HONEYWELL REORGANIZATION WILL COST 2,000 JOBS - Honeywell Aerospace officials said the reorganization launched last month by new President and CEO Rob Gillette will entail the elimination of some 2,000 jobs. Gillette's objective is to streamline the business and eliminate some management layers that he concluded interfered with the company/customer interface. Aerospace is being reorganized into three divisions: Air Transport/Regional; Business and General Aviation; and Defense and Space (BA, June 6/255).
DOT ADDS FOUR AIRPORTS TO MILITARY AIRPORT PROGRAM - The Department of Transportation chose four former military airports to enter the department's Military Airport Program, Secretary Norman Mineta announced earlier this month. Williams Gateway in Mesa, Ariz.; Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Fla.; Guam in Agana, Guam; and Rickenbacker in Columbus, Ohio, will receive funds for three years to further develop as civilian facilities. The number of airports participating in MAP now totals 15.
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer won certification last week for its Embraer 170 and 175 airliners from Transport Canada Civil Aviation, the Canadian certification authority. The approval clears the way for Embraer to begin delivery of the first of 15 Embraer 175s ordered by Air Canada. The 170 (70-78 seats) and the 175 (78-86 seats) won certification earlier from government agencies in Brazil, the U.S. and Europe.
AUTOMATION COMPANIES TEAM FOR NEW MANUFACTURING PROCESSES - Kuka Robotics Corp. of Clinton Township, Mich., has joined forces with six other automation companies to develop new manufacturing processes for the aerospace industry. The industry needs to reduce production time by using new generations of flexible robots, sensors and "intelligent fixturing," the company said July 7.
MICHAEL YOUNG was named co-chair of ARINC Engineering Services (AES). Young has been vice president of AES since 2004, directing the Aircraft and Weapons Systems unit.
CUSTOMER DEMAND DRIVING PRODUCTION BOOST AT GULFSTREAM - A growing backlog of orders for its business jet models is forcing Gulfstream Aerospace to increase aircraft production, according to Nicholas Chabraja, chairman of Gulfstream parent General Dynamics.
SHORT BROTHERS Model SD3-60 airplanes [Docket No. 2003-NM-127-AD; Amendment 39-14168; AD 2005-13-31] - requires performing repetitive inspections of the shear attachment fittings of the vertical stabilizer for corrosion, and performing corrective actions if necessary. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct corrosion in the area of the main spar web fittings of the vertical stabilizer, which could reduce structural integrity of the vertical stabilizer.
TURBOMECA Arriel 2B turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2005-21624; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-17-AD; Amendment 39-14162; AD 2005-13-25] - requires initial and repetitive inspections, cleaning, lubrication, and checks for proper operation of the HMU acceleration controller axle. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent loss of control of engine fuel flow in manual control mode or mixed control mode, leading to engine overspeed and in-flight engine shutdown, or uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown. Effective date was July 11, but FAA will accept comments until Aug. 23.
ADELLE PIERCE was appointed co-chair of ARINC Incorporated's defense subsidiary ARINC Engineering Services (AES). Pierce has served as vice president of the Defense System Engineering unity within AES since 2004. She is responsible for the Navy Engineering, Army, Advanced Applications and Advanced Space Divisions.
Aug. 18 is the date when qualified flight departments may begin submitting applications to the Transportation Security Administration seeking approval to conduct flights into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). TSA finally published in the Federal Register its Interim Final Rule July 19 detailing procedures for non-airlines to meet security requirements for flights into DCA, which has been closed to non-airline traffic since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Comments on the IFR may be submitted through Sept.
RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT Model 390 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-21410; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-31-AD] -- proposes to require replacing the rudder pedal arm assemblies used in the rudder control system with improved parts. This proposed AD results from reports of cracks found on the rudder pedal arm assemblies. FAA is issuing this proposed AD to prevent failure of the rudder pedal arm assemblies caused by fatigue cracks. This failure could lead to loss of rudder control, loss of nose gear steering, and loss of toe brakes on the side on which the failure occurs.
