CESSNA Models 402C and 414A airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20513; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-07-AD; Amendment 39-14022; AD 2005-05-52] - supersedes emergency AD 2005-05-51 and AD 2000-23-01 for Models 402C and 414A airplanes. This AD contains the same information as emergency AD 2005-05-52 and publishes the action in the Federal Register. It requires eddy current inspections of the forward wing spars and visual inspections of the aft and auxiliary spars. This AD is the result of extensive cracks found on three wing spars of the affected airplanes.
A recent determination by the Environmental Protection Agency to require an elaborate secondary containment system to protect against fuel truck spills is raising concerns that some airports and operators may choose to get out of the fueling business, National Air Transportation Association President James Coyne said (BA, March 21/134).
AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES OF AUSTRALIA Models N22B, N22S, and N24A airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20439; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-04-AD] - proposes to supersede AD 2003-14-20, which requires repetitively inspecting, using either dye penetrant or magnetic particle methods, the rudder control lever shafts for cracks; inspecting (one-time) all lever shaft side plates by measuring the thickness; and if cracks or discrepancies in thickness are found, replacing unserviceable parts with new or serviceable parts.
Sisson & Associates, Inc., a Wichita, Kan.-based aviation consulting firm, changed its name to the Aero Business Group in a move designed to promote its aerospace business and expertise. Aero Business Group provides marketing, sales, account management, project evaluation, engineering and business development support for major aerospace and aviation suppliers.
BOMBARDIER Model DHC-8-301, -311, and -315 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20628; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-51-AD] - proposes to require replacing the pressure control valve of the Type 1 emergency door. This proposed AD is prompted by reports that the pressure control valve of the Type 1 emergency door is susceptible to freezing. FAA is proposing this AD to ensure that the pressure control valve does not freeze and prevent the door seal from deflating, which could result in the inability to open the door in an emergency.
ROSCOE MUSSELWHITE was promoted to chief operating officer for AirLiance Materials. Musselwhite previously was executive vice president for AirLiance, a provider of aircraft material and supply chain partner for several airlines. Musselwhite reports to David Sisson, president and CEO, and is responsible for all aspects of business operations.
Ratliff Aviation, a fixed-base operation located in Tucson, Ariz., is slated to complete by the end of the month a facilities renovation that includes an extended aircraft apron, larger capacity fuel farm, two 12,000-square-foot hangars, renovated pilot and passenger lounges and refurbished office space. The extra hangar and ramp space will enable Ratliff to accommodate aircraft up to the size of a Gulfstream V.
National Business Aviation Association is concerned that a notice on flight training FAA quietly released in mid-February is proving unworkable in some instances and provides operators too little time to meet the mandates. The notice requires air carriers and fractional ownership programs to audit their Part 142 training centers within 90 days to verify that they comply with the approved training programs. While the notice provides 90 days, many operators did not learn of the requirements until a month after the notice was issued.
FUTURE OF 328 PROGRAM IN DOUBT AS AVCRAFT FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY - The future of the 328 regional jet program appears cloudy at best, after Avcraft Aerospace GmbH filed for insolvency. The company had to take the step following the delay in deliveries of several completed aircraft. Munich-based lawyer Martin Prager was appointed as the preliminary administrator. The move is yet another blow for what is one of the last remnants of former regional jet manufacturer Fairchild Dornier.
NTSB CONFIRMS CG PROBLEM ON TEB CHALLENGER - The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed last week that the Challenger CL-600 involved in the Feb. 2 runway overrun accident at the Teterboro, N.J. Airport (TEB) had a center of gravity "well forward of the allowable limit," (BA, March 7/107).
Los Angeles Board Of Airport Commissioners last week contracted with a Burlington, Mass. firm to launch two Part 161 studies to consider further noise restrictions at Van Nuys (VNY) and Los Angeles International (LAX) airports. The commissioners awarded a $6.48 million contract to Harris Miller Miller and Hanson, Inc. to undertake the studies.
