Turbomeca Arrius Models 2B, 2B1, and 2F turboshaft engines [Docket No. 2000-NE-12-AD; Amendment 39-14423; AD 2001-08-14R1] - revises an existing AD that currently requires replacing the right injector half manifold, left injector half manifold, and privilege injector pipe. This AD requires the same actions, but relaxes the compliance time for the repetitive replacements on Arrius 2F engines. This AD results from Turbomeca relaxing the repetitive replacement interval for Arrius 2F engine fuel nozzles based on review of returned fuel nozzles to Turbomeca.
Kent State University took delivery of two Cessna Skyhawk aircraft equipped with Garmin G1000 glass cockpits from Eastern Cincinnati Aviation, a Cessna Sales Team Authorized Representative (CSTAR). Kent State said the addition of the Skyhawks is the second phase of modernizing the university's training aircraft fleet. The new aircraft will help students transition to Kent State's Bridge Program with Continental Express, the university said.
Canadian investigators are attempting to determine what caused the engine in a Cessna Caravan to lose power last month, resulting in a deadly off-field landing.
The National Transportation Safety Board is urging the Federal Aviation Administration to make a number of changes to strengthen medevac rules, including requiring that positioning flights be conducted under Part 135. The recommendations stem from a report investigating 55 emergency medical service (EMS) accidents between January 2002 and January 2005. "The very essence of the EMS mission is saving lives. Operating an EMS flight in an unsafe environment just makes no sense," said acting NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker.
David Bowen was named chief information officer for the Federal Aviation Administration. Bowen, who spent the past five years as senior vice president and chief information officer at Blue Shield, previously was senior vice president of information management and chief information officer at Catholic Healthcare West.
Federal Aviation Administration officials, who have indicated that they want to divert funds from certification staff and cut services, acknowledge that their budget decisions are taking a toll on manufacturers' certification programs (BA, Jan. 30/42). In the agency's fiscal 2005 Annual Performance Report, the Aircraft Certification Service stated that staff reductions have led to "some work being delayed or not accomplished at all." The result, the agency said, "is a decline in work quality and timeliness.
Avidyne Corp. teamed with AirShares Elite to offer a free seminar to help pilots transition to using the features of the Avidyne Entegra integrated flight deck. The seminar, set for Feb. 9 at the Jet Aviation hangar at Hanscom Airport outside Boston, will introduce operators to glass cockpit features as well as Avidyne's latest Entegra upgrade, which displays new satellite weather products. Attendees will be able to view the Entegra functions on the Cirrus SR22 and SR20 aircraft. AirShares Elite sells shares in Cirrus aircraft.
Jet Source Inc. won a contract valued at $2 million to complete four American Eurocopter AS350B-3 helicopters for the San Diego Police Department (SDPD). The A-Stars will replace a 38-year-old Bell 206, which Jet Source said is the nation's oldest police helicopter, along with three other older helicopters. Jet Source will install a law enforcement equipment package that will be night vision goggle-capable and include a thermal imaging system, an Aero Computers moving map, a custom designed command radio suite, and a customized instrument panel per SDPD specifications.
Dassault Falcon 2000 and Falcon 2000EX airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2006-23716; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-008-AD; Amendment 39-14466; AD 2006-03-02] - requires an inspection for damage of the feeder cables, and corrective actions if necessary, and installation of a protective plate on the feeder cables. For certain airplanes, this AD also requires re-routing the wiring on the cockpit protector, drilling holes in the cockpit protector, and clamping the feeder cables, as applicable.
FlightWorks, an Atlanta, Ga.-based aircraft management company, added a second Gulfstream 450 to its charter fleet. The jet seats up to 14 passengers and has a range of 4,385 nautical miles. FlightWorks late last year began managing the first G450 - one of six aircraft added to FlightWorks' fleet in the fourth quarter.
Turbomeca Arriel 1B, 1D, 1D1, and 1S1 turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2005-21242; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-09-AD; Amendment 39-14460; AD 2006-02-08] - requires initial and repetitive position checks of the gas generator second stage turbine blades on all Turbomeca Arriel 1B, 1D, 1D1, and 1S1 turboshaft engines, and initial and repetitive replacements of second stage turbines on 1B, 1D, and 1D1 engines only. This AD results from reports of the release of gas generator second stage turbine blades while in service, with full containment of debris.
