August 26, 2026 - No. 34 In This Issue : FAA Proposes Rolls-Powered Boeing 787 Nacelle Changes : Autoland-equipped Phenom 300EV Gets Trio of Approvals : Air Launch Platforms : U.S. Keeps Insisting Its $40M "Combat Crop Duster" OA-1K Skyraider II Will Stay Relevant, But Cuts Order From 62 to 53 Aircraft as Drone Alternatives Grow : Army opens premier test ranges to private industry for rapid innovation : 3D Systems Receives $9M to Continue US Air Force Metal-Printing Program : Once Boeing delivers the much-awaited new Air Force One, the current Presidential 747 will be carefully dismantled into tens of pieces, transported by large barges to Miami, and reassembled for the massive Presidential library to be constructed around it : Northrop Grumman CEO says B-21 production could accelerate as U.S. Air Force reviews larger sixth-generation stealth bomber fleet : U.S. Navy Hopes F/A-XX Award Comes Soon As August Deadline Nears Share : Tempest Aero Spark Plug Cracking SB-012 FAA Proposes Rolls-Powered Boeing 787 Nacelle Changes Share Sean Broderick August 13, 2026 Credit: Boeing Operators of Rolls-Royce-powered Boeing 787s will have four years to replace certain fan cowl parts to ensure the engines are protected from debris in the rare case of a serious engine failure, a new FAA draft rule said. The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) addresses a certification gap following design changes of Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. The changes leave oil tubes and other components on the right (No. 2) engine’s inboard side inadequately protected from debris that a major left-engine failure could shed, Boeing determined. The issue has not been linked to any in-service incidents, Boeing said. The manufacturer is developing reinforced cowl panels and recommended to operators in February that they be replaced within four years. The FAA NPRM is based on Boeing’s bulletin and proposes the same compliance timeline once a final rule is issued. “Boeing identified a noncompliance and informed the FAA,” Boeing said in a statement. “In February 2026, Boeing issued guidance to operators to replace the affected parts by 2030. We support the FAA making that guidance mandatory. The in-service fleet can continue normal operations.” Boeing determined “the protection system on the left fan cowl of the right engine does not sufficiently cover the components” on affected engines, the FAA explained in the NPRM’s preamble. “This insufficient cover could leave multiple oil lines and the P30 sense line in the right engine exposed to possible cross engine debris from the intermediate pressure turbine (IPT) rotor stage of the left engine.” The updated parts integrate metal shielding to restore required debris protection. Neither the NPRM nor Boeing’s bulletin detail the new parts’ costs. Boeing’s February bulletin said the affected fleet includes Trent 1000-powered aircraft from first deliveries through line no. 1214. That aircraft, a British Airways 787-10, was delivered in June 2025. Boeing data shows it delivered 407 Rolls-powered 787s in that stretch. Autoland-equipped Phenom 300EV Gets Trio of Approvals Brazilian, European, and U.S. aviation regulators have all now approved the Embraer Phenom 300EV, making it the first light jet certified with the Garmin Emergency Autoland system. The triple FAA, EASA, and ANAC certifications come only a month after Embraer announced the 300EV. Deliveries of the new model are slated to start in late 2028. Other improvements to the new Phenom model include an autobrake, rudder-by-wire system, more payload and range, and an updated galley. Gogo Galileo connectivity is also available as a factory option. According to the Brazilian manufacturer, the Phenom 300EV is the largest business aircraft so far equipped with Garmin Emergency Autoland, which autonomously flies the jet safely to the nearest suitable airport in the event of pilot incapacitation. To support these automated control functions, Embraer has developed its own Multipurpose Electronic Controller (MEC), which enhances handling, reduces pilot workload, and simplifies maintenance. The MEC also controls the rudder-by-wire system. The Phenom 300EV has an increased range of up to 2,055 nm with up to four passengers and NBAA reserves. This enables nonstop flights between locations such as New York City to Aspen and Dubai to the Maldives. Air Launch Platforms Air Launch The air launch concept has a long legacy as an efficient approach to launching payloads to space and within the Earth’s atmosphere at reduced cost with more flexibility and speed than current vertical launch options. Roc and the Spirit of Mojave stand on the shoulders of giants like the B-29, B-50, and B-52 that served in critical carrier roles for research programs such as the Bell X-1 and X-15. Air-launch is a tried and true method of delivering payloads. Six Boeing 747 engines and a wingspan of 385 feet – longer than an American football field, Roc is the largest of any plane ever assembled with a payload capacity of 550,000 lbs. Spirit of Mojave The 747 has been a pillar of commercial air travel, providing the fuel range and reliability needed to reach any destination on the planet. The Spirit of Mojave revives and transforms this legacy as a readily deployable launch platform able to test a variety of payloads from any chosen location. U.S. Keeps Insisting