NASA FUNDS ALTERNATIVE FUEL FOR JET ENGINES PROGRAM - The National Aeronautics and Space Administration selected a San Diego firm as part of an effort to develop alternative fuels for use in jet engines.
HOOPER HARRIS, manager of FAA's Commuter, On-Demand and Training Center Branch, conceded that Operations Specification A008 covering Part 135 operational control has had some unintended consequences. Harris told NATA's Air Charter Summit that a few operators have opted to relinquish their Part 135 certificate and fly under Part 91, while some Part 91 operators are finding it more advantageous to obtain their own Part 135 certificate rather than worry about the potential for entering an arrangement that is later deemed illegal.
A DIESEL-POWERED CESSNA airplane could be part of the Wichita aircraft manufacturer's product line before long, following an agreement with a German diesel engine manufacturer. See article below.
A long-awaited RAND Corp. study over supposed cost savings to buy F-22 Raptors under a multiyear contract says the U.S. Air Force could save $270 million to $640 million, with the most likely amount being about $410 million. Savings from one three-year award - rather than three one-year awards - would come from spurring competition among parts suppliers, better manufacturing scheduling and streamlining acquisition process costs due to fewer contracts, according to RAND researchers.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION is continuing to sift through the 140 recommendations developed by the industry-based Part 135/125 Aviation Rulemaking Committee and has divided those comments into six "buckets" that will lead to separate rulemakings, according to James Ballough, director of FAA's Flight Standards Service. Ballough told attendees at the National Air Transportation Association's Air Charter Summit last week that the agency is first turning its attention to a rule to facilitate the use of Very Light Jets in commuter operations.
MACQUARIE ADDING MORE CALIFORNIA FBO LOCATIONS - Macquarie Infrastructure Co. (MIC), which has been on a fixed-base operation buying spree for the past three years, is adding two more California facilities.
Promoted to vice president, product development for the Beechcraft product line for Hawker Beechcraft Corp. Masher, who has been with the company and its predecessors for nearly 25 years, previously was director of new product development. He also served as director of special mission programs for Lockheed Martin, senior engineer, loads and dynamics, for Lear Fan Corporation and engineer, loads and dynamics, for Boeing Military Aircraft. He has a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from Purdue University.
COLUMBIA AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURING CORP. recalled the remaining employees who were furloughed in late March and boosted production to three aircraft per week (BA, March 26/143). "We made a lot of dramatic moves earlier this year with the objective of increasing our efficiency and strengthening Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation," said Company President Wan Abd Majid, who replaced Bing Lantis as president this spring.
EMBRAER rolled out the first Phenom 100 at the company's headquarters in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil last month. The Phenom was moved to the paint shop before beginning a series of ground tests in preparation for the first flight. Embraer has dedicated more than 400 engineers to the Phenom 100 program, which was launched in two years ago (BA, May 9, 2005/207). Embraer cut metal for the first Phenom in May. Subassembly manufacturing of the Phenom 100 was completed at Embraer's Botucatu facility and delivered to Sao Jose dos Campos for assembly.
EXPERIENCED AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION WORKERS can be difficult to find, but Boeing is laying off nearly 300 veteran employees at the company's parts production facility in Oak Ridge, Tenn. as part of an initiative to consolidate parts manufacturing capacity across its Fabrication organization. The 265 Boeing workers at Oak Ridge previously produced flight deck consoles, forward instrument panels, aisle stands and other machined parts for the company's Commercial Airplanes unit. Boeing will begin issuing a series of 60-day layoff notices to employees this month.
GALES INDUSTRIES INC., a Bay Shore, N.Y. holding company that is consolidating manufacturers, engineering integrators and specialized service providers in the commercial aviation/aerospace markets, changed its named to Air Industries Group, Inc. The company employs more than 200 people in its two operating subsidiaries at various sites on Long Island.
EADS SOCATA delivered a new TBM 850 to a customer in Jackson Hole, Wyo. The aircraft, Serial No. 400, is the 55th Model 850 since deliveries began a year ago when the speedier 850 replaced the original TBM 700 in the company's product line. Priced at $2.63 million, the 850 is equipped with the Garmin GMX 200 multifunction display.
BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27714; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-277-AD; Amendment 39-15110; AD 2007-13-06] - Modify the environmental control system grilles in accordance with BAE Systems Service Bulletins SB.25-495-60730A (dated March 14, 2006) or Revision 1 (dated May 9, 2006). This AD results from an MCAI originated by the European Aviation Safety Agency.