FOKKER Model F.28 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20594; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-213-AD] - proposes to require 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 proposed AD is prompted by a report of a fire under the APU enclosure. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent fuel from accumulating under the APU enclosure, which, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Raytheon Aircraft reduced prices on more than 17,500 parts offered through the Raytheon Aircraft Parts Inventory & Distribution (RAPID) program. Raytheon said prices have been cut in half on some parts. Raytheon Aircraft previously reduced prices on some 10,000 parts last fall, part of an effort to drive down the overall cost of operation for Beechcraft and Hawker customers.
Adam Aircraft plans to open a 22,000-square-foot manufacturing and assembly operation at the Kemp Ogden Airport Gateway Center in Ogden, Utah. The center will be used to manufacture and assemble A500 and A700 aircraft. Adam expects to expand the site in phases. "Our company is fortunate to have a backlog in excess of two years on both the A500 centerline twin and the A700 AdamJet," said Adam CEO Rick Adam. "Ramping up production is a top priority and we believe Utah will be an excellent location for adding to our existing capacity in Colorado."
While many Washington aviation officials this month are focusing on FAA's future funding needs, the manager of FAA's Aircraft Maintenance Division expressed serious concerns about the agency's current budget situation. During remarks at the recent NATA convention in Las Vegas, Dave Cann outlined a host of programs that his division has put on the back burner because resources are so limited. See article below.
Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) signed a five-year memorandum of understanding with Global Jet Services to offer avionics and maintenance training to AEA members. Under the agreement, Global Jet Services will offer a 15 percent discount on its aircraft and avionics course offerings, including Initial, Recurrent and Electrical Interface, Avionics for Line Maintenance Technicians, Advanced Avionics, RVSM/DRVSM-91.411/91.413, and Practical Aircraft Wiring and Avionics Interface.
Eclipse Aviation President Vern Raburn is pleased with the performance of the PW610F engines on Eclipse 500 test aircraft, telling BA that the Pratt & Whitney Canada powerplants "just keep running and running," even after sustaining foreign object damage. About two weeks ago, Raburn said one of the engines on N503EA sustained substantial damage to the fan after picking up a piece of reinforcing bar or a big bolt as the airplane was taking off for a test flight.
March 21-22 - American Association of Airport Executives and Airports Council International-North America, Spring Washington Conference, Washington, D.C., (202) 293-8500, e-mail [email protected], www.aci-na.aero 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
GULFSTREAM Model Galaxy and Gulfstream 200 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2004-19564; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-103-AD] - withdraws an NPRM requiring repetitive inspections for damage of the flexible supply lines of the pilot and copilot oxygen mask boxes, and eventual replacement of the lines with new rigid tubes. Since the proposed AD was issued, FAA received new data that 100 percent of the affected worldwide fleet has accomplished the hardware replacement in accordance with the service bulletin specified in the proposed AD. Accordingly, the proposed AD is withdrawn.
BOMBARDIER Model DHC-7 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2005-20595; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-149-AD] - proposes to require revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the Instructions of Continued Airworthiness to include a new lower life limit for lower wing skins. This proposed AD is prompted by the discovery that during the manufacture of the lower wing skins, score marks may have been accidentally inscribed around the edge of the lower wing skin doublers.
Wesley Clark was appointed to the board of directors of Adam Aircraft. Clark had a 34-year career in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of four-star general and serving as NATO's supreme allied commander, Europe. He retired in 2000 and has since been an investment banker, author and commentator. In 2004 he staged an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.
A plan to gradually reopen Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to general aviation is being "tweaked" after the Transportation Security Administration presented the program to Department of Homeland Security leadership, including Secretary Michael Chertoff, NATA President James Coyne said last week. But Coyne added that TSA Chief David Stone is still confident the changes will not further delay the plan and that it should be presented to Congress by April 1.
Peter Jansen was reappointed as chief executive finance for Lufthansa Technik. The latest appointment covers a term through December 2010. Jansen was a science associate at the University of Cologne before joining Lufthansa in February 1984. He has held economics, maintenance training and controlling and auditing positions with the company. He was appointed a member of the Lufthansa Technik executive board in Hamburg in 2001.
