GENERAL AVIATION groups last week were "thrilled" by the pact between Illinois Gov. George Ryan (R) and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley (D) that would save Meigs Field, but their battle to preserve access to airports nationwide continues. Another airport, Flying Cloud in Minnesota, is facing a host of new restrictions under a memorandum of understanding that the Eden Prairie City Council and Metropolitan Airports Commission signed last week. See articles below.
The fiscal 2002 transportation appropriations bill that a House-Senate conference committee approved recently includes $1 million to expand the use of an anti-corrosion coating for Coast Guard aircraft. The funding originated in the House version of the bill and made it into the final version, which the conference committee approved. According to the House bill, the Coast Guard has found that ambient temperature-cured (ATC) glass coatings protect the surface of its aircraft from water, salt and other substances, thereby reducing or eliminating corrosion.
GARMIN INTERNATIONAL GNS 430 units (Docket No. 99-CE-87-AD; Amendment 39-12516; AD 2001-23-17) - requires on certain units installed on aircraft, modifiction of the unit to incorporate circuitry changes to the GNS 430 unit's deviation and flag outputs. This AD is the result of reports of inaccurate course deviations caused by external electrical noise to the GNS 430 unit's course deviation indicator (CDI).
The Eden Prairie, Minn., City Council and Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) last week agreed to back a host of new restrictions - including a possible Stage 2 aircraft ban - in exchange for supporting expansion of Flyng Cloud Airport (FCM) and promotion of land-use compatibility around the airport. Following six weeks of meetings between the City Council and MAC, the two groups Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding to recommend adoption of various noise restrictions, but promote airport growth.
REIMS Model F406 airplanes (Docket No. 99-CE-28-AD; Amendment 39-12504; AD2001-23-01) - adopts a new airworthiness directive that applies to certain Reims Model F406 airplanes. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the canted rib upper cap in the center wing carry-through area for cracks, and, if cracks are found, immediately repair the cracks or modify this area depending on the extent of any cracks found. This AD also requires modification of the canted rib upper cap at a certain time period as terminating action for the repetitive inspections.
IBIS AEROSPACE rolled out its second flying Ae270 prototype. The aircraft will start in the flight test program by the end of December. The Ae270 is a medium-range jet that can carry up to 10 people - two crew and eight passengers.
BOMBARDIER is revamping its European Flexjet fractional aircraft program, which has grown slowly and encountered high operating costs in the European regulatory environment.Flexjet Europe, which been operating about 10 aircraft in that region, plans to scale back to four airplanes and close its Copenhagen, Denmark office by April. Some pilots already have received furlough notices.
AIR METHODS CORP. said its subsidiary, Mercy Air Service, Inc., entered into an agreement to buy certain assets from another medical service provider in Las Vegas, Nev. The acquisition, which is expected to close by the end of the month, will include one medically configured BK-117 twin-engine helicopter that will increase Mercy Air's fleet to three in the Las Vegas region.
ATLANTIC COAST AIRLINES retired the last of its 28 Jetstream 32 turboprop aircraft, completing a phaseout that began last year. The aircraft were operated as part of the United Express program, all of them flying out of Washington Dulles International Airport. ACA is continuing its plans to convert to an all-jet fleet by the end of 2003.
A CESSNA CARAVAN was destroyed and both occupants killed Dec. 1 when the cargo aircraft crashed on approach to the Bessemer, Ala. Airport. FAA said the aircraft had departed from Little Rock, Ark. and was on an IFR flight plan. The Model 208 was registered as N499BA.
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS are taking an interest in the National Air Transportation Association's biometric identification programs for frequent fliers and aviation workers (BA, Nov. 19/238). In a statement on the House floor last week, Rep. John Duncan (R-Tenn.) urged FAA to work closely with NATA on the programs, which he said would "decrease delays and, at the same time, increase security at a very low-cost way at our nation's airports."
Summary: Pursuant to FAA's rulemaking provisions governing the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for exemption Part 11 of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), this notice contains a summary of certain petitions seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities.
Moya Olsen Lear, the widow of legendary inventor and aircraft designer William P. Lear who became an aviation industry icon in her own right, died Dec. 5 at her home in Verdi, Nev., outside Reno. Mrs. Lear, who was 86, had been diagnosed with lung cancer some time ago. She had fallen in the kitchen of her home Nov. 30 and struck her head. After receiving treatment at a local hospital she returned home and began to recover, but later complained of a headache and lapsed into a coma. Mrs. Lear, born in 1915, led a zestful life.
