Bell Model 206A, B, L, L-1, L-3, and L-4 helicopters [Docket No. 2004-SW-12-AD; Amendment 39-13884; ADachecks and inspections of the tail rotor blade for a deformation, a crack, and a bent or deformed tail rotor weight. Also, this action requires, before further flight, replacing each blade with an airworthy blade if a deformation, a crack, or a bent or deformed weight is found. This amendment is prompted by three reports of skin cracks originating near the blade trailing edge balance weight.
Bombardier Aerospace is putting the squeeze on its suppliers again to lower prices. President Pierre Beaudoin said last week the division is attempting to achieve $200 million in cost savings to remain competitive, adding that seeking lower prices from its vendors is a key element of that program.
Iridium Satellite named Verizon Airfone an authorized service provider to market and sell Iridium services to general aviation operators. Verizon Airfone will offer general aviation operators communications to supplement the MagnaStar system, which operates over the Verizon Airfone network, when outside domestic coverage. Iridium Satellite capability will enable passengers to make calls regardless of where the aircraft is flying.
CESSNA 310 CRASH CLAIMS ELDERLY PILOT, SPOUSE - A Chicago-area couple was killed Nov. 24 when their Cessna 310 crashed while approaching the Leesburg, Va. Executive Airport (JYO). The occupants of the plane were identified as F. Richard Meyer III, 84, and his wife, Geraldine, 83, of River Forest, Ill. Meyer, who served as a captain during the Air Force during World War II, was flying the aircraft, N310DM, which he owned. The couple, who also owned a home in Bonita Springs, Fla., departed the Naples, Fla.
Rolls-Royce (formerly Allison Engine Company, Allison Gas Turbine Division, and Detroit Diesel Allison) 250-B and 250-C series turboshaft and turboprop engines [Docket No. 2004-NE-10-AD; Amendment 39-13885; AD 2004-24-09] - requires a one-time inspection of the fuel nozzle screen for contamination, and if contamination is found, inspection and cleaning of the entire aircraft fuel system before further flight. This AD also requires replacing the fuel nozzle with a new design fuel nozzle, at the next fuel nozzle overhaul or by June 30, 2006, whichever occurs first.
Thales' new EUROCAT air traffic management system became operational at Finland's Tampere control center along with 17 tower systems at remote airports. The system is part of the Finnish Civil Aviation Authority's FATMI modernization program.
Jim McDonough was named southeast regional maintenance sales manager for Jet Aviation Dallas. McDonough has more than 24 years of aviation experience, primarily in maintenance sales. He previously promoted maintenance, avionics and interior refurbishment services throughout the Midwest.
CVR TAPE COULD PROVIDE CLUES IN CHALLENGER CRASH - National Transportation Safety Board officials are hoping the audio tape from the cockpit voice recorder of a Challenger 601 business jet that crashed Nov. 28 while attempting to take off from the Montrose, Colo. Regional Airport will provide important information on the cause of the accident.
SAAB SF340A and 340B series airplanes [Docket No. 2002-NM-182-AD; Amendment 39-13882; AD 2004-24-06] - requires replacement of the retract actuator bracket attachment bolt (RABAB) of the main landing gear (MLG) with a new RABAB; reidentification of the MLG shock strut; an inspection for corrosion, fretting, or other damage of certain RABABs; and applicable corrective actions.
Allen Walton was named Midwest regional maintenance sales manager for Jet Aviation in Dallas. Walton has 10 years of aviation industry experience, beginning as an A&P mechanic for a Part 135 facility. He joined Raytheon Aircraft Services in 1996.
NATA DEVELOPS GROUND INCIDENT REPORTING PROGRAM - Backed by aviation insurance agencies that call ground-handling incidents the fastest growing area for aviation claims, the National Air Transportation Association is developing a program that will create a ground-incident reporting program for fixed-base operators and other airport businesses.
BAE Systems Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2004-19751; Directorate Identifier 2002-NM-59-AD] - proposes to require repetitive detailed inspections of the aft fuselage frames for any discrepancies, and any applicable corrective actions. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of corrosion found on the aft fuselage frames due to the ingress of water or liquid. FAA is proposing this AD to detect and correct corrosion of the aft fuselage frames, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the fuselage.
