RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT appointed Duane Manning vice president-spares sales and Eric Jensen vice president-operations for its Raytheon Aircraft Parts Inventory&Distribution (RAPID) company. Manning formerly was director of marketing and new business development at Raytheon Aircraft Montek and, before that, was director of marketing of Parker Aerospace's Control System Division. Jensen formerly was director of continuous improvement at Raytheon Aircraft Montek. He also has held positions as manager of customer support for Vickers Inc.
Model DHC-8-311 and -315 series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-324-AD; Amdt. 39-11373; AD 99-21-27) - supersedes an existing AD that requires replacement of the nitrogen cylinder assemblies that inflate the airplane's ditching dams with improved nitrogen cylinder assemblies. This amendment expands the applicability of the existing AD. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100) series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-385-AD; Amdt. 39-11355; AD 99-21-11) - requires a one-time inspection to detect damage of the input connectors and wiring of the main and auxiliary power unit (APU) battery chargers, and corrective action, if necessary. This amendment also requires installation of secure connectors for the battery charger input connections.
The Global Positioning System is a supplemental navigation system because it cannot stand alone as can VOR/DME, ILS, MLS and some other ground-based systems according to former FAA Administrator Langhorne Bond addressing the Avionics 99 conference last month in Bellevue, Wash. GPS "can only be used when teamed with a dissimilar system for all phases of flight - en route, terminal maneuvering and precision approach," he said. "GPS, therefore, is a supplemental navigation system." GPS as a "sole means navigation is a dead issue," he said.
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD officials said repairs to the cockpit voice recorder from the Model 35 Learjet that crashed Oct. 25 have made it possible for investigators to listen to the CVR tape. The CVR was damaged in the crash and had to be sent to the manufacturer for repairs before investigators could hear the tape (BA, Nov. 1/200). As expected, there are no voices heard on the tape, an NTSB spokesman said, but there are sounds and noises audible and investigators are hopeful those sounds will provide some useful information.
FRANK C. CARLUCCI, chairman of The Carlyle Group, a Washington, D.C.-based merchant bank, was named chairman of the US-ROC (Taiwan) Business Council. Carlucci reiterated the organization's support for acceptance of Taiwan as a member of the World Trade Organization. The Carlyle Group's holdings include the Piedmont Hawthorne chain of fixed-base operations.
BRIAN WRIGHT was named vice president, integrated architecture for Rockwell Collins. Wright will lead efforts to develop avionics platforms and architecture systems for the company's air transport, business and regional and government customers. He also will be director of engineering for Business and Regional Systems. Wright, who joined the company in 1992, previously was vice president, engineering and technology.
ATLANTIC COAST HOLDINGS, INC. signed a contract with Bombardier Aerospace for three additional CRJ200 regional jets valued at US$65 million. The order brings Atlantic Coast's CRJ commitment to 66 firm orders, including 26 placed during this calendar year. The carrier has taken delivery of 21 of the 50-seat airliners.
THE PILOT of a Gardner VariEze was killed Oct. 18 during a forced landing after encountering engine problems. NTSB said the owner had recently purchased the aircraft in California and was ferrying it back to his home town of McKinney, Texas. After taking off from St. John's, Ariz., the pilot contacted air traffic controllers to report he was at 13,500 feel MSL and was experiencing a rough-running engine. Investigators said the aircraft nosed over during a forced landing after the aircraft lost engine power near Quemado, N.M.
John L. Enticknap takes over today (Nov. 1) as president and chief operating officer of Mercury Air Centers, the chain of 17 fixed-base operations owned by Mercury Air Group of Los Angeles. Enticknap has been with Mercury since 1995, and most recently he served as Eastern regional manager, director of business development and general manager of the company's FBO at Dekalb Peachtree Airport (PDK). He has been engaged in the FBO industry since 1968. He is the former vice president of marketing for DynAir Fueling, Inc. and former regional manager of Beckett Aviation.
(Docket No. 99-NM-131-AD) - withdraws a proposal that would have required replacement of the existing pneumatic de-icing boot pressure indicator switch with a newly designed switch. Since the issuance of the proposal, FAA has received new data that demonstrates that the unsafe condition cannot occur. Accordingly, the proposed rule is withdrawn.
FAA proposed to ban ignition sources from the fuel tanks on existing aircraft and to require mandatory maintenance instructions for the fuel systems on new aircraft. The proposal also will mandate design reviews and mandatory maintenance on existing aircraft. The actions stem from the July 17, 1996, crash of a TWA 747-100 shortly after takeoff from Kennedy Airport, and subsequent pressure from the National Transportation Safety Board to eliminate fuel tank ignition sources.
Model Falcon 2000 series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-377-AD; Amdt. 39-11365; AD 99-21-20) - requires a detailed inspection for interference between the safety-lock hooks and upper cowls, and corrective action, if necessary. This amendment also requires modification of the attachment supports of the inner locking hooks; and a detailed inspection of the safety-lock hooks on the lower engine cowl for proper operation and for clearance between the outer edges of the upper and lower cowls; and corrective actions, if necessary.
