Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes and Model DHC-8-200 and DHC-8-300 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-26725; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-161-AD] - Proposes to require modifying the main landing gear (MLG) and nose landing gear (NLG) handle assemblies for alternate release and the MLG retaining plate. This proposed AD also would require performing related investigative and corrective action if necessary.
Model R44 and R44 II helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2006-26696; Directorate Identifier 2006-SW-19-AD] - Proposes, for certain Robinson Model R44 and R44 II helicopters that have a certain seat belt buckle assembly installed, to require removing the buckle assembly and the buckle assembly spacer, and replacing them with airworthy parts. This proposal is prompted by an accident in which a seat belt failed, and also by reports of cracking in the buckle assembly stainless support strap.
EADS Socata delivered a TBM 850 VFT (Very Fast Turboprop) to its first customer for the new model in France. The aircraft replaces a TBM 700C2, which was sold to a new owner in France. The single-engine TBM 850 VFT, an 850-shaft-horsepower follow-on to the TBM 700C2, cruises at 320 knots true airspeed at Flight Level 260. EADS Socata, which launched the aircraft in December 2005 and delivered the first TBM 850 in February 2006, has received orders for 80 aircraft and has delivered 42. U.S.
CAE received a contract from Flight Simulation Company to provide two Airbus A320 and two Boeing 737NG Level D flight simulators. The contract also calls for a used Dornier 328Jet Simulator. CAE valued the contract at $52 million (Canadian).
Able Flight, a new scholarship program designed to help former patients of the Shepherd Center catastrophic care hospital in Atlanta and other disabled people, awarded its first two scholarships during a ceremony at the Atlanta-based hospital. Working with Jet Aviation, Able Flight provided flight-training scholarships to Brad Jones and Stephany Glassing. The scholarships cover a program that uses a specially equipped airplane provided by Hansen Air Group. Jones, 22, was paralyzed last June in an automobile accident. He is a junior at Georgia Southern University.
Goodrich Corporation signed a contract to provide nacelle and thrust reverser systems for all variants of the Airbus A350 XWB airliner, a deal that "is expected to generate approximately $10 billion in original equipment and aftermarket revenues for Goodrich over 20 years," the company said.
Aerospace metals supplier Precision Castparts Corp. (PCP) will pay $300 million to acquire fastener manufacturer Cherry Aerospace LLC from Acument Global Technologies, Inc.
Model 369A, 369D, 369E, 369F, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 369HS, 369HM, 500N, and OH-6A helicopters [Docket No. 2003-SW-37-AD] - Revises an earlier proposed AD that would have required replacing or reworking certain forward and aft landing gear assemblies. That proposal was prompted by five reports of landing gear strut failures. This action revises that action by proposing to mandate both the creation of an access hole to facilitate inspections and a recurring inspection.
Model ERJ 170 and ERJ 190 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-25643; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-135-AD; Amendment 39-14869; AD 2006-26-11] - Requires repetitive inspections to detect damaged smoke seals in the aft avionics compartment, repair/replacement if any damage is found, and reinforcement if no damage is found. This AD also requires eventual replacement of all smoke seals in the aft avionics compartment with new, improved seals having new part numbers, which would serve as terminating action for the AD.
Cessna is continuing its evaluation of a proof-of-concept (POC) light sport aircraft, logging some 50 flight hours on a POC model to evaluate aircraft characteristics. The POC first flew Oct. 13, nine months after Cessna initiated the project. Cessna also continued to test the market for the POC, displaying the aircraft during the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo that took place late last week in Sebring, Fla. The Wichita plane-maker said the plane meets company expectations.
Named general manager of Landmark Aviation's fixed-base operation at Washington Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Va. He formerly was regional sales manager for the company's aircraft charter and management business. Wilson has been with Landmark and its predecessor company, Piedmont Hawthorne, for eight years. He joined the Dulles facility as customer service manager, and later was promoted to assistant general manager.