NEW JAPANESE AIRPORT PREPS FOR FEBRUARY OPENING - The Central Japan International Airport (CJIA), currently in trial runs, should open for operations on Feb. 17. Built for JPY768 billion (US$6.8 billion) on a 1,170-acre site off the Nagoya suburb of Tokoname, the airport will operate with one runway, 3,600 meters long and 60 meters wide. CJIA is being set up to handle international flights, and the existing facility will remain open for domestic operations. It will initially handle 17.5 million passengers - 10 million international and 7.5 million domestic.
Federal Aviation Administration said five of the six people in a Cessna 421 were killed Dec. 2 when the aircraft, N4215D, crashed during unknown circumstances near Collegedale, Texas.
FAA said it ranked second among 11 federal agencies in a Harris Poll assessing public opinion. The Harris Poll gave the agency a 77 percent positive public rating in 2004, up only by one percent from 2003 but up significantly from 2000 and 2001, when the approval ratings were 58 and 54 percent, respectively. FAA notes the rating comes as the commercial aviation industry has achieved its safest three-year period in history. "The American public is telling us that the FAA is taxpayer money well spent," said FAA Administrator Marion Blakey.
LARGER EMBRAER JETS CAPTURE WALL STREET'S ATTENTION - Embraer could emerge as the biggest winner of current airline restructuring if the revamped carriers opt to depend more on aircraft in the 70- to 110-seat range, leaving Bombardier to enter the market in 2010 with its 110- to 135-seat C Series jet family and allowing Airbus and Boeing enough time to prepare to lash out at the Canadian airframer's new plane.
CESSNA BEGINS DELIVERY OF CJ3 - Cessna Aircraft last week handed over the first Citation CJ3, the third Citation model the Wichita plane-maker has introduced into service this year. The delivery on Wednesday follows type certification of the Model 525B CJ3 Oct. 15 (BA, Oct. 25/183). In addition to introducing the CJ3 - the newest member of the CitationJet family - Cessna began delivery of the Citation XLS and Sovereign in 2004.
Ross Reynolds was promoted to head Lockheed Martin's Air Mobility business. Reynolds will be responsible for the C-130J Super Hercules, C-5 Modernization, C-27J Spartan and Air Mobility Support programs. He had served as vice president of C-130J programs since November 2000. He first joined Lockheed in July 1970 as part of the L-1011 TriStar program team. Following a two-year tour with the U.S. Navy, he rejoined Lockheed in 1973 as a member of the Skunk Works and has since held positions of increasing responsibility.
Iridium Satellite LLC's burgeoning subscriber base helped the company to a 27 percent growth in revenue during the third quarter ending Sept. 30 and 21 percent growth during the first nine months of the year, Iridium reported. The subscriber base grew 29 percent in the first nine months of 2004, pushing the satellite voice and data communications specialist past the 100,000-subcriber mark in July. Iridium officials expect growth of the company's services to continue thanks to advancements of key customers.
GA GROUPS HOPE FOR CONTINUATION OF DHS COOPERATION WITH KERIK IN CHARGE - General aviation groups last week expressed hope that President Bush's selection of former New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik to succeed Tom Ridge as secretary of homeland security would mean a continuation of the spirit of collaboration rather than a future of security at all costs. Bush on Friday morning said he intended to nominate Kerik to succeed Ridge, who had announced his resignation earlier in the week.
Raytheon Aircraft is offering new Beechcraft and Hawker customers the option of subscribing to the company's Support Plus maintenance program for a one-year trial. Customers will have the option at the end of the trial to end the agreement or continue it for the full five-year term. Participants in the trial will be charged the same hourly rates as five-year subscribers. Raytheon offers Support Plus to owners of aircraft up to 10 years old.
National Air Transportation Association President James Coyne Friday said it's difficult to predict how the selection of former New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik to head the Department of Homeland Security will affect continuing industry efforts to get general aviation back into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). On the one hand, Coyne said that given Kerik's police background, the tendency would be to predict that he would reinforce the Secret Service position of total security.
MTU CEO KLAUS STEFFENS RESIGNS; UDO STARK LIKELY SUCCESSOR - MTU Aero Engines CEO Klaus Steffens late Monday resigned from his post, effective by the end of the year.
The European Civil Aviation Conference is considering a proposal developed by an international working group of business aviation executives on handling security issues involving fractional aircraft operators. ECAC formed the working group earlier this year to make recommendations on how to treat fractional operations in Europe. An official involved in the group said security is one of the key unresolved issues.
