A36 Bonanza, engine fire, St Andrews airport closure, and Air France's final A318

A retrofitted 1991 Beechcraft A36 Bonanza has been selected as Aircraft For Sale's top pick, featuring an extensively upgraded panel and avionics suite. Separately, a mechanic's improper alternator wiring caused an engine fire in a Cirrus SR22T after a ferry flight in Oklahoma. An RAF base five miles from St Andrews in Scotland has closed to private jet operations after radar withdrawal. And Air France will operate its final Airbus A318 into March 2027.

1991 A36 Bonanza selected as top aircraft listing

Flying Magazine has highlighted a 1991 Beechcraft A36 Bonanza as Aircraft For Sale's daily top pick. The aircraft carries a fuel-injected Continental IO-550-B1F 300 horsepower engine with 870 hours since major overhaul, mounted with an Electroair electronic ignition system and D'Shannon baffle kit. The airframe shows 3,540 total flight hours, has no known damage history, and maintains complete logbooks.

The useful load is listed as 1,267 pounds with 74 gallons of usable fuel. The panel is equipped with a dual Garmin GI 275 primary instrument stack, Garmin GTN 750Xi and GTN 650Xi navigators, a GFC 500 digital autopilot, a GTX 345 transponder with ADS-B capabilities, a Flight Stream 510, a GDL 69 receiver, and a JPI EDM 700 engine monitor. The cabin features A/C Systems air conditioning, tan leather seating, and G&D Aero tinted window inserts.

Mechanic's faulty alternator wiring causes Cirrus engine fire

A Cirrus SR22T experienced an engine fire after a 10-minute ferry flight from Tulsa Riverside Airport to Tulsa International Airport in Oklahoma, with the pilot spotting smoke from the propeller spinner while still seated in the aircraft. The fire was extinguished by line personnel and fire department crews.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause was a mechanic's improper installation of alternator wiring connections, which resulted in electrical arcing and thermal damage. The A&P mechanic with inspection authorisation installed the engine and both alternators but was not affiliated with a certificated aircraft repair station or Cirrus Aircraft. The mechanic performed an engine run-up before the accident flight but no test flight took place.

Post-incident examination revealed the external wire connections to alternator 1 did not conform to the Cirrus Airplane Maintenance Manual. The airplane's composite firewall sustained substantial thermal damage and the battery and associated wiring showed thermal damage. The mechanic had documented previous engine and alternator installations in the logbook in August 2023 and July 2024.

Leuchars Aerodrome closes to private jets following radar withdrawal

Leuchars Aerodrome, an RAF-controlled base five miles from St Andrews in Scotland, is no longer available for private jet operations after the Ministry of Defence withdrew primary and secondary radars from service at the airfield. The MoD consulted with airspace stakeholders before the change and stated that the small number of private aircraft can use alternative locations.

Dundee Airport is located 15 miles from the Old Course at St Andrews, while Edinburgh Airport is 48 miles away. The base had closed in 2015 to cut costs. Several private jet company executives indicated the closure will not have a significant impact. The Old Course at St Andrews will host the Open Championship next year; the last time it hosted the tournament was 2022, when it attracted over 290,000 spectators.

Air France extends A318 operations into March 2027

Air France has delayed the retirement of its Airbus A318-100, now planning to operate the aircraft into March 2027. The airline is the sole remaining operator of the A318 with scheduled passenger flights; all other operators are in charter or private aviation. The aircraft operates with a 131-seat configuration.

What it means

The Bonanza listing suggests a robust market for well-maintained singles with modern avionics, particularly those equipped for IFR cross-country flights. The market for single-engine aircraft with glass panels remains active for pilots seeking high-performance platforms.

The Cirrus fire illustrates risks in engine maintenance performed outside certified repair stations. Mechanics and operators should verify that alternator installations match manufacturer manuals precisely, and that engine run-ups are followed by test flights before ferry operations. The incident underscores why certification and procedural adherence matter in engine work.

The Leuchars closure affects access to Scotland's most famous golf destination, though proximity to Dundee and Edinburgh provides alternatives. The timing—before next year's Open Championship at St Andrews—may prompt operators to adjust routing for golfers and tournament-related traffic.

Air France's A318 extension reflects the type's niche role in the market. As a boutique, narrow-body aircraft, the type serves specific route economics and passenger preferences that justify keeping one flying into 2027.