LACEY also wants to seriously explore delegation of more authority to qualified aviation industry personnel to sign off on projects that currently require on-site visits by FAA inspectors, even though he acknowledges that "some in the Administration and Congress think that this is the wrong way to go." Because of that potential opposition to more DAR/DER-type programs, Lacey said FAA has to develop "a rock-solid program" to oversee any new authority delegation efforts, saying FAA officials will need to work closely with trade associations and designees to make sure new pr
Model DHC-7-100, and DHC-8-100, -200, and -300 Series Airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-90-AD) - proposed to require a one-time inspection of maintenance records to determine the method used during the most recent weight and balance check of the airplane and, if necessary, accomplishment of a weight and balance check. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
Raytheon Company struck a deal to sell Raytheon Aircraft's finance receivables for $800 million to DaimlerChrysler Services (debis) Capital Services unit in a move to strengthen the overall corporate balance sheet and lower debt, the companies announced last week. The sale includes more than 300 aircraft loans and leases that Raytheon Aircraft has financed for its jet, turboprop and piston-engine models. The deal also includes a global vendor finance agreement in which debis Capital Services will provide a range of financial products to Raytheon Aircraft customers.
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION is teaming with the American Association of Airport Executives to hold a symposium to discuss issues between airport managers and businesses. The symposium, scheduled Nov. 5-7 in Orlando, Fla., will cover development strategies for airports and their businesses, improvement of community relations, environmental regulations, airport property valuation, and minimum standards. For more information, contact Beth Van Emburgh at (703) 824-0500, ext. 152 or Natalie Fleet at (703) 824-0500, ext. 132.
JACK PREWITT&ASSOCIATES, INC, the corporate aircraft dealer based at Dallas/Fort Worth, said its total sales recently topped $2 billion. Jack Prewitt, a veteran aircraft salesman, founded the firm in 1978 to buy and sell used business aircraft. The company reached the $1 billion mark in late 1989.
Model MBB-BK 117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, and C-1 helicopters (Docket No. 99-SW-73-AD; Amdt. 39-11702; AD 2000-08-16) - requires modifying the engine and transmission cowling doors. This amendment is prompted by an emergency landing of an ECD Model MBB-BK 117 helicopter after the No. 1 engine cowling opened, separated from the helicopter, and struck the main and tail rotor blades, resulting in a tail rotor imbalance and subsequent departure of the tail rotor gear box from the helicopter.
RAYTHEON AEROSPACE won a one-year, $6.8 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to provide contractor logistics support (CLS) for T-38C, AT-38 and T-6A trainer aircraft at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The contract includes six one-year options, which could increase the value of the contract to $56.8 million. Raytheon Aerospace will maintain a fleet of more than 67 T-38 and 40 T-6A trainers flying more than 3,000 hours annually by 2002.
INTERNALLY, Lacey believes "we really have to do a lot of training" to improve the performance of Flight Standards personnel, noting that he's facing the same difficulty recruiting and retaining experienced personnel that aircraft industry officials have been dealing with for the past several years. While Lacey didn't say so, training dollars could be hard to find at FAA, given the continuing shortfall in the agency's operations and maintenance budget that threatens to continue into the next fiscal year (BA, May 1/2000).
FORMER GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE Chairman Ted Forstmann was one of two potential candidates mentioned by The New York Times May 11 as possible alternatives to New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani for the Republican nomination for a U.S. Senate seat in this November's election. The speculation about Forstmann, the wealthy principal of investment firm Forstmann Little, and Rep. Rick Lazio (R-N.Y.), who represents Long Island, came in the wake of widely publicized reports about Giuliani's medical and marital problems.
U.S. INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION, at the request of Congress, is investigating the large civil aircraft aerostructures industry. The investigation, Competitive Assessment of the U.S. Large Civil Aircraft Aerostructures Industry, will examine the ability of U.S. manufacturers of structures such as fuselages, wings and landing gear to compete in other parts of the world. The report will not include nonstructural components such as avionics and engines.
BRUCE HOLMES, the head of NASA's general aviation program office, will discuss NASA's Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) program at "The Revolution in General Aviation," a conference scheduled June 14-16 at Oregon State University. NASA, in cooperation with FAA and state and local officials, is leading the SATS program, which is researching innovative general aviation technology such as advanced four- to six-seat aircraft, simplified pilot training and "smart" airports.
ERIC NYSTROM was named general manager for Flight Services Group's Charlotte, N.C. operations. Nystrom, who has 20 years of aviation experience, joined Flight Services Group in 1999 as captain of a Challenger 601. Before that, he served with Corporate Wings/Flight Options.
