DERCO AEROSPACE PLANS LEADERSHIP TRANSITION - Sikorsky Aircraft unit Derco Aerospace plans to name Max Dermond chairman for four months after Derco founder and Chairman Eric Dermond retires at the end of the month. Max Dermond, who will retire April 30, owned and operated Derco with Eric for 23 years before Sikorsky bought the Milwaukee-based repair, logistics and aftermarket services company in April 2002.
GRAND AIRE EXPRESS OWNER KILLED IN HANSA JET CRASH - The founder and president of financially troubled air taxi operator Grande Aire Express was killed Tuesday night when his Hansa HFB-320 business jet crashed just after taking off from Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS).
DHS POISED TO TEST PROTOTYPE TRANSPORTATION WORKER IDENTITY CARD - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is about to begin testing prototype identification cards for transportation workers, according to the project's manager. "We are just about a hair from beginning this program," Lolie Kull, manager of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program told the Inside ID Conference & Expo last month.
Federal Aviation Administration last week presented 2004 Excellence in Aviation Research Awards to Flight Safety Foundation and Gulfstream Aerospace. FAA recognized Flight Safety Foundation for its publication, Waterproof Flight Operations, which teaches how to safely ditch an aircraft. The agency said the publication "fills a critical knowledge gap." FAA recognized Gulfstream for the development and certification of its enhanced vision system, which provides pilots with daylight-like visibility during evening or low-light conditions.
British Aerospace Model BAe 146 and Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2004-19757; Directorate Identifier 2001-NM-273-AD] - proposes to supersede an AD that currently requires a one-time measurement of the thickness of the outer links on the side stays of the main landing gear (MLG), and related investigative and corrective actions as necessary; and provides for replacement of a thin outer link with a new or serviceable part in lieu of certain related investigative inspections.
BOMBARDIER POSTS $10 MILLION IN EARNINGS; PLANS MORE LAYOFFS - Canadian manufacturer Bombardier is continuing to struggle financially, posting a meager $10 million third-quarter profit last week on $3.6 billion in revenues and announcing plans to cut more employees from its Transportation (rail) unit.
Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes [Docket No. 2003-NM-158-AD; Amendment 39-13836; AD 2004-22-08] - requires repetitive inspections of the check valves and air supply ducts of the rear bulkhead for damage, and related corrective actions. This amendment also would require eventual rework or replacement of the air supply ducts, which would terminate the repetitive inspections for the air supply ducts only.
NATA's Coyne noted recent accidents involving charter operations, saying those accidents raise questions about "what we can do as an industry to improve safety." The association is working with its charter-operating members to develop recommendations for proactive charter-safety programs. But he said one of the first steps for improving safety must come from the federal government. "We do not have good data at the federal level," he said, citing studies highlighting FAA's lack of information on charter activity.
Bombardier Otter DHC-3 airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2004-18606; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-17-AD; Amendment 39-13877; AD 2004-24-01] - requires, for all Bombardier Otter DHC-3 airplanes that have been modified by 524085 BC, Ltd. Supplemental Type Certificate Number ST01243NY or SA01243NY, replacing the existing Viking Air Ltd. elevator servo tab assembly with a redesigned Viking Air Ltd. elevator servo tab assembly. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the airworthiness authority for Canada.
STEELWORKERS AGREE TO END STRIKE AT RMI TITANIUM - RTI International Metals, Inc. said it had reached an agreement with the United Steelworkers of America that will end a 13-month strike at the company's RMI Titanium Company mill in Niles, Ohio. The facility employs about 550 workers. About 340 workers, members of the Steelworkers union, went on strike Oct. 26, 2003 when the union and company could not agree on a new contract. RTI has kept the plant running on a limited basis despite the strike. Union members ratified a new 62-month agreement Dec. 1.
The ATR 72 regional turboprop program reached the 300-delivery mark with a delivery to Air New Zealand. Air New Zealand operates 11 ATR 72-500s. Air New Zealand regional carrier Mount Cook Airlines, based in Christchurch, will operate the aircraft. ATR launched the ATR 72 in January 1986 and delivered the first aircraft to Finnair in October 1989.
