EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2005-20512; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-35-AD; Amendment 39-14160; AD 2005-13-23] - supersedes an existing AD that requires inspecting the hydraulic brake hose for crazing, pinching, distortion, or leaks at the torque link hinge and replacing the hose, if necessary. That AD also requires inspecting the hose and the emergency flotation gear pipe to ensure adequate clearance, and adjusting the landing gear leg, if necessary.
ROBINSON Model R22 series helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2005-21679; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-33-AD] - proposes to require replacing each main rotor blade droop and teeter stop and teeter stop bracket and associated hardware with redesigned and improved airworthy parts. This proposal is prompted by an in-flight breakup of a helicopter on which both brackets failed. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the stops and brackets, blade contact with the airframe, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Cessna's Pelton said his company is in the midst of a record year, having booked orders for 753 single-engine aircraft and 158 Citation business jets so far in 2005. As a result, Cessna has a record backlog of some $6 billion. The company has firm orders for about 250 Citation business jets that will be delivered in 2006. Parent company Textron has told analysts its Wichita, Kan. unit will probably deliver between 270 and 290 business jets next year.
SUSAN THOMPSON was promoted to operations manager for Sabreliner Corporation's Independence, Kan. facility. Thompson has served with Sabreliner for nine years and most recently was manager, quality assurance and engineering. In her new role, she will be responsible for day-to-day operations at the facility.
FOKKER Model F27 Mark 200, 400, 500, and 600 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-21683; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-021-AD] - proposes to require a general visual inspection of the rotary knobs for the fuel tank isolation valves to determine if the seal wire has been installed correctly, and corrective actions, if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by investigation of a recent accident, which found that the rotary knobs controlling the fuel tank isolating valves had been in the shut position.
GROB AEROSPACE MAKES FIRST FLIGHT WITH NEW JET - GROB Aerospace, which announced a new business jet program just a month ago (BA, June 20/276), said the aircraft made its first flight July 20.
MODEL 35 LEARJET DAMAGED DURING OVERRUN AT EGE - A Model 35 Gates Learjet was substantially damaged July 15 when it left the runway as the crew was attempting to land at Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) in Eagle, Colo. The tower operator told National Transportation Safety Board investigators that the airplane, N620JM, touched down normally on Runway 29 about 0845 local time. The tower operator said the pilot said something over the radio that caused the operator to look in the direction of the airplane. He saw the Learjet veer off the runway and catch on fire.
TURBOMECA Artouste III series turboshaft engines [Docket No. 99-NE-33-AD] - proposes to supersede an existing AD that requires smoke emission checks after every ground engine shutdown, and if necessary, additional checks and possibly removing the engine from service. That action also requires inspection of central labyrinths not previously inspected, or not replaced after the engine logged 1,500 operating hours, and replacement if necessary. That action also requires the removal of injection wheels at a new lower life limit.
MAJOR HELICOPTER RFP COULD BE ISSUED THIS WEEK - The U.S. Army could release a Request For Proposals for the new Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) program as early as this Tuesday (July 26). The service plans to buy 322 LUH aircraft for homeland security and other missions. In addition, the Army is expected within the next few weeks to pick a contractor for the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter program, where the Bell 407 is pitted against Boeing's Armed Reconnaissance Little Bird.
July 25-31 - Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture, Oshkosh, Wis., (920) 426-4800 August 9-11 - Asian Business Aviation Convention and Exposition ABACE2005, Shanghai, China, (202) 783-9000 September 15 - NBAA Business Aviation Regional Forum, Denver, Colo., www.nbaa.org September 18-21 - Airports Council International-North America, 16th Annual Conference & Exhibition, Metro Toronto Convention Center, Toronto, Ontario, (202) 293-8500, e-mail [email protected]
Summary: This notice contains a summary of certain petitions seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR, dispositions of certain petitions previously received, and corrections. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities.
