AIR TRACTOR Models AT-502, AT-502A, AT-502B, and AT-503A airplanes (Docket No. 2002-CE-54-AD; Amendment 39-12991; AD 2002-26-05) - supersedes AD 2002-11-03, which applies to certain Air Tractor Models AT-502, AT-502A, AT-502B, and AT-503A airplanes. AD 2002-11-03 lowered the safe life for the wing lower spar cap and further reduced the safe life for airplanes that incorporate or have incorporated Marburger Enterprises, Inc. winglets.
Keystone Helicopter completed the acquisition of 15 acres bordering Chester County Airport in Coatesville, Pa., as part of Phase One of its plans for a Heliplex complex. The acquisition included a 52,000-square-foot industrial building that will be refurbished to house Keystone's shop operations. The company is negotiating further for more acreage to accommodate additional hangar facilities.
Cessna Aircraft, which has logged orders for more than 160 of its CJ3 business jets, boosted the price by $100,000 to $5.895 million and doubled the initial deposit requirement to $150,000, effective Jan. 1. The Wichita manufacturer now has a backlog of nearly 500 orders for the two aircraft it introduced at the NBAA convention in Orlando, Fla. in September, a remarkable performance during a period when other manufacturers were complaining that the business jet market was in the dumper. See article below.
February 9-11, 2003 - Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo 2003, Dallas, Texas, (703) 683-4646 March 27, 2003 - NBAA Business Aviation Forum and Static Display, Long Beach, Calif. International Airport. For more information, contact Benjamin Jones at (202) 783-9000 April 8-11, 2003 - National Aircraft Finance Association Annual Meeting, Westin Resort, Savannah, Ga., (301) 349-2070 or [email protected] April 23-27, 2003 - National Aircraft Resale Association Annual Meeting, Westin Regina Resort, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Jet Aviation's completions facility in Basel, Switzerland, refurbished a DC-8-72 VIP aircraft for use in the company's charter fleet. The aircraft is configured for 36 passengers and is fitted with a master bedroom, master bath with shower, sitting lounge, mid-cabin bar, dining lounge, conference lounge, full galley and two passenger lavatories. The refurbishment includes new carpeting and flooring, recovered valance panels and new communications and entertainment equipment.
TSA RELEASES FINAL '12-5' PROGRAM GUIDANCE - The Transportation Security Administration this month began mailing final program guidance for complying with the "Twelve-Five" security rule, giving the affected Part 135 operators a little less than a month to make sure their security programs are in place. TSA hoped to notify all affected operators of the availability of the Twelve-Five Standard Security Programs (TFSSPs) by Friday. Deadline for implementation is Feb. 1.
The 108th Congress convened last week, putting in motion some significant leadership changes for the aviation community, including the reshuffling of senior positions on both the Senate and the House aviation subcommittees. The reshuffling comes during a year when FAA funding and the ailing airline industry will be at the forefront of their agendas.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce is bullish about the outlook for the economy this year. Thomas Donohue, president and CEO, said Chamber economists anticipate the economy will grow 2.5 percent during the first half of the year, accelerating to 3.5 percent during the second half. Donohue labeled that a conservative forecast. "We can do better" if government and business "make the right decisions this year to really fire up this economy and set us on a course of sustained growth for the future," he said.
LYCOMING WINS FAA APPROVAL TO BUILD REPLACEMENT CRANKSHAFTS - Textron's Lycoming Engine Co., won certification from FAA last week to produce new crankshafts to replace hundreds of suspect units, some of which have broken in flight. FAA has issued a series of airworthiness directives to address the problem (BA, Nov. 4/206). In a statement Tuesday, Lycoming said a number of improvements have been made in the production process to improve quality and reliability. All crankshafts are now being manufactured using the press forging process and automated induction heating.
ARINC TO OFFER INTERNATIONAL TRAINING - ARINC added an international operations recurrent training program for corporate pilots to its services. The new program will be offered once a month through a partnership between ARINC Direct, ARINC's business aviation division, and Assessment Compliance Group, Inc. of Annapolis, Md.