THE NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is offering a CD-ROM that provides a complete set of airworthiness directives issued from 1940 through December 1999 and type certificate data sheets issued through December 1999. The CD-ROM also contains databases on parts manufacturer approvals submitted since 1992, a list of technical standard orders submitted through December 1999 and brief information for supplemental type certificates. The CD-ROM is available for $125 by calling (800) 553-6847 or (703) 605-6000.
LIFELINE PILOTS, a volunteer pilot organization in the Midwest, has joined the AirLifeLine national volunteer network. Lifeline will serve as the Midwest affiliate of AirLifeLine covering 15 states. Both organizations specialize in transporting medical patients and anticipate a combined 4,000 missions next year. AirLifeLine partners with the American Cancer Society and Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Lifeline Pilots partners with Cancer Treatment Centers of America. For more information, call (877) AIR-LIFE.
VALDEMAR EGGERS was named senior vice president of the International Council of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Associations. Eggers, who will oversee the Eastern region, has served as director general of civil aviation in Denmark and presided over the European Civil Aviation Conference and the Joint Aviation Authorities.
MERCURY AIR GROUP acquired two facilities at Fort Wayne, Ind. International Airport and will consolidate the operations as a single Mercury Air Center. Mercury purchased certain assets of Fort Wayne Air Service, owned and operated by James Kelley and John Dilley for more than 20 years, and Consolidated Airways. The combined FBO will include both fueling and line service and FAA-approved repair station capability.
NATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION and the National Air Transportation Association are collaborating on a new brochure and CD-ROM that will provide detailed guidance to aircraft owners and operators interested in obtaining a Part 135 commercial certificate. The new offering is expected to be available late this month or early in June.
INNOTECH-EXECAIRE AVIATION GROUP named three senior company officials to new roles. Dave Miller, executive vice president and chief operating officer, named Kirk Rowe vice president and general manager of Innotech-Execaire Montreal. Rowe now is responsible for all Montreal operational activities, including refurbishing, factory support and maintenance. The Execaire flight operations division and the Shell Aerocentre fixed-base operation will continue to report to their current vice presidents, both of whom report to Miller.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) last week expressed frustration that Congress this year authorized a $1.50 increase in the maximum passenger facility charge at airports, while corporate "fat cat friends" fly in business jets and "pay nothing." "It's a disgrace," said McCain Thursday during a confirmation hearing on eight nominees to a congressionally created Federal Aviation Management Advisory Committee (MAC).
Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105 C-2, BO-105 CB-2, BO-105 CB-4, BO-105S, BO-105 CS-2, BO-105 CBS-2, BO-105 CBS-4, and BO-105LS A-1 helicopters (Docket No. 99-SW-66-AD) - proposes to require superseding an existing AD that currently requires creating a component log card or equivalent record and determining the calendar age and number of flights on each tension-torsion (TT) strap. That AD also requires inspecting and removing, as necessary, certain unairworthy TT straps. This action would establish a life limit for certain main rotor TT straps.
NATIONAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS ASSOCIATION delegates at the union's convention last month in Anchorage, Alaska endorsed Vice President Al Gore as their choice for president in the 2000 election. In a statement last week NATCA said Gore recently issued a letter in which he "distanced himself from further expansion" of the contract tower program.
HEXCEL CORP. completed the sale of its Bellingham, Wash. interiors business to Britax International plc for approximately $117 million in cash. The Bellingham business, which employs about 325 people, designs and manufactures commercial aircraft interior components for OEMs and aircraft modification and refurbishment centers.
THE SENATE this week is likely to take up its version of a bill to make permanent the visa waiver program. Business aviation advocates have worked with House and Senate leaders to include business aviation in the program, which allows carriers to bring citizens of some 23 different countries into the U.S. without a visa, and are hopeful for an amendment to the bill on the floor (BA, April 17/175). While the House-passed version of the visa waiver bill did not include business operators, Rep.
GREG MCGOWAN was appointed vice president of operations for FlightSafety International. McGowan, who has served with FlightSafety for 16 years, formerly was director of operations. He also has managed FlightSafety's West Palm Beach learning center. Before joining FlightSafety, McGowan held sales and marketing positions with Bell Helicopter and Sikorsky.
THE MAIN RUNWAY (9L-27R) at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) will be closed from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. daily from May 8 through May 11 so workers can perform lighting maintenance and paint runway markings. During the closure period, aircraft operating at the airport will use Runway 13-31.
