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."
PASSENGER SAYS 421 LOST ENGINE BEFORE CRASH - The single surviving passenger aboard a Cessna 421 piston-twin that crashed Dec. 2 has told investigators the right engine lost power during initial takeoff climb, causing the airplane to yaw to the right and eventually crash into a stand of trees (BA, Dec. 6/255).
The Europeans are coming, and they plan to grab a larger share of the U.S. government's defense spending. Officials of the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. (EADS) predict the consortium will bring in $10 billion from U.S. defense sales in the next five years, of about $40 billion in contracts for which it is competing. EADS' goal for 2006 is $1 billion in revenue from U.S. defense sales, but it "plans to gross more from the U.S. defense market in the next four years to five years." The $40 billion potential in the U.S.
CESSNA OPENS NEW 450,000-SQUARE-FOOT WICHITA CITATION SERVICE CENTER - Cessna Aircraft Thursday held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its new $61 million Citation Service Center in Wichita, Kan. Touted as the "world's largest general aviation maintenance facility," the Citation center comprises more than 443,000 square feet on a 124-acre tract at Mid-Continent Airport in Wichita. The center, which can service more than 100 Citations simultaneously, is as long as five and one-half football fields.
The U.S. Air Force expects to release a draft request for proposals for the Personnel Recovery Vehicle (PRV) in January and a final RFP in May or June. The selection of a prime contractor is expected in the last quarter of 2005. Competitors are expected to include the Bell-Boeing CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, the EADS North America-Northrop Grumman NH-90 helicopter, the Lockheed Martin-AgustaWestland-Bell Textron US101 helicopter and the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter.
SAAB Aerostructures completed the first three forward fuselages of the NH-90 helicopter for Eurocopter, the company said Dec. 3. Saab is scheduled to deliver 270 forward fuselages for the program over the next 15 years. They will be incorporated into the NH90s at final assembly locations in Finland, Italy, Germany and France. The fuselage work includes the use of new techniques and technology, including a structural rivet bonding technique, Saab said, so the company said it is "broadening and developing our business unit."
New York's Laguardia Airport (LGA) celebrated its 65th anniversary this month with a rededication of the Marine Air Terminal, an art deco landmark that recently underwent a $6.5 million rehabilitation. The Dec. 2 celebration occurred 65 years to the day after a TWA DC-3 with 32 passenger seats flew from Chicago to Queens, N.Y., the first scheduled flight ever at LaGuardia. By the following summer the airport was handling 250 landings and takeoffs per day. LGA currently handles more than 1,000 daily flights and about 23 million passengers a year.
President Bush's decision to retain Norman Mineta as Transportation Secretary is viewed as good news by aviation industry officials. Mineta, who headed the House aviation subcommittee and Public Works and Transportation Committee during his 20 years in Congress, is viewed as a friend of aviation. Just as important, Mineta's continued service at DOT makes it likely that Marion Blakey will stay on as FAA Administrator. She had been mentioned as a possible successor to Mineta if Bush had decided to make a change at DOT (BA, Nov. 8/105).
LANCAIR SECURES HIGHER-ALTITUDE CERTIFICATION FOR COLUMBIA 400 - Lancair won FAA approval for operators to fly the Columbia 400 single-engine aircraft up to 25,000 feet. The certification will enable operators to fly faster while operating at the higher altitudes. The Columbia 400 can reach 220 knots at the former maximum ceiling of 18,000 feet, improving to 235 knots at FL250. In addition, Lancair officials said the new altitude certification enables operators to fly over weather.
Aircraft Electronics Association developed a computer-based training program, Architecture of an Alteration, to train repair stations on the basics of the certification process for airframe alterations. The program, the first in a series of computer-based programs AEA is developing, explains the "top-down analysis" involved in evaluating aircraft alterations and helps distinguish between major and minor and acceptable and approved. The program helps the user identify proper alteration approval procedures and necessary documentation.
Regional Airline Association board of directors elected American Eagle Airlines President Peter Bowler as the association's new chairman. Bowler succeeds Pinnacle Airlines President and CEO Phil Trenary, who was RAA chairman for 2004. Other elected RAA officers are: Horizon Air President Jeff Pinneo, vice chairman; Comair President Randy Rademacher, treasurer; and Empire Airlines President and CEO Tim Komberec, secretary.
Cessna Aircraft sold six 172R Skyhawks equipped with Garmin G1000 cockpits to BF Scandinavian Aviation Academy in Vasteras, Sweden. With the order, BF Scandinavian Aviation Academy becomes the first operator of a G1000-equipped Skyhawk in Europe. The academy, which currently operates 27 Cessna aircraft, will take delivery of the new Skyhawks in March 2005.
SAAB SF340A and 340B series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2004-19752; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-170-AD] - proposes to require repetitive inspections for wear of the brushes and leads and for loose rivets of the direct current (DC) starter generator, and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of premature failures of the DC starter generator before scheduled overhaul.