Landmark Aviation received FAA supplemental type certificate approval to install Rockwell Collins dual ADC-87A air data computers on Dassault Falcon 50 aircraft. The replacement will help the aircraft comply with reduced vertical separation minimum requirements. The ADC-87A is compatible with new display systems such as Collins' ProLine 21 Integrated Display System. Landmark will perform the installation at its 225,000-square-foot facility in Springfield, Ill. The facility is a Class 4 FAA repair station and also is European Aviation Safety Agency-approved.
Model F-28A, F-28C, F-28F, TH-28, 280, 280C, 280F, 280FX, 480, and 480B helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2006-26771; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-07-AD] - Proposes to require determining the installation dates for each main rotor push-pull control rod, inspecting the push-pull rods for corrosion, replacing any push-pull rod which has corrosion that is severe enough to cause pitting, or has visible moisture inside the rod, and repairing each push-pull rod that has corrosion but no pitting.
Flight Options named a veteran of the building products industry to head sales and marketing. The Cleveland, Ohio-based fractional aircraft provider, which is owned by Raytheon, named Philip LaVelle vice president of sales and marketing. LaVelle will oversee the teams responsible for marketing, advertising, partnerships and selling the Flight Options portfolio of products - including Fractional First, JetPASS Ultimate Travel and aircraft management, the company said.
National Transportation Safety Board investigators are trying to determine what caused an apparent system malfunction that resulted in substantial damage to a Model 35A Learjet during a landing last month at Nashville, Tenn. The airplane, N136WE, was landing at Nashville after a 40-minute flight from Raleigh, N.C. that originated about 8:30 a.m. Dec. 26. The 1978 Learjet is registered to Air 1 Inc. of Nashville and was being operated as a Part 135 air taxi flight by Secure Air of Nashville.
Congressional travel on private planes also is under scrutiny on Capitol Hill as both the House and Senate hash out ethics rules. The House earlier this month banned House members from using "official, personal or campaign funds to pay for the use of privately owned airplanes." Some members have complained about the measure, saying it would prevent them from flying their own airplanes (BA, Jan. 8/17). In the Senate, Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) was fighting efforts to impose an outright ban on private aircraft travel. See article below.
Melanie Alvord, a veteran Capitol Hill staffer, joined FAA as assistant administrator for communications, effective Dec. 27. Alvord had most recently served as assistant staff director for the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee (which oversees FAA programs), where she helped manage a staff of about 30 and coordinated the work of 10 subcommittees. Before that, Alvord was communications director for the same committee.
Edward R. (Ed) Williams was recognized by the Flight Safety Foundation for his many contributions to improving the safety of corporate and business aviation. Williams, a former Navy pilot, flight department manager and accident investigator, spent 35 years at AAU/Global Aerospace, a worldwide aviation insurer.
Boeing subsidiary Aviall said it was awarded an early renewal of its 10-year Model 250 exclusive worldwide aftermarket agreement with Rolls-Royce. Aviall said the current agreement, which was not scheduled to expire until the end of 2009, will now run until 2019. About 16,000 Model 250 engines are in service worldwide, and Aviall said it supports more than 4,500 customers in 155 countries and a network of 27 Rolls-Royce authorized maintenance centers worldwide.
Joined Globalair.com as the Airport Resource Center coordinator. Cox will be responsible for coordinating communications and data on the line fuel mapping system. She has 10 years of corporate aviation experience, working previously as an aircraft dispatcher for Bombardier Flexjet and Gulfstream. She also held positions at Signature Flight Support and Louisville Executive Aviation.
FAA Administrator Marion Blakey told BA Jan. 8 she hopes to be able to unveil the financial portion of the agency's reauthorization proposal "shortly after" President Bush sends the Administration's overall fiscal 2008 budget package to Congress, which is scheduled for Feb. 5. Asked if the financial portion of the FAA package - which is expected to include significantly higher fuel taxes and new user fees - had won Office of Management and Budget approval yet, Blakey indicated she had a call scheduled to discuss the issue that afternoon.
Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-26709; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-202-AD] - Proposes to require inspecting the carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) main landing gear (MLG) door to determine whether certain part numbers are installed. For airplanes having certain doors, this proposed AD would require inspecting the MLG outboard door for cracks, play, and loose sealant/bolts/nuts, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary.
