Model Mystere-Falcon 50 [Docket No. FAA-2007-27806; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-287-AD] - Proposes to require disabling the galley's coffeemaker, inspecting for damaged wire sleeves, checking for proper clearance and if necessary, rerouting the wiring or taking other corrective actions. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) from the European Aviation Safety Agency. The MCAI stems from the discovery of interference between the power wire supplying the galley's coffeemaker and the surrounding structure.
90XX and 92XX passenger seats [Docket No. FAA-2007-27346; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-07-AD] - Proposes to require for Sicma 90 and 92 seats found primarily on ATR 42 and 72 aircraft, repetitive visual inspections of central spreaders (P/N 92-000100-200-1 or P/N 92-000101-200-1) and repair, if necessary. The proposal also would require installation of doublers on the central spreaders of the seats. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the French aviation authority.
CF34-1A, -3A, -3A1, -3A2, -3B, and -3B1 turbofan engines [Docket No. FAA-2007-27687; Directorate Identifier 2000-NE-42-AD; Amendment 39-15012; AD 2007-07-07] - Supersedes an existing AD that requires a one-time inspection of certain fan disks for electrical arc-out indications, replacing fan disks with electrical arc-out indications, and reducing the life limit of certain fan disks.
DeCrane Aircraft Holdings changed its name to DeCrane Aerospace last week, a move the company said symbolizes its commitment to provide "seamless, integrated solutions, giving customers easier access" to all its products and services. "We have aggressively begun a process to restructure our operations designed solely to provide more fully integrated services," said Dick Kaplan, CEO of DeCrane. The company, founded in 1989 by Jack DeCrane, grew rapidly through a series of acquisitions in the early and mid-1990s of small, specialty aviation manufacturers.
DayJet is expected to begin taking reservations in the next few weeks as the air taxi startup prepares to launch operations in June, according to Ed Iacobucci, founder, president and chief executive. Iacobucci has laid the groundwork for a new on-demand service sold on a per-seat basis to "subscribers" who will travel on a fleet of Eclipse 500 Very Light Jets.
Chinese government officials are apparently getting serious about opening up that nation's airspace to private aircraft. The China Daily newspaper reported Friday that the General Administration of Civil Aviation (CAAC) has set 2010 as the year it will categorize its airspace according to international standards. The article quoted an unnamed official who said the country's airspace will be segregated into categories, such as low and high altitude, and control and management rules will be instituted.
Helicopter Association International is hosting a new "On the Road" series, which combines courses in the association's Professional Education Series. The first session will be held May 2-3 in Lafeyette, La. Courses offered will include Coping With Crisis 101 - Managing an Aviation Disaster, Defining Direct Operating Costs, and HAI's Safety Management Course. Other future locations include Alexandria, Va.; San Diego, Calif.; Malverne, Pa.; Portland, Ore.; and Houston, Texas.
Michelin Aircraft Tire Company launched an "Upgrade to Michelin" rebate program this month through its authorized service centers under which customers will receive rebates for switching from their current tires to Michelin products. Buyers who convert all main landing gear tires on their aircraft from a competitive brand to Michelin will receive a 20 percent rebate, while those who convert both main and nose landing gear tires will receive a 25 percent instant rebate off the total amount of the purchase.
Appointed sales and technical support manager for The Hammonds Companies ODV Division, which produces the Omni Directional Vehicle aviation ground support vehicle. Hammonds, who has served with the company for 17 years, previously managed the Hammonds Additive Injector System.
Appointed director of materials and systems for Dallas Airmotive. Burgess formerly was director of information technology for the company. He began his career in 1978 at the Millville, N.J. operation and has held a number of positions, including engine shop mechanic, supervisor and engineer. In 1998, Burgess was named director of operations, responsible for materials, quality, engineering and production. He is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.
Avidyne Corporation, working with Southern Star Avionics, developed an Envision integrated flight deck for retrofit on Cessna 300 and 400 series aircraft and Cirrus SR20 and SR22 single-engine aircraft built after 2001. Avidyne and Southern Star secured the supplemental type certificate for the Cessna 300/400 series with an installation aboard a 1982 Cessna 414A aircraft. It was the third twin-engine retrofit platform for the Envision package. Other applications include the King Air 200 and King Air 90 developed with S-TEC.
Model ERJ 170 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27753; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-022-AD] - Proposes to require inspection of the fuel quantity probe harnesses and correct reassembly, if necessary. This proposal results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) from the aviation authority of Brazil. The MCAI cites reports that the fuel quantity probe harnesses installed in the left- and right-wing stub tanks on some Embraer ERJ-170 aircraft models may not be protected in accordance with Brazilian and U.S.
