EDWARD W. STIMPSON was sworn in Friday as the U.S. representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization in Montreal with the rank of ambassador (BA, Oct. 4/151).
FAA'S NEW YORK CENTER transitioned to Display System Replacement equipment Wednesday, replacing display screens, controller work stations and computers that process radar data that were 20 to 30 years old. DSR is a key element of FAA's effort to modernize the nation's en route ATC system, which controllers use to move high-altitude traffic between airports. FAA Administrator Jane Garvey said the system is now operational at eight locations and that the transition will be completed in May.
The Senate last week finally adopted its comprehensive aviation reauthorization package, but many key senators - including Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) - promised to oppose House proposals to take the Airport and Airway Trust Fund off budget as the bills head to a House/Senate conference. The Senate Tuesday approved by voice vote McCain's reauthorization package after it had been held up for months by disputes over airport takeoff and landing slots.
AIRCRAFT BELTS INC. developed new CD-ROM software, "Build A Belt," to assist aircraft engineers, refurbishers, maintenance professionals and owners in custom-designing aircraft safety restraints. The software provides a number of options, such as type of assembly (lap, three-point, crew and medical restraints), hardware design, color, length and method of attachment to the aircraft. For more information, contact ABI at (800) 847-5651.
FAA plans to extend and broaden its contract with Raytheon on the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), including helping the agency decide on the requirements for up to 12 geostationary satellites.
MARY ROSE LONEY, the well-traveled airport executive, is on the move again. Loney, who has been Chicago's aviation commissioner for the past few years, was named president of Travelways, Inc., the nation's second largest provider of motorcoach tour, charter and sightseeing services, effective Dec. 1.
EXTEX LTD. signed an agreement with Chromalloy Arizona to cooperate on the repair of Allison A250 helicopter engine nozzles. Under the agreement, Chromalloy will repair Extex PMA first-, second- and fourth-stage turbine nozzles for C20/C20R and C30 engines. Extex will supply Chromalloy with components for nozzle repair. Extex has produced nearly 2,000 A250 replacement nozzles as well as a number of other parts for the A250, including compressor wheels, combustion liners, shafts, gears and splined parts.
NATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION is expecting 30,000 attendees during its Annual Meeting and Convention this week in Atlanta. The association sold a record 4,209 10-foot by 10-foot exhibit booths for this year's show, up from 1998's high of 3,927. About 125 aircraft will be on static display at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport. Tuesday's General Session will include FAA Administrator Jane Garvey, astronaut Buzz Aldrin and NBAA President Jack Olcott.
Model R381/6-123-F/5 propellers (Docket No. 99-NE-43-AD; Amdt. 39-11284; AD 99-18-18) - requires initial and repetitive visual and ultrasonic inspections of propeller blades for cracks across the camber face, and, if blades are found cracked, replacement with serviceable blades. This amendment is prompted by reports of a cracked composite propeller blade. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent propeller blade cracks and propagation, which could result in propeller blade separation and possible loss of aircraft control.
Manufacturers will deliver 6,800 new business jet aircraft valued at $89 billion for the period 2000-2010, according to AlliedSignal Aerospace's eighth annual Business Aviation Market Outlook. The latest forecast represents a 4.6 percent increase in projected aircraft deliveries during the 11-year forecast period and a 14.1 percent jump in value compared with the company's forecast of a year ago - 6,500 aircraft worth $78 billion.
Model CFE738-1-1B turbofan engines (Docket No. 98-ANE-69-AD) - revises an earlier proposal that would have required a one-time dimensional inspection of the curvic coupling tooth profile of certain high-pressure compressor (HPC) rotor components to check for machining mismatches in the curvic coupling in specific engines and, if necessary, replacement with serviceable parts. That proposal was prompted by reports of machining mismatches in certain HPC rotor components that may decrease the service life of these HPC parts.
