, line up! Without question, Carl Bailey of Delta Turbines, Inc. has cured that complaint. Both turbine and piston pilots can rub shoulders in that line!
Before, in McGehee, the Garrett Dromader was real hard to turn and was weak on takeoff. The turning problem was a design problem. The power problem was a worn out engine Carl was using for certification purposes. Realizing the engine would need “tuning” by AlliedSignal, Carl pulled and sent it to Phoenix for a hot section inspection. No wonder. The engine wasn’t making 700 horsepower!
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August 2015
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