Model 750 Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-26352; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-231-AD; Amendment 39-14830; AD 2006-24-01] - Supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Cessna Model 750 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections for clearance and chafing of an auxiliary power unit (APU) fuel tube assembly in the tail cone area of the airplane, and corrective actions if necessary. For certain airplanes, the existing AD also requires replacing the APU fuel line.
STARTUP European air taxi operator JetBird hired a former NetJets executive to head its operations. Patrick Raftery, who had been operations director for NetJets Europe, now holds the title of operations director for JetBird, which is headquartered in Switzerland. Before joining NetJets Europe three years ago, Raftery spent 13 years as an international manager for British Airways at posts in Europe, Africa and North America. JetBird aims to offer what it describes as the "first low-cost, on-demand private jet service," beginning in 2009.
FIELD AVIATION, a leading Canadian aircraft modification center, won a Supplemental Type Certificate for a new rear door modification system on Dash 8 Series 100, 200 and 300 aircraft. Field said installation of the STC package will permit the twin turboprops to be used for parachute jumping flights. The airborne-operable inward opening cargo door is 50 inches by 60 inches. Field said the Dash 8's high T-tail empennage provides an obstruction-free exit zone for parachute jumpers.
CORPORATE ANGEL NETWORK, the national non-profit organization that arranges free transportation for cancer patients using empty seats on corporate and fractional aircraft, said Friday it was officially classified as a "public charity" by the Internal Revenue Service. CAN's status as a public charity is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2001.
Model TBM 700 Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-26180; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-59-AD] - Proposes to require, unless already done, within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspecting for the batch number identification and replacing defective control cables as necessary in accordance with the Paragraph B. of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS'' of EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Alert Service Bulletin SB 70-123, ATA No. 76, dated October 2004.
The Federal Aviation Administration Friday released the long-awaited proposal to revise the rating system and expand quality programs for repair stations. The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) resurrects two controversial matters the agency stripped out of a comprehensive rewrite of repair station regulations earlier this decade after industry groups objected. The agency instead kept the existing ratings system and tasked an industry-based Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee with developing recommendations for addressing both ratings and quality assurance.
Was appointed head of aviation for Hitachi Capital Business Finance. Latchford will be responsible for expanding the company's financing business in the light aircraft, helicopter and business jet markets. He has more than 11 years of aviation experience, including establishing and running a $45 million commercial aircraft leasing company.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION facilitated the donation of two surplus aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles to Mazar-i-Sharif Airport in northern Afghanistan. The Maryland Aviation Administration and Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport responded to an FAA request, donating two 1988 Oshkosh fire trucks. FAA worked with the Department of Defense and U.S. Navy to ship the trucks to Mazar-i-Sharif
Model TBM 700 Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-26232; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-62-AD] - Proposes to require, unless already done, the following actions.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION has delayed release once again of a new Operations Specification (A008) addressing aircraft operational control issues. The agency had targeted the end of November for release, but now is expected to issue the document this month (BA, Oct. 30/195). An FAA official cited "internal coordination" issues for the delay. Operators are expected to be given 60 days to demonstrate compliance.
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD announced the appointment of John Clark to the post of chief scientist for aeronautical engineering. He had been director of aviation safety for NTSB. Also, Tom Haueter, deputy director of aviation safety, was named acting director of the office. The appointments were announced by NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker. Clark has been with NTSB since 1981, while Haueter joined the agency in 1983.
Jeanne Cook, the chief pilot for Columbia, S.C.-based Bankair, Inc., was elected last month to chair the board of directors of the Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association. She replaces David Corey, the president and CEO of AirNow, whose two-year term recently expired.
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION promoted Jacqueline Rosser to director, regulatory affairs and Lindsey McFarren to manager, regulatory affairs. Rosser joined NATA in 1997 and most recently had served as senior manager, regulatory affairs. Rosser, a graduate of Southern Illinois University, has handled regulatory and security issues affecting the charter industry for the association. McFarren, a graduate of Embry-Riddle University, joined NATA in 2005 as manager, research and special projects.
Starting Jan. 23, citizens of the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Bermuda will be required to present a passport when arriving by air in the U.S. from any part of the Western Hemisphere, the U.S. State and Homeland Security departments announced.
Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) Airplanes and Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-26378; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-230-AD] - Proposes to supersede an existing AD applicable to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) airplanes and Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. These models may be referred to by their marketing designations as RJ100, RJ200, RJ440, CRJ100, CRJ200, CRJ440, and CL-65.
A VETERAN TEST PILOT was killed in Germany last week when the No. 2 prototype of the Grob G180 SPn business jet he was flying crashed during a demonstration flight, putting the immediate future of the program under a cloud. See article on Page 253.
Teterboro, N.J.-based aircraft operators last week continued to hear noise complaints from area residents as they reiterated their promise to honor a series of voluntary restrictions developed by the Teterboro Airport Industry Working Group. The working group, comprising fixed-base operators, aircraft operators, tenants and aviation associations, unveiled a series of initiatives in October to improve safety and community relations at Teterboro Airport (BA, Oct. 9/162).
ENGINE MAKER Rolls-Royce said Friday it has begun "considering options for potential new facilities around the world," with all four of the company's global business sectors - Civil Aerospace, Defense Aerospace, Marine and Energy - having identified growth opportunities. The company said it had issued a Request for Qualifications to eight states - Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. The company has 37,000 employees worldwide, including 8,000 at 66 locations in the U.S. and seven sites in Canada.
Grob Aerospace's second SPn test aircraft crashed Wednesday during a demonstration flight, killing the company's chief test pilot, Captain Gerard Guillaumaud. The aircraft, D-CGSP, crashed shortly after takeoff from Grob's Mattsies-Tussenhausen, Germany facility at 1315 local time. The aircraft, also known as the G-180, was on the second flight of the day.
Opening its doors to the public for the first time on Monday, Nov. 20, Honda Aircraft Company chose the occasion to introduce its recently appointed vice president for international sales, Yoshiaki Ikehata, and to provide visiting reporters with a tour of its Greensboro, N.C. facility. Ikehata was described as multi-lingual, with extensive sales experience globally.
Piper Aircraft realigned its sales territories in the Great Lakes and Western regions. Long-time Piper dealers Muncie Aircraft Sales and Des Moines Flying Service will help represent the Great Lakes region. Muncie will be responsible for Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and southern Illinois and Des Moines Flying Service will cover the Chicago area, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minneapolis, eastern North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska. Piper also added Central California and Hawaii sales and service to the coverage area of Southern California Piper.
Columbia Aircraft delivered its 500th aircraft, a Columbia 350, to Sherry Nesbitt Gettinger, during the Aircraft Owner and Pilot Association's Expo this month in Palm Springs, Calif. Eight years ago Columbia was presented with the FAA type certificate for its first aircraft, the Columbia 300, during the 1998 AOPA Expo, which also was held in Palm Springs.
