The Professional Airways Systems Specialists also last week voiced their concern that "labor relations within the FAA are in a state of chaos," telling the aviation subcommittee that contract negotiations have been at an impasse for more than four years with four of the five bargaining units represented by PASS. A particular concern for the union is FAA's lack of staffing standards for the agency's inspector workforce, leading to a shrinking number of inspectors at a time when demands have increased from outsourced maintenance, aging aircraft, and new technology.
Named a professional staff member on the House aviation subcommittee. She previously was director of legislative affairs for the Aerospace Industries Association, where she focused on civil aviation issues. Denning also spent six years as senior legislative assistant for Rep. Dennis Moore (D-Kan.)
(Type Certificate No. A48EU previously held by APEX Aircraft and AVIONS PIERRE ROBIN) Model R2160 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-26493; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-78-AD; Amendment 39-14964; AD 2007-05-03] - Requires installing a protector on the fuel shut-off control. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country. The MCAI cites a report of an inadvertent manipulation of the fuel shut-off control. FAA estimates the AD covers 10 aircraft on the U.S.
CAE will celebrate the company's 60th anniversary with ceremonies this week. The company was founded in 1947 with 18 employees housed in a hangar at Saint-Hubert Airport. The company has grown into an international aviation simulation and training organization that employs 5,000 people at facilities in 19 countries. The celebration will be held March 28 at CAE headquarters in Saint-Laurent, Quebec, Canada. Michael Fortier, Canadian minister of public works and government services, will join CAE President and CEO Robert Brown in the festivities.
R2160 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-26496 Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-81-AD; Amendment 39-14958; AD 2007-04-25] - Requires inspections to determine if a metal barrier is installed behind the seats and installation of a barrier, if not already installed. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country. The MCAI cites reports indication that production aircraft may not have a metal barrier between the cabin and the fuel tank bay.
Robert H. (Bob) Cooper, 81, who spent more than 50 years in the aviation industry where he was known for his affable nature and marketing skills, died March 17. Cooper was with friends at a golf course near his home in Skidaway Island, Ga. when he stumbled and struck his head on a cart path. The injury first appeared to be nothing worse than a cut on the head, but Cooper soon lost consciousness and died that day.
Federal Aviation Administration forecasters are among those bullish about prospects for business jet manufacturers. The agency's annual forecast document says the business jet fleet is expected to grow at a sprightly rate of six percent per year through 2020. That compares with a projected growth rate of .4 percent annually for the piston-powered fleet. See article below.
Models EMB-110P1 and EMB-110P2 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-26598; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-87-AD] - Reopens the comment period for an earlier proposal that calls for inspections for corrosion at the Wings-to-Fuselage attachments, Vertical Stabilizer-to-Fuselage attachments, Rib 1 Half-wing, and Passenger Seat Tracks. The proposal also calls for repair if corrosion is found. The proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by the aviation authority of Brazil.
Columbia Aircraft shuffled its top management and temporarily furloughed more than one-third of the workforce in a move the Bend, Ore.-manufacturer said was necessary to improve production processes. Columbia named Malaysian native Wan Abd Majid chief executive, replacing Bing Lantis, who the company said stepped down to pursue family matters and other personal interests.
CF34-3A1/-3B/-3B1 turbofan engines [Docket No. FAA-2007-27308; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-06-AD; Amendment 39-14977; AD 2007-05-16] - Supersedes emergency AD 2007-04-51 that was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of GE CF34-3A1/-3B/-3B1 turbofan engines. That action required a one time visual and tactile inspection of certain areas of certain serial number (SN) fan disks for an arc-out defect, within 20 engine flight hours after the effective date of that AD. This AD supersedes AD 2007-04-51 and adds eight SNs to the list of suspect fan disks.
JET WORKS AIR CENTER in Denton, Texas, and Piaggio America secured FAA supplemental type certificate approval to install the AirCell Axxess Satcom system aboard the Piaggio Avanti II aircraft. The system includes an AirCell Axxess II satellite transceiver mounted in the nose of the aircraft and a cabin telecommunications router (CTR) mounted in the cabin. The system also comes with color handsets in both the flight deck and the cabin. AirCell Axxess provides two built-in channels of Iridium satellite communications for worldwide voice and narrowband data services.