Model AS332C, L, and L1 helicopters (Docket No. 98-SW-59-AD; Amdt. 39-11390; AD 99-22-12) - requires replacing certain electrical modules with airworthy electrical modules. This amendment is prompted by the discovery of several defective electrical modules. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of electrical continuity, which could cause loss of critical systems and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. FAA estimates that the AD will cover three helicopters on the U.S. Registry at a cost of $57,600.
AIRNET SYSTEMS, Columbus, Ohio, revised downward its third quarter earnings estimates. The company said it expects to report earnings of eight to 10 cents per share for the three months ended Sept. 30, compared with analysts' consensus earnings of 23 cents per share. Third quarter revenues are expected to total about $33.5 million, a 13 percent increase over last year. Operating expenses were affected by several factors including $650,000 in higher fuel costs and $1.1 million in one-time expenses related to management changes and professional fees.
Model 204B, 205A, and 205A-1 helicopters (Docket No. 98-SW-73-AD; Amendment 39-11252; AD 99-17-03) - supersedes an existing AD that requires modifying and inspecting the vertical fin spar for cracks. This amendment requires modification and visual and dye-penetrant inspections of the fin spar for cracks, and if a crack is discovered, replacing the fin spar. A tapping test for disbonding and replacing certain fin spars within 12 calendar months also is required.
SIMUFLITE TRAINING INTERNATIONAL ordered four Cessna and Gulfstream Level D simulators. The simulators, manufactured by CAE, Inc. in Montreal, will be used for Gulfstream IV-SP, Gulfstream V, Citation Ultra/Bravo and Citation Excel training. SimuFlite will install the simulators in a new 164,000-sqaure-foot wing at its Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport training center.
British engine maker Rolls-Royce will acquire all the assets of BMW Rolls-Royce, the German joint venture that successfully launched a new family of turbofan engines that power a new generation of long-range business aircraft and 100-seat airliners.
A DISAPPOINTING third-quarter financial report by Lockheed Martin was quickly followed by the retirement of Peter B. Teets, president and chief operating officer and a 37-year veteran of the company. The company reported third quarter earnings of $217 million, a $101 million decrease from the same period a year ago, and sharply degraded the earnings outlook for 2000.
NEW PIPER signed an exclusive, long-term agreement with SimCom International for recurrent and transition training at New Piper's facility in Vero Beach, Fla. SimCom will provide the recurrent and transition training for customers of the Saratoga II HP, Saratoga II TC, Seneca V and Malibu Mirage aircraft. The contract also calls for SimCom to train maintenance technicians at authorized service centers. SimCom and New Piper are jointly developing pilot and maintenance training courses for the Malibu Meridian and plan to commission a simulator in late 2000.
O-470, IO-470, TSIO-470, IO-520, TSIO-520, LTSIO-520, GTSIO-520, IO-550, TSIO-550, and TSIOL-550 series reciprocating engines (Docket No. 99-NE-28-AD; Amendment 39-11290; AD 99-19-01) - action supersedes priority letter AD 99-09-17 that currently requires a one-time visual and ultrasonic (UT) inspection of the No. 2 and No. 5 crankshaft cheeks for cracks. All crankshafts found with a cracked cheek must be replaced with a serviceable crankshaft prior to further flight.
HOUSE AND SENATE conferees continue their behind-the-scenes negotiations on a comprehensive FAA reauthorization package, but both sides still appear firmly entrenched in their positions on budget issues - including House efforts to take the trust fund off budget, ensure minimum spending levels and guarantee a general fund contribution. Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), the Senate Budget Committee chairman who opposes the House budget proposals, drafted his own version.
(Docket No. 98-ANE-62-AD; Amendment 39-11388; AD 99-22-10) - establishes new life limits for certain high pressure compressor (HPC) spools, Stage 9 HPC disks, and rear HPC spools. This amendment is prompted by a cyclic life analysis using increased stress levels resulting from manufacturing discrepancies. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent HPC spool and disk cracking, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the aircraft.
Model SA-365C, C1, C2, N, and N1; AS-365N2; and SA-366G1 helicopters (Docket No. 98-SW-75-AD; Amdt. 39-11369; AD 99-21-24) - requires inspecting the tightening torque of the main rotor hub blade attach beam spherical thrust bearing bolts. This AD also requires either applying the specified torque or, if necessary, conducting a dye penetrant inspection for cracks in the metal components. Replacing the spherical thrust bearing with an airworthy bearing is also required if a crack is found.
AS FOR GOVERNING air tours over national parks, FAA is ready to release its NPRM as soon as Congress adopts legislation providing for the regulations. That legislation, which has been in the works for about 18 months, has been held up because it was included as part of FAA reauthorization. The bill calls for implementing air tour management plans at various national parks, and FAA and the National Park Service already have begun to meet to consider such plans.
