MD-87 certificated with PATS tanks
US Fuel-tank manufacturer PATS has gained a US Federal Aviation Administration supplemental type certificate for its long-range auxiliary fuel system for the McDonnell Douglas MD-87 twinjet.
The PATS system consists of ten auxiliary fuel tanks located in the aircraft's lower cargo-hold, providing an additional fuel capacity of 14,400litres. Pats claims that the modification gives the MD-87 a range of 6,300km (4,200nm), "-making the aircraft ideal as an intercontinental business jet".
One aircraft has already had fuel tanks installed, together with a VIP interior and upgraded avionics, at Van Nuys, California-based Jet Center. A second aircraft is being modified. PATS claims to hold five additional orders for auxiliary fuel tanks, for a mixture of MD-80s and DC-9s.
Source: Flight International
