ROBINSON Model R22 helicopters (Docket No. 98-SW-79-AD; Amendment 39-10991; AD 99-02-02) - supersedes an existing airworthiness directive that currently requires initial and repetitive inspections of the forward flexplate at specified time intervals. This amendment also supersedes an existing priority letter AD that requires, within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 15 calendar days, whichever occurs first, replacing the flexplate with an airworthy flexplate. This amendment requires the same replacement as the priority letter AD.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION plans to fine International Total Services of Cleveland, Ohio $157,000 for allegedly violating federal anti-drug and alcohol misuse prevention programs. ITS is a contract security vendor that provides passenger screening services to airlines throughout the U.S. FAA alleges ITS at many locations, and involving many employees, had not received verified negative pre-employment drug test results or return-to-duty drug tests.
MARK LEO CHAMBERS was appointed director, advisory services, for Aviation Resource Group International. Chambers, who has 23 years of aviation management and consultant experience, will direct the range of advisory services provided by ARGI.
BOMBARDIER received an order from Ryukyu Air Commuter (RAC) of Naha, Okinawa for a Dash 8 Q100 aircraft in a contract valued at more than $12.5 million (U.S.). Bombardier will deliver the aircraft in December. RAC, a subsidiary of Japan TransOcean Air and a member of the Japan Airlines group, originally ordered three Dash 8 100s and took options for a further two in February. The most recent order converts one of the options.
CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS are moving quickly to push through FAA reauthorization legislation. The Senate Commerce Committee Wednesday will vote on its version of FAA reauthorization legislation and the House aviation subcommittee scheduled hearings Feb. 4, 10 and 11 on comprehensive reauthorization legislation with the hope that the House Transportation Committee will approve it by early March. The House Transportation Committee already approved a short-term extension of Airport Improvement Program authorization.
Rep. Bud Shuster (R-Pa.), who declared 1999 "The Year Of Aviation" and one that will "unlock the trust fund," last week attempted to address one of the chief concerns about taking the trust fund "off budget" by promising to ensure a continued contribution from the federal general fund for aviation programs.
National Air Transportation Association named Eric Byer, a former lobbyist and congressional aide, as specialist, legislative affairs. Byer succeeds Dan Shoemaker, who left the association last month to join the Virginia Department of Transportation. Byer previously was a lobbyist for three associations at Smith, Bucklin&Associates. Before that, he served as an aide to former Rep. William Clinger (R-Pa.), who had served as the ranking member of the House aviation subcommittee.
FOKKER Model F.28 Mark 0100 series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-250-AD; Amdt. 39-10995; AD 99-02-06) - requires modification of the aft cabin sidewall area to improve decompression venting and, for certain airplanes, modification of the aft wardrobe/stowage area door and installation of decompression panels to improve decompression venting. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
AVFUEL CORP., the largest independent supplier of aviation fuels and services, added Zephyr Aviation at Tacoma Narrows Airport in Tacoma, Wash. to its dealer network. Zephyr Aviation is owned by Ron and Christine Murray of Issaquah, Wash., who purchased Davis Aviation in May. Davis Aviation had been known for its focus on flight instruction, which continues with a Part 141 flight school offering a range of training programs up through Air Transport Pilot.
Used Retail Deliveries DEC. '95 DEC. '96 DEC. '97 DEC. '98 L M H L M H L M H L M H Jet North 53 27 26 77 36 19 60 54 30 49 25 13 America Jet Outside 7 5 0 11 4 0 6 4 1 11 3 3 N. America Prop North 0 83 1 0 91 0 0 109 1 1 70 2 America
ALEXANDRE LANG was named international sales representative for BFGoodrich Avionics Systems. Lang will be responsible for Air Transport, Military and Business&General Aviation sales in France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
B/E Aerospace is selling a 51 percent stake in its Inflight Entertainment (IFE) products division to French avionics manufacturer Sextant Avionique. The French firm will pay an initial price of $62 million, but the final price could range from $47 million to $87 million, depending on operating results posted by the joint venture during the first two years of operations.