Aerospace Industries Association President and CEO John Douglass thinks there has been "spotty" progress in implementing the recommendations of the Aerospace Commission, which delivered its final report in late 2002, although he believes the commission has had a greater impact than most.
Congress won't have a lot of time for taking care of business this year because of an early fall adjournment for election campaigning. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) wants to adjourn Oct. 6, leaving only 130 working days between now and then, says Frist's budget and appropriations adviser, G. William Hoagland.
A strong market for Cessna's Citation jets and Raytheon Aircraft Company's (RAC) Hawker and King Air lines led the two companies to combine for a $1.44 billion jump in sales in 2005. Cessna reported $3.48 billion in revenues in 2005, compared with $2.47 billion the year earlier. Operating profits at Cessna increased from $267 million to $457 million in 2005. Textron, Cessna's parent company, attributed the strong results to the volume of Citation sales, higher pricing and a growth in aftermarket revenues.
Cessna Aircraft added a third Citation Mustang to the flight test program. The third Mustang, S/N 2, flew for the first time Jan. 27 for 90 minutes. The aircraft joins the first production aircraft and a Mustang prototype in the development and certification flight test program. Cessna hopes to secure FAA certification of its newest and smallest business jet late this year. S/N 2 will be used for systems certification, reliability tests and post-certification service tests.
Federal investigators are attempting to determine how an Agusta A109E helicopter tore itself apart on the ground while the pilot was attempting to taxi the aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration is seeking $840,000 in civil penalties from Cessna Aircraft Company for a series of manufacturing and quality control problems FAA inspectors documented during a visit early last year to the manufacturer's light, single-engine aircraft assembly facility in Independence, Kan.
Bombardier Aerospace handed over the first of seven Bombardier Q400 turboprops to Australian carrier Qantas Airways. The 72-seat aircraft is slated to make its first revenue flight from Brisbane to Rockhampton Feb. 26. Qantas also will operate the aircraft between Brisbane and Mackay. In addition to the Q400, Qantas operates 43 aircraft, including 33 Bombardier turboprops.
The Senate Commerce Committee on March 28 plans to hold the first of a series of hearings to review the FAA budget and the future of the aviation trust fund, says Chairman Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). Stevens also told an American Bar Association aviation conference he is developing legislative proposals for bonds to raise money to upgrade the air traffic control system.
The acquisition of Midcoast Aviation from the Sabreliner Corp. will boost Jet Aviation's annual revenues by about one-third, officials said last week, confirming that the Europe-based FBO chain and aircraft modification firm will buy St. Louis, Mo.-based Midcoast (BA, Jan. 30/41).
Pacific Aerospace Model 750XL airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-23473; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-54-AD; Amendment 39-14451; AD 2005-26-53] - requires the insertion of text into the Limitations Section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) that reduces the maximum takeoff weight from 7,500 pounds to 7,125 pounds. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the airworthiness authority for New Zealand. FAA is issuing this AD to reduce the maximum takeoff weight that will allow wing ultimate load requirements to be met.
Liberty Aerospace received an order from LAFT, LLC, a Montana-based aircraft leasing company, for 35 Liberty XL2 aircraft. LAFT, which specializes in acquiring aircraft for flight training academies and schools, said the XL2 "meets the demand for a cost-effective, technically advanced aircraft ideally suited for a large training environment." Powered by a Continental IOF 240-B 125-horsepower engine equipped with a full authority digital engine control, the XL2 can cruise at up to 132 knots while burning just five gallons of fuel per hour.
BizJet International tapped FirstFlight Management at Elmira Corning Regional Airport in New York as a service center for its customers in that part of the country. The agreement will enable BizJet to offer services to customers on the East Coast without necessitating travel to BizJet's base in Tulsa, Okla., BizJet executives said. FirstFlight provides a range of aircraft maintenance, including engine changes, major inspections, structural repairs and modifications.
Rolls-Royce Models 250-C30, 250-C40, and 250-C47 series turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2005-23392; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-47-AD] - proposes to add an additional life limit for third- and fourth-stage turbine wheels. This proposed AD results from analysis by RRC of failures of third- and fourth-stage turbine wheels. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent loss of power, possible engine shutdown, or uncontained failure. An estimated 1,300 engines installed on airplanes on the U.S. Registry would be affected by this AD at a cost to U.S. operators of $3.6 million.
