FlightSafety International named new managers for four of its regional learning centers. Marlin Schaefer will manage FlightSafety's training facilities for Raytheon Aircraft in Wichita, Kan. Schaefer, previously assistant manager of the Wichita Raytheon Center, joined FlightSafety in 1991 as director of standards for the center. He succeeds long-time center manager Jim Boots, who will continue with the company in an advisory capacity.
The House Transportation Committee last week agreed to authorize the Federal Aviation Administration to release the addresses of people holding airmen certificates. The provision was part of an amendment to FAA reauthorization legislation that also would permit reliever airport authorities to bar Part 380 public charter operations.
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA at Omaha Aviation Institute developed an aviation distance learning program that uses the Internet to instruct students outside the Omaha and Lincoln areas. The program allows students to train long-distance and also provides a transfer program for students who have completed their associate degree. Scott Vlasek, manager of technology- based education systems, will oversee the Aviation Distance Learning program.
Summary: Pursuant to FAA's rulemaking provisions governing the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for exemption (14 CFR Part 11), this notice contains a summary of certain petitions seeking relief from specified requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Chapter I), dispositions of certain petitions previously received, and corrections. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities.
DE HAVILLAND Model DHC-8-311 and -315 series airplanes (Docket No. 98- NM-60-AD; Amdt. 39-10550; AD 98-11-25) - requires replacement of the nitrogen cylinder assemblies that inflate the airplane's ditching dams with improved nitrogen cylinder assemblies. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
DICK CROFTON was named vice president of the Business Aircraft Division of The CIT Group/Equipment Financing. Crofton, who will be based in CIT/Equipment Financing's headquarters in Tempe, Ariz., has held a number of sales and management positions.
BRITISH AEROSPACE Model BAe 146 and 146-RJ series airplanes (Docket No. 97-NM-128-AD) - proposes to require a one-time inspection for "drill marks" and corrosion on the underside of the wing top skin and corrective actions, if necessary. 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 corrosion from developing on the underside of the top skin of the center wing, which could reduce structural integrity of the airplane.
MECHANICS at Atlantic Coast Airlines, the Washington-Dulles-based United Express carrier, approved a four-year contract by a 62-26 vote after four years of negotiations. The mechanics are represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA). In January an independent union, the Aviation Maintenance Technician's Association, tried unsuccessfully to replace AMFA as the mechanics' representative.
AVIDYNE CORPORATION signed a joint marketing and support agreement to provide general aviation situational awareness products. Trimble Avionics and Avidyne are developing a central flight information display product with certification expected later this summer. The display will integrate flight navigation, weather and traffic information. Trimble will market the new products as part of its TrimLine group. The venture expects to develop other products for certification over the next two years.
The Federal Aviation Administration ordered a series of inspections on nearly 500 newly built Cessna 172Rs because of "quality control problems in the aileron and elevator control systems."
AAR CORP. named Seamus (Shay) O'Donnell president of AAR Allen Aircraft, the airframe parts supply and inventory management business. O'Donnell has 19 years of aviation industry experience, including serving as general manager of Aer spares for TEAM Aer Lingus in London and managing director of the Guiness Peat Aviation Pacific Aero aircraft spares facility.
Air Wisconsin, which provides United Express service from Denver, Colo., placed an order for four Canadair Regional Jets Series 200LR aircraft from Bombardier Aerospace. Value of the order is $84 million (U.S.) Air Wisconsin expects to begin its CRJ service in the first quarter of 1999. Air Wisconsin currently operates 18 BAe 146 jets, and through its subsidiary Mountain Air Express, 10 Dornier 328 turboprops, but opted for the Canadair aircraft because of its performance under high temperatures at high altitudes.
BRITISH AEROSPACE Avro 146-RJ series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-43- AD; Amdt. 39-10553; AD 98-11-28) - requires a one-time inspection of certain electrical wires in the electrical equipment by to determine if ERMA terminal lugs are installed, and replacement with new parts, if necessary. This amendment is prompted bay issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent electrical circuit terminal lug failure and reduced airplane controllability.
THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE has drafted a notice reaffirming that Jet A aviation fuel is exempt from a 24.4-cent highway tax on kerosene that takes effect Wednesday. The tax, included in the Taxpayer Relief Act last year, treated undyed kerosene as a transportation fuel and made it subject to highway levies (BA, Dec.1/229). As originally written, the language covered Jet A fuel since it is a higher grade of kerosene, but Congress subsequently issued a non-binding clarification that the tax was not meant to include aviation fuels (BA, Dec. 22/263).
DORNIER Model 328-100 series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-46-AD; Amdt. 39-10552; AD 98-11-27) - requires replacement of the existing pressure dump and relief valves in the main and auxiliary hydraulic systems with new valves. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
TERRENCE MIDDAGH was appointed navigation data base manager for Universal Avionics. Middagh is responsible for administration of Universal's data base subscriptions and the 28-day cycle worldwide distribution of navigation data base diskettes/flash cards.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION ordered inspections of more than 475 Cessna Model 172Rs because of quality control problems in the aileron and elevator systems that could affect the pilot's ability to control the aircraft.See article below.
DASSAULT AVIATION is developing a new version of its Series 900 business jet line, the 900C. The new aircraft "combines the proven performance, range and cabin features of the Falcon 900B with the advanced avionics of the Falcon 900EX," according to Dassault Falcon Jet. The Falcon 900C, equipped with a Honeywell Primus 2000 avionics system, is being offered for sale now with first deliveries scheduled for 2000.
OFFICIALS from the National Air Transportation Association, affected operators and original equipment manufacturers are scheduled to meet this week with senior FAA officials, including Peggy Gilligan, deputy associate administrator for regulation and certification, to air complaints over the agency's decision to revoke field approvals for alterations performed on Part 135 cargo aircraft (BA, June 15/261).
Regional airline pilots looking for work are having another banner year, according to regional industry experts. Several factors are contributing to the phenomenon, said Walter Coleman, president of the Regional Airline Association - expanding fleets, a shortage of former military pilots (formerly the main source of pilots for commercial aviation), retirements of pilots hired in the 1960s boom years, and attrition. Typically, regional carriers lose pilots to majors after five to 10 years.
HARTZELL PROPELLER received FAA certification and has begun shipments of its four-bladed, constant-speed, turboprop propeller systems for the Raytheon Aircraft T-6A Texan II. The U.S. Air Force and Navy selected Raytheon's T-6A for the long-term Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) program, which is expected to require more than 700 aircraft. Hartzell is slated to produce 15 prop systems this year for the program, ramping up to nearly 100 shipsets per year.
DUNCAN AVIATION appointed Skip Madsen executive vice president and chief operating officer of Kal-Aero, the Battle Creek, Mich. facility Duncan acquired earlier this year (BA, Jan. 19/23). Madsen, an 18-year Duncan veteran, will manage day-to-day operations at Kal-Aero. He formerly served as vice president of aircraft and customer services. Replacing him in that capacity is Rich Baeder, a 16-year Duncan employee. Baeder will be responsible for customer service representatives, scheduling and the airframe, engine and paint shops at Duncan's Lincoln, Neb.
THE ORDERBOOK for the Canadair Regional Jet is nearing the 400 mark with the latest order for four aircraft from United Express carrier Air Wisconsin. See article below. The Canadian manufacturer now has logged firm orders for 376 Series 100, 200 and 700 RJs, of which 241 have been delivered.
REP. ROBERT BORSKI (D-Pa.) Thursday withdrew his proposed foreign repair station amendment after Transportation Committee Chairman Bud Shuster (R- Pa.) promised it would receive close attention next year. Borski, author of H.R.145, which would make foreign repair stations comply with U.S. standards for FAA certification, offered H.R.145 as an amendment to FAA reauthorization legislation, saying it "closes loopholes in our laws" threatening air safety. The bill, he said, also protects against loss of U.S. jobs to stations established outside the U.S.
Atlantic Aviation Flight Services entered into an agreement with Jeff Hare Safety and Survival Systems, Inc. to establish a flight attendant training program. Atlantic said the new initiative "addresses an industry need to provide qualified flight attendants on large-cabin aircraft, in both Part 91 and Part 135 operations."
