BRITISH AEROSPACE Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes (Docket No. 98-CE-76-AD) - proposes a new AD that would apply to Model 3101 airplanes with certain wheel assemblies and all Model 3201 airplanes equipped with Dunlop AH54450 brake units. The proposed AD would require inspecting the main landing gear brake units for correct setting of the wear indicator pins and resetting the pins if incorrect. The proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom.
BOMBARDIER Model DHC-7 and DHC-8 series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-237-AD; Amdt. 39-10935; AD 98-25-09) - requires a one-time visual inspection to determine the serial number of the brake shuttle valves of the main landing gear (MLG); and replacement of the filter fittings with new filter fittings, if necessary. 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 ensure that proper filter fittings are installed.
FAA extended its deadline for comments on its rates-and-charges proceeding to Jan. 31. The earlier deadline, Dec. 30, coincided with a Transportation Department proceeding on airline competition issues. DOT must adopt "replacement" provisions of its policy on airport rates and charges thanks to a June 21, 1996 court order partly vacating the earlier rules. Air Transport Association, Airports Council International and American Association of Airport Executives requested the extension.
Snecma Services and Praxair said they are considering a joint venture that could lead to the "creation of a new state-of-the-art aircraft engine component repair center." If negotiations are successful, the parties will establish a company that will own and operate the facility near St. Etienne, France. It would serve customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, concentrating initially on compressor components for CFM56 engines. It later would expand to include GE90 engines.
RAYTHEON COMPANY named Phyllis J. Piano, 42, vice president of corporate affairs and communications. She joins Raytheon from Cooper Industries, Inc., where she was vice president of public affairs. Before Cooper she spent 17 years at General Electric in a variety of communications assignments. At Raytheon she will report to Daniel Burnham, president and chief executive.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION issued special conditions to Raytheon Aircraft for the type certification of its Model 390 Premier I airplane. The special conditions contain additional safety standards for the aircraft electronic flight instrument systems. The standards are designed to protect those systems from the effects of high-intensity radiated fields, FAA said. For more information, contact Ervin Dvorak in FAA's Aircraft Certification Service at (816) 426-6941.
AMANDA HELLMAN was named graphic designer for Marketing Alternatives. Hellman, a University of Dayton graduate, will be responsible for creative concepts, production and pre-press work on a number of accounts.
BRITISH AEROSPACE HP137 Mk1, Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes (Docket No. 98-CE-70-AD; Amdt. 39-10825; AD 98-21-16) - withdraws AD 98-21-16, which would have required repetitively replacing the windshield wiper arm, attachment bolts and assembly; measuring the material thickness of the upper and lower toggle attachment brackets on the nose landing gear and replacing the toggle attachment bracket lugs.
NATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION published the final version of proposed Safety Guidelines for Fractional Program Managers and Fractional Owners, a joint effort with the National Air Transportation Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association and representatives of the fractional ownership and air charter communities.
CORPORATE PILOTS are complaining about a new practice by some fixed-base operations serving ski resort areas who are asking pilots to sign new "hold harmless agreements" (HHAs) limiting the FBO's liability for damage to aircraft while parked on the FBO's ramp. At least one Colorado FBO is telling operators that if they sign the HHA and agree to buy 10-50 gallons of fuel for each day the aircraft is parked, there will be no charge for parking. If pilots do not sign the HHA, they will be charged overnight fees of $100-$500 per night.
DeCrane Aircraft Holdings, Inc., a leading manufacturer of avionics components and an avionics system integrator for commercial and business jet aircraft, signed an agreement to acquire PATS, Inc., the Columbia, Md. firm that designs, manufactures and installs auxiliary fuel tanks for the Boeing Business Jet. PATS has about 200 employees in Maryland and another 170 in Georgetown, Del. where the BBJ tanks are built, installed and tested (BA, Jan. 5/1) and where work on the first two BBJs is under way.
KENNETH HIPP, a member of the National Mediation Board, resigned his post effective Dec. 31. He plans to resume his law practice at Marr, Hones and Pepper in Honolulu, Hawaii.
CAMP SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL signed an agreement with Canadian Digital Photo Graphics of Calgary, Alberta to become the exclusive U.S. distributor and reseller of that firm's ADVICS digital image recording and storage program. The ADVICS program, which uses digital technology to record and store pictorial information, is typically used to document aircraft damage for assessment and repair tracking purposes.