Jeppesen reached an agreement under which it will offer Air Security International's security services to customers of Jeppesen's international trip planning services. The addition of ASI security information will allow Jeppesen to provide enhanced pre-trip security intelligence reports and arrange executive protection, transportation and aircraft security. Jeppesen also will offer ASI's mobile phone services, using satellite, GSM and cellular phones, to customers worldwide.
Cessna Aircraft made the first big business decision of the new year, selecting Pratt & Whitney Canada Corporation's PW615F turbofan over the Williams International FJ33 to power Cessna's new Mustang personal business jet. The selection by Cessna is a major win for the Canadian engine builder, the first time an established aircraft manufacturer has selected a company other than Williams to provide the power for an entry-level business jet.
Aircraft Owners And Pilots Association reached an agreement with AIG Aviation under which it can offer qualified members a five percent discount on aircraft insurance. AOPA is offering the discounts through its AOPA Insurance Agency on policies issued after Jan. 1.
A former Sandel Avionics manager has joined forces with several partners to form Avionics Certification Services, LLC, of San Marcos, Calif. Greg Wilson, who had been director of certification programs and product marketing for Sandel, was named president of the new enterprise. ACS was formed to oversee complex certification programs for companies without adding to their overhead. Services include STC package development, review and approval of substantiating data in support of field approvals, PMA parts certification assistance and related programs.
Dave Daniels was named vice president, sales and marketing at EXTEX. He will be responsible for increasing sales and developing future strategic growth initiatives. Daniels was most recently director, technical services at Honeywell. EXTEX, of Mesa, Ariz., produces parts for Rolls-Royce 250 helicopter engines and Honeywell auxiliary power units.
Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW307 engine completed its first run late last year. Part of P&WC's family of PW300 engines, the PW307A was selected to power the Dassault Falcon 7X business jet. The first run was completed 15 months after engine launch. The Falcon 7X is scheduled to enter service in 2006. The PW307A incorporates new fan technology that lowers noise and emissions, P&WC said, noting it exceeds U.S. and international standards.
ARINC is offering complete support services to enable business jets to win certification for operation in reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) airspace. ARINC Direct will assist with airframe modifications, flight monitoring and preparation of the RVSM approval packages. ARINC expanded its Colorado Springs, Colo. service facility and added staff in five other locations to accommodate increased demand for RVSM services.
Despite Its Desire to come to agreement with a new engine supplier before Christmas, Eclipse Aviation still is negotiating with possible powerplant providers, a spokeswoman told BA Friday. There apparently is no precise timeline for selecting an engine provider, although she indicated Eclipse officials want to make a decision as soon as possible.
INS RELEASES PASSENGER MANIFEST PROPOSAL, HOLDS OFF ON FINES - The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service Friday released a proposal that would require air carriers and commercial vessels to submit passenger manifests electronically before arriving in or departing from the U.S. The proposal stems from the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act, which requires operators to submit electronic manifests beginning on Jan. 1.
Sensis Corporation's Multistatic Dependent Surveillance (MDS) system was commissioned at London Heathrow Airport. United Kingdom air traffic control operator National Air Traffic Services Ltd. selected the system to help manage surface traffic at Heathrow.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, AOPA, NORTHWEST BATTLE OVER GA AIRPORTS - The search for cost-cutting measures at Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport has raised concerns that airport officials could cut or reduce operations at the airport's six reliever general aviation airports to improve its finances.
Timco Aviation Services took over the airframe heavy maintenance base formerly operated by Aviation Management Systems (AMS) at the Goodyear, Ariz. Airport. AMS is currently engaged in Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings. Details of the transaction, which was facilitated by the company's principal stockholder Lacy Harber, were not disclosed. The Goodyear facility includes nearly 370,000 square feet of hangar space and room on the tarmac to accommodate up to 150 aircraft. "Goodyear is our first maintenance facility in the western U.S.
