MD HELICOPTERS Model 369D, 369E, 500N, and 600N helicopters (Docket No. 2000-SW-02-AD; Amdt. 39-11708; AD 2000-08-22) - requires repetitive calibration testing of the TOT indicating system and corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by seven reports of erroneous TOT readings and two reports of incorrect wiring harness terminal lugs on the thermocouple wiring. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent an erroneous TOT indication, damage to critical engine components, loss of engine power, and a subsequent forced landing.
Business Jet Center, which began providing fixed-base services at Dallas Love Field (DAL) two and one-half years ago from temporary facilities, began serving customers with a staff of nearly 40 from a distinctive three-story terminal and administrative headquarters last week.
AGUSTA Model A109A and A109A II helicopters (Docket No.2000-SW-05-AD) - proposes to require radiographic inspection of the internal surface of each main rotor blade spar for corrosion. This proposal is prompted by the discovery of corrosion on the internal surfaces of the spar in the area adjacent to the main rotor blade inertia balance weights. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of a main rotor blade due to corrosion on the internal surface of the spar and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
JOE SPRAGUE, who has been heading fixed-base operations at Era Aviation in Anchorage, Alaska, is moving to Alaska Airlines Wednesday as regional sales director. Sprague, 31, will continue to be based in Anchorage, where he will be responsible for sales, marketing and community affairs for the carrier throughout the state. A graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Sprague previously served as director of marketing for Era and vice president of sales and market development for Harbor Air in Gig Harbor, Wash. (BA, Feb. 22, 1999/90).
JOHN SAUERS was promoted to director-safety and compliance for FlightSafety International. Previously assistant director-safety and compliance, Sauers has a 24-year career with FlightSafety. FlightSafety credited Sauers with forming the company's Part 135 unit over the past 12 years. He will continue to be based at FlightSafety's Wilmington Learning Center but hold responsibilities throughout the nationwide network.
RAYTHEON Beech Models 45 (YT-34), A45 (T-34A, B-45), and D45 (T-34B) airplanes (Docket No. 2000-CE-09-AD) - proposes to supersede AD 99-12-02, which currently requires flight and operating limitations on Raytheon Aircraft Corporation (Raytheon) Beech Models 45 (YT-34), A45 (T-34A, B-45), and D45 (T-34B) airplanes. AD 99-12-02 resulted from a report of an in-flight separation of the right wing on a Raytheon Beech Model A45 (T-34A) airplane (BA, May 31, 1999/249). The AD was issued as an interim action until the development of FAA-approved inspection procedures.
OZIRES SILVA, 69, who led Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer for many years before that company was privatized, was named president and chief executive officer of Varig, Brazil's leading airline, earlier this month. Silva had been working as an adviser to Varig and was chairman of VPTA, which controls Varig's domestic subsidiary airlines Rio Sul and Nordeste.
RAYTHEON (Beech) Model MU-300, MU-300-10, 400, and 400A series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-368-A) - proposes to require repetitive inspections of the bleed air supply tube assemblies for discrepancies; and replacement of the bleed air tube assembly with a new bleed air tube assembly, if necessary.
AJ WALTER AVIATION was selected to represent Miami-based aviation service company High Standard Aviation. High Standard repairs hydraulic and pneumatic components for commercial aircraft.
SEN. CONRAD BURNS (R-Mont.) plans to offer an amendment to include business and charter operators in legislation that would make the visa waiver program permanent. GA groups last week held a series of meetings with Immigration and Naturalization Service officials and senior senators to gather support for the amendment. Officials hope the Senate will take action on the bill, which passed the House last month (BA, April 17/175), when Congress returns from a short recess June 6. The visa waiver program allows carriers to bring citizens of 23 countries into the U.S.
BELL Model 430 helicopters (Docket No. 99-SW-42-AD) - proposes to supersede an existing AD, which requires inspecting all four main rotor adapter assemblies for evidence of flapping and lead-lag contact. That AD also requires installing a never-exceed-velocity (VNE) placard with markings on the airspeed indicator glass and instrument case and a revision to the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) to reflect the airspeed revision.
