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.
The Transportation Department and FAA, pushing for new ways to cover FAA's growing budget, are bringing in senior government officials from both agencies and representatives of a number of international organizations to join the debate about funding alternatives at a two-day forum next week (BA, March 21/129).
NEW WORLD SHIFTS MANAGEMENT AFTER ETTINGER DEPARTURE - Allentown, Pa. charter and aircraft management company New World Aviation made a number of senior level changes after Robert Ettinger, the chief executive officer who had been with the company since its founding in 1998, resigned suddenly last month. New World appointed Ralph Hubbell, a 35-year aviation business executive, to replace Ettinger.
Raytheon Aircraft redesignated its Beechcraft Bonanza and Baron lines the Beechcraft Bonanza G36 and Beechcraft Baron G58, to reflect the newly upgraded Garmin G1000 integrated avionics package. Raytheon, which announced plans in August to incorporate the Garmin glass cockpits into Bonanzas and Barons, expects FAA certification for the G36 and G58 later this year.
Mooney Aircraft Company reorganized its customer support operation and named three men to new positions. Todd Bates, who previously operated his own maintenance facility, was named director of service center relations, responsible for interfacing with Mooney's 35 authorized service centers. Bates joined Mooney a year ago. Mike Poligala was appointed director of customer service, responsible for technical support and warranty claims and coverage.
Cessna Aircraft won certification for its Citation Sovereign business jet from both the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA). The certifications clear the way for Sovereigns to be registered in all 25 European countries adhering to EASA regulations and 10 nations following JAA regulations. The manufacturer won FAA certification in June.
FOKKER Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20871; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-212-AD] - proposes to require a detailed inspection to determine the presence of incorrectly installed bushings in the attachment holes of the reinforcing strap of the left- and right-hand wings' lower skin, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that bushings were installed in accordance with improper procedures in the structural repair manual.
Elliott Aviation received FAA supplemental type certificate approval to install Universal Class A terrain awareness and warning systems in Cessna Citation 550/560 series aircraft. The STC is the latest in a series of STCs that Elliott holds for the Citation 550/560 aircraft.
National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has "grave concerns" about the "rush" to change FAA's current funding system to a user-fee system, John Carr, president of the controllers' union, told the House aviation subcommittee last week. "It is no secret that some believe user fees would remove the congressional oversight committees and elected officials from the decision-making process," Carr said. "We believe that the safety of our skies is a sacred public trust and it is the role of our elected officials to protect that trust."
JIM TURNER was named a partner in the international law firm of Arnold & Porter. Turner, a former U.S. congressman from Texas, is joining Arnold & Porter's public policy and government contracts practice in the Washington office. Turner spent eight years in Congress and was the ranking Democrat on the House Select Committee on Homeland Security and the Armed Services Committee's terrorism subcommittee.
Jet Aviation formed a new unit in its charter services department dedicated exclusively to carrying executives of companies engaged in "road show" presentations leading to initial public offerings of stock.
Carr also reiterated NATCA's skepticism over claims of declining trust fund balances (BA, April 11/164), saying, "Some will attempt to cloud the issue by talking about trust fund balances that may decline as a result of certain policy choices or framing the issue as revenue per flight." But Carr disputed the long-held view by many Washington officials that each flight adds to the cost of the system.
Digital Cyclone has expanded its Pilot My-Cast aviation weather information service to provide access to owners of data-enabled cellular telephones. The service is available through major providers, including AT&T/Cingular, Sprint PCS, Verizon, Nextel, T-Mobile, Alltel, Southern LINC, US Cellular and Midwest Wireless. Pilot My-Cast Version 4.0 provides information for specific airports or routes with color displays of weather information and maps.
