BELL Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 Helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2004-19969; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-43-AD; Amendment 39-13923; AD 2004-26-11] - requires certain checks and inspections of the tail rotor blades. If a crack is found, before further flight, this AD requires replacing the tail rotor blade with an airworthy blade. This amendment is prompted by three reports of cracked blades found during scheduled inspections.
FAA ADMINISTRATOR LAYS OUT JOB OPTIONS FOR FSS WORKERS - FAA Administrator Marion Blakey has begun meeting with Flight Service Station workers to lay out possible opportunities for them within the Air Traffic Organization as FAA nears a decision on a proposal to dramatically overhaul the FSS network. FAA is expected to select a bid by the end of the month to potentially outsource the FSS operations in an effort to substantially cut costs while upgrading FSS equipment and services.
EMBRAER Model EMB-135 and EMB-145 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2004-18752; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-107-AD; Amendment 39-13929; AD 2005-01-05] - supersedes an existing AD that currently requires replacing the nose landing gear wheel nuts and associated inner and outer seals, and reidentifying the landing gear strut. This new AD adds an airplane to the applicability and revises a part number for a replacement part. This AD is prompted by a report of an invalid part number for the new nose landing gear wheel nut.
EMBRAER Model EMB-135 and -145 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2004-19050; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-139-AD; Amendment 39-13900; AD 2004-25-12] - corrects a typographical error in an existing AD published in the Dec. 9 Federal Register (69 FR 71339). The docket number of the final rule was incorrectly cited as FAA-2004-19767. This AD applies to all EMBRAER Model EMB-135 and -145 series airplanes.
Honeywell Aerospace officials have long been frustrated by their inability to find a second OEM customer for the HTF7000 (formerly the AS907) turbofan engine, but that drought may be nearing an end. Barry Eccleston, vice president and general manager of Honeywell's Propulsion Systems Enterprise, said there is "quite a lot of renewed interest" in the engine from other OEMs, based in part on the powerplant's smooth entry into service on the Bombardier Challenger 300 and on Honeywell's design, which emphasizes reliability and ease of maintenance.
Carlos Gutierrez, who fled Cuba as a youngster and became chief executive of The Kellogg Company, was unanimously approved by the Senate Commerce Committee last week for the post of secretary of commerce. Full Senate approval of the nomination is expected soon.
RAYTHEON'S SCHUSTER PICKED TO HEAD GAMA'S BOARD - James E. Schuster, the chairman and chief executive of Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC), was elected chairman of the board of directors of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Schuster previously served as vice chairman of the GAMA board and chaired the organization's Security Issues Committee. As chairman, Schuster succeeds Clay Jones, the chairman, president and CEO of avionics manufacturer Rockwell Collins.
FAA CALLS SANTA MONICA FEES DISCRIMINATORY, REVOKES AIRPORT GRANTS - The Federal Aviation Administration last week called a fee schedule implemented at Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) in Santa Monica, Calif., unjust and discriminatory and barred the airport from seeking additional federal grants until it lifts landing fees. In a Jan.
The pilot of a Swearingen SA227 got a chilly shock early Thursday morning high above North Dakota. The twin turboprop, N3108B, was climbing through 18,000 feet just after 0100 local time when the left seat window blew outward and separated from the aircraft. The pilot moved to the right seat and landed without incident at Minot, N.D.
General Aviation Manufacturers Association issued a statement Friday praising Congress for recent passage of legislation that boosts funding for the National Transportation Safety Board. GAMA said the legislation provided $2 million more than requested by the agency, and specifies that it be used to hire additional accident investigators for NTSB's regional offices.
ATR SECURES 36-AIRCRAFT DEAL FROM AIR DECCAN - Bangalore, India-based airline Air Deccan signed a deal to buy 30 new ATR 72-500 regional turboprops and a mix of six used ATR 42-500 and 72-500 aircraft, Air Deccan and ATR announced last week. Air Deccan selected ATR over Bombardier, saying the ATR turboprops were "most suitable for our operations and for the Indian market for short-haul routes."