Named director of quality for The NORDAM Group's repair operations in Tulsa, Okla., Wales, United Kingdom and Singapore. Spencer previously served as a quality management system (QMS) administrator specialist and quality performance manager for NORDAM. Most recently, she led the QMS Peer Team working to design, develop, and implement systematic quality processes in conjunction with NORDAM's SAP business management software implementation.
After Maintaining Radio Silence on the issue for years, the Department of Transportation finally acknowledged last week that it is moving into newly constructed quarters in what is called the Southeast Federal Center in Washington, D.C. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration began moving in last week, and the other 5,600 headquarters employees should complete the process by the end of June. DOT employees have been in leased quarters in the 10-story Nassif Building in southwest D.C, just two blocks from FAA headquarters, for the past 38 years.
Rockwell Collins said its Pro Line 21 Integrated Display System (IDS) was certified on a Piaggio 180 aircraft. Jet Works in Denton, Texas, installed the system. The IDS integrates liquid crystal displays and graphics with traffic alert collision avoidance systems, terrain awareness warning systems, communication, flight management and autopilot systems.
Lufthansa placed an order last week for 30 Embraer 190s and 15 Bombardier CRJ-900s. The company's supervisory board approved of the deals ahead of the annual shareholder meeting in Berlin. Deliveries will start by the end of next year. The decision shows a strategic shift in Lufthansa's regional network. The airline is moving upward in aircraft size, as the Embraer and Bombardier jets will replace smaller Avro RJ-85s and CRJ-200 with 50-seat operations moving more to affiliates, such as Eurowings and Contact Air.
Model ERJ 170 Airplanes and Model ERJ 190 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27785; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-267-AD] - Proposes to require a functional test to check the Flight Guidance Control System (FGCS) channels and engagement and replacement of the actuator input-output processor in accordance with EMBRAER Service Bulletin 170-22-0003 or 190-22-0002, both dated Nov. 9, 2006. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of Brazil.
Embraer picked up a significant breakthrough order from Lufthansa last week. The German carrier, which has been a loyal Bombardier CRJ customer for its regional routes, placed an order for 30 Embraer 190s, exactly double the number of Bombardier CRJ-900s it agreed to buy. See article below.
Joined The NORDAM Group as managing director, sales and marketing, Asia Pacific. Rossi formerly served with Honeywell International, Singapore, where he was director, sales and marketing and customer account leader in charge of Singapore Airlines and NORDAM's account.
Columbia Aircraft's Columbia composite airframe recently completed successful fatigue testing that matched the equivalent of 25,000 flight hours at loads exceeding the airframe's utility category certification levels. The testing involved more than 100 sites of damage, 25 intentional manufacturing defects and a number of structural and nonstructural repairs. The airframe withstood the testing, "while the testing fixture, made of high-strength steel, was beginning to fail due to metal fatigue," Columbia said.
CT7-5, -7 and -9 series turboprop engines [Docket No. FAA-2005-20944; Directorate Identifier 2003-NE-64-AD; Amendment 39-15018; AD 2007-08-01] - Supersedes an existing AD that applies to GE CT7-5A2, -5A3, -7A, -7A1, -9B, -9B1, and -9B2, -9C, -9C3, -9D, and -9D2 turboprop engines, with certain part number and serial number Stage 2 turbine aft cooling plates installed. That AD currently requires a one-time eddy current inspection (ECI) of boltholes in certain P/N Stage 2 turbine aft cooling plates.
Beech Models 45 (YT-34), A45 (T-34A, B-45), and D45 (T-34B) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-25105; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-33-AD; Amendment 39-15016; AD 2007-06-01 R1] - Clarifies an AD that requires repetitively inspecting, using the eddy current method, the front and rear horizontal stabilizer spars for cracks and replacing any cracked stabilizer.
The general aviation community last week sent a flurry of letters to papers across the country after the Associated Press reported that the federal government has awarded billions of dollars from airline passenger taxes to small airports used "mainly by private pilots and globetrotting corporate executives." The article quoted Bob Poole, the director of transportation studies for the Reason Foundation, who has long advocated user fees, as saying that general aviation facilities are "making out like bandits" while airline passengers are overtaxed to give private jets a fre
Silverjet, the British business-class carrier, became the launch customer for the new Wireless Emergency Primary Power System (WEPPS) developed by STG Aerospace. The WEPPS system is designed to reduce aircraft operating costs through new application of current technologies for managing and powering emergency lighting systems in aircraft. STG said WEPPS comprises a series of "fit-for-life" nonrechargeable battery modules that replace conventional NiCad battery/charger packs.
