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.
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.
