COLUMBIA AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURING CORP. cut back aircraft production and furloughed hundreds of its workers last week, citing "an inherent problem" in the AHRS (Attitude, Heading & Reference System) of the Garmin G1000 integrated avionics system used on Columbia 350 and 400 models. The problem with the AHRS also is disrupting deliveries by other manufacturers whose aircraft use the G1000 system. See article below.
Model 400A series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-28883; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-106-AD] - Proposes to require inspecting the galley cabinets to determine if a certain part number is installed or if a certain size of wire already exists, and doing related investigative/corrective actions, if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of undersized, and consequently unprotected, wire in the galley cabinets. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent overheating of wire insulation and consequent fire or smoke in the airplane cabin.
AC-U-KWIK released its 2007-2008 Managers' World Edition. The AC-U-KWIK managers' edition provides fixed-base operation, airport and aviation services information. The directory is designed for corporate and charter schedulers and dispatchers with updated airport information, hotel phone and fax numbers, FBO addresses on-airport diagrams, charter information and service provider details. The new edition, which includes a CD-ROM, is priced at $99.95 and can be ordered by calling (800) 400-5945 or visiting the Web site www.acukwik.com.
(Type Certificate No. 1A16 formerly held by Schweizer Aircraft Corp.) G-164 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27860; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-034-AD; Amendment 39-15160; AD 2007-17-02] - Supersedes AD 82-07-04, which requires modification of the fuel shut-off valve control by installing a new stop-plate on certain airplanes. Since issuing AD 82-07-04, FAA has determined the need to add airplane models and serial numbers that were not previously included in the Applicability Section.
JET AVIATION BASEL signed a letter of intent with an unidentified Middle East customer for the VIP completion of a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The green aircraft is scheduled for delivery to the Basel facility in 2011 and will then spend 15 to 18 months in the completion process. Jet Aviation said it has been working on an interior package for the Boeing 787 for the past two and a half years, partnering with yacht and corporate aircraft designer Peder Eidsgaard.
(Type Certificate No. A48EU previously held by APEX Aircraft and AVIONS PIERRE ROBIN) Model R2160 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-26491; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-76-AD] - Revises an earlier proposed AD that required replacing leaking Type 1 fuel fittings. This action would require replacing any Type 1 fuel fittings with Type 2 fuel fittings. This proposed AD results from MCAI from the aviation authority of New Zealand.
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based SheltAir Aviation Services is adding a fifth location in New York, signing an agreement with Clinton County, N.Y. to operate the sole fixed-base operation at Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG).
Linden Blue's Spectrum Aeronautical, LLC said it plans to accelerate the development program for the larger of two new business jets the startup manufacturer is designing.
Ray White has been named deputy assistant administrator for security operations at the Transportation Security Administration. White, who has been with TSA since 2002, was most recently the acting federal security director at Dallas Love Field, along with serving as assistant FSD and interim federal security representative. He was also in charge of federalizing security operations in Arkansas, Oklahoma and most of Texas during TSA's rollout.
The Federal Aviation Administration released new standards covering performance and handling characteristics of transport aircraft in icing conditions. The standards harmonize U.S. and European standards for flight in icing conditions, FAA said. FAA said the standards are designed to ensure that minimum operating speeds determined during certification of all new transport category airplanes would provide adequate maneuvering capability in icing conditions during all phases of flight.
CESSNA AIRCRAFT is working with Aerospace Systems & Technologies, Inc. (AS&T) on a program to install the TKS anti-icing system on new production Cessna Caravan utility aircraft. The single-engine turboprop, a favorite for small package operators, has been involved in a number of fatal accidents after encountering icing conditions in flight. FAA issued a series of restrictions and equipment requirements for the Model 208 and 208B last year (BA, March 20, 2006/127).
Model EMB-135BJ airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-28256; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-041-AD; Amendment 39-15155; AD 2007-16-16] - Requires replacement of the valance panel lighting system wiring. This AD results from MCAI issued by the aviation authority of Brazil. The MCAI cites reports of smoke in the passenger cabin that originated from the valance panel lighting system wiring. FAA estimates the AD covers 15 aircraft on the U.S. Registry at a cost of between $161,700 and $172,350 for the fleet, or between $10,780 and $11,490 per aircraft. The AD takes effect Sept.
Appointed vice president and chief financial officer for Landmark Aviation. Linville will oversee financial operations including general accounting, tax and treasury functions and IT operations. Before joining Landmark in early 2005, he was head of finance and administration for the North American operations of LeCreuset of America. He previously served as senior vice president and CFO at Hanes Companies.
