BAE SYSTEMS Model 146 and Avro 146-RJ airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0887; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-336-AD] - Requires conducting a one-time, rotating eddy-current inspection of the bolt bores and bore dimensions for the fasteners that attach the undercarriage main beam sidestay to Frame 29. Install replacement bolts, as necessary, per the instructions of BAE Systems Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-194 (dated Jan. 10, 2007).
A communications failure at an FAA flight plan processing facility in Georgia caused widespread flight delays and captured the attention of both presidential candidates last week. The failure of the National Airspace Data Interchange Network (NADIN), at about 1:30 p.m. local time Aug. 26, caused delays of up to 90 minutes at airports across the country. The Georgia facility handles flight plans for the Eastern U.S., while a similar facility in Salt Lake City, Utah covers the Western U.S.
THE MONTH-LONG STRIKE against Hawker Beechcraft Corp. will end this week when more than 5,000 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers report back to work. Union members approved a new three-year contract with the company in a vote Thursday. See article on Page 99.
THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA last week filed a follow-on brief to its appeal to reinstate a ban on large business jets at the Santa Monica, Calif. Airport (BA, June 23/281). The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in May granted a preliminary injunction preventing enforcement of the business jet ban (BA, May 26/240) and FAA issued a cease and desist order also calling for the city to set aside the ban. Santa Monica has appealed both the preliminary injunction and FAA’s order to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
STEVENS AVIATION last week formally handed over its first “Lear4Ever” aircraft, a completely refurbished and upgraded Learjet 35, during a ceremony at the company’s headquarters in Greenville, S.C. The aircraft is fitted with an avionics suite that includes the Universal Avionics EFI-890R three-panel display, Super FMS UNS-1L flight management system and terrain awareness and warning system.
EMBRAER secured service agreements with Kun Peng Airlines of China and Aeromexico Connect in Mexico. Embraer signed a five-year Embraer Collaborative Inventory Parts (ECIP) contract with Kun Peng to support the Embraer 190 jet. Kun Peng currently stocks more than 1,900 part numbers at maintenance bases covered by ECIP, which monitors customer parts usage, guarantees automatic stock replenishment, shortens delivery time and provides a cost baseline. Kun Peng ordered five Embraer 190s in July 2008.
Concerned that an FAA/industry committee focused on new runway landing distance parameters is making little headway, the National Air Transportation Association last week urged FAA Flight Standards Director James Ballough to intervene. FAA late last year called for the formation of the Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) after it received substantial opposition to a new runway landing distance directive.
The pilot of a low-time, homebuilt aircraft was killed last month and two people on the ground also died when the aircraft struck a residential building and started a fire.
From Hype to Action Green Aviation September 23, 2008 Novotel Hotel Madrid, Spain Real, Near-Term Actions to Create Value and Efficiencies From ETS to Engines in ONE Day! Go beyond the excessive publicity associated with the term “green” and get practical & actionable strategies to meet pending regulations & to create a greener footprint.
HOUSE LEADERS seem to be leaning toward going along with the Senate and voting to extend current FAA authorization legislation for a full year. Despite passage of a new FAA reauthorization bill by the House a year ago, the Senate was never able to get its act together and pass its own version (BA, Sept. 24, 2007/127). Congress has kept FAA in business with a series of short-term extensions of the current authorization, the latest of which is due to expire at the end of September.
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE dedicated its second Research and Development Center with ceremonies late last month in the new Laboratory Building. Participants included federal, state and local dignitaries along with General Dynamics Chairman and CEO Nicholas Chabraja, Gulfstream President Joe Lombardo, and Pres Henne, senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and Test. The new center includes a 108,750-square-foot office building and the 80,500-square-foot Laboratory Building. The office building will house 550 engineering, accounting and publications employees.
JAMESTOWN AVIATION, based in Jamestown, N.Y., joined the Avfuel network of dealers. Jamestown Aviation serves the Chautauqua Lake region, based halfway between Buffalo, N.Y. and Erie, Pa. The fixed-base operation provides a range of aircraft services and amenities, including concierge, hotel shuttles, lounge, Wi-Fi Internet access, WSI weather and courtesy cars. The FBO also has a flight school and repair shop on-site. Jamestown is a Diamond Aircraft Service Center.
CESSNA Model 560 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0903; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-123-AD] - This proposed AD would replace an existing directive (AD 2007-23-13) that specifies procedures to correct improperly adjusted stall warning systems. The new proposal would incorporate all of the actions of the existing AD – installation of new minimum-airspeed placards and inclusion of associated revisions in the Airplane Flight Manual – but would make mandatory an earlier optional terminating action: recalibration and functional testing of the angle-of-attack (AOA) system.
