Model 1124 and 1124A Westwind Airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-42-AD; Amdt. 39-11728; AD 2000-10-04) - requires a one-time X-ray inspection to detect missing rivets at the rib-to-spar connection of the aileron ribs, and corrective actions, if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent cracking of the aileron skin due to missing rivets, which could reduce the structural integrity of the aileron and consequently reduce controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
FAA last week announced a new coordination and planning system to reduce air traffic delays. The Departure Spacing Program (DSP), part of FAA's Spring 2000 Initiative, coordinates departures and spaces aircraft more evenly using air traffic information supplied from properly equipped airports and from filed flight plans. "Using DSP, controllers can coordinate rerouting to avoid severe weather and reduce the need for voice communication between air traffic control facilities by providing flight plan information and reports," FAA said.
RIC BRAINARD was promoted to national aviation sales manager for ElectroSonics in Columbus, Ohio. Brainard, formerly sales manager for ElectroSonics, has 17 years of avionics sales experience with ElectroSonics, AlliedSignal and BFGoodrich.
Eclipse Aviation Corp. is doing things differently in the development and production of its new entry-level, twin-turbofan aircraft, and that includes dealing with more customers than it expected.
Model G-159 Series Airplanes (Docket No. 99-NM-138-AD; Amdt. 39-11735; AD 2000-10-11) - requires an inspection to determine the type of pneumatic deicing boots, and an Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) revision only for those airplanes equipped with "modern" boots. This amendment is prompted by reports of inflight incidents and an accident that occurred in icing conditions in which the airframe pneumatic deicing boots were not activated.
The French Connection aerobatic team, Daniel Heligoin and Montaine Mallet, were killed May 27 when their CAP 10B aircraft collided and crashed while they were filming a promotional videotape at Flagler County Airport in Bunnell, Fla. where their flight school is located.
VETERAN AIRCRAFT MARKETER Brant Dahlfors was named regional vice president-Western region, for Bombardier Aerospace, Business Aircraft. With offices in Seattle, Wash., and Newport Beach, Calif., he manages the sales activities for all Bombardier business jets in the Western U.S. For the past five years, Dahlfors served as sales director for the region, with responsibility for sales in Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Idaho.
NATIONAL AERONAUTIC ASSOCIATION issued a call for nominations for its Elder Statesman of Aviation Award, Cliff Henderson Award for Achievement, and Katherine&Marjorie Stinson Award for Achievement.
Pursuant to FAA's rulemaking provisions governing the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for exemption (14 CFR Part 11), this notice contains a summary of certain petitions seeking relief from specified requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Chapter I), dispositions of certain petitions previously received, and corrections. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities.
Model 400A and 400T Series airplanes (Docket No. 99-NM-372-AD; Amdt. 39-11721; AD 2000-09-12) - requires replacement of temperature switch assemblies of the wing ice protection system with new, improved parts. This amendment is prompted by reports of electrical continuity problems with solder joints on the temperature switches of the wing ice protection system. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent detachment or breakage of wires in the temperature switch assemblies of the wing ice protection system.
Model 222, 222B, 222U, and 230 helicopters (Docket No. 99-SW-43-AD; Amdt. 39-11738; AD 2000-10-14) - requires inspecting each flapping bearing to yoke attachment bolt and replacing each bolt that shows thread damage, shank wear, or corrosion pitting with an airworthy bolt. This amendment is prompted by the discovery of a fractured bolt during a post-flight inspection. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent a fracture of a bolt, failure of the bearing and yoke interface, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
BOMBARDIER sold three business jets valued at $78 million to Dogus Hava Tasimaciligi A.S. of Istanbul, Turkey. The order, the largest Bombardier has received from a company in Turkey, includes a Global Express, Learjet 60 and Challenger 604. Deliveries of the aircraft will begin in 2001. TAG Aeronautics Ltd., Bombardier's exclusive distributor in the region, facilitated the sale. "Continued market interest in Turkey, in particular, caps many months of work by TAG representatives," Bombardier said.
Model AS-350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, D, and AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters (Docket No. 99-SW-36-AD; Amdt. 39-11733; AD 2000-10-09) - requires replacing certain circuit breakers. This amendment is prompted by the discovery of the loss of electrical continuity between the terminals of an installed circuit breaker. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of electrical power to the emergency flotation gear or other optional installations and subsequent loss of the helicopter emergency flotation capability. FAA estimates that 150 helicopters on the U.S.
