PILATUS Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes (Docket No. 98-CE-122-AD; Amdt. 39-11211; AD 99-14-03) - supersedes AD 98-13-08, which currently requires replacing and re-routing the power return cables on the starter generator and the generator 2 on certain Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes. AD 98-13-08 also requires inserting a temporary revision to the Pilot Operating Handbook, and installing a placard near the standby magnetic compass.
DaimlerChrysler Aerospace, on the verge of completing its merger with CASA of Spain, is holding talks with Alenia of Italy on forming an alliance. "We are interested in taking part in the privatization of Alenia, like all of our European aerospace industry partners," a DASA spokesman said last week in Munich. "We are also holding talks with other manufacturers." Last month, German magazine Der Spiegel claimed that DASA was close to a merger agreement with Aerospatiale, which the French manufacturer denied.
JOHN ELLARD was named charter sales representative for Flight Services Group. Ellard most recently was charter sales representative with Atlantic Aviation in New Jersey. He also has served as general manager of MacDan Aviation, overseeing customer service, maintenance and charter requirements for a fleet of 16 aircraft and a staff of 50 support personnel.
Federal Aviation Administration Thursday shelved its controversial proposal to update its aviation mechanic requirements citing "overwhelming opposition" from some 1,500 commenters - including those who helped write the proposal. The agency a year ago proposed to update the requirements under a new Part 66 that would outline training and certification requirements for aviation mechanics (BA, July 13, 1998/15).
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION'S concern over FAA's enforcement of flight and duty time regulations grew last week after the agency testified before Congress on the issue. Although the hearing centered on scheduled operations, some members of the House aviation subcommittee questioned why the rules were different for Part 121 and 135 operators. "On-demand charter operators are being washed away within this 'sweeping tide' of proposed reform of flight and duty time standards," said NATA President James Coyne.
Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) has asked the General Accounting Office to identify the critical environmental concerns and challenges to current and expanded airport operations and development. In a letter last month to Comptroller General David Walker, the head of the GAO, Oberstar noted that several bills recently were introduced in Congress to strike a balance between demands for expanding airport operations and preserving the environment.
MARYLAND Gov. Parris N. Glendening named a 34-year aviation veteran and former corporate pilot to oversee the state's airport holdings. David L. Blackshear is the new executive director of the Maryland Aviation Administration and Baltimore/Washington International Airport. Blackshear had been executive director of the Richmond, Va. International Airport and before that headed the New Orleans, La. International Airport.
RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT named David Yen president of Raytheon Aircraft Credit Corporation. Yen will negotiate and approve transactions and manage the credit approval process. Yen has more than 20 years of experience in various financial roles. He previously was vice president and treasurer for Occidental and also was president of United Technologies Corporation's UT Finance and vice president-treasurer of Pratt&Whitney.
NEW PIPER PA-23, PA-30, PA-31, PA-34, PA-39, PA-40, and PA-42 series airplanes (Docket No. 98-CE-77-AD; Amdt. 39-11209; AD 99-14-01) - supersedes AD 98-04-27, which currently requires incorporating certain icing information into the FAA-approved airplane flight manual. FAA inadvertently omitted Piper Models PA-31P, PA-31T, PA-31T1, PA-31T2, and PA-31P-350 airplanes from the applicability section of AD 98-04-27.
The Gulfstream Aerospace completion and modification facility in Appleton, Wis. was approved by FAA as a Designated Alteration Station. The designation allows the Appleton hangar - formerly operated by K-C Aviation before Gulfstream acquired it a year ago (BA, July 27, 1998/38) - to grant FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) approvals for engineering designs and installations in aircraft, using Gulfstream personnel.
Rep. Bud Shuster's (R-Pa.) comprehensive FAA reauthorization package, AIR-21, inched forward after the Senate and House each passed legislation and used procedural maneuvers in attempts to force a House/Senate conference on FAA reauthorization. The Senate late July 30 passed a 60-day extension of the Airport Improvement Program, S.1467, after much political haranguing on whether to take such a step (BA, Aug. 2/51).
SINO SWEARINGEN late last month received the nose assembly for the first certification flight test SJ30-2 entry-level business jet. The nose section was assembled in Vitoria, Spain, by Gamesa Aeronautica, which is a risk-sharing partner in the SJ30-2 development program. Gamesa also builds the fuselage and wings for the new aircraft.
