FOKKER Model F.28 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20594; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-213-AD; Amendment 39-14084; AD 2005-10-07] - requires a one-time inspection of the area underneath the auxiliary power unit (APU) enclosure to determine if drain tubes in the area are correctly installed and to detect damaged wiring, and corrective action if necessary. This AD is prompted by a report of a fire under the APU enclosure.
NEW HONEYWELL AEROSPACE PRESIDENT LAUNCHES REORGANIZATION - Honeywell Aerospace told its employees last week that the company will undergo a significant reorganization aimed at building a "structure that focuses more on customers." The new organization will take effect July 5, but it probably will be close to the end of the year before all of the changes will be implemented.
JOHN MARINO was promoted to vice president of government relations for FlightSafety International (FSI). Marino previously was FSI's sales and marketing manager for Asia, based in Beijing, China. He joined FSI in 1979 and has held flight operations and marketing position at the FlightSafety Academy in Vero Beach, Fla., and also helped grow FSI's Airline training programs in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Before joining FSI, he had a 10-career as a U.S. Army officer and aviator.
REP. J. RANDY FORBES (R-Va.) formed the Congressional China Caucus because of China's burgeoning economic and military capacity. "China's economic output is expected to triple over the next 15 years, and its militarization efforts have raised concerns worldwide," he said. The Congressional China Caucus is intended to raise awareness on and serve as a forum of discussion for U.S.-China interests in the House of Representatives. Eight other House members also joined the caucus.
SAAB Model SF340A and 340B series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20596; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-113-AD; Amendment 39-14086; AD 2005-10-09] - supersedes an existing AD, which currently requires repetitive detailed inspections of the windshield wiper assembly for discrepant conditions, and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD requires repetitive detailed inspections of the left and right wiper arm assemblies for damage, and corrective/related investigative actions if necessary.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2005-20293; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-34-AD; Amendment 39-14091; AD 2005-10-14] - supersedes an existing AD that currently requires replacing certain main or combiner gearboxes with airworthy gearboxes. Further investigation has shown that the main gearbox is not affected, and this amendment requires replacing a certain combiner gearbox with a modified airworthy gearbox. This amendment is prompted by a report of a freewheel unit slipping, resulting in an engine overspeed and shutdown.
Jet Source added a Cessna Citation CJ3 to its charter fleet. The aircraft is based at McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, Calif., where Jet Source runs a full-service fixed-base operation and has more than 120,000 square feet of hangar space.
FirstFlight Management formed an alliance with Tech Aviation Services under which FirstFlight will market and sell charter services on Tech Aviation's Gulfstream IV-SP. FirstFlight will add the GIV-SP to its charter certificate. The agreement also calls for any new Tech Aviation aircraft to join the FirstFlight charter fleet. The G IV-SP is based at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, where Tech Aviation runs a fixed-base operation. FBO Air, Inc.
June 6-8 - Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association Spring Conference, Scottsdale Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort, 5401 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Ariz., http://www.racconline.org June 8 - National Transportation Safety Board Bar Association Annual Aviation and Transportation Law Conference, Washington, 202-331-1955, Fax 202-293-2309 June 13-19 - Paris Air Show, Le Bourget Airport, Paris, France, (609) 987-1202, Ext. 248 or (703) 522-5000
TIGER Models AA-5, AA-5A, AA-5B, and AG-5B airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20968; Directorate Identifier 94-CE-15-AD] - proposes to revise AD 95-19-15, which currently requires inspecting the wing attach shoulder bolts for fretting, scoring, wear, or enlarged or elongated mounting holes; replacing any damaged parts; repairing any damaged areas; inspecting the wing spar at the center spar clearance gap for excessive clearance; and shimming the spar if excessive clearance is found.
BOMBARDIER BACK IN BLACK; BEAUDOIN SAYS RESTRUCTURING IS WORKING - Canadian manufacturer Bombardier reported a small profit for the quarter ended April 30, and officials expressed optimism the improved results will continue.
TURBOMECA ARRIUS 2F turboshaft engines [Docket No. FAA-2005-21155; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-14-AD; Amendment 39-14099; AD 2005-09-51] - publishes an amendment adopting emergency AD 2005-09-51 that was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of certain Turbomeca Arrius 2F turboshaft engines. This AD requires, before further flight, replacing the Module 2 on certain engines listed by serial number in this AD.
FAA, NPS ROUND OUT PARK GROUPS TO HASH OUT OVERFLIGHT ISSUES - The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Park Service after years of delay have filled open slots on national park overflight advisory groups and scheduled meetings to hash out issues surrounding air tours over national parks in general and over the Grand Canyon specifically.
Lancair appointed Aeronaves Dinamicas del Norte, S.A. de C.V. of Monterrey, Mexico an authorized Lancair Columbia 350 and 400 sales and service center for customers in Mexico. In addition to representing Lancair, Aeronaves Dinamicas provides consulting services designed to expand aviation in Mexico.
The Canadian aircraft manufacturer is having trouble finding the right engine for its new C-Series airliner family. Bombardier was unable to interest the two engine consortiums, CFM and IAE, in competing for the C-Series contract and is now focusing on discussions with individual engine manufacturers.
Bombardier Chairman Laurent Beaudoin, who took on the title of chief executive officer after Paul Tellier left the company, indicated last week he sees no urgency in finding a new CEO. There is "no time set for that and I don't see any change soon," Beaudoin said in response to a question from a reporter during a teleconference to discuss Bombardier's first-quarter financial results. Asked if that means no successor will be named this year, Beaudoin responded not this year "at least," indicating his tenure as CEO is open-ended.
The Senate Commerce Committee at a hearing Thursday will examine the Transportation Security Administration's plan to reopen Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to general aviation (BA, May 30/241). Committee members also likely will examine recent well-publicized incidents involving encroachment of restricted airspace over Washington, D.C.
Facing a potential one-third drop in FAA certification services, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association has been working with agency officials to develop certification processes that place more responsibility on the industry while maximizing the agency's resources.
President and chief executive of Signature Flight Support, has notified company executives that she plans to leave her post between September and the end of the year. Haskins has held the top job at the nation's largest chain of fixed-base operations for the past five years after seven years as Signature's chief financial officer. "The company's in good shape -- with the exception of DCA," she said. (See article below).
Foreign contractors who do business with the United States would face blacklisting on a Defense Department list if they sell certain defense goods and services to China under a provision that a prominent member of Congress plans to push in the House.
BITWISE SOLUTIONS, the Fort Worth, Texas software specialist, installed its FlightOps package for fractional aircraft ownership provider Avantair. The package, customized for the aviation industry, is designed to simplify tasks and maximize efficiency in areas such as scheduling, reservations, dispatch and maintenance. The software will handle all operational aspects of a mission, including contract and reservation management, aircraft and crew scheduling, aircraft maintenance tracking and regulatory concerns.