CESSNA AIRCRAFT last week dedicated a new 40,000-square-foot Citation Service Center at Sacramento International Airport. The center, which replaces the original 12,000-square-foot facility opened in 1973, is part of the company's plans to double the service center capacity throughout its network over the next five years. The new center, which includes a paint facility that meets the latest EPA standards, includes an expanded aircraft ramp with an underground fueling facility.
FAA COMPLETED DEPLOYMENT of its Air Route Surveillance Radar (ARSR-4), putting in place the last of 43 operational systems in the continental U.S. and in Guam, Hawaii and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where the U.S. has a naval base. A 44th system is used at the FAA Academy at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. The ARSR-4 system replaces obsolete systems, the agency said, with radar that can provide aircraft position information to FAA, the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Customs Service.
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA'S Flying Team won the National Intercollegiate Flying Association National Championship this month in Grenada, Miss., the 11th time the school has taken the honor in the last 14 years. The UND Flying Team ranked first in the overall competition that included 30 schools nationwide. UND scored 162 points, Western Michigan University came in second with 130 points and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University finished third with 101 points. Other top finishers included Ohio State University in fourth place and the Air Force Academy in fifth.
Federal Aviation Administration last week eased requirements for general aviation operators to take off in "less than basic Visual Flight Rules" weather conditions. FAA Tuesday began permitting Part 91 operators to depart satellite airports that are not equipped with weather reporting even if the weather does not meet basic VFR minimums.
ROCKWELL COLLINS completed the initial design phase of the Pro Line Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) sensors. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa manufacturer assembled first production prototypes of the NAAV-400, RIIU-400 and VHF-4000 and will begin aircraft testing this fall with TSO approval scheduled for late 2001. The DME-4000 prototypes are expected to begin flight testing next spring with TSO approval anticipated in 2002.
THE PILOT of a Super King Air 200, N24CV, survived after ditching the aircraft into the Pacific Ocean some 160 miles off shore Wednesday. The pilot departed San Diego en route for Carlsbad, Calif. and subsequently reported to air traffic controllers that he felt sick and left the radio frequency. The pilot passed out but the aircraft continued to fly west over the ocean off the coast of San Diego. Two F-18 aircraft tracked the aircraft as it headed over the ocean.
GENERAL AVIATION industry leaders were pleased by last week's vote in the House to lift the year-by-year review of China's status as a most favored nation for trade purposes, but General Aviation Manufacturers Association President Ed Bolen notes that the real benefits of an open trade market with China may take some time to become evident. "When we look at China, we see big potential but a ways down the road," Bolen noted.
WHILE FAA officials privately expressed relief that the House recommended a fiscal 2001 operating budget only $50 million shy of the Clinton Administration request, the Administration issued a statement warning that short-changing the budget would "force the FAA to reduce telecommunications, radar operations and other services necessary to maintain a safe, efficient air traffic control system." FAA, meanwhile, keeps holding out hope that Congress will provide some sort of relief this year as the agency's budget becomes increasingly tighter.
FLIGHTSAFETY BOEING INTERNATIONAL named Chris Johnson-Pasqua assistant general manager at the Long Beach training center and Martin Schaaf assistant general manager of the Miami training hub. Johnson-Pasqua will oversee the consolidation and growth of training activities in Southern California and report to Long Beach center manager John Alexander. Johnson-Pasqua previously managed the 737 avionics group for FlightSafety Boeing in Long Beach and Seattle.
BILL LANGE was named senior vice president, maintenance and operations for Atlantic Coast Airlines. Lange, who has been acting senior vice president of technical operations for ACA for the past two months, has held a number of senior positions in the airline industry. He was executive vice president of World Airways, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Jetstream Aircraft and president and chief operating officer of Pan Am Express.
Bill Poniatowski was named senior director of maintenance for Atlantic Coast Airlines. Poniatowski spent the past two years as director of maintenance for ACA. Before that, he held a number of management positions with British Aerospace, including systems engineering manager.
Federal Aviation Administration this month ordered incorporation of new deicing equipment on Mitsubishi MU-2B turboprop aircraft, a requirement that the agency expects will cost more than $8.5 million for the U.S. fleet. First proposed in May 21, 1998, the airworthiness directive (AD) calls for installation of a deice monitoring system, automatic autopilot disconnect system and auto-ignition re-light system.
