THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, which this month cleared a $15.5 billion budget for FAA in fiscal 2009, said efforts to remove the committee’s ability to set funding levels for FAA should be “strenuously resisted.” FAA has urged Congress to overhaul the agency’s funding by adopting a user fee system that would allow the agency to bypass aspects of the traditional appropriations process.
VIKING AIR LIMITED DHC-6-1, DHC-6-100, DHC-6-200 and DHC-6-300 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0367 Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-089-AD; Amendment 39-15574; AD 2008-13-11] – Requires developing a schedule for doing the initial and repetitive corrosion tasks specified in Bombardier’s DHC-6 Corrosion Prevention and Control Program, which identifies specific areas that must be inspected to ensure the structural integrity of the aircraft. This AD, which resulted from an MCAI issued by Transport Canada, will affect 162 aircraft on the U.S. Registry and cost U.S.
DASSAULT Falcon 2000 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0272; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-275-AD; Amendment 39-15594; AD 2008-13-31] – Requires modifying the existing engine cowl locking system in accordance with the instructions of Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-298, Rev. 3 (dated Sept. 26, 2007). The AD also requires modifying the engine cowling attachments, per the instructions of Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-166, Rev. 1 (dated Oct. 24, 2001).
DEBI CUNNINGHAM was appointed director of marketing for West Star Aviation, Inc., East Alton, Ill. Cunningham began her aviation career in 1985 with Garrett Aviation, beginning as a hangar office clerk and working her way up through the positions of contracts assistant, warranty administrator, regional sales and modification sales manager. She joined West Star six years ago and for the past two years has been the company’s national sales director.
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HEROUX-DEVTEK, INC. signed a letter of agreement with Bell Helicopter Textron to manufacture primary structural components for the new Model 429 helicopter, including cabin, cockpit and aft fuselage components and sub-assemblies. The letter of agreement extends to 2015 and has an estimated value of $57 million. The latest agreement, between Bell and Heroux-Devtek’s Aerostructures Division, follows an earlier agreement with the Landing Gear Division to provide $8 million in landing gear components for the 429 through 2011.
SANTA MONICA AIRPORT (SMO) in California has become one of the first general aviation airports to jump into the carbon offset fray. Santa Monica added a new feature on its Web site that allows operators to calculate their carbon footprint and purchase carbon offsets. The calculator will measure carbon produced by specific flight distances and number of passengers. Santa Monica said the purchases will be channeled to nonprofit organizations involved in reforestation and alternative energy projects.
MICHAEL BASHLOR was named president of Texas Aviation Services (T.A.S.), of Fort Worth, Texas. Bashlor was previously vice president-operations and director of maintenance for Rotorcraft Leasing LLC of Broussard, La., a large helicopter fleet operator with a substantial technical support, MRO and completions business that Bashlor oversaw.
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DUNCAN AVIATION is launching a “Straight Talk Live Tour” this month to provide first-hand demonstrations of the most common aircraft communications system available today and to help operators select the best Satcom and high-speed data options for their aircraft. Sponsors of the tour include: Aircell, International Communications Group, Thrane & Thrane, True North Avionics, Rockwell Collins, Honeywell, SatCom Direct and EMS Technologies. The sponsors will have equipment in a modified van that will be traveling the country over the next 18 months.
THE NATION’S 12 LARGEST AIRLINES sent e-mails to their frequent flyer customers last week appealing for their help in urging the government to curb speculation in oil futures, which the carriers claim is helping to drive up the price of Jet A and other fuels. However, many analysts believe the principal reason for higher oil prices is galloping demand from China, India and other developing countries. See articles on Pages 17 and 20.
BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE plans to work closely with SAFRAN Group and Thales Avionics SA to develop new technologies under agreements signed recently between the Canadian airframe maker and the French companies. The accords were an outgrowth of the recent selection of SAFRAN subsidiaries Messier Bugatti and Aircelle as suppliers for the new, all-composite Learjet 85. Messier Bugatti will be providing wheels and brakes, the brake control system, steering system and landing extension and retraction system, while Aircelle is to provide the engine nacelles and thrust reversers.
RYAN MALUTINOK was named interior/paint manager for West Star Aviation’s facility in East Alton, Ill., where he will be responsible for all aspects of paint, upholstery, wood and finish for aircraft being repaired, completed or refurbished there.
BOMBARDIER DHC-8-400 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0178; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-366-AD; Amendment 39-15571; AD 2008-13-08] – Requires revising 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 Transport Canada, is designed to prevent potential ignition sources inside the fuel system, which could result in a fuel tank explosion. The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 38 aircraft on the U.S. Registry and cost U.S.
RONALD KING was named vice president and general manager of the Hawker Beechcraft Corp. completion center in Little Rock, Ark. King has experience in both the automotive and aviation industries. He previously was plant manager of Eaton Heavy Duty Truck’s facility in Shenandoah, Iowa.
The International Energy Agency reiterated its position that tight supplies and ever-increasing demand – not speculation in the oil markets – are responsible for high oil prices, a stance that contradicts current thinking on Capitol Hill and within the airline industry.
DASSAULT Falcon 900, 900EX and 2000 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0729; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-052-AD] – This proposed AD would require operators to inspect the air gasper installation in the third crewmember control panel of the left-hand and right-hand crew closet for interference and damage and, if necessary, replace the flexible hoses and install insulation sleeving to the wires near the rheostat in accordance with the instructions of Dassault Service Bulletins F900-360, F900EX-261 or F2000-316 (all dated July 20, 2005).
BELL HELICOPTER CANADA opened an expanded logistics center at Calgary International Airport’s Global Logistics Parks. The 38,000-square-foot Canadian Supply Center is the primary Canadian distribution facility for the rotorcraft manufacturer.
RED RIVER TURBINES, a turbine engine overhaul facility located at the North Texas Regional Airport in Sherman, Texas, received FAR Part 145 Repair Station certification from FAA. Red River Turbines’ 25,000-square-foot facility specializes in repair and overhaul of GE CJ610 and CF700 engines. The company recently installed a four-story, 66,000 cubic-foot test-cell tower designed to test engines with a maximum of 10,000 pounds thrust.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2007-28691; Directorate Identifier 2006-SW-22-AD] – This proposal would require operators to use new, improved procedures for detecting oil pump wear. Those procedures are outlined in Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.51 (dated July 9, 2007). This proposed AD was issued to help prevent failure of the main gearbox pump, seizure of the gearbox, loss of drive to an engine and main rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
EMBRAER ERJ 170 and ERJ 190 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-28377; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-063-AD] – This revised proposed rule – which adds the Embraer 190-200 STD, -200 LR, and -200 IGW to the list of affected airplanes – would require operators to conduct repetitive operational checks of the firewall hydraulic shutoff valve and, if necessary, replace the valve, per the instructions of Embraer Service Bulletins 170-29-0013, Rev. 1 and 190-29-0008, Rev. 1 (both dated July 24, 2007).
CESSNA AIRCRAFT signed a multiyear contract with the University of North Dakota to supply 25 Model 172 Skyhawk trainer aircraft to the school. The first four aircraft were handed over last week during a ceremony at Cessna’s single-engine aircraft manufacturing facility in Independence, Kan. Earlier this year the school took delivery of a Citation Mustang business jet.
Business aircraft manufacturers have been emphasizing the time savings available to users of private aircraft for decades, but Cessna Aircraft is now taking that message to Times Square in New York City.
