CONSOLIDATION MOVE WILL SHUTTER MILLVILLE ENGINE PLANT - Dallas Airmotive has decided to concentrate its engine overhaul business in Dallas, Texas and Missouri and plans to shut down the Millville, N.J. facility it purchased from General Electric six years ago. Local union and political figures were upset last week, not only about the loss of 240 jobs, but also because of the way Dallas Airmotive officials went about making their decision.
BOMBARDIER Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 Airplanes (Docket No. 2002-NM-338-AD; Amendment 39-13788; AD 2004-18-10) - requires inspection of the fitting assemblies located on the vent and scavenge lines routed immediately below the fuel tank access covers on both wings for proper installation, and corrective actions if necessary.
Col. Leonard L. Griggs, Jr., 72, veteran airport director of Lambert Field in St. Louis, Mo. for nearly three decades, announced plans to retire at the end of the year. Griggs was an outspoken advocate for the airport who began working there in 1977. In recent years he spearheaded a controversial effort to get a new runway built at Lambert, a $1 billion project scheduled for completion in 2006. Griggs, a former U.S. Air Force officer, previously served as assistant administrator for airports at FAA headquarters in Washington, D.C.
President Bush highlighted his signing of the Vision 100 - Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act while John Kerry touted his support of the General Aviation Revitalization Act when asked by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association about what the most important actions they have taken as elected officials to support general aviation. AOPA's magazine, AOPA Pilot, posed a series of questions to the campaigns on general aviation issues. AOPA this week is expected to release the candidates' responses to those questions.
As GA continues the fight to be compensated for losses it incurred in the 9/11 aftermath, the airlines, which already have received their compensation, continue their fight for tax relief.
MIAMI EXECUTIVE AVIATION EVICTS SAFIRE - Cash-strapped Safire Aircraft this month was evicted from its offices that were leased from Miami Executive Aviation at Opa-Locka Airport. Miami Executive Aviation began the eviction process in July after the aircraft developer had stopped making lease payments. Safire suspended operations in June while it searched for additional funding (BA, June 14/270).
NTSB JUDGE TELLS FAA TO REINSTATE REVOKED LICENSES - A National Transportation Safety Board administrative law judge ordered FAA to reverse its revocation of the pilot and mechanic licenses of the owner of Long Island-based charter airline Air East. In the Sept. 9 ruling, Judge William Mullins said there was "no evidence presented" by FAA that Michael Tarascio violated any regulations. Tarascio's attorney, Gregory Winton, described the reversal of the FAA emergency order as a "rare decision."
TUBBS JONES BILL AIMED AT PRESERVING AIR SHOW - Cleveland Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio) this month crafted legislation aimed at ensuring the long-term viability of the Cleveland National Air Show after the Labor Day event was threatened by a ban on flights within three miles and 3,000 feet of a major stadium event. The air show, a Labor Day tradition in Cleveland, is held at Cleveland's Burke Lakefront Airport, about two miles from Jacobs Field, where the Cleveland Indians were scheduled to play at the same time.
Raytheon Aircraft Services in Toluca, Mexico earned FAA approval to operate as a Part 145 repair station. The approval authorizes RAS-Toluca to provide maintenance for any N-registered aircraft, including all Beechcraft and Hawker, Falcon 50 and Learjet 20, 30 and 60 aircraft. RAS-Toluca previously won certification through the Mexican La Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil.
National Air Transportation Association, working with the Aircraft Electronics Association, is hoping to persuade FAA to at least delay enforcement of its handbook bulletin ensuring proper approval for seating configurations on Part 135 aircraft (BA, Sept. 13/111). FAA officials who spoke at NATA committee meetings last week maintained that the handbook bulletin was issued at the request of agency lawyers concerned about the inconsistent application of the maintenance and seating requirements of Part 135.
Innotech Aviation appointed Bob Lavellee sales manager for the U.S. Mid-East region. Before joining Innotech, Lavellee was president of Global Technical Services, a maintenance firm based in Illinois. He also has served as director of maintenance for the Brunswick Corp. and a field service representative for Bombardier. BA incorrectly reported that Rob Brooks was named to the position. Brooks actually is Innotech's vice president and general manager.
Sikorsky Aircraft recognized Keystone Helicopter Corp. last week for completion of the 50th S-76C+. Keystone, headquartered in Coatesville, Pa., is the principal completion center for S-76 helicopters, installing avionics and unique equipment and completing interiors and exteriors to suit customer needs.
Hartzell Propeller, Inc. signed a long-term agreement with Cirrus Design Corp. to provide propellers for all Cirrus SR20 and SR22 aircraft. Hartzell said the contract with Cirrus is one of the largest orders in its history.
EAA, NAFI SCHEDULE SPORT PILOT SEMINAR FOR FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS - The Experimental Aircraft Association and the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) are joining forces to offer a first-of-its-kind symposium for flight instructors. EAA said the symposium, scheduled for Oct. 29-30 at the inaugural U.S. Sport Aviation Expo at Sebring, Fla., is designed to help prepare the nation's flight instructors for the "anticipated influx of flight students emerging from the new sport pilot/light sport aircraft rule" (BA, July 26/36).
FLIGHTSAFETY TO OFFER TRAINING VARIETY AT NEW FARNBOROUGH CENTER - FlightSafety International (FSI) is lining up a variety of business and regional aircraft simulators ranging from the King Air turboprop to a Gulfstream IV for its new 14-bay center in Farnborough, England. Simulator installation is to begin in January, and FlightSafety hopes to secure Joint Aviation Authorities approval by the end of the first quarter.
CESSNA, IAM REACH SPEEDY AGREEMENT ON NEW CONTRACT - Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and Cessna Aircraft officials reached agreement on a new three-year labor pact this month, just six weeks after negotiations began. The new contract provides a signing bonus of $2,500 for each covered employee, plus wage increases of four percent this year and three percent in each of the next two years. Union officials said just short of 80 percent of IAM members participating cast votes in favor of the new agreement.
BOLEN VOWS TO FOCUS ON ACCESS, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS - In his first major public address since taking office, newly installed NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen declared during a luncheon Friday at Westchester County Airport (HPN) in White Plains, N.Y., that government affairs would be a top priority of the association under his leadership.
