Rockwell Collins' new subsidiary, Kaiser Electroprecision, has been awarded a contract to design and develop the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA) and sensor package for the new Falcon 7X business jet. According to George Faulkner, vice president of Kaiser Electroprecision, the actuator for the Falcon 7X incorporates three independent means of drive using direct-current electric motors. The design is dual load path redundant throughout, and includes a secondary inverted thread nut and safety tie rod on the ballscrew to optimize safety and reliability.
It may be embarrassing, but don't lie. Nacer Fetamia, president and owner of Link Aviation flight school in Dallas, was sentenced by a U.S. District Court judge there to three months in jail and three years of supervised release, and was fined $2,500 for lying about a past DUI charge on his airman medical application. He faces possible deportation to his native Algeria as a result of this ongoing investigation. The investigation was conducted jointly by the DOT Office of Inspector General and the FBI, with assistance from the FAA.
When a technician goes through FAR Part 147 training, the emphasis is always on traditional mechanical subjects, such as electrical systems, powerplant service and repair, and airframe maintenance. A few schools that offer degree programs also require study of English composition, technical mathematics and a humanities class or two. However, the non-technical skills that will someday prove to be the most valuable to the individual are typically overlooked during this crucial phase in a mechanic's education.
Jeppesen says its JetPlanner Version 1.5 improves the usability and increases the flexibility of the application. Users accustomed to JetPlan can now enter flight plans in line-mode format, and users of Jeppesen's JAS flight planning software can import previously stored JAS requests directly into JetPlanner. JetPlanner 1.5 can be used across networks, and operators can create custom templates, which can be easily stored and retrieved for future use.
ARE YOU A PILOT, flight instructor or mechanic? Not if the TSA suspects you pose a security threat. New regulations expressly make a person ineligible to hold FAA-issued airman certificates if the TSA notifies the FAA that the person ``poses a security threat.'' ``This action is intended to reduce the opportunity for persons to carry out terrorist acts in the aviation environment.'' The FAA goes on to explain that pilots, flight instructors and mechanics could all pose a serious threat to our safety.
Rockwell Collins has received FAA STC approval for its HST-900 high-speed satcom system on the Falcon 50, 900 and 900EX. Collins says this is the first STC installation that permits the use of aero safety services in the flight deck and simultaneous voice and high-speed data in the cabin. This is accomplished through a proprietary software management system that ensures the flight deck maintains its priority and preemptively receives essential communications. The management system also validates frequency assignments to avoid GPS interference.
SOME HIGH-RANKING Air Force twit has come up with the brilliant idea of slicing off most of the U.S. Marine Corps Aviation and merging it with Navy Air, a move that the consultants claim will produce substantial savings. This prompts the question: If you integrate, what's the need for Marine Air? It is agreed that having the Navy and Marines fly the same fighters produces much savings, owing to the commonality of parts. However, the reason for Marine Air is to support the infantry grunts on the ground; the mission focus and forte of Navy Air involves other matters.
Wing Aviation, Houston, has hired Alan Ayles as parts manager in the purchasing division and Les Berkheiser as chief inspector. Ayles will be responsible for all incoming and outgoing shipments, inventory control and ordering of parts and supplies. Berkheiser will handle the directing, planning and rollout of the repair station's inspection standards.
Jet Aviation has replaced its American president with a Swiss executive. Terrance P. Kelley, who has been with the company for nine years, most recently as president and chief operating officer, is leaving to pursue other opportunities.
The hottest ticket in Washington, D.C., is for a seat on the FAA's Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) that will review FAR Parts 125 and 135, according to our sister newsletter, The Weekly of Business Aviation. The FAA originally wanted a 15-member panel for manageability. Sources say the agency received more than 100 requests for a seat on the ARC and increased the committee size to 25 to ensure widespread industry representation.
Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) and Honda Motor Co. are conducting a feasibility study for a next-generation, four-cylinder piston aviation engine that operates on unleaded automobile gasoline. The study follows two years of testing a prototype, Honda-designed aviation piston engine at TCM's Mobile, Ala., facility. The purpose of the research is to evaluate potential marketing, servicing and manufacturing opportunities as well as to identify potential product launch customers for the engine.
The Company Jet, Grand Rapids, Mich., has hired Stephanie Skorik as manager of business development. Skorik will be responsible for all sales activity in Milwaukee and surrounding areas of Wisconsin, introducing businesses to the new fractional jet ownership company, which was founded in November 2002 by Northern Jet Management.