Its $40M "Combat Crop Duster" OA-1K Skyraider II Will Stay Relevant, But Cuts Order From 62 to 53 Aircraft as Drone Alternatives Grow Borys Gulkevych August 19, 2026 22306 OA-1K Skyraider II aircraft / Photo credit: U.S. Department of War USSOCOM expects 11 more deliveries by FY2026 end bringing fleet to 31 as original 75-aircraft $3B plan shrinks while MQ-9 Reaper could perform same missions cheaper U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) plans by end of fiscal year 2026 to receive 11 more L3Harris OA-1K Skyraider II combat crop dusters known for their golden price. Thus total fleet of these aircraft will already comprise 31 units. USSOCOM representatives told this in comment to Janes. According to them, light attack aircraft will enter service of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). Currently 20 aircraft are already in arsenal. OA-1K Skyraider II aircraft / Photo credit: U.S. Department of War Currently American military says Skyraider II is needed for ground unit fire support, while architectural solutions developed within program will enable keeping platform relevant. However in USSOCOM budget request for 2027, planned order was cut from 62 to 53 aircraft. Eleven units arriving this year were ordered in previous years, so reduction did not affect them. Defense Express notes such words and actions make sense, as funds are already spent and equipment received, and writing it off immediately means simply losing time and resources. Therefore quite likely all possible benefit will be extracted from OA-1K, as specialized platform in conditions when drones cannot be used, means for testing or personnel training and so on. OA-1K Skyraider II aircraft / Photo credit: U.S. Department of War Recall aircraft based on ordinary agricultural aircraft was supposed to cost U.S. $40 million per unit if initial plans for 75 aircraft at $3 billion were implemented. Therefore understandable that ultimately due to insufficient justification, orders are being reduced. Skyraider II can operate from dirt airfields, remain airborne for 6 hours with 370 km combat radius and carry 2.7 tons payload. Weapons include AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and AGR-20 APKWS rockets, GBU-12 Paveway II bombs or 20mm gun. OA-1K Skyraider II aircraft / Photo credit: U.S. Department of War Such counterinsurgency aircraft possibly had good capabilities for its class, but with air defense asset development and proliferation, question arose regarding its advisability and survivability. Specifically militants and terrorists now can more easily obtain same MANPADS. At same time, with unmanned technology development, question arises whether same tasks cannot be performed by UAVs like same MQ-9 Reaper. However since aircraft are already purchased, application for them will be sought. Army opens premier test ranges to private industry for rapid innovation By U.S. Army Public Affairs August 7, 2026 WASHINGTON — In a major effort to accelerate the delivery of critical capabilities to the warfighter, the U.S. Army announced today it is opening four premier stateside military test ranges and collaborating with partners to open an international military test range to private industry for their internal research, development and rapid experimentation. Spearheaded by the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC), in close partnership with the Mississippi and Michigan National Guard and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), this initiative prioritizes commercial access to specialized environments ideal for testing drones, counter-drone technologies, long-range fires and low-cost interceptors. The ranges designated for this effort include Dugway Proving Ground in Utah; West Cibola Range, a newly opened component of Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona; Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center in Mississippi; Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center in Michigan; and the Multidomain Training Area (MDTA) range complex, a component of the Africa Multidomain Training and Experimentation Center (AMTEC), in Morocco. “A company with a good idea shouldn’t need a team of lawyers and a program of record just to prove their equipment works,” said Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. “So we fixed that. One front door — testrange.army.mil — a real person to walk you in, and on the other side, everything the modern battlefield demands: contested airspace, degraded signals and the space to test at real scale.” To streamline access, the Army has launched a modern portal, which serves as a digital "front door" for industry. Companies can easily request range time and will be paired with a dedicated concierge who will assist them through the scheduling processes. Private industry does not need to have a prior U.S. government contract or existing federal relationship to submit a request. “At Dugway Proving Ground and West Cibola Range, we are providing industry partners with unparalleled access to massive land and airspace that is perfect for the ‘fly, fail, fix, fly’ process necessary to mature emerging drone and long-range fires capabilities,” said Maj. Gen. Pat Gaydon, commanding general of ATEC. “By aligning our test processes with the speed of commercial innovation, we enable developers to rapidly prototype and iterate on