ATLANTIC COAST JET, the Delta Connection jet operation of Atlantic Coast Airlines, is establishing a maintenance base at Columbia, S.C. Metropolitan Airport (CAE) to support its Fairchild 328JET fleet. The base will initially employ 25 people with "additional expansion of space and staff possible in the near future," ACJet said. The ACJet fleet will include 24 new 32-passenger 328JETS, slated for delivery by the end of 2001.
Model 407 helicopters (Docket No. 2000-SW-10-AD) - proposes to supersede an existing AD that requires installing a tail rotor pitch-limiting left-pedal stop, installing an airspeed limitation placard, marking a never-exceed velocity (Vne) placard on all airspeed indicators, and revising the Limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM). This action would require installing a redesigned tail rotor system and modifying the vertical fin and horizontal stabilizer to allow restoring the Vne to 140 knots indicated airspeed (IAS).
HARTZELL PROPELLER developed a supplemental type certificate for installation of its 78-inch three-blade propeller on Socata TB20 and TB21 aircraft. The propeller, offered as a factory option on new aircraft, also can be retrofitted through Hartzell's Top Prop program. The propeller provides an additional inch of ground clearance over the standard 80-inch two-blade propeller and improves takeoff acceleration, climb rates and cabin noise, Hartzell said. The Top Prop kit includes the propeller, a polished spinner and STC documents.
DENIS PARISIEN was appointed managing director, service centers-overhaul and repair network for Pratt&Whitney Canada. Parisien joined P&WC in 1994 as director, service center operations and most recently was general manager of Pratt&Whitney Engine Services in West Virginia.
CHUCK SWARTZ joined Garrett Aviation unit ElectroSonics as regional sales manager. Swartz formerly spent 21 years with K-C Aviation. He will be based at ElectronSonics' satellite in McKinney, Texas.
JORGE MONT was named vice president of marketing and sales for AeroTurbine, Inc. Mont has more than 23 years of aerospace experience. Previously he was director of engine sales and leasing for AAR Engine Sales&Leasing. He also has served with A.G.E.S. Group and Aviall, Inc.
ROLLS-ROYCE won a 12-year contract valued at nearly $75 million from the U.K. Ministry of Defense to support the Spey 250/251 engines on the Royal Air Force fleet of Nimrod maritime reconnaissance aircraft. The management of all Spey assets and provision of technical support will be handled by Rolls-Royce in Bristol, with engine repair and overhaul performed at East Kilbride, near Glasgow.
Model AS-350B, BA, B1, B2, and D, and Model AS-355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters (Docket No. 99-SW-39-AD; Amdt. 39-11734; AD 2000-10-10) - supersedes an existing AD that requires inspecting the main gearbox suspension bi-directional cross-beam for cracks and replacing the cross-beam if a crack is found. This amendment requires the same inspections as the existing AD, but adds the time intervals for performing repetitive dye-penetrant inspections on cross-beams with 5,000 or more hours time-in-service (TIS).
REP. JAMES OBERSTAR (D-Minn.), ranking Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, warned DOT Secretary Rodney Slater Wednesday that the proposed United-US Airways merger could touch off a wave of consolidation among airlines that could lead to three carriers controlling 85 percent of U.S. traffic. Oberstar urged Slater to determine whether such a result would be in the public interest.
FLYTECOMM OF FLORIDA, the Fort Lauderdale, Fla. company that pioneered the commercial delivery of aircraft situation display information, released a family of web and wireless-based products that provides up-to-the-minute flight arrival information, departure delay data and other air traveler information. The products will be offered through FlyteComm wireless partners i3Mobile and SmartRay as well as through FlyteComm's web site, www.trackaflight.com. For more information, contact Jeff Reis at (954) 730-7086.
Galaxy Aerospace is incorporating a new sound-proofing package on its fleet of Galaxy business jets beginning with its demonstrator aircraft, S/N 005. Developed with sound specialist Flight Environment, the package includes changes to the environmental control system along with installation of sound proofing materials between fuselage skin and interior cabin panels. The package will be installed on all future Galaxys. Galaxy, which already has tested the system on S/N 005, said the package reduces in-flight cabin sound measurements to the low 70s for dBA.
A GROUP OF ARIZONA PILOTS circulated a petition asking Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to support the nomination of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association President Phil Boyer to the FAA Management Advisory Council (MAC). The petition, which also stressed the pilots' opposition to user fees, stemmed from last month's hearing on the MAC nominees during which McCain verbally attacked Boyer and questioned his qualifications to serve on the panel (BA, May 8/2000).
