Bombardier had more orders for its Q400 turboprop than regional jets during the third quarter. The airframer reported orders for four turboprops, a single CRJ200 and two CRJ700s.
President Bush last week signed into law legislation to create a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and announced his intention to nominate Asa Hutchinson, head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, as under secretary for Border and Transportation Security (BA, Nov. 25/241). Bush also made the expected announcement that former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge will be nominated as secretary of the new DHS, and Gordon England, currently secretary of the Navy, will be tapped for deputy secretary.
The White House announcement that it intends to nominate Robert A. Sturgell, a top aide to FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, as deputy administrator of the agency, illustrates Blakey's clout with the Bush Administration. In years past, the White House has used the deputy slot at FAA as a way to pay back political favors, and has frequently selected individuals for the No. 2 slot with little or no input from the FAA Administrator.
Kevin Colson was named director of operations for Thunder Air Charter. He most recently worked at Part 135 operator Southern Aviation and Marine in Florida, where he was responsible for flight operations. Colson, a pilot with more than 15,000 hours, has more than 17 years of experience in aviation.
CESSNA Models 208 and 208B airplanes (Docket No. 2002-CE-23-AD; Amendment 39-12944; AD 2002-22-17) - requires repetitive inspections of the inboard forward flap bellcranks for cracks or replacement of bellcranks depending on the amount of usage. This AD is the result of Cessna's re-evaluating the bellcrank life limit analysis and determining that the original estimate is too high. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect, correct, and prevent future cracks in the bellcrank, which could result in failure of this part.
Northrop Grumman and TRW notified the Department of Justice last week that they intend to complete their merger Dec. 11. Northrop Grumman received a draft of the consent decree from DOJ clearing the way for the merger of the two aerospace giants. Shareholders will vote on the merger Dec. 11, Northrop Grumman said. The merger won European Union clearance in October. The DOJ consent decree draft did not require any divestitures, Northrop Grumman said.
Federal Aviation Administration is delaying release of a notice inviting participation in a new Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) that will take a comprehensive look at Part 135, Part 125 and associated regulations. The notice received final signoff and was sent to the Federal Register for publication, but officials pulled it back after agency accountants expressed concern over funding issues. Since Congress has not approved a fiscal 2003 appropriation for FAA yet, the agency is operating under a continuing resolution that extends the fiscal 2002 budget.
The federal government should pay for integrating bulky baggage screening equipment into existing airport baggage systems, but not with Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds, says Airport Council International-North America's (ACI-NA) chairman.
BRITISH AEROSPACE Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes (Docket No. 2002-CE-25-AD; Amendment 39-12905; AD 2002-20-08) - issued a correction for rule document 02-26370 beginning on page 64792 in the Federal Register issue of Tuesday, October 22, 2002, namely: 1. On page 64794, in Sec. 39.13, in the table, in the second column, in the first entry, in the third and fourth lines, "June 23, 2002" should read "June 23, 2000": 2.
BRITISH AEROSPACE Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes (Docket No. 2002-CE-25-AD; Amendment 39-12905; AD 2002-20-08) - issued a correction for rule document 02-26370 beginning on page 64792 in the Federal Register issue of Tuesday, October 22, 2002, namely: 1. On page 64794, in Sec. 39.13, in the table, in the second column, in the first entry, in the third and fourth lines, "June 23, 2002" should read "June 23, 2000": 2.
ROBERT E. RUST Models DeHavilland DH.C1 Chipmunk 21, 22, and 22A airplanes (Docket No. 2000-CE-64-AD) - proposes to require repetitive inspections of the tailplane attachment brackets and replacement of each bracket. This proposed AD also would require repetitive inspection of each joint of the port and starboard engine mount frame and the rear upper mount frame tubes for cracks and/or damage and repair of any cracks and/or damage found.
Medaire, Inc. won a contract to extend its medical assistance services for NetJets Europe. NetJets Europe, which has already subscribed to MedAire's MedLink 24-hour emergency physician consultation service, expanded the contract to include medical training for flight crew and emergency medical kits. Under the three-year deal, MedAire will equip NetJets Europe's fleet of aircraft with aviation-specific first-aid kits and provide a two-day training course on management of in-flight illness and injury.