ATR delivered an ATR 42-500 to Air Guadeloupe. The aircraft, operated by Societe Martinique Aeronautique which merged with Air Guadeloupe a year ago, will link Martinque and Guadeloupe. The airlines operate five ATR aircraft - two ATR 72s and three ATR 42s. ATR also placed two used ATR 42s with Grupo TACA. TACA affiliate Islena Airlines will operate the aircraft from its base in La Ceiba, Honduras throughout Central America.
AMPARO CALATAYUD was promoted to manager for FlightSafety International's San Antonio learning center. Calatayud joined FSI two years ago and has served as a SA-227/226 ground-school and simulator instructor. She is a former Army aviator, qualified as an Army Aviation Branch UH-60, UH-1H, and OH-58 maintenance test pilot and maintenance test pilot evaluator and a UH-1H instructor pilot.
After listening to fears and criticism about its so-called "ticket program" for six months, the Federal Aviation Administration last month unveiled a new Streamlined Administrative Action Process that speeds up administrative actions but scraps the proposed "on-the-spot" tickets (BA, June 8/247). FAA Administrator Jane Garvey and Tom McSweeny, associate administrator for regulation and certification, briefed industry leaders on the new "process" - which will be implemented June 1 - during a General Aviation Action Plan Coalition meeting Dec. 21.
AIRNET SYSTEMS, Columbus, Ohio, said Eric P. Roy, executive vice president, chief financial officer and a director of the company, left the company Jan. 1 to pursue other interests. William R. Sumser, vice president-finance, controller and corporate secretary, was named acting CFO. The small package carrier, which operates 119 aircraft including 30 Learjets, said Sumser joined Airnet in 1988 and has more than 20 years of financial experience.
FLIGHT SERVICES GROUP, INC., Stratford, Conn., appointed Terrance Hebbard chief pilot of its Norwich, N.Y. base and Nancy Keller as marketing manager. Hebbard, who most recently was chief pilot and captain for Miller Aviation in Binghamton, N.Y., formerly served with FSG for more than six years as a Citation 550 and Beech 100 captain in the company's Part 135 operations. In his new role, he will be responsible for the company's day-to-day operations and supervision of FSG pilots at Lt. Warren E. Eaton Airport.
ROBINSON Model R22 helicopters (Docket No. 98-SW-45-AD; Amdt. 39-10908; AD 98-21-09) - publishes an AD previously sent to all known U.S. owners and operators of R22 helicopters. The AD requires installing fuel tank vent tube(s) with modified attachment to the mast tube, if not previously accomplished; installing a spring into the flexible tube leading to the main fuel tank; and, installing a spring into the flexible tube leading to the auxiliary fuel tank, if such a tank is installed.
PHILIPPE BARKER was named chief pilot for American Jet International, the Houston-based charter service and fractional aircraft ownership provider. Barker will act as the company's flight crew training officer and man-age the company's 35 full-time pilots. A native of Montreal, Quebec, Barker has logged more than 5,500 hours in 19 different aircraft types. He started his career as a bush pilot, moving to Houston in 1993 and joining AJI as a charter pilot in 1995.
The European Business Aviation Association has scheduled its annual convention April 13-15 outside Brussels, Belgium. The three-day meeting and exhibition will be held at Chateau du Lac, Genval and will feature presentations by senior officials of the European Union, the Joint Aviation Authorities and Eurocontrol. For more information, contact EBAA in Brussels at 322 766 0070 (voice) or 322 768 1325 (fax).
JOHN GOGLIA'S term on the National Transportation Safety Board expired at the end of 1998, but, following custom, he will serve on the board until he is reappointed or until a successor is appointed and confirmed. The White House isn't saying officially whether Goglia will be renominated, but it's believed he would be pleased to be nominated for a full five-year term.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS-350B, B1, B2, BA, C, D, D1 and AS 355E, F, F1, F2 and N helicopters (Docket No. 98-SW-41-AD; Amdt. 39-10921; AD 98-24-35) - requires measuring the tail rotor pitch change control rod outboard spherical bearing for radial and axial play. If the play exceeds 0.008 inches, the AD requires replacing the control rod with an airworthy control rod. This amendment is prompted by one accident and an incident.
French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation realigned top management at its Little Rock, Ark. completions facility in a move reflecting that Little Rock is expected to become the company's single largest production site this year. Jean-Claude Perie, a 34-year Dassault employee who most recently was general manager of the company's main Falcon assembly plant at Bordeaux-Merignac, returns to Dassault Falcon Jet Little Rock as senior vice president and general manager.
VINCE CORSO was appointed vice president-airline sales for AAR Cooper Aviation. Corso joined AAR in August 1994 and most recently managed the AAR Allen Aircraft Logistics Center within Hamilton Standard.
