AlliedSignal, Inc. began shipments of its new Airsat 1 airborne satellite communications system, which uses the Iridium low-earth orbit satellite constellation. "The real beauty of Airsat 1 is that it is reasonably priced, yet, it is the first satellite communications system for aircraft that provides reliable, continuous communications for aircraft flying anywhere in the world," said Frank Daly, president, AlliedSignal Aerospace Avionics&Lighting.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION has hired away yet another Hill staffer. Donna McLean, long-time professional staff member for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and aviation subcommittee, plans to join FAA in August as assistant administrator for financial services (ABA-1).
Federal Aviation Administration Friday, in a series of proposed actions, called for changes in air tour operations over Grand Canyon National Park that are so restrictive that sources say they will effectively eliminate all tours from Las Vegas, Nev. FAA said the package of proposals will "maintain and further enhance the 'natural quiet' of the Grand Canyon National Park. The proposals were crafted with input from the National Park Service and accommodate the interests of American Indian tribes and local businesses."
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION is sharply critical of FAA's Part 145 notice of proposed rulemaking that would rewrite the regulations for repair stations (BA, June 21/285). "While the rewrite of the Part 145 regulations is necessary" to make them applicable to today's technology, "a serious flaw in the proposal is the fact that it totally ignores the variety of scope and operations of the majority of the 4,509 FAA-licensed repair stations," said NATA Vice President Andy Cebula.
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD, which is considering a recommendation calling for replacement of TSO C-91-compliant emergency locator transmitters (BA, July 5/1), also is pondering another equipment requirement.
MIKE SENEY was named vice president of Gulfstream/Challenger operations for BIZJET International Sales&Support, Inc. in Tulsa, Okla. He previously served as Gulfstream program manager for BIZJET. Before joining BIZJET in 1995, Seney spent six years as a Gulfstream crew chief for Gulfstream Aerospace in California.
BOMBARDIER received type certification for the Global Express business jet from the European Joint Aviation Authorities, the German Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) and regulatory agencies in Belgium, Luxembourg, Monaco and Turkey over the past two months.
Federal Aviation Administration last week proposed to allow reduced vertical separation minimums (RVSM) operation in certain Pacific oceanic airspace. The proposal seeks to clear the way to reduce the required vertical separation of aircraft from 2,000 feet to 1,000 feet between flight levels FL290 and FL410. Aircraft, however, must meet stringent altimeter and auto-pilot requirements. Pacific RVSM would provide "more fuel and time efficient flight levels and tracks...and would enhance airspace capacity," FAA said.
DASSAULT Model Mystere-Falcon 900, Falcon 900EX, and Falcon 2000 Series airplanes (Docket No. 99-NM-11-AD) - proposes to require replacement of the elevator auxiliary artificial feel unit (AFU) with a new elevator auxiliary AFU. 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 elevator auxiliary AFU. Failure of an AFU, coupled with a control linkage disconnection, could reduce controllability of the airplane.
RONSON AVIATION was designated by Mercer County as the administrator for U.S. Customs services at the Trenton Mercer Airport in Trenton, N.J. The Customs office will be staffed from 0900-1800 Monday through Friday and a fee will be charged for all services.
CHC Helicopter said a Norwegian affiliate has gained control of a major Norwegian helicopter firm through a bid for the company's outstanding shares. Vinland Helicopters AS, an indirect Norwegian subsidiary, received positive responses for over 90 percent of the shares of Helicopter Services Group ASA (HSG). CHC, headquartered in St. John's Newfoundland, operates a worldwide fleet of 209 light, medium and heavy helicopters and has 1,000 employees. Together CHC and HSG operate a fleet of more than 370 aircraft and employ 3,000.
MCKINNEY AEROSPACE held a groundbreaking ceremony Friday for its new hangar and headquarters facility at the McKinney, Texas Airport. The company provides avionics and interior refurbishment services for corporate aircraft.
LUCAS AEROSPACE signed a five-year contract with Mesaba Airlines, operating as Northwest Airlink, under which electrical generating system line replaceable units manufactured by Lucas are returned to Lucas by the carrier for necessary service and recertification. Mesaba pays for anticipated repairs and overhauls on a cost-per-flight basis. Lucas said the contract is valued at $3 million over the life of the program.
FAA Administrator Jane Garvey named three senior officials to new jobs within the agency. Peter Challan, who was director of the Office of Air Traffic Systems Development in the research and acquisitions organization, is the new acting deputy associate administrator for air traffic services. William Voss was named to succeed Challan, and Carl McCullough will replace Voss. McCullough was the performance team leader for the Global Positioning System project.