FAA BUDGET WATCHERS expect the Clinton Administration's Transportation Department proposal to Congress this week will call for FAA's first $10 billion budget. The proposal is expected to seek: $5.7 billion for operations and maintenance; $2.3 billion for facilities and equipment; $1.6 billion for the Airport Improvement Program; and about $200 million for research, engineering and development.
ANSETT NEW ZEALAND (ANZ) plans to acquire three British Aerospace Jetstream 32EP turboprops from British Aerospace Asset Management. The three 19-seat aircraft (Serial Nos. 946, 968 and 969) will be delivered beginning in March. The Jetstreams will replace 15-seat Embraer Bandeirantes on regional routes and will be operated for ANZ by its subsidiary, Rex Aviation.
AGUSTA Model A109C and A109K2 helicopters (Docket No. 97-SW-55-AD; Amdt. 39-11000; AD 99-02-09) - requires removing the main rotor pitch link assemblies, measuring the radial play of the upper and lower spherical bearings, and replacing any unairworthy bearings. This amendment is prompted by four reports of increased vibration caused by wear in the bearings of the main rotor pitch change link assembly.
PAUL MCBRIDE was promoted to vice president of business development and product support for Derco Aerospace. McBride will oversee purchasing, product research, U.S. government support, product support services and business development units.
A TWO-PLACE OXYGEN system for small aircraft is available from Sporty's Pilot Shop. Available in cylinder sizes ranging from six to 24 cubic feet, the system is equipped with either mask or cannula style appliances, and includes a regulator, hoses, fittings and carrying bag. Prices range from $450 to $530. For more information, call Sporty's at (513) 735-9100.
Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier is expanding its long-term relationship with avionics manufacturer Rockwell Collins, naming the Cedar Rapids, Iowa company to supply its Pro Line 21 avionics suite for Bombardier's new Continental business jet.
National Business Aviation Association last week petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration for relief from night takeoff and landing currency requirements for pilots-in-command. FAA altered the night currency requirements in 1997 when it published the new Part 61 to mandate that pilots-in-command (PICs) perform night takeoffs and landings every 90 days in aircraft of the same category, class and type that they fly. Previously, PICs only were required to fulfill the requirements in the same category and class of aircraft.
BRITISH AEROSPACE Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400 series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-27-AD) - proposes to supersede an existing AD, which requires repetitive visual inspections to detect cracks in the flight deck canopy area, and repair, if necessary; and repetitive detailed visual and eddy current inspections to detect cracks in the top sill members at Station 82.5, and replacement of cracked parts with new parts, or repair in the top sill members.
FOKKER Model F.28 Mark 0070 series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-279-AD; Amdt. 39-10996; AD 99-02-07) - requires modification of the power supply system of the horizontal stabilizer control unit. 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 loss of primary hydraulic stabilizer control during use of certain emergency procedures, which could result in the inability of the flight crew to control the airplane.
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE received a $38.5 million contract for a C-37A (Gulfstream V) business jet and associated training and data from the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft is scheduled to be delivered by mid-2000. The Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting authority.
SIKORSKY Model S-76A, B, and C helicopters (Docket No. 98-SW-37-AD; Amdt. 39-10999; AD 98-17-15) - publishes an AD, 98-17-15, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Sikorsky Model S-76A, B, and C helicopters by individual letter. This AD requires, before further flight, a one-time visual inspection of the swashplate assembly uniball bearing retainer for missing bolts, an inspection with a magnet to detect aluminum bolts, and replacing missing or aluminum bolts with airworthy steel bolts.
LISA CHAMPAGNE was promoted to vice president of marketing and customer support for Derco Aerospace. Champagne will focus on Derco's marketing offices in France and Singapore.
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY was scheduled to release a report late Friday affirming that an augmented GPS system can serve as the "stand-alone" air navigation system. The report was expected to conclude that natural or intentional threats to satellite-based navigation can be managed (BA, Jan. 11/13).
