Oil patch bits: Lynden Air Cargo completes Hercules fleet modification

Petroleum News

Lynden Air Cargo said Oct. 4 that it has completed another Hercules modification this summer, installing a “Short-POD APU” to enhance the reliability and performance of its aircraft. According to Lynden Air Cargo President Rick Zerkel, the size of the project required Federal Aviation Administration approval.

“It took about a year and thousands of hours to take the military data and convert it to an FAA-approved package, conform the kits, convert an existing auxiliary power unit, modify the airframe, install and test, then compile and finalize over 1,000 pages of reports and manuals,” Rick explained. The project required support from multiple groups inside and outside Lynden Air Cargo, such as the staff from the FAA aircraft certification office, engineering representatives, personnel from Lockheed and Kellstrom Defense, KF Aerospace and Lynden Air Cargo’s quality control team, engineering, publications, maintenance and special projects.

The upgrade kit provides aircraft operators with increased reliability, quicker engine starts, and reduced maintenance and operating costs by replacing the out-of-production gas turbine compressor/air turbine motor with a modified APU that will help standardize the fleet with the other APU-equipped aircraft.

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