TONY FRANCIS was named vice president of operations for BIZJET International Sales and Support, Inc. in Tulsa, Okla. Francis will oversee airframe maintenance of Falcon and mid-size jets, interior refurbishment and the paint facility. Francis, who has more than 25 years of aviation industry experience, joined BIZJET 10 years ago. He has served as avionics supervisor, service engineering supervisor, technical representative for Falcon Jet and in the airframe and engine departments at BIZJET.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION has proposed an advisory circular titled Initial Air Carrier Operational Approval for Use of Digital Communication Systems. The proposed AC is designed to provide Part 121, 125, 129 and 135 operators with an acceptable means to win operational approval for use of digital communication systems, including data link and voice communication, for air traffic services. The draft AC can be obtained at FAA, Flight Technologies and Procedures Division (Attn. ASF-410), 800 Independence Ave. S.W., Washington, D.C.
RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT named Jim Siebauer vice president and chief information officer. Siebauer will develop information management plans and integrate business systems, business processes and information technology throughout Raytheon Aircraft's operations. Before joining Raytheon, he was vice president of information systems for three of TRW's Automotive Group businesses - Seat Belt, Air Bag and Steering Wheel systems. He also spent seven years with Motorola.
A move by the Office of Management and Budget to drop funding for the Loran-C navigation chain in the Northeastern U.S. has alarmed users in the U.S. and abroad. OMB's stance is delaying a Transportation Department announcement that funding for Loran-C will continue until the transition to sole-means navigation is completed in 2008. DOT also is postponing issuance of the 1998 Federal Radionavigation Plan (FRP), even though 1999 is half over.
Even as costs from computer virus and worm attacks are rising, companies aren't spending enough to support their networks and defend against the phenomenon, a California-based research firm declares. What's worse, says Computer Economics' Michael Erbschloe, vice president for research, is that while the frequency of attacks won't grow, their nature will become more severe.
JOINT AVIATION AUTHORITIES is expected to delay implementation of its new commercial operating rules - JAR Ops-1 and JAR Ops-3 - for certain small "Class A" aircraft and helicopters until April 2001. JAA's Operations Committee late last month recommended the 18-month delay for aircraft with nine seats or fewer, that weigh less than 10 metric tonnes and operate under visual flight rules.
JIM SPINDER was named chief operating officer of BIZJET International's Engine Maintenance&Overhaul Division in Tulsa, Okla. Spinder has more than seven years of aviation experience, most recently serving as executive director of Standard Aero Alliance in Knoxville, Tenn. He also was president of Alliance Engines before Standard Aero purchased it.
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELICOPTERS Model 369D, 369E, 369FF, 500N, and 600N helicopters (Docket No. 98-SW-80-AD) - proposes to require replacing the oil cooler blower bracket. This proposal is prompted by three reports of cracked brackets. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of a bracket, loss of cooling of engine oil and transmission oil, and a subsequent forced landing. FAA estimates that 100 helicopters on the U.S. Registry would be affected by this proposed AD at a combined cost of $37,500. Comments must be sent in triplicate by Aug.
AIRNET EXPRESS flew its first radiopharmaceutical shipments last month under a two-year contract with Syncor International Corp. Under the contract, AirNet, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, must deliver radiopharmaceutical packages to specified locations between midnight and 3 a.m. "Because they have such short half-lives, radiopharmaceuticals have to race against time," said Tom Brennan, director of medical sales for AirNet. Syncor, headquartered in Woodland Hills, Calif., has a network of 120 pharmacies nationwide and 14 overseas.
LAKELAND, FLA. Linder Regional Airport began construction on a $4.3 million primary runway. The runway will replace a 6,500-foot runway build during World War II, when the airport was used as a bomber crew training base. The project slated for completion before the Sun 'N Fun fly-in in April 2000. FAA provided a $3.95 million grant for the project, with the Florida Department of Transportation and the City of Lakeland splitting the remaining cost.
KITTY HAWK, INC., the Dallas, Texas-based air freight carrier and provider of charter logistics services, signed a binding contract with Aviation Sales Co. to sell certain assets of Kitty Hawk's Oscoda, Mich. JT8D engine and Boeing 727 aircraft maintenance operations. Kitty Hawk will receive approximately $21.5 million at closing, including $3.5 million in purchase credits. Aviation Sales Company will provide heavy airframe and engine maintenance services to Kitty Hawk on 34 Boeing 727s and 112 JT8D engines for three years.