ATLANTIC AVIATION added four aircraft to expand its Flight Services Division charter fleet. The additions include a Challenger 601-1A based in Wilmington, Del.; a Falcon 900A based at Teterboro, N.J.; a Challenger 301-3A based at Newark, N.J., and a Challenger 600-3A based at Trenton, N.J. Atlantic Aviation Flight Services division also received FAA certification for meeting RVSM standards for its Lear 35A based in White Plains, N.Y.
Tiger Aircraft LLC, which opened a new aircraft production facility in Martinsburg, W.Va. at the beginning of 2000, delivered the first three aircraft manufactured there during ceremonies Dec. 3. Delivery of the three aircraft, which were handed over to Tiger distributors Hortmont Aviation Services, Inc., of New Hope, Pa., Fletch-Air of Houston, Texas and Tri-State Aero of Evansville, Ind., marked the latest step in a long journey for the Tiger line.
Boeing plans to build between 350 and 400 commercial aircraft next year, down from 522 in 2001, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Alan Mulally told BA affiliate Aviation Daily during a visit to Frankfurt, Germany. The manufacturer is reducing its monthly production rate from the current 48 aircraft to 24 by the middle of next year, aiming to achieve the new rate in June. Mulally predicted that with the new rate in place, Boeing will deliver "somewhere around 300" aircraft in 2003, but sees a "good market for 500 plus" in the longer term.
FOKKER Model F.28 Mark 0100 Series Airplanes [Docket No. 2001-NM-327-AD; Amendment 39-12527; AD 2001-24-10] - Requires repetitive inspections of certain main landing gear (MLG) main fittings to detect forging defects, and rework of the main fittings if necessary. This action is necessary to detect forging defects of the MLG main fittings, which could lead to cracking and result in significant structural damage to the airplane and possible injury to the occupants. The AD is effective Dec. 20, but FAA will accept comments for inclusion in the docket until Jan. 4.
BAY BARBER was named manager of commercial sales at Worthington Aviation. Barber previously worked for Worthington as warehouse manager and most recently worked for Baron Aviation. She will focus on foreign carriers and also support regional carriers.
Gulfstream Aerospace won a significant contract last week to supply three specially configured Gulfstream V business jets to the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The contract has a potential value of up $206 million, according to Gulfstream, which said the aircraft will be equipped as Special Electronic Mission Aircraft. Announcement of the agreement follows a recent acknowledgement by top Gulfstream officials that they are seeing "some very strong action" in the special mission market (BA, Nov. 26/243).
AIRSHOW INC. signed an alliance agreement with AeroSat Avionics LLC of Temple, N.H. to jointly develop new antenna technologies as part of future Airshow airborne TV systems. The agreement gives Airshow exclusive rights to sell systems using AeroSat technology in the business aviation, air transport and military markets.
The Senate Tuesday approved 97-2 the fiscal 2002 transportation appropriations bill that provides $13.3 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration, clearing the way for President Bush's signature. The House passed the $59 billion package Nov. 30 (BA, Dec. 3/261). The bill includes a number of provisions supported by general aviation interests, including a $5 million set-aside to increase the number of GPS non-precision instrument approaches for small airports.
Crossair has decided to increase minima for approaches into Zurich's Runway 28 following the recent Avro RJ-100 crash that killed 24. Crossair said that its aircraft will only use the VOR-DME approach if horizontal visibility is at least 5,000 meters. Thomas Brandt, executive vice president-flight operations, told BA affiliate Aviation Daily that Crossair is reviewing all bad weather procedures. The Avro crashed on final approach in landing configuration. Preliminary data suggests that the crew tried to initiate a go-around maneuver a few moments before impact.
A 1974 BELL 206 HELICOPTER was destroyed Dec. 3 while the pilot was hovering to pick up crew members. FAA said one crew member was on board and a second person was being picked up on the same side when the aircraft rolled over, crashed and was destroyed in Aiea, Hawaii. None of the three people aboard was seriously injured.
DECRANE AIRCRAFT is partnering with Skandia to provide turnkey passenger seating for Bombardier's new super mid-size Continental business jet. DeCrane will provide its new reduced friction track and swivel "Omniglide II" assembled seat structure and Skandia will provide upholstery including seat foam, fireblocking, burn testing and certification and dress covering. Completed seats will be installed in aircraft at DeCrane's Tucson facility. "This joint program will assist in reducing Bombardier's cycle times for cabin completions," said CEO R. Jack DeCrane.
OVERALL, fractional aircraft ownership continues to grow. According to information compiled by AvData, Inc. of Wichita, Kan., the major fractional providers are now operating more than 650 aircraft for more than 3,300 shareholders who own in excess of 4,600 shares.