Craig R. Quigley was appointed vice president, communications and public affairs for Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems. He was most recently deputy assistant secretary of defense (public affairs) at the Pentagon and retired from a 27-year career with the U.S. Navy with the rank of Rear Admiral. Quigley will be responsible for media relations, advertising and marketing communications.
Efforts to rectify communications difficulties experienced by President Bush aboard Air Force One on Sept. 11, 2001, have required the obligation of about $58 million so far, and work is continuing, the Air Force said. The work is going into the Presidential Data System (PDS), "an 'office in the sky' environment for the president, staff, and other passengers aboard" Air Force One, a highly modified Boeing 747, the Air Force said Nov. 25 in response to a question from BA affiliate Aerospace Daily.
Northrop Grumman and TRW notified the Department of Justice last week that they intend to complete their merger Dec. 11. Northrop Grumman received a draft of the consent decree from DOJ clearing the way for the merger of the two aerospace giants. Shareholders will vote on the merger Dec. 11, Northrop Grumman said. The merger won European Union clearance in October. The DOJ consent decree draft did not require any divestitures, Northrop Grumman said.
Bombardier Aerospace signed a five-year contract with Air Wisconsin to provide heavy maintenance on the airline's fleet of Bombardier CRJ200 regional jets. The maintenance will include "C" checks every 4,000 flight hours and also structural inspections every two years. Air Wisconsin's fleet is expected to grow to 58 aircraft during the next five years. The maintenance will be performed at Bombardier's West Virginia Air Center in Bridgeport, W.Va. The contract could be extended to eight years if options are exercised.
Aircraft Owners And Pilots Association appealed to FAA to drop recent changes made to the field approval process. The new inspector guidance on field approvals was released Sept. 13 in an attempt to improve and standardize the process (BA, Sept. 30/147). But AOPA fears that the new guidance "has had the quite opposite effect." AOPA noted the changes have been particularly a problem in Alaska, and FAA already rescinded the changes there. AOPA, however, wants the changes revoked in all regions.
Triumph Group bought the assets of Boeing's Spokane Fabrication Operation in Spokane, Wash. The deal includes an eight-year, single-source supply agreement for products manufactured at the Spokane factory. Triumph projected that the acquisition will add $60 million in revenue during fiscal 2004. The Spokane facility, which employs about 400, produces composite and thermoplastic aircraft parts, such as floor panels, air control system ducts and non-structural composite flight deck components.
Medaire, Inc. won a contract to extend its medical assistance services for NetJets Europe. NetJets Europe, which has already subscribed to MedAire's MedLink 24-hour emergency physician consultation service, expanded the contract to include medical training for flight crew and emergency medical kits. Under the three-year deal, MedAire will equip NetJets Europe's fleet of aircraft with aviation-specific first-aid kits and provide a two-day training course on management of in-flight illness and injury.
A "trusted traveler" or similar program for identifying frequent flyers likely would improve security and reduce hassles for program participants, but it also raises a host of questions such as who should be eligible, what kinds of background checks should be involved, what kind of screening procedures should be used and who would pay for such a program, the General Accounting Office told Congress late last month. At the request of Sen.
February 9-11, 2003 - Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo 2003, Dallas, Texas, (703) 683-4646 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
Some industry observers expressed relief at the delay because the notice provided such a broad overview of what the rewrite would entail that there was concern it would open the door to all sorts of changes not only to Parts 135 and 125, but also to Parts 121 and 91. Industry groups are hoping that the delay will provide the agency the opportunity to tighten the language so the ARC project is not so open-ended.
The Air Transportation Stabilization Board last week denied Medjet International's federal loan guarantee application, citing serious doubts that the airline would be able to repay the loan. Medjet applied for a $7.7 million federal guarantee on an $8.8 million loan. Birmingham, Ala.-based Medjet currently operates Learjet 35As and 36As configured to accommodate up to two patients and four medical personnel.
RAYTHEON 200, 300, and 1900 series, and models F90 and A100-1 airplanes (Docket No. 2001-CE-21-AD; Amendment 39-12955; AD 2002-23-11) - requires checking the airplane logbook to determine if the elevator(s) has/have been removed from the airplane. If the elevator(s) has/have been removed, this AD also requires inspection of the elevator balance weight attachment screws for correct length, and, if necessary, installation of new bolts that are of improved design to rebalance the elevator, depending on the results of the inspection.
