The Federal Aviation Administration delayed for six months a rule that would expand the scope of the agency's drug- and alcohol-testing program. The FAA action comes less than a month after the Aeronautical Repair Station Association filed suit in federal court to block implementation of the rule.
EMB-120 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-24120; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-021-AD] - proposes to require replacing the protective tubes and conduits of the wiring harnesses of the refueling vent and pilot valves with non-conductive hoses; modifying the harness wiring and supports; and rerouting the harnesses to prevent interference with adjacent strobe light connectors; as applicable. This proposed AD results from a fuel system review conducted by the manufacturer.
AEIO-360, IO-360, O-360, LIO-360, and LO-360 series reciprocating engines [Docket No. FAA-2005-23269; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-50-AD; Amendment 39-14525; AD 2006-06-16] - requires replacing certain crankshafts. This AD results from a crankshaft failure in a Lycoming LO-360-A1H6 reciprocating engine. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the crankshaft, which could result in total engine power loss, in-flight engine failure, and possible loss of the aircraft. An estimated 282 engines installed on aircraft on the U.S. Registry would be affected by this AD.
Joins Midcoast Aviation as southeast regional sales manager. Eldredge will be based in Atlanta and responsible for Midcoast sales and customer service in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida and South Carolina. Eldredge, who has 25 years of aviation industry experience, formerly was national director of sales and marketing for Raytheon Aircraft Services and general manager of Raytheon's Fulton County, Ga. fixed-base operation in Atlanta. He also spent 13 years managing operations, sales and engine programs for Sabreliner Corp. and its Premier Turbines division.
CAN YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE between a Cessna 185 Skywagon, a Helio Courier and a Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter at first glance? If not, you may need the just published third edition of A Field Guide To Airplanes. Designed to help airplane watchers identify aircraft by type and model, the 304-page paperback contains information on more than 400 factory-built civil and military aircraft, including more than 80 added since the second edition was published in 1992.
AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION named Greg Pecoraro vice president of regional affairs. Pecoraro will oversee AOPA activities at the state and local levels, including working with 13 regional representatives and the AOPA Airport Support Network. Formerly vice president of a Washington-based consulting firm, Pecoraro has a background in public service.
Landmark Aviation acquired Corporate Jets, Inc. of Scottsdale, Ariz., the second FBO Landmark purchased this year. "Scottsdale is a strategic acquisition for Landmark Aviation in a key market, expanding our maintenance, repair and overhaul and FBO network throughout North America," said Roger Wolfe, chief executive officer. The Scottsdale facility is an authorized service center for Pratt & Whitney and Honeywell engines and it also holds a Part 135 certificate with a number of Bombardier and Learjet business jets on that certificate.
Model DHC-8-301, -311, and -315 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20628; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-51-AD; Amendment 39-14529; AD 2006-07-02 - requires replacing the pressure control valve of the Type 1 emergency door. This AD results from reports that the pressure control valve of the Type 1 emergency door is susceptible to freezing. FAA is issuing this AD to ensure that the pressure control valve does not freeze and prevent the door seal from deflating, which could result in the inability to open the door in an emergency.
The Federal Aviation Administration extended through Oct. 28, 2006 the reservation system in place at Chicago O'Hare International Airport for business aviation and other unscheduled operations. The reservation system was first implemented as a "voluntary" program in November 2004 and later was formally mandated through the July 8, 2005 release of Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 105. In addition to implementing a reservation system, SFAR 105 essentially caps the number of unscheduled operations at O'Hare.
KOHLMAN SYSTEMS RESEARCH won a contract to support Duncan Aviation's reduced vertical separation minima certification program for three Norwegian Air Force Falcon 20 aircraft. Kohlman will be responsible for flight tests to ensure air data and autopilot systems are RVSM-compliant as well as to generate the required static source error correction. Kohlman will develop the approval data package that includes the flight test report, compliance report, initial and continued airworthiness report and airplane flight manual supplement.
REGIONAL AIR CARGO CARRIERS ASSOCIATION will hold its 2006 Spring Conference June 5-7 at the Wichita Hyatt Regency Hotel in Wichita, Kan. For more information, visit RACCA's Web site at www.raccaonline.org.
Gulfstream Aerospace signed an agreement with FlightSafety International for FSI to provide aircraft systems training to technicians working at any of Gulfstream's worldwide network of 14 authorized maintenance facilities.
Model ATR 72 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-21909; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-059-AD; Amendment 39-14521; AD 2006-06-12] - Requires a one-time general visual inspection for contamination of the surface of the upper arms of the main landing gear (MLG) secondary side brace assemblies; and repetitive eddy current inspections for cracking of the upper arms, and related specified and corrective actions, if necessary. This AD also mandates eventual replacement of aluminum upper arms with steel upper arms, which would end the repetitive inspections.