STAYING ON: In one of his first moves as British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is completely revamping his Cabinet ministers - well, all but defense. Des Browne remains as secretary of state for defense, but Adam Ingram is being replaced as armed forces minister. As of the end of last week his successor had yet to be named. Admiral Alan West, a former head of the Royal Navy, is also appointed as parliamentary under-secretary for security. West also is a former chief of defense intelligence.
READY, WAITING: The U.S. Navy's second test aircraft for the new Marine One VH-71 presidential helicopter program is ready for flight and simply holding due to weather at NAS Patuxent River, Md., according to service officials. The second EH101-based test vehicle is more representative of the production configuration than the first, which has already executed a landing test on the White House lawn. The Navy is buying 23 of the helicopters through a contract with a Lockheed Martin/AgustaWestland team.
CIRRUS ROLLS OUT 'PERSONAL JET' MOCKUP - Cirrus Design Corp., which has produced thousands of single-engine piston-powered aircraft, unveiled a mockup of a new single-engine jet last week, debuting the new design at a ceremony for customers who had placed $100,000 deposits for the new aircraft. The mockup features a single turbofan engine situated along the centerline at the top rear of the fuselage and a low-wing design that incorporates winglets.
ASK AROUND: First, U.S. Air Force Gen. Ronald Keys, commander of Air Combat Command, says the military often misuses unmanned aerial vehicles in finding improvised explosive devices (DAILY, June 21). Now, Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the Pentagon has found a successful low-tech response to the threat: ask the locals. U.S. forces have had greater success in finding IEDs by developing strong relationships with people in nearby neighborhoods, Gates says.
AN AMERICAN EAGLE Embraer ERJ-135 made a bumpy landing at Boston's Logan International Airport (BOS) last month. The crew told National Transportation Safety Board investigators they had an indication that the gear was down and locked, but right before touchdown they noticed a "landing gear lever disagree." The airplane scraped the surface of the runway, but the pilots executed a go-around and then mechanically lowered the landing ear and confirmed it was locked in position.
SHEFFIELD ACQUIRES TWO OTHER CALIFORNIA METALS SUPPLIERS - Sheffield Manufacturing, Inc., of Sun Valley, Calif., a provider of precision machining products for the aerospace industry, acquired two other metals manufacturers with long ties to the aerospace industry.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS for the Adam A700 business jet were proposed by FAA for the fire extinguishing system of the airplane's aft-mounted engines. The applicable airworthiness regulation (FAR Part 23) does not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature, the agency said. Comments, which are due by July 25, should be sent to: FAA Regional Counsel, ACE-7, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Mo. 64106. For further information, contact Leslie B.
NTSB RECOMMENDS CHANGES IN FAA POLICIES ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE - The National Transportation Safety Board is concerned over how FAA handles pilots with a history of substance abuse and is recommending changes in the Administration's policies regarding pilots in those situations. NTSB cited a number of aircraft incidents in which FAA should have been aware of - or had information that indicated - a pilot's substance abuse history.
CF34-10E series turbofan engines [Docket No. FAA-2006-25896; Directorate Identifier 2006-NE-33-AD; Amendment 39-15093; AD 2007-12-15] - This AD supersedes an existing directive that requires removing the fuel inlet strainer from the main fuel pump, installing a certain replacement flange as an interim repair, and performing initial and repetitive visual inspections of the main fuel filter. The new AD requires removing the old main fuel pump from service and installing an improved one.
Named vice president, environmental affairs for the Air Transport Association. Young joined ATA in 2000 as assistant general counsel and became associate general counsel, environment and international programs, for the association in 2004. She joined ATA with a background in environmental law in litigation as a shareholder/partner of the law firm of Beveridge & Diamond, P.C. She served on working groups including the International Civil Aviation Organization's environment committee and was co-chair of Beveridge & Diamond's climate change practice.
FAA reauthorization took another step forward last week after the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee cleared a comprehensive aviation bill that would set FAA funding levels through fiscal 2011 and maintain the current aviation excise tax funding system. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007, H.R.2881, was approved by voice vote, but not before the T&I Committee approved a labor-related amendment that Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) warned would draw a presidential veto.
GIV-X, GV and GV-SP airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-28373; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-110-AD; Amendment 39-15104; AD 2007-12-25] - Revise the Airplane Flight Manual, perform repetitive functional checks of the forward water drain/supply valves and take applicable corrective actions. This AD is being issued in response to reports of failed forward water drain/supply valves on numerous airplanes and reports of ice striking the wing-to-body fairings and engine nose cowls of several airplanes.
