ECLIPSE TEST PROGRAM EXPANDS WITH THIRD AIRCRAFT - Eclipse Aviation last week increased its flight test program with the addition of a third flight test aircraft, N504EA. The aircraft flew Thursday, exactly one week after the second flight test aircraft, N502EA, completed its first flight. Aircraft N504EA departed at 2:10 p.m. MDT from the Albuquerque, N.M. International Sunport for a one-hour flight. The aircraft flew to 16,800 feet and reached a speed of 170 knots. Eclipse used its first test aircraft, N503EA, as the chase plane for the flight.
LEARJET Model 23, 24, 25, 35, and 36 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20798; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-257-AD] - proposes to supersede an existing AD that requires repetitive inspections to detect deterioration of both flappers of the tip tank in each wing of the airplane, and various follow-on actions. The existing AD also requires replacing the flappers with new flappers, and repetitively performing certain other follow-on actions.
AVIATION NEEDS LARGER SHARE OF DEVELOPMENT FUNDS, BLAKEY SAYS - FAA Administrator Marion Blakey last week called for international development banks to devote more resources to improving aviation infrastructure, and FAA plans to host a conference this year to highlight the issue.
GENERAL ELECTRIC CF34-8C1 series and CF34-8C5 series turbofan engines [Docket No. 2003-NE-58-AD; Amendment 39-14030; AD 2005-07-06] - supersedes an existing AD that applies to CF34-8C1 series and CF34-8C5 series turbofan engines with certain serial number (SN) master variable geometry (VG) actuators installed. That AD requires initial and repetitive reviews of the airplane Maintenance Data Computer (MDC) for master VG actuator fault messages, and if the MDC is inoperative, reviews of the Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System for fault messages.
FAA Administrator Marion Blakey last week reiterated her claims that the agency is "still facing the real problem with the way the financing of our system has been structured." Only the U.S. and 13 much smaller countries, such as the Bahamas, Kuwait, Samoa, Togo and Tuvalu, don't charge for the actual cost of air traffic control services, she said.
Congress is continuing to press for the Department of Homeland Security to lift its nearly four-year-old ban on general aviation operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Burns said. The senator did not know whether legislation would be the answer, and said, "It would take just a good talk with the Secret Service. It's time for it to happen." Burns said he is considering holding a hearing on the issue.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson announced a series of events to be held in October that will preview some of the technologies that will fly in next year's X Prize Cup. Called "Countdown to the X Prize Cup," the event will include demonstration flights of reusable spacecraft by future X Prize Cup contenders at the Las Cruces International Airport, static hardware displays, educational events and simulated weightless flights aboard Zero Gravity Corp.'s G-Force One aircraft.
BOMBARDIER Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20860; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-043-AD] - proposes to require revising the Airworthiness Limitation section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness of the Dash 8 400 series Maintenance Requirements Manual to reduce the life limits of the main landing gear (MLG) orifice support tube, upper bearing, and piston plug; and to reduce the threshold for initiating repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of the engine isolator brackets.
SENTIENT JET BUYS ATLANTIC AVIATION FLIGHT SERVICES - Private jet membership firm Sentient Jet increased its presence in the charter industry with the acquisition of Atlantic Aviation Flight Services (AAFS) from the private equity firm Voyager Group. Pittsburgh, Pa.-based Voyager acquired AAFS in March 2003 after Atlantic Aviation Corp. decided that it wanted to focus on the fixed-base operation business (BA, March 10, 2003/107). Voyager CEO James Dolan called the sale "highly positive for all involved.
SAUL ARCEO was appointed director of new aircraft sales for Bombardier Business Aircraft. Arceo, a 10-year Bombardier veteran, will sell Learjet, Challenger and Global business jets in a region stretching from the northern border of South America through Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean. He will be based in Dallas.
RUSS SMITH was appointed regional sales manager for the northeast region for DAC International. Smith, who joined DAC in 1996, has served as the test equipment program manager. Before that, he was general aviation manager for BFGoodrich/JcAIR. In his new position, he will be responsible for customers in 11 states in the Northeast region and Washington, D.C.
MEL HILDERBRAND was named senior vice president of customer operations for Meggitt/S-TEC. Hilderbrand will oversee program management, customer support and sales and marketing. He previously served with Bell Helicopter Textron.
House Aviation Subcommittee members, holding a hearing on the state of FAA's Air Traffic Organization, used the opportunity to vent their frustration about the continuing ban on general aviation at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.) said he was "totally befuddled" by the continuing ban and said, "It just doesn't make sense." The ban does just as much disservice to the federal government as it does to the aviation community, Ehlers said. Other committee members echoed those sentiments, including D.C. Del.
ROLLS-ROYCE PONDERING ITS APPROACH TO BUSINESS JET MARKET - James M. Guyette, the president and chief executive of Rolls-Royce North America, said last week that the business jet market is an important one for the engine maker, but gave the impression the company has not yet decided on its approach to developing new powerplants for that market.
Delta Airelite Businessjets added a Challenger 300 business jet to its charter fleet. The aircraft, operated under a charter management agreement, is based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
FOKKER Model F.28 Mark 0100 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20868; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-162-AD] - proposes to require an inspection to determine the part number of the passenger service unit (PSU) panels for the PSU modification status, and corrective actions if applicable. This proposed AD is prompted by reported incidents of smoke in the passenger compartment during flight. One of those incidents also included a burning smell and consequently led to emergency evacuation of the airplane.
ROLLS-ROYCE (formerly Allison Engine Company) 501-D22A, 501-D22C, and 501-D22G turboprop engines [Docket No. FAA-2005-20742; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-03-AD] - proposes to require a one-time inspection for proper metal hardness of certain 1st stage, 2nd stage, 3rd stage, and 4th stage turbine wheels. This proposed AD results from a report of a turbine wheel found to be over dimensional limits, caused by improper metal hardness. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent uncontained turbine wheel failure, leading to damage of the airplane and total loss of engine power.
JAHID FAZAL-KARIM was promoted to senior vice president of new aircraft sales for Bombardier Business Aircraft. Fazal-Karim will be responsible for the U.S. and international sales teams as well as Bombardier's Skyjet International charter operation. He has more than 15 years of business aircraft sales and marketing experience, joining Bombardier's internal sales team in 2001. Most recently, he was vice president, international sales.
SHORT BROTHERS Model SD3-60 series airplanes [Docket No. 2003-NM-127-AD] - revises an earlier proposed AD that would have required performing an inspection of the shear attachment fitting for the fin-to-fuselage front spar, and of the shear cleat for the fin root rib at the aft spar location for corrosion; reporting inspection results; and performing corrective action, if necessary. This new action revises the proposed rule by adding inspection areas, a repetitive borescope (intrascope) inspection, and applicable corrective actions per new Short Brothers information.
The National Transportation Safety Board called on the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct more thorough inspections of Part 135 operations and make sure that proper oversight is in place when a carrier's operating certificate is transferred between FAA Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs).
National Business Aviation Association will host a Business Aviation Regional Forum from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday (April 21) at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, N.Y. The forum will cover a variety of business aviation issues, including fatigue avoidance, very light jets, supplemental lift options, legal and regulatory issues, WAAS/LAAS, and maintenance and care of aircraft. For more information, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.nbaa.org/forums.
