Tay 650-15 series turbofan engines (Docket No. 99-NE-61-AD; Amdt. 39-11687; AD 2000-08-01) - requires the establishment of cyclic life limits for Stage 1 high pressure turbine (HPT) and Stage 1 low pressure turbine (LPT) disks operating under new flight plan profiles. This amendment is prompted by reports that, on some engines, cracks in the Stage 1 HPT and Stage 1 LPT disks could initiate and propagate at a faster rate than forecast under the flight plan profiles originally published at the time the engine design was certified.
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION published a Refueling and Quality Control Procedures for Airport Service and Support Operations manual as a reference for aviation fuel quality control, fueling operations and safety training. The manual includes the latest industry standards, EPA guidelines and FAA guidance on fuel storage and handling. In addition, it includes a line-service training program with record-keeping documentation and a section on fire-safety training.
series turboshaft engines (Docket No. 99-NE-13-AD) - proposes to supersede two existing ADs that revise the counting method for hours in repetitive heavy-lift (RHL) service and reduce the life limit for rotating components. Life-limited rotating components must be removed from service in accordance with the multiplying factors and retirement lives contained in General Electric Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) CT58 A72-162 (CEB-258), dated July 9, 1979.
TERRY MEISINGER joined Signature Regional Maintenance Centers as manager, sales support in Chicago, Ill. Meisinger previously was program coordinator for MPC Products in Chicago, Ill. and, before that, spent three years with K-C Aviation as technical services administrator.
A CONTROVERSIAL COMPENSATION system took effect last week for some 5,800 FAA non-bargaining unit employees following a nearly yearlong pilot program and employee meetings. The plan, designed as a market-based compensation system, has been the catalyst for thousands of FAA employees to seek unionization to better improve their bargaining position. FAA Administrator Jane Garvey last week, in a "Broadcast Message" to employees, called the new pay plan "a starting point.
Model R44 helicopters (Docket No. 99-SW-08-AD; Amdt. 39-11657; AD 2000-07-03) - requires inspecting the wire harness for contact with the fuel line assembly, removing and replacing the fuel line assembly if chafing has occurred, and installing spiral wrap tubing on the fuel line assembly. This amendment is prompted by four incidents of contact between the wire harness and the fuel line assembly.
BFGOODRICH COMPANY, as part of its company-wide reorganization, tapped Jack Carmola as president of the new Engine and Safety Systems Group and Michael Piscatella as president of the new Electronic Systems Group. Carmola formerly was president, Engine Systems and Piscatella was president, Braking Systems. Also under the reorganization, John Grisik moved from president, Electronic and Engines Systems, to president of Landing Systems and Bud Wetzler from president of the Aerostructures Group to president of Aerostructures and Aviation Services.
AVIATION SAFETY ALLIANCE, which is affiliated with the Air Transport Association, named James McKenna executive director. McKenna reported for Aviation Week and Space Technology magazine for 13 years, most recently as transport and safety editor.
HONEYWELL announced plans for the first in a family of new Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning Systems (EGPWS) designed especially for helicopters. The first new system, the Mark XXII, is expected to win FAA certification and be available before the end of the year. The new system "will be designed to meet the specific low-level flight requirements encountered by helicopter pilots," said Frank Daly, president of Commercial Aviation Electronic Systems.
NORTHROP GRUMMAN and Germany's DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (DASA) said they are teaming up to evaluate strategic areas of cooperation, particularly in advanced technologies for surveillance and reconnaissance.
Closing in on certification of its Citation CJ2 entry-level business jet, Cessna said last week it is boosting the performance numbers for the new aircraft based on analysis of test data. The payload with maximum fuel is being boosted from 574 pounds to 800 pounds and maximum range is up 3.4 percent to 1,738 nautical miles. Cruise speed (at 10,300 pounds at 33,000 feet) is up 10 knots to 410 KTAS and rate-of-climb and time-to-climb figures also improved. Cessna anticipates receipt of FAA certification for the CJ2 later this month (BA, April 17/178).
TISHA STRATFORD was appointed marketing coordinator for Superior Air Parts. Stratford previously was assistant manager of outdoor advertising for Accor Economy Lodging.