Model C-212 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-27335; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-291-AD; Amendment 39-14962; AD 2007-05-01] - Requires a non-destructive inspection for cracks and repair, if necessary. The AD stems from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) from the European Aviation Safety Agency. The MCAI cites a report that a required inspection on a maritime C-212 revealed cracks in the center wing lower skin due to fretting. Such cracks could reduce the structural integrity of the aircraft.
CONGRESS is facing a limited window of time to complete a comprehensive reauthorization package before the aviation excise taxes expire at the end of September, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said, noting that the congressional calendar includes a number of breaks between now and then, including the month-long August recess. House Democrats will probably have to get a bill written in May to allow for committee action in June.
BALDWIN AVIATION, INC. announced receipt of International Standard for Business Aviation Operations (IS-BAO) registration after more than two years of program and software development. Introduced in 2002, IS-BAO is a code of best practices designed to help flight departments achieve a high level of safety and professionalism. Baldwin Aviation is a service company formed in 2004 to assist flight departments in meeting regulatory requirements and establishing safety-oriented operating standards.
BANK OF AMERICA teamed with Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI) to establish a cross referral and joint marketing program. The program will provide benefits for clients who finance or lease their turbine helicopters through Bank of America and use the JSSI engine maintenance program. The program will include a special pricing structure for two JSSI programs: Tip-to-Tail covering scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and on-site technical assistance for the airframe and components; and JSSI's complete Engine Coverage for parts and labor for engine maintenance.
FAA Administrator Marion Blakey last week disputed claims that the FAA's proposal to triple fuel taxes and create a new slate of user fees would harm general aviation operators and said the proposal is part of a drive to create fairness in the aviation taxes. Blakey returned to a House aviation subcommittee Wednesday for the second time in four weeks to try to build support for the agency's new financing vision. But, the Administrator instead faced a skeptical subcommittee that was particularly concerned about the ramifications on general aviation.
Cessna Aircraft, which has delivered more than 260 of its high-speed Citation X business jets over the past decade, signed an agreement with Winglet Technology, LLC to collaborate on development of winglets for retrofit on Citation X aircraft.
SIKORSKY sold two more S-76C++ helicopters to Lider Aviacao, part of a series of recent transactions with its long-time customer in Brazil. Signing of the new order follows delivery of six S-76C++ aircraft to Lider Aviacao in late 2006. The two helicopters just ordered are expected to be delivered in early 2008 to support Lider's offshore oil support operations in Brazil. In addition, the two companies executed a delivery position agreement for four S-76D aircraft, with an option for six additional aircraft.
Model ERJ 170 and ERJ 190 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-26356; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-166-AD; Amendment 39-14963; AD 2007-05-02] - Requires repetitive detailed inspections for blockage of the pitot drain holes of certain air data smart probes (ADSPs), removing accumulated moisture from the pneumatic passages of the ADSPs, related investigative actions, and corrective actions, if necessary. This AD results from reports of erroneous air speed indications caused by blockage of the pitot sensors due to freezing of accumulated moisture in the ADSP pneumatic passages.
FRASCA INTERNATIONAL received a contract to provide a Bell 429 Level 6 flight training device (FTD) to Bell Helicopter. Bell expects to begin customer deliveries of its new 429 light-twin helicopter in 2008. The FTD will include the Bell cockpit, controls and data package, simulated Rogerson Kratos panel display, Frasca's TruVision 220 visual display platform and vibration platform. Bell will install the FTD in its Bell Helicopter Customer Academy for pilot training.
The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and seven other trade and business groups have teamed up to push the Bush administration to make regulatory and other administrative changes to "improve" the U.S. export control system. "We strongly believe that export control modernization is needed and that the opportunity is now," the coalition member associations said in a March 6 letter to President Bush. The changes could be made within current law, they said.
