Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 and 440) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-23936; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-215-AD] - proposes to require an inspection of the manufacturer's date code on certain electrical relays to identify defective Leach TDH-series electrical relays and replacement of identified relays. This proposed AD results from a report of defective electrical relays affecting emergency equipment.
Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ airplanes [Docket No. 2002-NM-172-AD; Amendment 39-14488; AD 2006-04-07] - requires installation of a linear fluid-filled damper between each elevator surface and the airplane structure on both the left and right sides of the airplane, along with related structural and system modifications. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent pitch oscillation (vertical bouncing) of the fuselage due to excessive ice buildup on the elevator servo tab, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
Avidyne Corp. has developed a new series of traffic surveillance systems for helicopters. The TAS600 series Heads Up Audible Position Alerting systems provide target position and range through dual, small-footprint antennas. The systems also provide intruder squawk codes and N-numbers of Mode S-equipped aircraft. The TAS600 is priced at $9,990 and targets light piston-powered helicopters with a seven-nautical-mile range, a 3,500-foot vertical separation maximum and a 18,500-foot service ceiling.
The Cape Town Convention - which became effective March 1 - will have a positive effect on aircraft-backed debt and leases in the long term but won't change ratings in the short term, Standard & Poor's said. So far, the U.S. and eight smaller nations have ratified the Cape Town Convention, which creates an international electronic registry of interests and lien-holders on aircraft, and provides remedies for lessors or creditors in the event of default or insolvency.
Operators of Gulfstream IV and V aircraft are being told to revise the Limitations section of the Airplane Flight Manuals so flightcrews will have "new procedures to follow in the event that the cockpit displays go blank or malfunction." FAA said it received a report that all four of the cockpit flight panel display units "simultaneously went blank during flight." A Gulfstream spokesman told BA Friday there have been "a couple of instances" like that involving the Planeview Honeywell Primus Epic avionics systems in the aircraft.
Honeywell is introducing a new dual-centrifugal compressor to its HTS900 turboshaft engine model. The compressor will increase thermodynamic power capability, reduce fuel consumption and allow future engine growth. Honeywell expects FAA certification in the first half of 2007. The HTS900 was selected to power the Bell 417, which will be used for the U.S. Army Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter program.
Appointed director of aircraft asset management for The NORDAM Group. Beair previously spent 15 years managing production and inventory controls for American Airlines. He also served with Rockwell International for seven years in quality assurance and production control.
Bell Helicopter Textron is developing a follow-on to the Bell 407 single-engine helicopter with improved performance and payload. "The Bell 417 is our answer to the customers' demand for a powerful single-engine helicopter with unmatched hot and high hover capability," said Bell CEO Mike Redenbaugh. The 417 will be powered by a Honeywell HTS900 turbine engine that produces more than 970 shaft horsepower with a new full authority digital electronic control system and dual electronic control units.
CF34-1A, -3A, -3A1, -3A2, -3B, and -3B1 series turbofan engines [Docket No. FAA-2004-18648; Directorate Identifier 2004-NE-26-AD; Amendment 39-14494; AD 2006-04-12] - supersedes an existing AD that requires initial and repetitive visual inspections and eddy current inspections (ECIs) of certain Stage 5 low-pressure turbine (LPT) disks and Stage 6 LPT disks installed in GE CF34-3A1 and -3B1 series turbofan engines that power certain Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet airplanes.
Eclipse Aviation last week began production of the first customer Eclipse 500 jet. David Crowe, who is buying the first Eclipse VLJ, was on hand for the ceremonial launch of production. He expects to take delivery of his aircraft this summer. Eclipse is working toward FAA certification of the VLJ in the second quarter.
Flightworks added three aircraft to its charter fleet in January. The latest additions were a Citation 560 Excel, a Beechjet 400A, and a Westwind II. All three aircraft are based at McCollum Field, near Atlanta.