NEW PIPER Models PA-46-310P and PA-46-350P airplanes (Docket No. 98-CE-112-AD; Amdt. 39-11223; AD 99-15-04) - requires calibrating the turbine inlet temperature system to assure the accuracy of the existing turbine inlet temperature indicator and wiring for all of the applicable airplanes, and repairing or replacing any turbine inlet temperature system that fails the calibration test.
DASSAULT Model Falcon 10 and Model Mystere-Falcon 50 series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-325-AD) - proposal would require modification of the aircraft wiring to illuminate the "T/O CONFIG" red warning light on the cockpit warning panel.
FAA'S AUTHORITY to issue grants to airports under the Airport Improvement Program expired Friday after Congress failed to pass an extension to the authorization. Renewal of the program cannot occur until next month since Congress recessed in the early hours of Aug. 6 until Sept. 8. FAA authorization legislation, however, made progress last week. See article below.
Docket No.: 29575 Section of the FAR Affected: 14 CFR 121.344(b)(3) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit Air Wisconsin Airlines to operate certain British Aerospace 146 aircraft without installing, in each aircraft, the required, approved digital flight data recorder (DFDR) until the next heavy maintenance check after the aircraft manufacturers have made the DFDR modification kits available, but not later than Aug. 20, 2001.
Model SA-365C, C1, C2, N, and N1; AS-365N2; and SA-366G1 helicopters (Docket No. 98-SW-75-AD) - proposes to require inspecting the tightening torque of the main rotor hub blade attach beam spherical thrust bearing bolts. The proposal then would require either applying the specified torque or, if necessary, conducting a dye penetrant inspection for cracks in the metal components. If a crack is found, the proposal would require replacing the spherical thrust bearing with an airworthy bearing.
PILATUS AIRCRAFT, which in June boosted aircraft production from four to five PC-12 single-turboprops per month, said it received orders for 29 aircraft in the first half of the year - 10 more than delivered in the same time frame. North and South America accounted for the bulk of those orders, 27.
Model DHC-8-100 and -300 series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-384-AD) - proposal would require replacement of the main landing gear (MLG) uplock actuator on both the left and right MLG with a new redesigned uplock assembly. 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 failure of the MLG to extend when a "gear down" selection is made. FAA estimates that the AD will cover 148 airplanes on the U.S.
J. ROBERT DUNCAN, chairman of Duncan Aviation, was named 1999's Entrepreneur of the Year. The award, founded 13 years ago by the professional services firm of Ernst&Young, honors individuals who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success through innovations, financial performance and personal commitment to their business and community. Duncan was the winner in the Masters category.
Jetstream Model 4101 Airplanes (Docket No. 99-NM-115-AD) - proposes to require a one-time visual inspection of the conduit pipe for distortion or repairs, and replacement of the conduit pipe with a new pipe, if necessary. This proposal also would require replacement of the cable assemblies to the fuel standby pumps with new cable assemblies that have improved sheathing protection. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
Docket No.: 27251 Sections of the FAR Affected: 14 CFR 91.109(a) and (b)(3) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit BPPP and ABS/ASF flight instructors to conduct certain flight instruction and simulated instrument flights to meet the recent instrument experience requirements in Beechcraft Baron, Bonanza, and Travel Air airplanes equipped with a functioning throwover control wheel in place of functioning dual controls. Grant, June 16, 1999, Exemption No. 5733D
GENERAL DYNAMICS completed the acquisition of Gulfstream Aerospace Friday, a transaction valued at $4.8 billion, based on the July 29 closing price of GD stock at $66.125 per share. When originally announced in mid-May, officials said the value of the deal could reach $5.3 billion (BA, May 24/235). GD Chairman Nicholas D. Chabraja said the transaction will be "immediately and strongly accretive to General Dynamics's earnings and cash flow. Gulstream is a solid and well-run business, and an excellent strategic fit."
COMMENT DEADLINE for a controversial proposal on aging aircraft safety is today, but at least one association is requesting an extension. The proposal, issued April 2, would require records review and inspections on multiengine airplanes "after their 14th year in service to ensure that the maintenance of these airplanes' age-sensitive parts and components have been adequate and timely" (BA, April 5/160).
Docket No.: 28877 Sections of the FAR Affected: 14 CFR 91.109(a) and (b)(3) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit Jacoby to conduct certain flight instruction and simulated instrument flights to meet recent instrument experience requirements in certain Beechcraft airplanes equipped with a functioning throwover control wheel in place of functioning dual controls. Grant, June 23, 1999, Exemption No. 6649A
