The U.S. Navy ordered the fifth Boeing 737-700C for its Navy Unique Fleet Essential Airlift Replacement Aircraft program. The U.S. Naval Reserve, the first customer for the new member of the Boeing Next-Generation 737 family, is buying the aircraft to replace its fleet of aging C-9 airlifters.
TURBOMECA Artouste II and Artouste III series turboshaft engines (Docket No. 2000-NE-15-AD) - proposes to require installation of modification TU 24, TU 167 or TU 164, depending on the specific engine model. These modifications would prevent uncommanded partial closing or total closing of the electrical fuel cock, which would prevent uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown. From the effective date of this AD, and until the modifications are installed, this proposal would also limit the duration of the engine operating cycle.
CESSNA AIRCRAFT, which has been exploring ways to increase its participation in the fractional ownership market, may have found a partner in TAG Aviation.The aircraft management and charter provider said Thursday it's having discussions with Cessna about a joint venture in the fractional arena, but no definitive agreement has been reached.
HOW GOOD is the aviation business these days? One veteran marketer said of the current period of explosive growth, "This is the Industrial Revolution" for business aviation. Strong economic conditions are providing the financial wherewithal for more and more people to use business airplanes, private aircraft are more widely perceived as productivity tools instead of perks for top executives and widespread disillusionment and anger about the inconveniences of airline travel guarantee continued demand for business aviation services.
DASSAULT Model Falcon 2000, Mystere-Falcon 900, Falcon 900EX, Fan Jet Falcon, Mystere-Falcon 50, Mystere-Falcon 20, and Mystere-Falcon 200 series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-109-AD; Amendment 39-11751; AD 2000-11-03) - requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual to include speed limitations in the event of failure indications of the pitch feel system. These limitations are intended to mitigate severe pitch oscillations of the airplane. The rule is effective June 16, but FAA will accept comments filed before July 3.
Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2 and AS-365N3 helicopters (Docket No. 99-SW-86-AD; Amdt 39-11737; AD 2000-10-13) - requires inspecting the installation of each window panel on the enlarged sliding door. If any window panel is installed on the outside of the door, this AD requires installing and sealing the window panel on the inside. This amendment is prompted by the loss of a window panel in flight that was incorrectly sealed with the window installed on the outside of the door. This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of a window panel in flight.
BETH HASKINS, who had been chief financial officer of Signature Flight Support, has been promoted to president and chief executive of the fixed-base chain, succeeding Bruce Van Allen, who is moving up to become president and chief executive of the parent company, BBA North America. A formal announcement of the changes is expected this week.
LUFTHANSA TECHNIK installed a television system in a Boeing Business Jet that enables worldwide, inflight TV reception, the company said. The German modification center worked with Airshow, the U.S.
FIRST FLIGHT of Embraer's ERJ-140 is expected within the month, according to Satoshi Yokota, executive vice president-Industrial, for the Brazilian manufacturer. The aircraft is targeted for certification in the first quarter of 2001. Embraer expects to deliver 150 regional jets this year and close to 200 in 2001. That compares with 97 last year and 60 in 1998.
WINDSOR AIRMOTIVE, the Barnes Aerospace unit that develops high-tech repairs for turbine engine components, expects to increase its in-house capability with the addition of a MOTOMAN robot in its Plasma Spray Department. The robot has been used on compressor, turbine exhaust and low-pressure turbine cases, decreasing set-up time and increasing coating uniformity. The robot has a six-axis positioning arm, which can apply a uniform coating in a narrow throat area on diffuser cases.
FAA picked ARINC and Lockheed Martin vendor teams as the finalists for its oceanic air traffic management modernization effort. FAA's objective in the Advanced Technologies and Oceanic Procedures (ATOP) acquisition is to modernize its oceanic ATC system using commercial off-the-shelf technologies to obtain operational and economic benefits. It plans to upgrade the air traffic automation systems in air route traffic control centers at Oakland, Anchorage and New York.
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY will sponsor an India Civil Aviation Officials Business Briefing July 7 in Washington, D.C. Senior government officials involved in the liberalization process in India will discuss the latest developments in the civil sector. The Airports Authority of India plans to invest more than $1 billion to modernize and expand its airspace management and meet infrastructure needs, and another $500 million to develop six greenfield airports. TDA invites interested parties to learn more about these projects and present U.S.
