Scenic Airlines, which has provided sightseeing flights over the Grand Canyon for years, plans to begin scheduled service this month between Palmdale Regional Airport (PMD) northeast of Los Angeles and North Las Vegas Airport (VGT). The carrier will provide the service with the same 19-passenger de Havilland Twin Otter Vistaliner aircraft it uses for sightseeing flights. The new service, which will begin Dec. 29, will consist initially of 10 weekly flights for an introductory fare of $49 one-way, $30 less than the regular fare of $79.
Federal Aviation Administration named William Johnson chief scientist and technical adviser to support the agency on human factors in aircraft maintenance systems. Johnson, a certified private pilot and A&P mechanic, will be based in FAA's Southern Regional Office in Atlanta, Ga. He previously was regional director for the Americas at Lufthansa Technik.
CHICAGO DEFENDS USE OF AIP MONEY TO BULLDOZE MEIGS - The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association last week took umbrage with a 40-page brief that the City of Chicago filed with the Federal Aviation Administration defending the city's use of grant money to eradicate Meigs Field, calling the city's claim that legally it had to clean up the abandoned field, an insult.
GA GROUPS PLEASED WITH PILOT ID, NO-FLY LIST MEASURES IN INTELL BILL - General aviation groups last week were pleased that Congress agreed to give charter operators the option of requesting that the Transportation Security Administration check the names of potential passengers against federal terrorist watch lists rather than mandating the background checks.
AMSAFE EXECUTIVE PICKED TO HEAD BRS - Ballistic Recovery Systems, Inc., of St. Paul, Minn. named Larry E. Williams, 46, president and chief operating officer. BRS, which designs and builds whole-aircraft emergency parachute systems, said Williams had been vice president of business development for AmSafe Aviation in Phoenix, Ariz. AmSafe manufactures aviation restraints. From 1995-2000, Williams was group president of Rural/Metro Corp., whose range of products include airport fire protection equipment.
Dornier Model 328-300 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2004-19568; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-112-AD] - proposes to require repetitive inspections for discrepancies of the heat pack rotor assembly and rotor drive clips of the brake unit of the main landing gear (MLG), and replacing the assembly if any discrepancy is found. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of cracking and breakage of the heat pack rotor assemblies.
EADS TO BUILD U.S. PLANT TO SUPPORT COAST GUARD CASA CN-235 FLEET - The European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. (EADS) plans to break ground on a new U.S. aircraft facility in Mobile, Ala. on Jan. 17 to deliver the CASA CN-235 MRS MPA Medium Range Surveillance Maritime Patrol Aircraft to the U.S. Coast Guard. EADS CASA won an $87.4 million contract in February from Integrated Coast Guard Systems for two CN-235s for the service's Deepwater modernization program. Delivery is scheduled for 2006.
FAA MUST FIX DISPLAY PROBLEMS AT FOUR ATC SITES, REPORT SAYS - FAA's chief watchdog says the aging air traffic control displays at four of the largest terminal control facilities need replacing urgently, and the agency can't afford to wait three years for the development of the state-of-the-art replacement.
BAE Systems Model BAe 146 series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2004-19681; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-184-AD] - proposes to require repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of the elevator "G" weight support structure, and repairs if necessary. This proposed AD also provides for an optional terminating action. This proposed AD is prompted by reported cracking of the elevator "G" weight support structure.
The Lufthansa Technik and Rolls-Royce new joint venture in Thuringia, Germany, N3 Engine Overhaul Services, plans to begin employee training early next year and start construction on a facility by the end of 2005 in preparation for launching operations in 2007. Lufthansa Technik and Rolls-Royce announced plans in 2003 to build a center to maintain and overhaul Rolls-Royce engines. The joint venture is expected to create 500 jobs and provide technical support for Trent engines on aircraft that serve markets in Europe, America and Africa.
Veteran FAA Executive Peter Challan plans to retire from the agency at the end of the year. Challan, who has 34 years of service with the agency, most recently has been senior vice president-transition, overseeing the establishment of FAA's new Air Traffic Organization and serving as a principal adviser to Russell Chew, chief operating officer and the man in charge of the ATO.
National Air Transportation Association President James Coyne said James May, president of the Air Transport Association, has agreed to speak at the annual NATA convention in March in Las Vegas. Coyne noted May's battle to revise the aviation tax structure and make business jet operators pay more. He called May's past speeches "fighting words" and said, "We may have something approaching a real argument at our convention."