their systems.” In addition to standard testing, the Army will also host a special electromagnetic unreliability test event for private industry at Camp Grayling during the week of Sept. 13, 2026. This environment will mimic the contested electronic warfare conditions currently seen on the battlefield in Ukraine, offering industry a rare opportunity to harden their drone and counter-drone systems. The Army anticipates this opportunity will be repeated on a quarterly basis. “I am grateful to the Secretary of the Army for selecting Camp Grayling to help advance defense innovation and support the modernization of our military,” said Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “This designation will help streamline research, development and innovation opportunities for Michigan’s defense industry, accelerate the delivery of emerging capabilities to the warfighter and further strengthen our partnership with the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command. We look forward to providing a realistic environment where government, industry and the military can work together to rapidly develop and evaluate the technologies that will shape the future battlefield.” Camp Shelby represents the Mississippi National Guard’s contribution to the test range initiative. “We are thrilled to partner with the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command,” said Maj. Gen. Bobby M. Ginn Jr., adjutant general of Mississippi and commanding general of the Mississippi National Guard. “Camp Shelby, with its distinct history of training warfighters coupled with its unique capabilities, stands out as an exceptional location for a test range. We are committed to supporting the T&E of cutting-edge technologies that empower our warfighters and enhance their operational effectiveness across all warfighting domains, operational imperatives and cross-cutting sectors.” Internationally, AMTEC will provide dedicated physical space to ensure forces and systems are prepared to operate effectively in any environment. A key feature of the MDTA is the ability to operate in the full electromagnetic spectrum as well as contested environments. “AMTEC represents a transformative leap in multinational collaboration,” said Gen. Dagvin Anderson, commander of AFRICOM. “This partnership will not only advance the capabilities of both the U.S. and Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, but it will also provide the defense industrial base with a world-class international venue to experiment, innovate and develop scalable solutions for long-range fires and emerging technologies.” While submitting a request does not guarantee a vendor’s desired location or timeline due to capacity limits, the Army concierge team will work closely with all applicants to find suitable testing locations and windows. To view the new site, visit https://testrange.army.mil/ArmyRangeReservation/s/ 3D Systems Receives $9M to Continue US Air Force Metal-Printing Program August 13, 2026 The US Air Force has awarded 3D Systems an additional $9 million to continue developing a large-format metal 3D-printing system for aerospace components. The award extends the Large-Format Metal 3D Printer Advanced Technology Demonstrator program for another two years, bringing total funding for the initiative, launched in 2023, to $27.4 million and supporting its final demonstration phase. Under the program, 3D Systems is examining whether additive manufacturing can produce large metal components for high-temperature, high-speed aerospace applications. Unlike conventional manufacturing, the process builds components layer by layer from digital designs, potentially allowing complex parts to be made with fewer separate pieces. 3D Systems is developing its direct metal printing platform to manufacture large components that could eventually be used in flight-critical applications. Work will continue at the company’s facilities in San Diego, California, and Rock Hill, South Carolina. US Military Broadens Use of 3D Printing The US military is expanding its use of additive manufacturing, applying the technology to the development of components, repairs in operational settings, and the construction of military infrastructure. In July, the US Army opened the first two of 10 concrete-printed barracks at Fort Bliss, Texas. The buildings will provide accommodation for up to 560 rotating service members, with the entire project scheduled for completion in September. In April, Naval Air Systems Command awarded Colibrium Additive a $31-million contract to support the qualification of 3D-printed metal components for naval aircraft. The company will develop manufacturing data for six metal-alloy processes, deliver four printing systems, and train navy personnel, helping establish repeatable methods for producing parts that meet aviation certification requirements. In 2025, US Air Force and Marine Corps maintainers in Japan used additive manufacturing to replace a damaged cooling duct on an F-15. The teams printed, delivered, and tested two prototypes within 12 hours, allowing the aircraft to return to service months earlier than initially estimated. Once Boeing delivers the much-awaited new Air Force One, the current Presidential 747 will be carefully dismantled into tens of pieces, transported by large barges to Miami, and reassembled for the massive Presidential library to be