CESSNA'S PELTON NOW CHAIRMAN TOO; MEYER NAMED CHAIRMAN EMERITUS - Textron quietly announced a change at the top of its Cessna Aircraft unit last week, naming Jack Pelton as chairman of the Wichita, Kan. aircraft manufacturer.
BOMBARDIER Model CL-215-6B11 (CL215T Variant) and CL-215-6B11 (CL415 Variant) series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2004-19496; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-181-AD; Amendment 39-13920; AD 2004-26-08] - requires replacing the mounting pad studs of the auxiliary feather pump with new, longer studs, and installing a pressure relief valve. This AD is prompted by a few incidents of external oil leaks from the oil pump of the power control unit due to a malfunction of the pressure-regulating valve.
Continued investment in the company's legacy engine programs is "one of the key cornerstones of our business strategy," according to Barry Eccleston, vice president and general manager of Propulsion Systems Enterprise for Honeywell's Engines, Systems & Services unit. One of the ways that has paid off is keeping older engines in service by developing new modifications and improvements for new engines that can be retrofitted to existing powerplants. Between 1959 and 2003, Honeywell and its predecessor companies produced more than 65,000 propulsion engines.
MAYOR SAYS CESSNA PLANNING CITATION SERVICE CENTER IN MESA - The mayor of Mesa, Ariz. announced last week that Cessna Aircraft plans to build the company's 11th Citation business jet service center in Mesa. Mayor Keno Hawker said company and city officials are close to signing a deal under which Cessna would build the service center at Williams Gateway Airport (IWA), just east of Phoenix. Hawker made his remarks during his State of the City address last week.
Kansas weather was a real challenge for the Wichita area last week. A heavy ice storm struck the city and surrounding areas Tuesday, knocking out electricity for tens of thousands as tree limbs snapped and brought down power lines. Some 50,000 residents were still without power as of Friday. While the conditions have made it difficult for many workers to get to and from their jobs, the city's four major aircraft manufacturers said disruptions at production facilities were minimal.
NTSB TO PUSH HARD FOR ICING REGULATIONS IN 2005 - The National Transportation Safety Board is pushing federal regulators to act on board recommendations highlighting the dangers of ice accumulation on wings as the condition becomes more prevalent in its accident investigations.
INDUSTRY ADVOCATES SEEK DELAY IN DRAFT TRAINING MANUAL AC - The Aircraft Electronics Association and National Air Transportation Association asked FAA to extend the comment period for a draft advisory circular providing guidance on developing repair station training manuals. Draft AC 145-RSTM details the scope and contents of an acceptable Part 145 repair station training manual under the new Part 145 rules. But AEA found several instances where the draft AC did not match the requirements of Part 145.
Virgin Atlantic Airways repositioned the GlobalFlyer experimental aircraft to the Salina, Kan. airport from the Mojave Desert. Getting the aircraft to Salina "begins the final stage of preparation" as the aircraft gets ready to attempt "the first-ever around-the-world solo flight," organizers said. The launch window for the attempt opens Feb. 2, when weather and jet stream conditions are expected to be most favorable. The aircraft will be piloted by Steve Fossett, who holds current around-the-world records in balloons and sailboats.
Summary: This notice contains a summary of certain petitions seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR, dispositions of certain petitions previously received, and corrections. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities.
Peter Schouwenaars was appointed director of development and operations for iviation's technical services department. Schouwenaars will oversee the company's aircraft maintenance programs, asset management, maintenance facilities and personnel. He has more than 35 years of management and maintenance experience in Parts 91, 121, 129, 135 and 145, and in military operations.
Any lingering questions about Jack Pelton's future with Cessna Aircraft were addressed last week in an e-mail from Textron Chairman Lewis Campbell to Cessna employees. See article below.