McCauley five-blade propeller assemblies [Docket No. FAA-2004-19242; Directorate Identifier 2004-NE-21-AD; Amendment 39-13871; AD 2004-23-16] - requires, for McCauley propeller assemblies, Part Numbers (P/Ns) B5JFR36C1101/114GCA-0, C5JFR36C1102/L114GCA-0, B5JFR36C1103/114HCA-0, and C5JFR36C1104/L114HCA-0, installed on BAE Jetstream Model 4100 series airplanes, a one-time eddy-current inspection of the propeller hub for cracks, and if necessary, replacing the propeller assembly. This AD results from three reports of cracked hubs.
V-22 PROGRAM FINE-TUNING DE-ICING METHODS - The V-22 Osprey program is studying ways to fine-tune how it operates its airborne de-icing equipment after a rotor blade on a test aircraft was damaged, apparently by a piece of ice that formed on the tiltrotor transport and broke off during flight, a program spokesman said Nov. 30.
Military Burial Services for Frederick B. (Fred) McIntosh, a World War II combat veteran and a retired staff member of the National Business Aircraft Association, will be held Dec. 17 at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. McIntosh, 86, died Oct. 15 and funeral services were held Oct. 25 at St. James Episcopal Church in Leesburg, Va. (BA, Oct. 25/185). Friends planning to attend Friday's ceremonies are being asked to gather at the Cemetery Administration Building by 2:30 p.m.
AEROSPACE INDUSTRY GROWING, BUT INVESTMENT NEEDED, AIA SAYS - The U.S. aerospace industry dramatically surpassed growth expectations thanks in part to the expanding military sector, but Congress and the Administration need to continue to invest in air traffic control modernization and remain proactive on the international front to ensure the continued vitality of the industry, Aerospace Industries Association President John Douglass said.
Soren Stark was named managing director at Lufthansa Technik Logistik GmbH. Stark succeeds Karl-Rudolf Rupprecht, who was named hub manager in Frankfurt for Lufthansa Passage. Stark formerly served with LSG Sky Chefs as operational manager for the Flight Service Group unit at Frankfurt, where he oversaw in-flight service products logistics for all flights of Lufthansa and its subsidiaries. He also has served with Schott Glaswerke and Icarus Consulting in Frankfurt.
FlightSafety International's new full-flight simulator for Sikorsky's S-92 helicopter has been approved by the FAA. The new simulator, the first for the S-92, is located at FSI's West Palm Beach, Fla. learning center.
GULFSTREAM SECURES PRODUCTION CERTIFICATE FOR G450 AND G350 - Gulfstream received a production certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration for its G450 and G350 business jets. FAA's Atlanta Manufacturing Inspection District Office issued the certificate following an audit that examined Gulfstream's supplier, manufacturing and quality systems. Gulfstream Chief Operations Officer Joe Lombardo said the certificate "serves as recognition to everyone in our Engineering, Materials, Operations and Quality departments.
Hamilton Sundstrand T-62T series auxiliary power units (APUs) [Docket No. 2003-NE-61-AD; Amendment 39-13879 AD 2004-24-03] - requires installation of a bracket to prevent a failed bypass button from protruding beyond the internal o-ring seal. This AD results from reports of leaks caused by cracked bypass buttons that protruded beyond the o-ring seal. FAA is issuing this AD to prevent a fire or explosion caused by a fuel leak from a failed bypass button on the fuel filter housing.
PARKER HANNIFIN ACQUIRES ADVANCED PRODUCTS CO. - Cleveland-based Parker Hannifin, which manufactures motion and control technologies and systems, has purchased Advanced Products Co. of North Haven, Conn., in a cash-for-stock transaction, Parker Hannifin said Dec. 1. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Advanced Products Co., which manufactures metallic and polymer spring energized seals, will be merged with Parker Seal Group, which provides sealing materials to motion and control markets worldwide, Parker Hannifin said.
The Government Accountability Office Friday called on the Transportation Security Administration to develop a plan to implement a risk-management approach to strengthen general aviation security. GAO, which Friday released its long-awaited review of GA security, also said the Federal Aviation Administration should establish a process to review and revalidate restrictions. GAO said that while increased federal oversight is needed, "continued partnership with the private sector is critical to long-term success."