constructed around it by Sayan Chakravarty The Boeing 707 used by Ronald Reagan was transported by truck to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi valley, California. Image - X / @taketyaanumadu. Instagram /lifestyle_miami Moving a Boeing 747 is never a routine operation, but plans being discussed for the proposed presidential library could turn the retirement of one of America’s most recognizable aircraft into one of the most ambitious engineering projects ever attempted for a museum. Rather than placing the aircraft in a conventional aviation pavilion, the vision calls for the retired VC-25A Air Force One to become part of the building itself, transforming the iconic jet into the centerpiece of the entire complex. Image – Instagram /lifestyle_miami The concept came into focus during a recent interview of Eric Trump with the Palm Beach Post, who described the logistical challenge of incorporating the aircraft into the development. Drawing on his experience in large-scale construction projects, he said the team is fortunate that the waterfront site provides a practical route for transporting the aircraft by water before moving it onto the property. He also remarked that the project would essentially involve “building a skyscraper around a 747,” adding that the aircraft’s wings would likely have to be removed so it could be maneuvered into position. Image – Instagram /lifestyle_miami A waterfront route for one of America’s most recognizable aircraft The proposed library is expected to showcase one of the retired VC-25A aircraft that served as Air Force One for decades. Unlike a traditional outdoor display, the aircraft would become an architectural feature embedded within the tower itself. That approach means decisions about the aircraft’s dimensions, structural requirements and installation would influence the building’s design from the earliest planning stages. Also read - You can actually buy and live inside the world's first real-life NFT luxury mansion in Miami After being dismantled at San Bernardino International Airport, Reagan’s Boeing 707 fuselage was hauled about 100 miles by truck to his Simi Valley library. A similar road journey would be impractical for the much larger 747 planned for Miami, making transport by water the likelier option. The waterfront location plays a critical role in making the idea possible. Instead of attempting to transport the aircraft entirely by road, the broad concept is to move the retired Boeing 747 to Miami aboard a barge before bringing it ashore close to the construction site. From there, the fuselage would be carefully positioned as construction progresses around it. While Eric described the waterfront as a major advantage, such an operation would still be a significant engineering undertaking. Before transport, the aircraft would likely need to have its wings removed, along with other major external components, allowing the fuselage to navigate tight urban spaces. Heavy-lift cranes, specialized transport equipment and carefully coordinated road closures would almost certainly be required before the aircraft could be placed on a specially engineered foundation. Image – Instagram /lifestyle_miami Rather than constructing a museum and later adding an airplane, the sequence would effectively be reversed. Much of the building would rise around the aircraft, making the retired Air Force One an integral part of the structure rather than simply another exhibit inside it.Image – Instagram /lifestyle_miami Why the retired VC-25A is a fitting centerpiece Choosing a retired VC-25A would also give the library a uniquely historic attraction. The aircraft entered presidential service in 1991 and served multiple administrations over more than three decades, carrying presidents on domestic trips, overseas state visits, diplomatic missions and other official travel. Its long service gives it a broader place in presidential history than a single administration alone. The aircraft also represents the generation of Air Force One that many Americans immediately recognize. Finished in the classic blue-and-white livery introduced during the Kennedy era, the VC-25A became an enduring symbol of the presidency and remains one of the most recognizable government aircraft ever built. The Qatar donated 747 If incorporated into the proposed library, visitors would not simply view the aircraft from a distance. They could experience a genuine piece of presidential history embedded within the architecture itself. Similar exhibits have proven immensely popular, with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library’s Air Force One Pavilion becoming its defining attraction. A Boeing 747 integrated into a Miami skyscraper, however, would take that concept a step further, creating what could become one of the most distinctive presidential library displays ever attempted.The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is the only one to have an Air Force One in it Should the plan move forward, transporting a retired Air Force One by barge through Biscayne Bay before constructing a skyscraper around it would stand out as one of the most unusual museum installation projects ever undertaken, combining large-scale engineering with presidential history in a way rarely seen before. Northrop Grumman CEO says B-21 production could accelerate as U.S. Air Force reviews larger