Lufthansa Technik AG is expanding its presence in the North American market with an agreement to purchase Bizjet International Sales&Support based at Tulsa, Okla. International Airport. The deal, subject to regulatory approvals, is slated for completion in the second week of May. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Lufthansa said the deal will give it "another foothold in the world's most important aviation market North America" and follows its plans to further invest in the business jet market. Bizjet International, founded in 1986 by W.L.
WOODY CAHALL was promoted to vice president of aviation services for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Cahall will direct a staff of 24 who will respond to member inquiries on aviation technical and regulatory issues. He joined the association in 1992 and recently oversaw the conversion of the association Aviation Services database from paper to electronic format.
The United States Air Tour Association, in conjunction with a veteran foe of federal land use policies, plans to file suit in Federal District Court in Washington, D.C. this week against National Park Service regulations designed to restrict air tour flights over Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP).
FAIRCHILD DORNIER delivered the initial 328JET aircraft ordered by Atlantic Coast Jet, the jet operations of Atlantic Coast Airlines. ACJet ordered 25 of the 32-passenger 328JETs last year for its Delta Connection operations in the Northeast. Delivery of the small regional jets will continue through the end of 2001.
Model EC 135 helicopters (Docket No. 98-SW-74-AD) - proposes to supersede an existing AD that requires conducting a tail rotor drive shaft vibration survey, installing a Fenestron Shaft Retrofit Kit, inspecting each tail rotor drive shaft bearing attaching lock plate for bent-open tabs and broken or missing slippage marks, and visually inspecting each bearing support for cracks. This action would require conducting the survey and installing the Fenestron Shaft Retrofit Kit.
Gulfstream Aerospace officials, who won FAA type certification of the Gulfstream V 6,500-nautical-mile aircraft three years ago (BA, April 21, 1997/177), remain engaged in a protracted effort to win European Joint Airworthiness Authorities' approval for the $40 million business jet.
Model EMB-120 series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-66-AD) - proposes to supersede an existing AD that requires repetitive visual checks or inspections to verify that the flight idle stop system circuit breakers are closed, and repetitive functional tests to determine if the backup flight idle stop system is operative. This action would require modification of the secondary flight idle stop system, which would terminate the repetitive actions. This proposal also would remove certain airplanes from the applicability.
RICHARD HIMMEL joined Signature Regional Maintenance Centers as aircraft service manager in Las Vegas, Nev. Himmel formerly served as director of the Gulfstream-Challenger-Falcon-Learjet sales program for Bizjet International in Tulsa, Okla.
Federal Aviation Administration appointed Ruth Leverenz administrator for the Southwest Region, succeeding Clyde DeHart, who retired at the end of 1999. Leverenz, who will be based in Fort Worth, Texas, will assume responsibility for a five-state region that covers Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. She also will continue in her national role as the agency's assistant administrator for region and center operations, overseeing nine regions and training, services and logistic centers.
Title VII -- Miscellaneous Provisions Section 730. Authorizes $2 million and the hiring of personnel to reduce the backlog of equal opportunity complaints Section 731. Grants an easement to facilitate construction of the California State Route 138 bypass Section 732. Requires Alaska guide pilots to be regulated under Part 91, but directs FAA to issue additional safety regulations specific to Alaska guide pilot operations
CHUCK HARRINGTON was appointed director of maintenance for Southwest Jet Aviation. Harrington has more than 35 years of aviation maintenance experience, most recently serving as jet aircraft program manager for Raytheon Aircraft Services in Van Nuys, Calif.
airplanes (Docket No. 99-CE-65-AD; Amdt. 39-11665; AD 2000-07-11) - requires repetitively inspecting the brake assembly rods and tubings for wear or damage, and replacing any worn or damaged parts. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the airworthiness authority for Italy. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the brake hydraulic fluid from leaking because of the brake assembly rods contacting the brake valve tubing, which could result in the inability to adequately stop the airplane during ground operations.
TWO PERSONS were killed Friday morning when their Cessna 210 crashed and burned while attempting to take off from the North Las Vegas, Nev. Airport (VGT). The 210 crashed 50 feet from a hangar on the airport, but property damage was limited to the aircraft.
