MU-2B series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-23884; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-13-AD] - Proposes to require flight checks of the rigging of the engine and propeller systems. This proposed AD results from a recent safety evaluation that used a data-driven approach to evaluate the design, operation, and maintenance of the MU-2B series airplanes in order to determine their safety and define what steps, if any, are necessary for their safe operation.
THE TETERBORO AIRPORT working group has been developing a timeline for implementing many of the recommendations it crafted to improve safety, security and community relations at the New Jersey airport (BA, April 24/185). The working group still has not publicly rolled out those recommendations, and members have continued to meet with officials from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as well as local politicians to discuss the proposals. While the PANYNJ has appeared upbeat about the recommendations, local politicians have given them a lukewarm reception.
U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS officials last week arrested five Cessna Aircraft workers for immigration violations. Cessna management notified the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office of possible documentation discrepancies, and ICE said it determined that the documents were fraudulent and that the workers were illegally living and working in the U.S. "Cessna management followed proper procedures," said Pete Baird, assistant special agent-in-charge of ICE Office of Investigations in Kansas City, Mo., in a statement.
A Chinese manufacturer already producing components for the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter may become a second source for S-76 airframes under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by representatives of the two firms last week.
JET SUPPORT SERVICES, INC. (JSSI) developed Tip-to-Tail hourly maintenance cost guarantee programs for the Adam A500 twin-piston and A700 AdamJet aircraft. The programs, developed in concert with the Colorado-based airframe manufacturer, mark the first JSSI cost-guaranteed product for a very light jet as well as the first hourly maintenance program to include complete airframe and engine coverage for a twin-engine piston aircraft. The programs will be offered in three- and five-year increments.
ARINC won a contract from Atlantic Southeast Airlines to provide air/ground communications services. ARINC will provide digital data link service through the ARINC GLOBALink/VHF network using the VDLM2 protocol. ARINC will manage ASA's air/ground and ground/ground operational messages through a Web-based OpCenter. The contract also calls for ARINC to integrate several paperless data applications, including ground maintenance data collection and weight-and-balance applications.
The Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association formally asked FAA last month to let its airline members continue using Mode C transponders in their aircraft until next-generation ADS-B units become available at reduced prices.
Appointed outside sales representative in the Southeast region for Greenville, S.C. air taxi SATSair. Sterrett previously served with two companies he helped found - InCounter, LLC and InFlx LLC.
MILLION AIR TETERBORO has renamed itself Meridian as part of an ongoing effort to consolidate its operations at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. The fixed-base operation changed its name, effective June 1, to Meridian Teterboro and the aircraft maintenance division became Meridian Jet Center. The company also is adding new logos and signage. The rebranding comes as the company moves into its new 33,000-square-foot headquarters and FBO facility. A new 40,000-square-foot hangar and maintenance shop are slated for completion in October.
ATR handed over the first of seven new ATR 42-500 aircraft to Pakistan International Airlines under a contract valued at $100 million (U.S.) that was announced in November. PIA, the flag carrier of Pakistan, will take delivery of the next two aircraft in November and December and the remaining four early next year. The regional turboprop aircraft will replace PIA's aging F-27 aircraft fleet.
Named manager of public relations for American Eurocopter LLC. Prickett will oversee internal/employee communications, media relations, writing, community relations, and special events promotions/publicity. He formerly served as manager of public relations for Promotional Products Association International in Irving, Texas. He held similar positions with Meeting Professionals International and Consumer Credit Counseling Services.
Model MD900 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2006-24631; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-01-AD] - Proposes superseding an existing AD that currently requires reducing the life limit of certain Notar fan system tension-torsion (TT) straps. That AD also requires, at a specified time interval, removing each affected TT strap from the helicopter, doing a visual and X-ray inspection, and replacing any unairworthy part before further flight.
Type certification of the Hawker 4000 business jet fell so far behind schedule that manufacturer Raytheon Aircraft Company has been forced to seek an extension from FAA because the process has taken more than five years. An FAA spokeswoman confirmed Friday that applicants for type certificates must complete the process within five years. RAC hit the five-year mark on the 4000 on Wednesday, necessitating a request for an extension. FAA officials were considering that request last week and it was unclear how long it may be before the agency responds.
Named assistant airport manager for Ontario International Airport in California. Ellis has more than 17 years of experience with Los Angeles World Airports and has been acting manager at Ontario since April 2005. He previously served as assistant airport manager, chief of airfield operations, landside operations manager and airport operations coordinator.
The National Transportation Safety Board was down to just three members last week - the minimum number to constitute a quorum - following the departure May 31 of Ellen Engleman Conners, who announced her resignation from the board last month.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION has been denying exemption requests for several months from operators who want to keep using Mode C transponders instead of replacing them with the more expensive Mode S version. Now one group is asking FAA to let its members stick with Mode C transponders until more advanced ADS-B units are available.
W.W. (Bill) Boisture, a well-traveled business aviation executive, signed on last week to "help identify attractive investments in the aerospace, defense and business services sector" for The Carlyle Group, in Washington, D.C. The firm bills itself as "the leading private equity investor in the aerospace and defense industries" over the past decade, having completed 23 transactions representing a combined purchase price of more than $7.4 billion. Those deals have involved Aviall, Avio SpA, Stellex Aerostructures and United Defense Industries, among others.
Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes [Docket No. 2003-NM-233-AD; Amendment 39-14585; AD 2006-10-01] - Supersedes an existing AD requiring installation of protective tape on the fire and overheat control unit located in the flight compartment. This amendment requires the installation of protective tape and adds repetitive inspections to check the condition of the protective tape, and related corrective action.
Reciprocating engine connecting rods [Docket No. FAA-2005-21331; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-07-AD; Amendment 39-14605; AD 2006-10-21] - Requires, for certain Lycoming 360 and 540 series reciprocating engines with ECi connecting rods, Part Number (P/N) AEL11750, installed, replacing certain lot and serial numbered connecting rods, P/N AEL11750, having forging Part Number AEL11488. This AD also would prohibit installing certain ECi connecting rods, P/N AEL11750, into any Lycoming 360 or 540 series reciprocating engines.
CARMANAH received an order from Chicago O'Hare International Airport for A601 solar-powered LED red barricade lights. The lights are designed to provide low-intensity nighttime marking. Chicago O'Hare first installed Carmanah aviation lights three years ago, and Carmanah estimated that the lights have saved the airport thousands of dollars in maintenance and battery costs.
SCHUBACH AVIATION added two CitationJet 1s to its charter fleet. In addition to the CJ1s, Schubach Aviation operates a fleet of 12 aircraft - a Challenger 601, three King Air 200s, a King Air 90, a Citation 1SP, two Learjet 35s, one Learjet 55, two Hawker Fanjets, and a Hawker 800.
Named completions sales manager for Elliott Aviation. Zimmerman will promote Elliott's completions capability at the company's Quad Cities International Airport facility. Zimmerman joined Elliott in 2005 and served as interiors manager. He has more than 30 years of corporate aviation experience, including 17 years as interior and cabinet shop manager at Raytheon Aircraft Services in Houston and San Antonio.