ExelTech Aerospace opened a new regional aircraft maintenance facility at Montreal’s Trudeau International Airport. The C$19 million (US$18.2 million) 153,000-square-foot facility, which replaces an older building at the same airport, can accommodate up to 10 regional jets and features advanced technical support capabilities, including the maintenance of composite materials, metallic structures, avionics and electronic systems and non-destructive testing.
The National Transportation Safety Board was continuing its investigation last week into the Aug. 22 crash of a King Air 100, which killed all 10 persons aboard. The aircraft, N601PC, had just taken off from Canyonlands Field Airport near Moab, Utah. The nine passengers all worked for the Red Canyon Aesthetics and Medical Spa dermatology clinic, which is based in Cedar City, Utah. The aircraft was shared by the clinic and another company, the Leavitt Group.
GALVIN FLYING SERVICES plans to break ground in the first quarter of 2009 on a 190,000-square-foot hangar facility at Boeing Field in Seattle, Wash. The new facility, known as Quad 7, is located at 7777 Perimeter Road. The complex will include seven separate buildings that collectively will be able to house up to 40 corporate aircraft. The company said nearly all of the first-phase hangar space has been presold, along with 50 percent of the total project. The first phase is expected to be operational by the end of 2009.
BOMBARDIER CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0911; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-115-AD] - This proposed AD, which was prompted by an MCAI originated by Transport Canada Civil Aviation, would require operators to perform a leak test of the windshield and side windows, apply sealant between those areas, and conduct a follow-up leak test after applying sealant, per the instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A670BA-56-002, Rev.
PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA JT15D-5, -5B, -5F and -5R engines [Docket No. FAA-2008-0752; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-22-AD] - This proposal would require operators to remove from service the compressor-air hydro-mechanical unit (HMU) delivery tube, replacing it with a serviceable delivery tube in accordance with Alert Service Bulletin No. JT15D-72-A7611, Rev. 1 (dated June 16, 2008). This proposed AD, which was prompted by an MCAI issued by Transport Canada, was issued following several incidents of high-altitude, dual engine flameouts of JT15D-5 engines.
DAVID LINCOLN was named director of operations for ProJet Aviation of Winchester, Va. Lincoln has a diverse background with experience in corporate management, finance and information technology, in addition to many years of commercial flight experience in on-demand charter operations. Most recently he was with Compass Airlines. ProJet is a privately held company that provides aviation consulting, acquisition, management and charter services for individuals and corporations.
The insolvency administrator overseeing the affairs of Thielert Aircraft Engines (TAE) indicated he was encouraged by interest shown in the German manufacturer, with some offers already in hand and more expected. Initially, 24 potential investors signed nondisclosure agreements to more closely inspect the company’s books and programs. That group included a mix of financial investors and industrial buyers. Now, the first companies have submitted nonbinding letters of intent, spelling out their plans for TAE and the price they would be willing to pay.
ROBERT NILSON was named a program administrator within the Organizational Designation Authorization (ODA) office at Gulfstream Aerospace. Nilson manages ODA activities associated with initial phase manufacturing. He also is responsible for securing from FAA the ODA for product support repair certification and parts manufacturing approval and for managing those activities once the ODA has been secured. FAA approved Gulfstream’s ODA for initial phase manufacturing in Savannah, Ga.
THE RECENT INSOLVENCY filing by Grob Aerospace (BA, Aug. 25/87), which was previously selected to build the first three Model 85 Learjet aircraft, has not had any effect on the Learjet 85 program, a Bombardier spokesman told BA last week. The joint definition phase of the program, which includes engineers from Grob and other vendors, continues at Bombardier headquarters in Montreal, the spokesman said, as well as work at Grob’s production facility in Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany.
Goodrich has been tapped to provide the Cessna Model 850 Citation Columbus long-range business jet with an integrated landing gear system, a breakthrough contract for the Charlotte, N.C.-based company.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311 and -315 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0179; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-367-AD; Amendment 39-15572; AD 2008-13-09] – Requires revision of the “Airworthiness Limitations” section of the “Instructions for Continued Airworthiness” to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems. This AD, which resulted from an MCAI originated by an aviation authority of another country, is intended to prevent potential ignition sources within the fuel system, which could result in a fuel tank explosion.