Sky High Gear has introduced its Apollo and Discovery flight bags. Both bags are made of Ballistic Nylon and feature large, padded pockets to aid in managing your gear -- sectionals, hardware, flashlights, charts, keys and backup batteries. The inner pockets are lined for your PDA, E6B, GPS, sunglasses, etc., and the headset pockets will comfortably protect and fit any ANR headset. Price: $85.95 Sky High Gear, Inc. P.O. Box 547 Kaysville, UT 84057 Phone: (801) 390-5501 Fax: (801) 779-9818 www.skyhighgear.com
Alternative Avionics and partner Aero Mech have obtained an RVSM Group Approval for the IAI Westwind I. The award follows a Westwind II RVSM Group Approval won in 2002 and an earlier group Approval for the Lockheed JetStar II. Meanwhile, the partners have completed Falcon 20F group certification test flights, and the RVSM Group Approval documentation should receive FAA approval early in the second quarter of this year. In addition, Alternative Avionics has non-group RVSM approvals for the Cessna Citation, the JetStar 731, Westwind I, Westwind II and the Falcon 20C.
Avidyne's FlightMax Entegra became the first certified all-glass cockpit system for light aircraft after the company announced TSO certification of its system components and an STC for a complete installation on Feb. 24. FlightMax Entegra includes a primary flight display with integrated ADAHRS and a FlightMax EX5000 multifunction display. The Entegra presents attitude, performance and horizontal situation/navigation information. It is driven by an integrated ADAHRS and air data package and interfaces with a wide range of RF navigation sensors.
The National Air Transportation Association filed a petition with the FAA on March 13 to reopen Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to non-scheduled air carriers. ``The closure of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to all but scheduled flight operations conducted under Part 121 is creating serious harm for the traveling public and for NATA's members certificated to operate non-scheduled commercial service under Part 135 air carrier regulations,'' stated NATA President James Coyne.
ARINC Inc., Annapolis, Md., has promoted Graham Lake to corporate vice president, European operations. Lake continues as managing director of the company's operations in Europe, a post he has held since 1999.
Midcoast Aviation, Perryville, Mo., has appointed Tony J. Koprivnik as Learjet program manager, in which capacity he will oversee expanded Learjet services for the full-service corporate jet aircraft maintenance and modification provider. Koprivnik is a licensed A&P mechanic and IA technician with experience in all Learjet series aircraft.
Charlie Johnson, a 14,000-hour pilot who once flew for Arnold Palmer and has served as Cessna president since 1997, is taking on further executive responsibilities. On March 7, long-time Chairman and CEO Russ Meyer announced that Johnson had been given ``full operations responsibility'' for the company and would henceforth report directly to Textron, Cessna's parent. Johnson said he's taking the reins during the ``most challenging year since the mid-1980s'' and that while good backlogs remain, the number of canceled aircraft orders and slowed sales is a concern.
Piaggio Aero Industries announced a signed contract with Pan Europeenne Air Service, a French regional airline and charter company based in Chambery, for the sale of two (one firm and one option) Piaggio P.180 Avanti turboprops. The first Avanti will be delivered in May.
Sikorsky Aircraft is the winner of the 2002 Robert J. Collier Trophy. The National Aeronautic Association selected the manufacturer for its development of the S-92 helicopter. The S-92 is a 19-passenger, twin-engine helicopter, derived from the military S-70, with a range of about 575 miles and top speeds of up to 165 knots.
It is Oct. 7, 2002, and we have been here for three days. I am beginning to remember some of the things I learned on earlier trips, but the flying here is always unique and the circumstances are very different now since the fall of the Taliban. Kabul itself looks much the same, although the people are not oppressed and intimidated as they were previously. There is a lot of energy in the city as refugees return, living in the basements of bombed-out buildings, and in single rooms that are bricked up against the elements in buildings that are otherwise gutted.
MARION BLAKEY, the politically savvy lady who gave in to White House arm-twisting -- surrendering an ``easy'' job chairing the NTSB to replace Jane Garvey as FAA administrator -- isn't well known yet in the aviation community. She's generally kept a low profile and avoided contact with the media while getting up to speed on the myriad programs and issues with which the FAA chief must deal on a daily basis.
Atlantic Aero announced the opening of its new aircraft interior facility at the Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) in Greensboro, N.C. Atlantic acquired a 6,100-square-foot hangar exclusively for interior work. Meanwhile, Andy Waynick joined Atlantic to serve as director of interiors.
Dassault Falcon Jet Corp., Teterboro, N.J., has named Bob ``Herbie'' Kane as regional sales manager for the western United States. Kane replaces Paul Floreck, who was promoted to the Eastern region. Kane has been with Dassault Falcon since 1997 and is rated in the Falcon 50, 50EX, 900B/C, 900EX and 2000.