Three of the world's largest aircraft leasing companies issued a stern warning last week to U.S. legacy airlines that they shouldn't expect any more discounts, deals or bailouts in the future, as the leasing giants have lost confidence in the U.S. carriers and would rather deal with customers in other parts of the world. ILFC CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy, GE Commercial Aviation Services CEO Henry Hubschman and Aviation Capital Group co-founder Stephen Hannahs issued those warnings during a meeting of the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading in Orlando.
April 4-10 - Experimental Aircraft Association Sun 'n' Fun Fly-In, Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, Lakeland, Fla., (920) 426-4800 May 3-5 - European Business Aviation Association Convention and Exposition EBACE2006, Geneva, Switzerland, (202) 783-9000 May 9-11 - Flight Safety Foundation/National Business Aviation Association Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar, Phoenix, Ariz., (202) 783-9000 May 17-19 - National Aircraft Finance Association 35th Annual Conference, St. Regis Resort, Laguna Niguel, Calif., (410) 571-1740
Model EMB-135 Airplanes and Model EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20728; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-003-AD; Amendment 39-14527; AD 2006-07-01] -- Requires replacing the horizontal stabilizer control unit (HSCU) with a modified and reidentified or new, improved HSCU. For certain airplanes, this AD also requires related concurrent actions as necessary. This AD is prompted by reports of loss of the pitch trim system due to a simultaneous failure of both channels of the HSCU.
Eight months of negotiations between FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association erupted into accusations and finger-pointing Friday afternoon, following a morning meeting between representatives of the two parties and a mediator.
Embraer won a contract from Royal Jordanian Airlines for seven Embraer 195s. The airliners will be configured in a two-class layout and can seat up to 100 passengers. Royal Jordanian will use the aircraft for its routes to the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Royal Jordanian is the launch customer in the Middle East for the Embraer 195. Certification is expected in mid-2006. The Embraer 195 in one of four new aircraft in Embraer's 170/190 family that seat between 70 and 118 passengers.
Raytheon Aircraft Corp. is realigning its top management structure in the wake of the departure of one senior executive for another position within the corporation. Ed Dolanski, who was brought in to overhaul RAC's customer service and support organizations, is moving to a position with Raytheon's Network Centric Systems leadership team, where he will be vice president of information technology and chief information officer.
Bombardier last week reported profits of $249 million for the fiscal year ending in January, a significant improvement from a loss of $85 million the previous year. Revenues fell from $4.7 billion a year ago to $4 billion in the 12 months ended Jan. 31 as airliner deliveries fell. The company said increased business aircraft and turboprop deliveries compensated for declining regional jet deliveries. Business jet deliveries were up 45 percent to 186 from 128, while regional plane deliveries dropped 26 percent to 149.
Former FAA Official Sharon L. Pinkerton on Friday was named vice president of government affairs for the Air Transport Association, reporting directly to President and CEO James May. As assistant administrator for aviation policy, planning and environment at FAA, Pinkerton was heavily involved in developing reauthorization and funding proposals (BA, March 27/137). Through its www.smartskies.org initiative, ATA is advocating adoption of a user-fee system to fund the Airport and Airway Trust Fund.
Elliott Aviation promoted Donald Jay to chief operating officer. Jay formerly was vice president of branch and flight operations, managing operations at Elliott Aviation's facilities at Flying Cloud Regional Airport in Eden Prairie, Minn., Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Neb., Des Moines International Airport and Quad Cities International Airport in Moline, Ill. He also managed the company's air taxi operations. Jay joined the company in 1989 as director of customer service and was named vice president and general manager at Des Moines in 1991.
The Senate last week adopted the lobbying reform bill 90-8, but left out an amendment by Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) that would require senators who travel on private aircraft to reimburse the owner of the aircraft the fair market value of the flight based on either the charter or rental rate (BA, March 13/115). Current Senate rules allow senators to reimburse airplane owners at a rate equivalent to a comparable first-class ticket.
Model ERJ 170 Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-23475; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-117-AD; Amendment 39-14518; AD 2006-06-09] - Requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM) to include new, specific maintenance tasks related to the incorporation of a new horizontal stabilizer actuator. This AD also requires revising the ALS of the AMM to include revised repetitive inspection intervals for certain tasks in the maintenance plan related to the aileron and flap/slat flight controls system.
Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-24204; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-178-AD] - Proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain BAE Systems Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ airplanes. The existing AD currently requires a one-time inspection to detect corrosion of the flap structure and machined ribs, corrective actions if necessary, and reprotection of the rib boss bores.
