Seattle-based Raisbeck Engineering has received FAA certification of a new, larger nacelle wing locker for Beech King Airs. The so-called Crown Locker is available for the King Air C90, E90, C90GT, 200, B200, 300 and 350.
NASA, the FAA and Ohio State University conducted an extensive joint research program on tailplane icing during the mid-1990s, the results of which were published in NASA and FAA research reports and incorporated into FAA guidance. Research on critical ice shapes continues by NASA, the FAA and others, and this work is applicable to both wings and tailplanes. For example, in recent years there has been extensive research on residual and inter-cycle ice shapes for pneumatic boot deicing, and runback ice shapes for thermal ice protection systems.
Acrohelipro Global Services Inc., Richmond, British Columbia, has appointed Steve Walford as director, customer and technical support. Darcy McAlpine has been named sales manager for Western Canada.
Cessna Aircraft Co. has been recognized by NetJets twice this year for cooperative efforts contributing to the overall success of NetJets -- Cessna's largest customer. Cessna received the first-ever NetJets Annual Performance Award for process improvements implemented in 2005 to decrease maintenance downtime on NetJets aircraft. After applying Six Sigma lean improvement processes, NetJets Aviation's uptime was increased by 30 percent, equivalent to a four-day reduction of maintenance time per aircraft.
European orders for the ZR LITE Learjet 35/36 performance system are now being taken by Aero-Dienst, the newest member of Raisbeck Engineering's network of authorized ZR LITE installation centers. The modification, approved by EASA in September, is designed to increase allowable maximum takeoff weight under "limiting conditions," such as higher-altitude airports and shorter sea-level runways.
Raytheon Aircraft Co., Wichita announced the appointment of Greg McCurley to the position of vice president, Hawker Resale, reporting to Don Dwyer, vice president, Global Commercial Aircraft Sales. Randy Nelson is now senior vice president, for product development and engineering and David Bernstorf has become vice president, airworthiness, certification and technical engineering.
At the Suggs house, the cars are parked in the driveway because there's no space for them in the garage. That's where Cindy Suggs and her family have their weight room. Corporate communications manager for Universal Weather and Aviation in Houston, Suggs has been lifting for 15 years to "keep the obesity beast at bay" and to maintain a cardiovascular edge. "I had a hiatus where I didn't do anything, and I gained weight," she says, adding "it's been a challenge for me all my life."
According to FAR Part 21, STC holders are required to provide updates to ICAs, but in practice this is not always the case. The letter writer is correct about maintenance organizations not being aware of the situation, which is why we published the article.
On Aug. 30, the 500th EC 135 built at Eurocopter's German production facility in Donauwoerth was delivered to the Austrian Motorist and Touring Club (OEAMTC), which will use the twin-turboshaft rotorcraft in its air ambulance operations. This helicopter is the 25th EC 135 for OEAMTC, one of the largest private operators of this type in the world.
I was reading your article in B&CA about the King Air B100 (20/Twenty, September 2006, page 116) and would like to offer some feedback on TPE331 hot section inspections (HSI). Under Honeywell's Century program the cost cap of an HSI for a 331-6 is $62,000. Not all parts associated with the HSI are covered. I recently had an HSI done on a TPE331-6 at a Honeywell Authorized Service Center. The engine was making full power and was fully intact (no broken or non-intact blades, etc.). My cost for the HSI was $82,000.
Cessna's Citation Mustang has been granted full FAA type certification, making it what Cessna calls "the world's first fully certified, new-generation entry level business jet." Cessna continues its reluctance to apply the "very light jet" moniker to the Mustang. FAA type certification for the Mustang includes single-pilot operation, day/night operations, VFR/IFR operation, and operations in RVSM airspace.
You're flying an instrument approach in weather that includes icing conditions. When you lower the flaps, the yoke starts shaking. Is your wing stalling? If that's your conclusion, you and your passengers might soon become sad statistics. The unchecked accumulation of ice on the horizontal tail can significantly decrease the longitudinal stability and elevator control effectiveness of the aircraft. In fact an ice-contaminated tailplane stall (ICTS) can lead to a situation where controlled flight is impossible.
Kansas City Aviation Center (KCAC), based at Johnson County Airport in Olathe, Kan., earned FAA STC approval to install Universal Avionics' EFI-890R displays on Pilatus PC-12 aircraft.
Cessna has begun function and reliability flight testing on the Citation Mustang, the last round of tests necessary for type certification later this year, the company said. "We have essentially completed the majority of our certification issues and expect to wrap things up with the F&R program, keeping us on schedule for TC as predicted four years ago when we launched the program," said Jon Carr, Citation project engineer. The Mustang program has accrued more than 1,600 flight hours.
The D-Jet's price has gone up to $1.38 million (July 2006 dollars), all inclusive. It was billed as "under $1 million" at its January 2003 launch. Peter Maurer, president of Diamond Aircraft Industries, explains that since the first announcement, the aircraft has grown in cabin volume, engine thrust, useful load, fuel capacity and equipment level, to its current configuration. Most features and equipment, originally extra cost options, have now been packaged into the D-Jet.
In order to answer the question of what kinds of ice must be considered, and when, the NPRM proposes Appendix C amendments to create a new Part I subsection (c) to define "takeoff" icing atmospheric conditions and a new Part II to define ice accretions and define the limiting conditions for determining the ice accretions appropriate to each phase of flight, as follows: Part I -- Atmospheric icing conditions (a) Continuous maximum icing (no changes) (b) Intermittent maximum icing (no changes)
In "The FAA's New Landing Assessment Rule" (August, page 40), Patrick Veillette says he has "combed through several business jet AFMs. . . ." It is true most manufacturers will not provide distance factor for operation of business jets. Sino Swearingen Aircraft Corp.
COMPANIES WITH FLIGHT departments have many reasons to charter a business aircraft, such as when their own aircraft simply are not available or insufficient in number or size to provide enough lift. Often executives familiar with the benefits business aircraft provide charter a business jet rather than be buffeted by the vagaries of airline service.
Patrick Veillette's "Cowboy Pilots" (June, page 59) was simply exceptional. I think it was the best aviation article I've read in some time, particularly with respect to human factors. And it was certainly the most honest. True to form, Veillette didn't pull any punches, but that's what makes it valuable.
-Bell 222, 230 and 430 helicopters -- Conduct initial and repetitive inspections of each tail-rotor counterweight bellcrank. If external damage, a crack, roughness or looseness between the bearing set and bellcrank is found, or if bearing set axial play exceeds 0.015 inches, replace the bellcrank with an airworthy one that has two prefix letters in its serial number. -Honeywell TPE331 engines -- For engines with certain Woodward fuel control units installed, perform initial and repetitive dimensional inspections of the fuel control drive for wear or damage.
London City Airport, which isn't allowed to accept helicopter movements other than emergency, wants to open a dedicated heliport to the east of the Canary Wharf business district bordering the Thames. It is believed the proposed site is 1.5 miles from the airport and near the Millennium Dome. A decision on the planning application will depend on the outcome of an ongoing inquiry into London's total future transport requirements.
