Falcon 10, 20, 50, 200, 900, 900EX, 2000 and 2000EX airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-28941; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-276-AD] - This proposal would extend the applicability of an existing AD that requires repetitive tests and inspections to detect (and, if necessary, correct) problems with the overwing emergency exit.
MARION BLAKEY has only three weeks left on the job as FAA Administrator, but even though she'll soon be moving over to head the Aerospace Industries Association, her pace at FAA isn't slowing. Last week she addressed an Air Traffic Organization Leadership Summit and a gathering of the agency's senior safety inspectors on consecutive days at FAA headquarters. Then she flew to Los Angeles to make two speeches, including one to the L.A. Chamber of Commerce urging members to get behind a push to expand Los Angeles International Airport and improve airside capabilities.
THE SPORTY'S FOUNDATION made a $10,000 donation to the Experimental Aircraft Association's Young Eagles program last month. "Young Eagles and The Sporty's Foundation share the vision of creating new pilots," said Hal Shevers, founder and chairman of The Sporty's Foundation and head of Sporty's Pilot Shop and related enterprises. The foundation was formed in April "to fund initiatives to attract and create new pilots and the technicians necessary for a healthy general aviation community."
NTSB is launched an investigation into a runway incursion at Los Angeles Airport this month, the latest incident in a category that is proving to be a headache for FAA this year. The Aug. 16 incursion involved an aircraft passing less than 40 feet from another plane while taking off, NTSB said. The aircraft taking off was a Northwest A320, and the other was a WestJet Boeing 737.
THE HOUSE VERSION of the fiscal 2008 transportation appropriations bill would continue to prohibit FAA from changing the weight restriction at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. The prohibition, intended to keep out aircraft that weigh more than 100,000 pounds, has been included at the behest of Rep. Steve Rothman (D-N.J.) in recent appropriations bills. That prohibition may become permanent if a measure included in a separate bill, the Senate FAA reauthorization legislation, is adopted (BA, May 28/239).
The pilot of a Cirrus SR20 aircraft who encountered worsening weather conditions while attempting to make an approach to the Nantucket, Mass. Memorial Airport (ACK) was injured this month when he decided to abandon the approach and activate the SR20's whole aircraft parachute system.
CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-29014; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-179-AD; Amendment 39-15165; AD 2007-17-07] - Until a permanent solution to flap failures becomes available, modify the Airplane Flight Manual to provide crews with additional guidance regarding the "flaps fail" abnormal procedure and to address the possibility of fuel exhaustion resulting from a flaps failure at other than zero degrees while diverting to an alternate airport.
Was appointed director, structured finance for CIT Group's Aerospace and Defense Finance unit. Cantwell will provide structured financing options for CIT's commercial aviation and aerospace clients. He previously was senior vice president for GE Commercial Aviation Services, and before that was vice president for Bankers Trust/BT Securities.
Garmin International resumed shipments last week of its GRS 77 AHRS (Attitude Heading Reference System) units used in the company's G1000 avionics systems, permitting aircraft manufacturers who use the G1000 system in their aircraft to resume production (BA, Aug. 20/73).
ASPEN AVIONICS joined the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. The Albuquerque, N.M.-based company was established in 2004 to design cockpit technology for general aviation aircraft. The company last month unveiled its Evolution Flight Display system that is designed as a low-cost, modular upgrade for general aviation cockpits. John Uczekaj, a 26-year industry veteran who has held senior positions with Nordam and Honeywell, is president and chief executive.
MU-2B airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27191; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-007-AD; Amendment 39-15167; AD 2007-17-09] - This new airworthiness directive, which supersedes AD 93-07-11 and AD 94-04-16, retains the actions required by those earlier directives - a reduction in the maximum deflection of the elevator nose-down trim to a one-degree to three-degree range. However, the new AD also requires modification of the elevator-trim indicator scale dial so that it is consistent with the reduced elevator-trim capability.