"We're not pollyannish" about market demand for business jets, Chabraja said, explaining that the companies review a range of economic data including macroeconomic information, Gulfstream's sales logic system and the time between first customer contact and signing of a contract. "All of these indicators right now are very, very good," Chabraja said. See article below.
The first airport-wide Registered Traveler (RT) pilot program opened July 19 at Orlando International Airport with about 4,000 enrollees, said Steve Brill, CEO of Verified Identity Pass, which is running the program. The voluntary program, the first public/private partnership on RT, "is the epitome of risk management," Brill told an Aviation Week Group editorial roundtable on Capitol Hill Tuesday. "It provides a real security benefit by taking some of the hay out of haystack," he said.
LORD Corporation celebrated a 38,000-square-foot addition to its existing 90,000-square-foot facility in Dayton, Ohio, which is one of the primary manufacturing sites for the company's aerospace and defense products. LORD specializes in developing passive and active products for controlling noise and vibration, engineered adhesives and high-performance coatings. Officials say the expansion, which is to be completed in February, will make the operation more efficient by eliminating the need to transport materials between different buildings.
HONEYWELL TFE731-2 and -3 series turbofan engines [Docket No. FAA-2004-18496; Directorate Identifier 2004-NE-04-AD; Amendment 39-14143; AD 2005-13-07] - requires, for Honeywell TFE731-2 and -3 series turbofan engines with certain part numbers (P/Ns) and serial numbers (SNs) of low-pressure (LP) 1st and 2nd Stage turbine rotor discs initially installed, replacing those LP 1st and 2nd stage turbine rotor discs. This AD results from a report of an uncontained failure of an LP 2nd stage turbine rotor disc that resulted in an in-flight engine shutdown.
Daniel Webster College installed upgraded air traffic control simulation equipment at its Nashua, N.H. campus so its air traffic management program can keep pace with the modernization of the National Airspace System. Installed by UFA, Inc., of Woburn, Mass., the ATTower Radar Simulator offers four controller positions with integrated voice recognition, four assistant controller positions, and four supervisor/pilot positions. The positions are equipped with simulated air-to-ground communications capability.
National Transportation Safety Board will be down to three members and lose a significant repository of first-hand safety expertise when Richard F. Healing's resignation as a member takes effect Aug. 1. See article below.
TURBOMECA Arriel 1B, 1D, 1D1 and 1S1 turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2005-21242; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-09-AD] - proposes to require initial and repetitive position checks of the gas generator 2nd stage turbine blades on all Turbomeca Arriel 1B, 1D, 1D1 and 1S1 turboshaft engines, and replacement of 2nd stage turbines on 1B and 1D1 engines only. This proposal is prompted by the release of gas generator 2nd stage turbine blades while in service, with full containment of debris. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent an uncommanded engine in flight shutdown.
Private Jet Mech has expanded its capabilities to offer 24-hour on-call maintenance at more than 100 airports throughout the U.S. The company early last year launched operations to provide aircraft-on-ground or on-call maintenance services through a nationwide network of on-call mobile maintenance providers. That network has grown to include more than 20 providers that can cover more than 100 airports. "For years, people have seen the value of roadside assistance for their cars through companies like AAA," said Private Jet Mech spokesman Kevin Hughes.
ONEX FACILITIES IN WICHITA RENAMED SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS - Canadian conglomerate Onex Corp., which purchased Boeing's commercial manufacturing operations in Wichita, Kan. and Tulsa and McAlester, Okla. in June, has renamed the business Spirit Aerosystems, Inc. The former Boeing facilities had been operating as Mid-Western Aircraft since the sale last month.
Certipath LLC, a joint venture between ARINC, Exostar LLC and SITA SC, has developed a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) bridge software to link international aerospace and defense interests in a secured environment. The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman have signed on as charter customers of the new program, which combines software, encryption technologies and services to protect the security of communications and business transactions on the Web.