In addition to its short-term action plan to reduce runway incursions, FAA also is looking to speed up the introduction of new technology that it believes can help improve runway safety. The agency is looking at existing programs, such as airport surface detection equipment, model X (ASDE-X) and similar technology known as low-cost surface surveillance systems (LCSS), both of which are expected to improve controller situational awareness. In addition, FAA is considering how best to introduce runway status lights at U.S. airports.
Named regional sales director for charter support services and aircraft management for Jet Aviation. White will be based at Jet Aviation's new aircraft management and charter support services sales office at its St. Louis Downtown Airport fixed-base operation in Cahokia, Ill. Currently president of the Greater St. Louis Business Aviation Association, White has 23 years of aviation industry experience. Before joining Jet Aviation, she was regional vice president of sales for The Air Group.
Named vice president-aircraft sales, service and charter, for Landmark Aviation. Mekis has held a number of senior positions with the company, including general manager of the Leesburg fixed-base operation and vice president responsible for aircraft charter and management division. He began his aviation career with Beech Aircraft, holding sales and marketing posts. He later joined American Beechcraft as a sales manager. American Beechcraft was merged into Piedmont Hawthorne in 1998 and then became Landmark Aviation following the merger with Garrett Aviation in 2004.
EMBRAER will unveil a mockup of a new "concept jet" during next month's annual National Business Aviation Association meeting and convention in Atlanta, Embraer CEO Frederico Fleury Curado said. The new jet would become the fifth in the Embraer business jet line and fill a niche between Embraer's eight-nine-passenger Phenom 300 light jet and the 10-16-passenger Legacy. Embraer will survey potential customers about performance, cabin and other preferences.
SHELTAIR AVIATION SERVICES recently completed interior renovations of its fixed-base operations at St. Petersburg-Clearwater (PIE), Farmingdale (FRG) and Westhampton Beach, N.Y. (FOK). The project at FOK also included improvements to the exterior of the building. SheltAir, headquartered at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), owns and operates FBOs at 11 airports in Florida and New York.
EMBRAER received joint Brazilian, European and U.S. type certification for its Embraer 195 regional jet, the largest and fourth member of the company's E-Jet series to win such approval. The Embraer 195 has a maximum capacity of 122 passengers. The Brazilian plane-maker's E-Jet series includes four models that range from 70 to 122 seats. The aircraft were designed to maximize commonality of parts and systems, which Embraer said will reduce maintenance, spare parts and crew training costs. Embraer has firm orders for 655 E-Jets and options for 719 more.
BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE opened a spare parts facility in Sao Paulo, Brazil to serve its regional airliner and business jet customers in South America. The facility, located near both the Congonhas and Guarhulos International airports, will be operated by Armazens Gerais Columbia S.A. The Sao Paulo spare parts depot is the fourth new parts facility Bombardier has opened in the past two years, joining Chicago, Frankfurt and Dubai, as Bombardier continues efforts to improve its product support network.
Model F27 Mark 050 airplanes equipped with Dowty Type R.352 or R.410 series propellers [Docket No. FAA-2007-28911; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-002-AD; Amendment 39-15150; AD 2007-16-11] - Requires checking the maintenance records to determine whether Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. (3M) 1300L adhesive was used to attach the de-icer assembly overshoes (boots) to the propeller blades, repetitive inspections of affected boots, and replacing boots attached with defective adhesive.
A, B and F series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-28478; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-057-AD; Amendment 39-15153; AD 2007-16-14] - Requires inspecting the left and right wing front and aft lift struts for corrosion and cracks, replacing any cracked strut or strut with corrosion that exceeds certain limits with either sealed or nonsealed struts, and repetitively inspecting any nonsealed struts. This AD results from inspections where several different struts were found with moderate to severe corrosion and required strut replacement.
Taiwanese leaders are reportedly calling for the Taiwan government to sell its stake in San Antonio, Texas-based Sino Swearingen. Lin Yu-fang, an opposition lawmaker of the Nationalist Party, called the investment in Sino Swearingen a "big mistake," according to newspaper and wire reports, and said the Taiwan legislature was unlikely to approve further funding for the company. The calls came after a Taiwan report estimated that it would take another $340 million (U.S.) investment to begin full-scale production.
LIBERTY AEROSPACE appointed ARM Aviation Services SDN BHD as a distributor for the XL2 two-seater aircraft in Malaysia. ARM Aviation will work with the Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation to secure certification of the XL2 in Malaysia. ARM was formed in 2004 to provide sales and service support for aviation products. Liberty is marketing the single-piston XL2 for training, touring, law enforcement and search and rescue. The aircraft has a range of more than 500 nautical miles, a fuel consumption of 5.5 gallons per hour and a speed of 132 knots.