Elliott Aviation this month will take delivery of its first Socata TBM 850 turboprop. The Moline, Ill.-based fixed-base operation chain was named an authorized service center and distributor for Socata in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and Nebraska. The TBM 850 is the recently certified follow-on to the Socata TBM 700 single-turboprop aircraft. The 850 is powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6 A66-D engine, which gives the aircraft a cruise speed of 320 knots at Flight Level 260 in ISA conditions.
Two engine makers last week were bullish in their predictions for the civil helicopter market over the next decade, forecasting deliveries of up to 6,000 helicopters through 2016. Honeywell, which primarily focused on the next five years, predicted civil helicopter sales to be at least 15 percent greater between 2006 and 2010 than they were between 2001 and 2005. Nearly 6,000 new civil helicopters will be sold in the 11 years between 2006 and 2016, Honeywell predicted.
Model GIV-X and GV-SP series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-23966; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-024-AD; Amendment 39-14495; AD 2006-04-13] - requires revising the Limitations section of the Airplane Flight Manual by incorporating new procedures to follow in the event that the cockpit displays go blank or malfunction. This AD results from a report that all four of the cockpit flight panel display units simultaneously went blank during flight.
Boeing unit Alteon Training broke ground on a new $61.2 million (U.S.) regional training center in Singapore. Located near Changi Airport, the 7,000-square-meter center will be large enough to train 6,000 pilots and flight attendants annually.
Safe Flight Instrument Corporation is working with Trans Helicopter Service (THS) of Paris, France to obtain European Aviation Safety Agency certification for the Powerline Detection System (PDS) aboard a Eurocopter AS 355. THS will market and distribute the PDS following certification, and Safe Flight is negotiating with two European insurance companies for insurance discounts as well as with Eurocopter of France for installation and support. The system already is distributed in the U.S., Scandinavia, South Africa and Brazil.
The Air Transport Association this week is scheduled to unveil its own proposal for financing the FAA, a package that for the first time will have the endorsement of all ATA airlines - not just the legacy carriers. Southwest Chairman Herb Kelleher told an audience at the FAA Forecast Conference last week that the airlines have all agreed to support an ATA proposal for implementing user fees. Kelleher said the proposal will have a "straightforward funding mechanism" that will not be anti-competitive.
Flight Explorer released the latest version of its Professional Edition flight management decision support software. Version 6.0 includes upgrades in the routing, weather prediction, and air traffic and airport congestion awareness capabilities. Flight Explorer Professional 6.0 enables users to import and display company and preferred routes with current and predicted weather and air traffic overlays. The software also provides access to predicted graphical weather scenarios six hours ahead and forecasts anticipated traffic at an airport.
Adam Aircraft signed a letter of intent to form a strategic partnership with Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd. ST Aerospace will provide engineering, logistics, maintenance, repair and overhaul support for both Adam's A500 twin-piston and A700 twin jet. The agreement also includes options for ST Aerospace to invest up to $50 million in the startup aircraft maker, which is headquartered at Centennial Airport (APA) in Englewood, Colo. The option is exercisable within seven years.
Reciprocating engine cylinder assemblies [Docket No. FAA-2005-22358; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-20-AD] - proposes to supersede an existing AD for Lycoming Engines Models 320, 360, and 540 series, "Parallel Valve'' reciprocating engines, with ECi cylinder assemblies, Part Number (P/N) AEL65102 series "Classic Cast,'' installed. That AD currently requires replacing these ECi cylinder assemblies. This proposed AD would require the same actions, but would replace the "Engine Models'' Table 1 and "Engines Installed On, But Not Limited To'' Table 2 with corrected tables.
General Aviation lobbyists are hoping Congress will suspend implementation of a new tax law that requires aviation jet fuel vendors to pay the higher diesel fuel tax rate and then apply for a refund for the difference between the highway fuel tax and aviation fuel tax. IRS started enforcing the rules early this year, and some vendors have found the agency was threatening to audit companies seeking refunds. Other vendors say IRS officials are demanding that vendors post a bond before refund requests are processed - in case the IRS wants to reclaim the refund later.