This week's Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis. will feature displays and presentations by a number of companies on the verge of getting new aircraft and powerplants into the market. Eclipse Aviation has four test aircraft flying and expects to win FAA certification for its Eclipse 500 Very Light Jet (VLJ) by the end of March. Cessna Aircraft Chairman Jack Pelton plans to fly a new Cessna Mustang to Oshkosh. And HondaJet, which has been guarded in disclosing details about its new aircraft and engine, will show off both.
CHRIS BECKER was promoted from director of flight testing to vice president of flight operations for Meggitt/S-TEC of Mineral Wells, Texas. Becker, who has more than 28 years of flight and aviation management experience, is responsible for leading S-TEC's flight test team, including pilots, engineers and technicians. He also will supervise all certification flight testing, STC design and development, customer aircraft service and factory installations. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S Naval Test Pilot School, Becker spent 20 years in the U.S.
ECLIPSE NOW HAS FOUR TEST AIRCRAFT FLYING Eclipse Aviation Corp., which has generated a groundswell of interest in an emerging Very Light Jet segment of the aviation market, now has four test aircraft conducting flight tests as the company attempts to achieve FAA certification for the Eclipse 500 next year.
THE PORT AUTHORITY of New York and New Jersey is continuing to work with FAA in the hope of developing a series of restrictions that would reduce the number of flights into Teterboro Airport in New Jersey but without violating FAA guidelines. FAA warned the Port Authority earlier this month that the proposed restrictions could violate grant assurance agreements (BA, July 11/9). But a PANYNJ spokesman said the port authority will continue to explore potential avenues to accomplish its goal. PANYNJ is getting strong support from Rep.
BRYAN HURLEY was appointed vice president of manufacturing for American Legend Aircraft Company. Hurley has 15 years of manufacturing management experience, holding management roles in a variety of industries. He will lead production of the Legend Cub.
July 19-21 - International Aviation Safety Management Symposium, Mitre's Center for Advanced Aviation System Development, McLean, Va. Call +1 (703) 983-3562 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
AIR CHEF of Columbus, Ohio acquired Rita's In-Flight Catering of Boston, Mass. from the Rossi family. Air Chef said Paul Rossi, president and general manager of Rita's, will stay on through the integration process to ensure a smooth transition to the new management team. Rita's began 45 years ago as a small neighborhood restaurant and now serves aircraft operating into the busiest Boston-area airports, including Boston Logan (BOS); Hanscom Field in Bedford, Mass.
BAE Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20865; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-103-AD; Amendment 39-14145; AD 2005-13-08] - requires the overhaul of certain auxiliary components installed on the main landing gear (MLG) and nose landing gear (NLG). This AD is prompted by the manufacturer's determination that overhaul limits need to be imposed for certain auxiliary components of the MLG and NLG. Components that exceed the established overhaul limits could fail due to fatigue, wear and age.
BOMBARDIER Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 and 440) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-21599; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-036-AD] - proposes to supersede an AD that requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to provide the flightcrew with operating limitations and procedures to enable them to maintain controllability of the airplane in the event that aileron control stiffness is encountered during flight.
GROB-WERKE Model G120A airplanes [Docket No. FAA-05-19473; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-35-AD; Amendment 39-14146; AD 2005-13-09] - requires replacing the main landing gear (MLG) up-lock hook assembly. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the MLG from becoming jammed and not extending, which could result in loss of control of the airplane during landing.
RANDY PIZZI was promoted to vice president and officer of ARINC Incorporated. Pizzi formerly was managing director of the company's Asia Pacific Division. He will remain responsible for ARINC's aviation-related business in the Asia Pacific region. Pizzi, who joined ARINC in 1987, established ARINC's Asia Pacific Regional Headquarters in Singapore in January 2003, and under his tenure, ARINC has won new airport contracts in Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Maldives.
