WIX Archives
Black Knight leaves Comox
Posted by AIRIC on Sat May 24, 2003 09:25:43 PM
In reply top null posted by null on null
Black Knight makes last flight out of Comox
By Cpl. Richard Martin
The clouds looked ominous off in the distance. The pilot, Dr. Dan
Lavigna, wasn't sure he'd actually make it out of 19 Wing Comox without
running into bad weather along the West Coast on his way to California.
He pushed the throttles forward and took the Black Knight for one last
roll down the runway at 19 Wing Comox. Like so many times before, the
Black Knight rose easily. Lining up for a low level fly-past, it flew
over the Base and the city of Courtenay as a final good-bye before
disappearing beyond the mountains.
When the word came out well over two years ago that Dr. Dan Lavigna had
purchased the T-33 "Black Knight" from Crown Assets, everyone thought
the process would be quick and painless.
However, no one predicted the 9/11 event. The U.S. State Department was
in complete gridlock and had announced a state of emergency. The Sept.
11 attack brought all International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)
imports into the U.S. to a very quick stop. Dr. Lavigna was one such
importer that was about to get a crash course in foreign diplomacy and
red tape jumping.
Remarkably, Dr. Lavigna persevered and called on April 28 requesting an
FAA-mandated inspection.
This challenge was met head-on and aircraft mechanical engineer
apprentice Richard Martin went to work contacting AME Marc Lemay and
Rick Casselman to help facilitate the FAA requirement.
Because the aircraft had sat for over two years without a flight and
last had an engine run in July 2002, Lemay, acting as crew chief, led
the crew of three through a very complex modified military inspection
that would cover the Transport Canada inspection requirements and the
FAA annual inspection.
This took four days and five nights to carry out. In the end, only minor
leaks were found, which the three mechanics quickly fixed. After two
quick baths and a hand polish, the Black Knight stood waiting for its
new owner, and its first civilian test flight.
At 6 p.m. on Friday May 2, T-33 tail number N519DL went wheels up and
test flew without incident. The test flight lasted 45 minutes. It went
so well that Dr. Lavigna could not help but try a few rolls and loops.
When he returned, the grin he wore pretty much said it all. Checked as
"green", the Black Knight was put away and prepared for the next
morning's flight to California as a civilian classic jet aircraft.
At 11 a.m. Saturday, May 3, the Black Knight stood in the late morning
cold waiting for many last minute photos and fueling. With the fueling
completed and a few last moments between the past commanding officer of
414 Squadron, Lt. Col Yves Boss?, and the new owner Dr. Lavigna, the
Black Knight was started and headed down the taxi way to take the final
trip from 19 Wing.
At 11:48 a.m., her wheels came up. The last of 414 Squadron's T-33s was
gone.