Although federal agencies are under executive order to review their regulations annually, little to nothing has been done to ease the regulatory burden on small aviation businesses, National Air Transportation Association President James Coyne testified last week, adding that instead, aviation appears to be heading toward "regulatory gridlock." Coyne, who testified before the House Small Business Committee on regulatory burdens that small businesses face, said the number of rules, inspectors' handbook guidance bulletins and other mandates are increasing at a faster rate t
FAA, JAA, AND TRANSPORT CANADA have agreed on a plan to standardize their return to service forms, 8130-3, Form One, and 24-0078, respectively, BA affiliate Aero Safety and Maintenance reports. The plan was announced Thursday at the 17th annual FAA/JAA harmonization meeting in Chicago and regulatory agencies would phase in the standardization starting this summer, assuming some final details are worked out. To aid in the phase-in, existing forms would remain valid for about a year once the new process begins.
Model EMB-145 series airplanes (Docket No. 99-NM-305-AD; Amdt. 39-11718; AD 2000-09-09) -- supersedes an existing AD that currently requires revisions to the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to provide the flight crew with updated procedures for prohibiting use of the autopilot below 1,500 feet above ground level, emergency procedures for pitch trim runaway, and abnormal procedures for autopilot trim failure and stabilizer out-of-trim situations. That AD also requires installation of certain warning placards.
PRIMAC INTERNATIONAL Air Courier&Charter of Englewood Cliffs, N.J., took delivery of its second new Cessna Grand Caravan 208B turboprop, which will be configured for both passenger charter and cargo flights. Primac, whose primary flight base is at Teterboro Airport, said it is the only Grand Caravan operator in the New York area.
THE AVIATION SERVICES AND SUPPLIERS SUPERSHOW (AS3), which includes the annual conventions of the National Air Transportation Association, the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association and the National Petroleum Management Association, drew more than 5,000 attendees and more than 400 aviation service firms that exhibited at the May 9-11 show in Tampa, Fla. Next year's AS3 gathering is set for May 1-3 in Long Beach, Calif. For more information, call Diane Gleason at (703) 575-2050.
HONEYWELL entered an agreement with Coherent Technologies, Inc. to manufacture and support a new safety product for U.S. military helicopters to detect obstacles including wires and power lines. The Multi-Mode Infra-Red Radar (MMIRR) uses emerging state-of-the-art technology to provide air data computation to gauge wind velocities and other weather conditions, and to detect wires and power lines for vertical-flight aircraft, Honeywell said.
TRANS-EXEC AIR SERVICE, INC. purchased two Gulfstream V long-range business jets for its charter fleet. Trans-Exec expects to begin operating the first G-V in April 2001 and the second nine months later. The aircraft will be similarly equipped. Trans-Exec, based at Santa Monica, Calif., currently operates five Gulfsteams, including two G-IVs.
RAYTHEON SYSTEMS LTD. (RSL) won a contract from the Chinese government to supply Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radars at four airports. RSL will supply, install and commission the radars at Shijazhuang, Wuhan, Zhoukou and Shaoguan airports for the Beijing-Guangzhou air corridor, the busiest air route in China
SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE Thursday is expected to consider appointments to the FAA Management Advisory Committee, but prospects for two of President Clinton's nominees -- AOPA President Phil Boyer and Debbie Branson, a trial attorney based in Dallas -- appear threatened because of opposition from Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.). During last month's confirmation hearing, McCain questioned Boyer's qualifications for the MAC after Boyer maintained his opposition to new business aircraft user fees (BA, May 8/215).
SIMUFLITE TRAINING INTERNATIONAL added five program coordinators to act as customer liaison with the sales, scheduling and training services departments at its Dallas/Fort Worth training center. The program coordinators are: Deborah Blackburn, Dassault and Westwind programs; Jennifer Jennings, Raytheon program; Amy Lichtenberg, Cessna program; Angela Miller, Gulfstream program; and, Johnene Vardiman, Bombardier program.
EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND GMBH selected a growth version of the Pratt&Whitney Canada PW200 series turboshaft to power the EC-135 helicopter. The engine manufacturer said the PW206B2 introduces a new one-engine-inoperative thermodynamic rating of 816 shaft horsepower, an 11 percent increase over the existing PW206B. The new engine incorporates the PW207 engine power section coupled with the existing PW206B reduction gearbox. P&W expects to win certification for the new engine in July.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) said Tuesday he is "very concerned" that the planned merger between United and US Airways could lead to a round of consolidation in the airline industry. McCain, responding to questions from reporters on Capitol Hill, said that DOT and DOT Inspector General studies have shown that in mergers, "competition is reduced and air fares go up." United has promised not to increase its U.S.
ADAM AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES last month won approval from the Centennial Airport Authority to build a production and manufacturing facility on 14 acres at Centennial Airport in Englewood, Colo. The facility will house development of the M-309, a six-place, pressurized, all composite aircraft designed by Burt Rutan. Configured with twin in-line engines, the aircraft will cruise at 250 knots true airspeed with a range of more than 1,500 nautical miles.
