A Rand Corp. report commissioned by the National Transportation Safety Board concludes that NTSB is desperately short of resources and needs to make changes in the accident investigation process - particularly as it relates to the involvement of "parties" to an investigation.
A team of general aviation users, air traffic controllers and Federal Aviation Administration officials drafted a series of recommendations aimed at improving flight service information to GA. The recommendations, drafted during a meeting last month, stem from concern that general aviation "takes a back seat" in FAA planning and resources, said Wally Pike, president of the National Association of Air Traffic Specialists, which represents Flight Service Station personnel.
SPAR AEROSPACE LTD., which had been reviewing strategic proposals including the possible sale of some company assets, said the proposals received "have been deemed less attractive than retention of the successful Aviation Services Division. The company is no longer for sale." Spar said it will continue to pursue the international market in avionics upgrade programs and commercial maintenance, repair and overhaul. Anthony Caputo, president of the Aviation Services Division, was named president of Spar and a director of the company.
LEANNA K. RIERSON is the Federal Aviation Administration's newest national resource specialist, focusing on leading-edge aircraft computerization and certification issues. She has more than 10 years experience in software development, including four as a lead avionics engineer on business jets for Cessna Aircraft. She joined FAA's Aircraft Certification Office in Wichita, Kan. in 1995 and since 1997 she has been the software technical specialist and program manager for the Aircraft Certification Service's Avionics Branch.
Model DHC-8-101, -102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 series airplanes [Docket No. 98-NM-335-AD; Amendment 39-11401; AD 99-23-05] - requires repetitive detailed visual inspections and high frequency eddy current inspections to detect cracking of the wing upper skin and ladder plates at over-wing access panels between certain stations; and repair, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION has no objection to an agreement under which Fairchild Aerospace - specifically, its German operation Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH - will receive a loan of $350 million guaranteed by the Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Bavaria, the EC said last week (BA, Dec. 6/255). The EC clearance is the next to last step in Fairchild's plan to secure development funding for its 428JET and 728JET programs.
United Technologies Corp. acquired all the shares of Great Lakes Turbines, the Muskegon, Mich. company that supplies and services components for small gas turbine engines. The business, which includes a parts distribution operation, will be integrated into the operations of Pratt&Whitney Canada's Service Centers.
GROEN BROTHERS AVIATION'S Hawk 4 gyroplane was flown successfully in a crop spraying demonstration. The Hawk 4, a four-seat gyroplane undergoing FAA certification, "performed well under exacting conditions," GBA said, adding that it "easily maneuvers over small fields, and has little problem spraying between obstacles." GBA said the gyroplane also could be operated for commuting, package delivery, air taxi, traffic monitoring, land management, aerial photography, electronic news gathering, surveillance and police work.
Model Hawker 1000 series airplanes [Docket No. 99-NM-156-AD; Amendment 39-11406; AD 99-23-10] - requires a visual inspection of the PS wire bundle, shielded wires going to fuel probe 'G,' and any other wire or wire bundle for chafing in the forward wing spar and forward ventral tank area; and corrective actions, if necessary.
ANTHONY DIAZ was named executive vice president of CIT Aerospace. He has been associated with subsidiaries and affiliates of CIT since 1987 and is responsible for developing new business volume, portfolio management and aircraft re-marketing. A bachelor of science graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, he previously worked for Cessna Finance Company and People Express Airlines.
BMW Rolls-Royce was renamed Rolls-Royce Deutschland as it becomes a fully owned subsidiary of Rolls-Royce plc Jan. 1. The British company reached an agreement last month to acquire the remaining stock in BMW Rolls Royce that had been held by auto-maker BMW (BA, Nov. 1/204). Rolls-Royce's Chief Executive John Rose told BA affiliate Aviation Daily that the new German division may take over responsibility for all two-shaft engines in the future. Currently, the Dahlewitz, Germany-based unit is responsible for engines in the 13,000-23,000-pounds thrust range.
FENTON APPLEBY was named director of PT6 sales for Wood Group Turbopower, Inc., Miami Lakes, Fla. Appleby will head a team of national and international PT6 sales managers and is responsible for sales and support. He has more than 15 years experience working with regional airline and business aviation operators and most recently was director of turboprop engines for Airwork. Appleby will report directly to Stephen McBride, president of the company, and will focus on increasing Wood Group's penetration of the PT6 engine overhaul and repair market.