()HC-()()Y()-() series propellers (Docket No. 99-NE-21-AD) - proposes to adopt a new AD that would apply to certain Hartzell()HC-()()Y()-() series propellers, identified by hub serial numbers, that were returned to service by Brothers Aero Services Company, Inc. (BASCO). This proposal would require maintenance actions amounting to an overhaul of the affected propellers. This proposal is prompted by reports of propellers returned to service by BASCO as overhauled that had numerous unsafe conditions.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION this week is expected to delay the deadline for comments on its Part 145 rewrite by 90 more days. FAA in mid-June published its long-awaited proposal to revise standards governing U.S. repair stations under Part 145 (BA, June 21/285). The agency originally set an Oct. 19 comment deadline.
Fairchild Aerospace and Lufthansa Technik Logistik GmbH agreed to establish a new spare parts distribution center in Europe to support Fairchild and Dornier aircraft. The new facility will be located at Frankfurt Airport, which provides round-the-clock airline service to points throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Fairchild Aerospace said establishing the European distribution center "is an essential component in the supply chain." It joins the company's U.S. center at Denver's International Airport as primary parts hubs for airline and corporate users.
JACK WOHLER was named senior vice president for business development for Raytheon Systems Company. Wohler previously was president of the Electronics System Sector of Harris Corporation. He also served with Pratt&Whitney as executive vice president-engineering and senior vice president-marketing/sales and service.
Model 328-100 series airplanes (Docket No. 99-NM-207-AD) - proposes to require replacement of a flight attendant panel and modification of its associated wiring. 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 the disabling of the "Fasten Seat Belt" and "No Smoking" signs when they are required to be illuminated.
GROEN BROTHERS AVIATION completed the inaugural flight of the company's first production gyroplane, the Hawk 4. The first production flight, completed last month at GBA's flight operations facility in Buckeye, Ariz., comes after a 13-year development program, including three flying prototypes. The Hawk gyroplane, which can take off and land vertically, will be classified in FAA's "rotorcraft" category. GBA expects certification in spring of 2001 with deliveries to follow shortly thereafter.
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, the founder, president and chief executive officer of International Lease Finance Corp., flew into Washington, D.C. from Paris, France Thursday in his Gulfstream IV to publicly confirm his pledge of $60 million for construction of The Dulles Center complex of the National Air and Space Museum (BA, Oct. 4/152). He also served notice that he plans to actively solicit additional funds from his many contacts in the aviation and aerospace community.
Mercury Air Centers purchased the assets of two fixed-base operations in the Charleston, S.C. area and signed an agreement to buy the assets of MillionAir Tulsa, Okla., actions that will expand the growing FBO chain's locations to 17 cities nationwide.
Model BAe 125-1000A and Hawker 1000 series airplanes (Docket No. 97-NM-313-AD) - proposes to rescind an existing AD that currently requires inspections of the thrust reverser system for integrity, and correction of any discrepancy. The actions specified by that AD are intended to prevent a significant reduction in the controllability of the airplane due to an in-flight deployment of a thrust reverser. Since the issuance of that AD, FAA has issued a separate AD that requires the accomplishment of modifications that terminate the requirements of the existing AD.
Model 172R airplanes (Docket No. 99-CE-55-AD; Amdt. 39-11280; AD 99-18-14) - requires, for Model 172R airplanes equipped with a certain modification kit to reduce friction in the elevator control system, inspecting the control yoke pivot bolt to assure positive clearance between the pivot bolt's threaded end and aileron direct cable. If positive clearance is not found, this AD requires replacing the control yoke pivot bolt, inspecting the adjacent aileron control cables for damage, and replacing any damaged aileron control cable.
SOME 1,300 small air carriers face grounding if they do not reply to a voluntary FAA survey on Year 2000 computer compatibility by Nov. 1. Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) included language in the Senate version of FAA reauthorization legislation calling on FAA to revoke certificates of any carriers that do not respond to the survey by Nov. 1.The legislation, which passed the Senate last week, heads to a House/Senate conference for consideration.
RUSS MYERS was named Western region account manager for BFGoodrich Avionics Systems. Myers will oversee aftermarket sales to BFGoodrich dealers and corporate operators in the Western U.S. He joined the company 20 years ago as an electronic tester and most recently served as senior field service engineer in the customer service department.
UNIVERSITY AVIATION ASSOCIATION Friday will present its 1999 Estridge Award to Shelly Snyder Simi, director of communications for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. The award, presented annually in honor of Captain Walter W.
