The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is testing a series of laser warnings that will be directed at pilots who stray into restricted airspace around the Washington, D.C. area and hopes to have the system implemented in the next couple of months, according to the House aviation subcommittee. The House aviation subcommittee explored NORAD's plans at a hearing earlier this month on safety hazards associated with lasers directed at aircraft (BA, March 21/136).
FAA PROPOSES THREE-YEAR EXTENSION OF O'HARE FLIGHT LIMITATIONS - The Federal Aviation Administration last week formally extended the flight limitations and reservation system at Chicago O'Hare International Airport through Oct. 29, 2005 and proposed continuing limits through April 2008. FAA called the proposal an interim measure, saying the agency "anticipates that the rule would yield to longer-term solutions to traffic congestion at the airport."
STEVENS NAMES ROLLS-ROYCE VETERAN PRESIDENT - Stevens Aviation named Glenn J. Brown, a veteran employee of Rolls-Royce Engines, as president and chief operating officer of the Greenville, S.C.-based aircraft service company.
EMBRAER Model EMB-135 and -145 series airplanes [Docket No. 2003-NM-34-AD; Amendment 39-13998; AD 2005-05-09] - requires modification of the mid, aft, and forward upper liners in the baggage compartment. The modification involves replacing the plastic lens protection grids on all upper liners with new, light metal lens protection grids.
YINGLING OFFERS REPAIR HELP FOR CESSNA 400-SERIES OWNERS - Yingling Aviation says it is prepared to help operators of Cessna 402C and 414A twin-engine airplanes comply with a recent airworthiness directive (AD) requiring detailed inspections of the airplanes' wing spars.
Air Security International formed a Homeland Security Division to advise clients on global terrorism threats and implement plans to protect against imminent incidents. The services will include developing facility plans and preparedness programs; developing emergency preparedness, contingency and response plans; training; and security education programs. Offer Baruch, who has more than 20 years of experience in counter-terrorism, counterintelligence and security management, is heading the new division.
March 31-April 2 - Latin America Business Aviation Convention and Exposition LABACE2005, Sao Paulo, Brazil, (202) 783-9000 April 12-18 - Sun 'N' Fun Fly-In, Lakeland, Fla., (863) 644-2431 April 26-28 - Flight Safety Foundation/National Business Aviation Association Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar, Orlando, Fla., (202) 783-9000 April 27-30 - Aircraft Electronics Association Annual Convention and Trade Show, Grapevine, Texas, (816) 478-3100
The Falcon 50-4, the Premier Aircraft/Honeywell program to upgrade the Falcon 50 with three TFE-731-4 engines, passed the first engineering milestone with the integration test of the existing nacelle and new engine nozzle at Honeywell's facilities in Phoenix, Ariz. The tests validated engineering estimates for initial nozzle development and verified thrust and thrust specific fuel consumption estimates. The upgrades are expected to give the Falcon 50 longer range, better hot-and-high performance, improved climb performance and more cruise thrust.
Jack Faris, president and chief executive of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), announced plans to retire from the organization March 31, 2006.
NORAD AUTHORIZED TO SHOOT DOWN AIRCRAFT THAT THREATEN NUCLEAR PLANTS - The military has signed agreements to provide air intelligence and protection for the nation's nuclear plants, including the shooting down of rogue aircraft that threaten the facilities, the chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) says.
Precision Castparts Corp. completed the acquisition of Air Industries Corp. (AIC), a manufacturer of bolts, pins and screws made from titanium and nickel-base alloys. AIC employs 510 people at its facilities in Garden Grove, Calif.
SAAB SF340A and 340B series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20596; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-113-AD] - proposes to supersede an existing AD that currently requires repetitive detailed inspections of the windshield wiper assembly for discrepant conditions, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also would require a detailed inspection of the left and right wiper arm assemblies for damage, and corrective/related investigative actions if necessary.
FIRE CAUSES SERIOUS DAMAGE TO SR22 - A Cirrus SR22 was seriously damaged early this month when the aircraft caught fire as the pilot was getting ready to take off from Runway 12 at the Half Moon Bay, Calif. Airport (HAF). The pilot told National Transportation Safety Board investigators that he had to taxi about 1.5 miles to the departure end of Runway 12.
RICK NEELY was named domestic sales manager for Mooney Airplane Company. Based in Kerrville, Texas, Neely will be responsible for Mooney's direct sales force. Neely formerly managed his own automotive service business. Neely also has corporate pilot experience and is an aircraft owner.
FAA FILLS ATO POSTS - The Federal Aviation Administration filled two key slots in the agency's Air Traffic Organization. Rick Day was named vice president for en route and oceanic services, and Bill Davis was appointed vice president for safety services. Day and Davis have held their positions in acting roles since last year.
GARMIN ALERTS OPERATORS OF FIXES NECESSARY ON GNS 430 UNITS - Garmin last week issued a service alert warning pilots to refrain from flying under instrument flight rules when operating an aircraft equipped with recently built Garmin GNS 430 avionics packages until fixes can be incorporated into the units. The service alert, covering GNS 430 and GNS 430A units produced between Feb.
The 17th annual Greater Washington Aviation Open will be held May 9 at the Indian Spring Country Club in Silver Spring, Md. The annual golf and tennis outing, which has raised thousands of dollars for charity over the years, has pledged the proceeds of this year's event to support the work of the Corporate Angel Network. To register, or to get additional information, write to: Greater Washington Aviation Open, c/o Paul Bollinger, Air Traffic Control Association, 1101 King St., Suite 300, Alexandria, Va.
Elliott Aviation, Moline, Ill., won supplemental type certificate approval from FAA for multiple interior modifications in a Hawker 700A. The mod package was designed to permit converting the aircraft from a corporate configuration to an air ambulance - complete with a Spectrum bed and patient loading system - in less than one hour. Elliott also won certification for installation of a Honeywell Mark VIII enhanced ground proximity warning system and a multifunction radar display.
Cessna appointed West Star Aviation in Grand Junction, Colo., an authorized Citation service center. The authorization covers warranty work as well as scheduled and unscheduled maintenance for all Citation Model 500 series aircraft. West Star is one of six, non-factory owned Cessna authorized Citation service centers in the U.S. West Star parent Premier Air Center in East Alton, Ill., also is an authorized Citation service center. Other Cessna-authorized centers are located in Nebraska, Michigan, Oregon and Texas.
JAYME REINISCH was appointed chief financial officer for Ballistic Recovery Systems, Inc. Reinisch has more than 15 years of financial and operational experience, formerly as corporate controller in charge of finance for Herold Precision Metals.
BOMBARDIER Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20631; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-025-AD; Amendment 39-14012; AD 2005-06-04] - supersedes an existing AD that requires repetitive inspections of the left and right engine throttle control gearboxes for wear, and corrective action if necessary. The existing AD was prompted by numerous failures of the engine throttle control gearbox, some of which resulted in an in-flight engine shutdown. This AD adds airplanes to the applicability of the existing AD.
NICHOLAS LAPPOS joined Gulfstream Aerospace as vice president of government programs. Lappos will oversee Gulfstream business jet programs for government and military use. He will be based in Savannah, Ga. A 32-year veteran at Sikorsky Aircraft, he most recently was director of the VXX presidential helicopter program. Before that, he was manager for the S-92 helicopter program and director of test engineering for the West Palm Beach, Fla. flight-test center
BUSH PLANS TO RENOMINATE NTSB BOARD MEMBERS - President Bush intends to nominate Ellen G. Engleman Conners for a second two-year term as chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board and Mark V. Rosenker as vice chairman for another two years, the White House said Thursday.