sixth-generation stealth bomber fleet By Hannah Miller (Defence Industry Europe) Air | August 23, 2026 Photo: U.S. Air Force. The U.S. Air Force’s B-21 Raider is moving toward its first operational delivery in 2027 with the acquisition program running ahead of schedule, while Northrop Grumman expands the industrial base for higher production. The service is also examining whether to accelerate output further and increase the size of the sixth-generation stealth bomber fleet beyond its current plan for at least 100 aircraft. Gen. Dale White, director of Critical Major Weapon Systems, said during the Air Force’s Life Cycle Industry Days conference in Dayton, Ohio, in late July that the B-21 acquisition effort had accelerated by roughly 25% following a one-time $4.5 billion funding increase provided through the 2025 reconciliation legislation. He said the first operational aircraft is expected to be “on the ramp” at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota in 2027. The Pentagon has requested $6.1 billion for the B-21 program in fiscal 2027, supporting a transition from development and flight testing toward a larger production and fielding effort. White said Northrop Grumman is expected eventually to produce seven operational B-21s a year. The latest Air Force assessment follows the addition of a second B-21 to flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Expanding the test fleet is intended to increase the pace of flight evaluations and weapons integration ahead of operational deployment. Northrop Grumman’s own financial and production disclosures point to the same shift toward higher activity on the program. Aeronautics Systems sales rose 13% in the second quarter of 2026, driven in part by higher B-21 volumes, while the segment delivered a 10.3% operating margin. The company also raised its full-year Aeronautics Systems sales forecast to about $14 billion. Chief Financial Officer John Greene said the revised outlook reflected higher B-21 sales as the program continued to ramp, together with increased volumes on mature production programs. That production ramp is also shaping Northrop Grumman’s investment profile. Greene said the company expects capital expenditures of $1.85 billion in 2026 and spending equivalent to about 4.5% of sales in both 2027 and 2028, specifically citing infrastructure needed to support B-21 production. Northrop Grumman Chief Executive Officer Kathy Warden said during the company’s second-quarter 2026 earnings call on July 21 that the B-21 was among the major programs benefiting from investments made over several years. She said the company had invested not only in new capabilities but also in the manufacturing capacity needed to respond more quickly when demand increases. “We also have been investing in capacity,” Warden said during the Q2 2026 earnings call. She said having production capacity already available allows Northrop Grumman to take on work it otherwise might not have been positioned to deliver and bring revenue forward once customer demand materializes. The more consequential question is how large the B-21 production requirement ultimately becomes. Asked during the earnings call whether the Air Force was considering increasing the program beyond 100 aircraft, Warden said an agreement with the service allows it to examine both faster output and a larger program of record. “The agreement we reached with the Air Force does allow them to consider accelerating production into a larger program of record,” Warden said. Northrop Grumman is participating in the analysis, and she expects the Air Force to reach a conclusion by the end of 2026. The review gives the B-21 program an additional industrial dimension beyond the currently planned production ramp. If the Air Force opts for faster output or a larger fleet, Northrop Grumman would need to support higher aircraft volumes while maintaining the program’s testing and fielding schedule. Execution on the bomber has remained strong, according to Northrop Grumman management. Greene said there had been “good execution throughout the year” on B-21, supporting a positive direction for overall program profitability. Northrop Grumman also views the Raider as one of the principal programs supporting longer-term growth. Greene cited B-21 alongside Sentinel and weapons demand among the drivers that should allow the company to accelerate revenue growth over time relative to its historical performance. Warden has tied the production push to a broader effort to move advanced defense technologies into service more quickly. In her opening remarks during the Q2 2026 earnings call, she said Northrop Grumman was working with customers to accelerate development and delivery of next-generation capabilities while investing in advanced factories to increase production rates and volumes. The B-21 represents the next step in the company’s flying-wing stealth bomber lineage, following the B-2 Spirit. Warden described the B-2 and B-21 as examples of Northrop Grumman’s signature flying-wing technology and said the company was operating with “a sense of urgency” to deliver advanced systems in response to the changing threat environment. Designed to penetrate advanced air defenses and carry both conventional and nuclear weapons, the B-21 is intended to replace the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit over time. It will