A Gulfstream IV business jet was damaged last week when it ran off the runway after landing at the Teterboro, N.J. Airport. The aircraft, G-GMAC, was carrying a crew of two and seven passengers. The airplane ran off the end of Runway 24 and struck a number of trees. Wind conditions were blustery when the accident occurred about 4:30 p.m. local time Wednesday. There were no reported injuries.
Veteran business aviation safety analyst Robert E. Breiling characterized the recent spate of business-jet accidents as "very unusual." Breiling, who has been tracking the industry's safety record for more than 30 years, noted that three of the latest accidents involved a Gulfstream III, a Gulfstream IV and a Bombardier Challenger 601, each of which has an outstanding safety record. Through 2003, those aircraft models had been involved in few total accidents: G-III (1); G-IV (2); and Challenger 601/604 (3). Breiling said U.S.
GROUP FORMING TO REPRESENT WASHINGTON AREA AVIATION INTERESTS - Reacting to expressions of interest from aircraft operators in the Maryland/Washington, D.C. and Virginia area, former National Business Aviation Association executive Bob Blouin is serving as a clearinghouse for people interested in joining a regional aviation organization.
Marc Parent was appointed group president, Simulation Products, for CAE. Parent joins CAE from Bombardier, where he most recently served as vice president and general manager of Bombardier Aerospace. He spent 20 years with Bombardier, holding a number of senior management positions overseeing engineering, product development, management and operations at facilities in Montreal, Toronto and Tucson, Ariz.
February 6-8, 2005 - Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo 2005, Anaheim, Calif., (703) 683-4646 February 12-16, 2005 - 16th Annual National Business Aviation Association Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference, Reno, Nev., (202) 783-9000 March 8-10, 2005 - National Air Transportation Association/Professional Aviation Maintenance Association GSE Aviation Services and Suppliers AS3 Supershow, March 8-10, Sands Expos & Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev., (703) 845-9000
ARINC Incorporated, the Annapolis, Md.-based high-technology services provider, is celebrating its 75th anniversary. ARINC was launched in 1929 when four major U.S. airlines created a single radio service for coast-to-coast air/ground communications. The organization since has grown to providing technology and services covering airline passenger ticketing, battlefield evacuation, nuclear power plant security and subway control systems.
Embraer Model EMB-135 and -145 series airplanes [Docket No. 2002-NM-351-AD; Amendment 39-13874; AD 2004-23-19] - supersedes an existing AD that currently requires a one-time inspection to detect incorrect wiring of the electrical connectors to the pressure switches and cartridges on the fire extinguisher bottles for the engines and the auxiliary power unit (APU); disconnection and reconnection of the wiring, as necessary; and adjustment of the length of the harnesses on the fire extinguisher bottles to avoid future misconnections.
Sacramento County, Calif. Airport System is seeking bids from companies interested in running a full-service fixed-base operation at the Sacramento International Airport (SMF). Information can be obtained by calling officials at (916) 874-0911. Deadline for submission of proposals is Jan. 6.
EXECUTIVE JET MANAGEMENT NAMES MAYO TO NEW POST - Executive Jet Management of Cincinnati, Ohio named two employees to new posts within the aircraft management and charter firm's operations department.
MD Helicopters Model 600N helicopters (Docket No. 2003-SW-51-AD; Amendment 39-13840; AD 2004-22-12) - requires replacing the Fuselage Station 75 control support bracket assembly, reducing the life limit, and revising the Limitations section of the applicable maintenance manual to state the reduced life limits on certain serial-numbered helicopters. This amendment is prompted by information received from the manufacturer indicating that the fatigue life of the control support bracket is shorter than the original analysis indicated.
STANDARD AERO WINS LONG-TERM ENGINE CONTRACT - Regional carrier SkyWest signed a 16-year engine maintenance deal with Standard Aero to maintain the GE CF34-8 engines powering the airline's fleet of Bombardier CRJ-700s. The agreement covers scheduled and unscheduled repairs, with SkyWest paying a set amount per month for each engine hour flown. The carrier currently flies 10 -700s and expects to add 22 more planes to its fleet by May.
Raytheon Aircraft Services in Tampa, Fla. was recognized by the Brazilian Departamento de Aviacao Civil as an authorized Brazilian Repair Station. The facility is completing its first Brazilian Beechjet repair and inspection. The Tampa Bay facility also is a certified foreign repair station for Bermuda and Venezuela.
