newstodate.aero

Jun 13, 2024 (newstodate): Under international sanctions for 40 years, Iran faces multiple challenges to keep its civil aircraft in shape.
   One issue is replacements for worn blades on Pratt & Whitney JT8D engines to keep Iran's fleet of some 40 aging MD-80 Family aircraft in the air.
   Barred from importing spare blades, engineers from the Iranian company MAPNA Group have turned to "reverse engineering" to start producing blades.
    The first prototype of the blade was released two months ago and is now awaiting certification by local aviation authorities.
   Certification of locally produced blades will allow 28 McDonnell Douglas aircraft to return to flight, MAPNA Group claims, and the first JT8D engine with Iranian blades will be installed on an MD-80 aircraft on June 20.
   Anyway: have a safe flight...