operate alongside modernized B-52 Stratofortress bombers, which are expected to remain part of the U.S. strategic bomber force for decades. The first operational delivery to Ellsworth in 2027 will therefore mark only the beginning of the Raider’s transition into the force. Northrop Grumman is already increasing investment and production activity while the Air Force determines whether the sixth-generation bomber should ultimately be built faster and in greater numbers than originally planned. U.S. Navy Hopes F/A-XX Award Comes Soon As August Deadline Nears Brian Everstine August 22, 2026 F/A-XX rendering provided by Boeing to Aviation Week. Credit: Boeing RENO, Nevada—With about one week left in August, the U.S. Navy is still hopeful an announcement will be made on awarding its next-generation fighter, though it is out of the service’s hands. Top Pentagon officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle all have said an engineering and manufacturing development award for the F/A-XX fighter would come in August. Speaking on the sidelines of the Navy aviation-focused Tailhook Symposium here Aug. 22, Caudle says an announcement is forthcoming. Boeing and Northrop Grumman are competing for the contract. “I’m hoping it’ll be in August. You know, we committed to that, and I think it can be,” Caudle said when asked about the status by Aviation Week. “I think all the parameters and information necessary to make the decision are known, so it’s with [Hegseth’s] team now.” Navy leadership, including the secretary’s office, Naval Air Systems Command and the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, are part of these discussions. “If it makes it in August, that’s great. I think it’s ready though, but I can’t tell you any more than that,” Caudle says. “And it’s not even that I’m trying to hold back. I honestly don’t know either. That moves in that secretariat circle. “I’ve made my recommendations there, and that’s now moving in that circle. So that’s very close hold until that final decision is made, because it deals with such a large contract.” The U.S. Air Force was the first to make a sixth-generation award in March 2025, granting Boeing a contract to develop the F-47. That announcement took place in an Oval Office event, and it appears that a similar process will play out for a Navy announcement once it is settled—with that scheduling potentially affecting the timing. The Navy is requesting $140 million for the program in fiscal 2027—$68 million in the base budget request and $72 million from a proposed separate reconciliation bill. Lawmakers are pressing to both add funding to the program and pressure the Navy to make the decision. The budget appears uncertain, however, as key lawmakers have raised doubts about the prospect of both the reconciliation bill and a separate supplemental package to pay for the war against Iran. Caudle says it is important to get all three proposals passed, particularly for aviation. The reconciliation proposal includes the bulk of the service’s aircraft procurement. The delays to the F/A-XX award are affecting the Navy’s planning, Caudle says. As part of the original plan laid out about five years ago, the sixth-generation aircraft would have come online earlier. But now with the delay, there will be more pressure on the Lockheed Martin F-35 program to deliver, along with a need to maintain the Boeing F/A-18 that the F/A-XX is supposed to replace. This includes managing flight hours after deployments and improving spare parts availability for aircraft that are both returned from and currently on deployment, he says. Tempest Aero Spark Plug Cracking SB-012 Notice Number: NOTC5147 TO: Aircraft Owners and Operators, Engine Overhaul Facilities, Engine Maintainers, Engine Manufacturers SUBJECT This Service Bulletin describes a potential cracking problem in specific lot numbers of Tempest® Spark Plugs manufactured between May 5, 2026 and July 29, 2026. It recommends immediate inspection of the affected spark plugs prior to your next flight and replacement of any cracked spark plugs. No action is required for Tempest® Spark Plugs purchased prior to May 5, 2026. REASON There have been limited reports of spark plugs exhibiting cracks. Failure to detect and replace a cracked spark plug could potentially result in damage to the airplane engine and possible loss of power. SCOPE This Service Bulletin applies to all Tempest® spark plugs bearing the part numbers and corresponding lot codes listed in Table 1 (page 2), regardless of date of installation, engine model, or airframe application. This is the original issue of SB-012. BACKGROUND There have been field reports of cracks in Tempest® spark plugs. This condition has not previously been observed or reported in our production history. Upon notification of the issue, Tempest Aero Group initiated an investigation and identified the root cause. Tempest Aero Group has implemented the necessary corrective action to the manufacturing and inspection processes and is issuing this Service Bulletin to address any affected in-service spark plugs. See attached document for more information. This notice is being sent to you because you selected "Airworthiness" in your preferences on FAASafety.gov. If you wish to adjust your selections, log into https://www.faasafety.gov/Users/pub/preferences.aspx where you can update your preferences. Curt Lewis