EOS AIRLINES, INC. secured another $50 million in equity capital from institutional and private sources in a transaction that occurred Aug. 17. Eos operates a small fleet of Boeing 757s equipped with 48 passenger seats, providing premium-class, nonstop service between New York and London Stansted Airport. Eos is scheduled to put its fourth 757 in service next month. The latest round of funding "means that we will acquire our fifth and sixth Boeing 757-200ER aircraft, both to be delivered during the next five months," said Jack Williams, president and CEO.
AS SHORTAGES of key personnel cause growing problems for aviation operators around the world, Lufthansa Technik is addressing the situation by expanding its apprentice program for maintenance technicians. The company's 2007 training year is about to begin, Lufthansa Technik said, with "235 young people ...taking their first step on the career ladder," up from 182 in last year's starting class.
FOUR INDIVIDUALS who helped design the Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS), which has prevented several potentially serious aircraft accidents, were honored for their work Monday with a major award for improving transportation safety. Peter T. Mahal, president of the Emergency Arresting Systems Division (EASD) of Engineered Arresting System Corp. (ESCO); Robert F. Cook, formerly of the University of Ohio-Dayton; Pam L. Phillips of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; and James White of FAA's William J.
FORECASTS of Very Light Jet deliveries range widely both in number (from 3,000 to 7,600) and in timeframe (from 2016 to 2025), but most experts do agree that the growing use of VLJs will have little impact on safety, the Government Accountability Office stated in a report released last week. GAO studied eight different VLJ forecasts, saying there was less consensus compared with forecasts of other business jet segments.
The heads of 18 aviation industry associations last week urged President Bush to avoid using a recess appointment to replace Marion Blakey as the next FAA Administrator.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is funding aviation projects in several African countries in an effort to strengthen regional ATM and communications structure, a USTDA official said.
Model F.28 Mark 0070, 0100, 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-29030; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-284-AD] - This proposal, which resulted from an MCAI from the European Aviation Safety Agency, would require repetitive inspections of the fuel tanks. The FAA has proposed this AD to reduce the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane. The FAA estimates that this proposed directive would affect 18 aircraft on the U.S.
Model F28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-28923; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-133-AD] - Replace the main landing gear wheels' axle-nut and spacer with an integrated axle-nut/spacer assembly. Also, amend the Aircraft Maintenance Manual and Illustrated Parts Catalog to prevent installation of a separate axle-nut and spacer during future wheel changes.
An uncontained engine failure in a Bell 407 forced a Petroleum Helicopters Inc. pilot to ditch his aircraft in 6-to 10-foot waves in the Gulf of Mexico this month, but both the pilot and his passenger were able to escape the aircraft without injury.
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM'S Noise Compatibility Program is under review by FAA, which formally received the proposal Aug. 14. Public comments on the plan are due Oct 13. The agency previously approved the FAR Part 150 noise-exposure maps submitted by the city of Austin, Texas. The proposed noise program is to be approved or disapproved by Feb. 10, 2008. Comments and questions should be submitted to FAA's Paul Blackford, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5607.
SOLOY AVIATION SOLUTIONS delivered a portable heliport to the U.S. Coast Guard in Seward, Alaska. The heliport will provide access to Rugged Island for emergency crews and periodic antenna maintenance. The heliport was part of the USCG's program to overhaul its national distress communication systems. The heliport is designed with adjustable legs that allow it to be used in a variety of applications and terrain. Soloy offers three sizes to accommodate most light and medium helicopters.
S92-A helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2007-28971; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-32-AD; Amendment 39-15163; AD 2007-17-05] - Conduct borescope inspections of the tail-rotor pitch-change shaft and bearing assembly. This directive -- which was prompted by an incident in which the shaft and bearing assembly and servo clevis shaft failed and loss of tail rotor control occurred -- is intended to prevent possible loss of control of a helicopter. The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 34 helicopters on the U.S.
The National Business Aviation Association has begun to prepare its members for new security protocols and proposed requirements that the Transportation Security Administration is expected to release this fall. TSA director Kip Hawley told Congress in January that the agency was working on a "more robust" plan to ensure increased security for large general aviation aircraft (BA, Jan. 22/35), and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said earlier this summer that the department was working with general aviation groups to improve security (BA, June 25/284).