PIEDMONT HAWTHORNE took over operational control of the Shell Aerocentre at the Calgary, Alberta International Airport (YYC) Dec. 1, the final step in acquiring three FBOs from Shell Canada Products, Ltd. (BA, Oct. 18/174). The other two locations are Vancouver International (YVR) and Toronto Pearson (YYZ). Piedmont Hawthorne said the legal transaction closed Nov. 1, but operational changeovers were staggered. All three locations now operate as Piedmont Hawthorne and are branded Shell Aerocentre fuel dealers. "We want to develop Canada and we want to develop U.S.
Federal Aviation Administration should develop a two-tiered certification process for repair stations that maintain large Part 121 aircraft and those that work on general aviation airplanes, the National Air Transportation Association recommended this month. In comments on FAA's proposed rewrite of Part 145 regulations governing repair stations, NATA offered the two-tiered certification process as a "reasonable alternative" to a one-size-fits-all proposal that is unworkable for a large number of GA repair stations.
HONEYWELL completed a successful tender offer initiated by AlliedSignal, Inc. for all the outstanding common stock of TriStar Aerospace Co. TriStar, based in Dallas, Texas, is a leading manufacturer of fasteners, fastening systems and related hardware to the aerospace industry and provides automatic parts replenishment and other customized inventory management services.
Members of the Fractional Ownership Aviation Rulemaking Committee established by FAA Administrator Jane Garvey have completed an initial draft of their recommendations to FAA on how fractional aircraft providers should be regulated, and a spokesman for the group remains optimistic those recommendations will be viewed favorably by all segments of the aviation community.
Jet Aviation is now operating from its new base at Love Field in Dallas, the former Jet East facility that Jet Aviation agreed to buy earlier this year (BA, Sept. 13/119). The transaction closed in October and the new Dallas base "will greatly enhance our global ability to provide world-class service to our growing customer base," said Thomas M. Hirschmann, chairman and chief executive of Jet Aviation.
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORP. relocated its international sales headquarters in London to Farnborough, England because the new location "gives us excellent access to customers transiting through the country and region and is more convenient for the majority of our customers," said Ernie Edwards, vice president-international sales. He said a "significant increase in international sales activity" also prompted the move, noting that, "After North America, Europe is the world's most robust large-cabin business jet market."
G. HARDY ACREE, a pilot and accredited airport executive, has taken over as director of airports for the County of Sacramento, California. Acree had been deputy director of Houston's George Bush International Airport. In his new post he will oversee operations at Sacramento International, Mather and Executive Airports. The county said immediate areas of concern will be development of a new master plan for Sacramento International and implementation of a marketing strategy to obtain nonstop international service at the airport.
Model 328-100 series airplanes [Docket No. 99-NM-207-AD; Amendment 39-11411; AD 99-23-15] - adopts a final rule that requires replacement of a flight attendant panel and modification of its associated wiring. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the disabling of the "Fasten Seat Belt" and "No Smoking" signs when they are required to be illuminated.
GENERAL DYNAMICS hired David Heebner, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general, as vice president for strategic planning. Heebner, who joins the company next month, will report directly to Nicholas Chabraja, chairman and chief executive officer. Heebner will work with Chabraja and GD's four business group leaders to develop, evaluate, select and implement business strategies. During his 31-year military career, Heebner held a number of key positions, including assistant vice chief of staff and director of program analysis and evaluation.
DIFFERENT FOLKS have different views of how serious potential Y2K problems in aviation might be as we near the end of the year. Avemco Insurance Company is warning its policy holders to "avoid flying the last few days of the year. There are some indications that systems issues may crop up prior to year end, especially if the software programs employ weekly or monthly processing," the insurance company said. At headquarters of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, which is just across the ramp from Avemco headquarters at the Frederick, Md.
MEANWHILE, FAA Administrator Jane Garvey is still planning to make her highly publicized Dec. 31 flight from Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. to DFW and then on to SFO. Garvey is scheduled to depart DCA at 1710 EST and arrive in SFO at 00:07 on Jan. 1. However, today's edition of BA affiliate Aviation Daily points out that the real test of ATC Y2K system readiness will occur before Garvey's flight departs. That's because most ATC equipment in the U.S.
Model 328-100 series airplanes [Docket No. 96-NM-110-AD; Amendment 39-11408; AD 99-23-12] - adopts a new airworthiness directive, applicable to all Dornier Model 328-100 series airplanes, that requires repetitive inspections to detect damage and discrepancies of various control cables and certain fairleads/swivel guides for the autopilot, elevator, rudder, aileron, and engine; and corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
Model ATP aircraft [ Docket No. 99-NM-177-AD] - proposes a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would require a one-time inspection of the orientation of certain bolts of the rudder standby control system (SCS), and reinstallation of the bolts, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent uncommanded engagement of the rudder SCS, which could reduce controllability of the airplane.
