Ducommun Inc. won a contract valued at $7 million to build complete assemblies for Carson Helicopters' composite main rotor blade on S-61 helicopters. The work will be completed at Ducommun AeroStructures in Monrovia, Calif. Deliveries are slated to begin in 2003. The Carson blades are in the final stages of FAA certification and are expected to allow the S-61 to lift an additional 2,000 pounds and fly 15 knots faster.
CF34-8C1 turbofan engines (Docket No. 2002-NE-13-AD; Amendment 39-12946; AD 2002-23-02) - requires revisions to the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the manufacturer's Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to include required enhanced inspection of selected critical life-limited parts at each piece-part exposure. This amendment also requires an air carrier's approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program to incorporate these inspection procedures.
Models TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, and TB 200 airplanes (Docket No. 2002-CE-43-AD) - proposes to require inspection of the aileron control gimbal joint for correct alignment and correct operation, and replacement of any misaligned or defective gimbal joint. This proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the airworthiness authority for France. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the aileron control gimbal joint. Such failure could lead to loss of control of the airplane.
TSA EXTENDS COMPLIANCE DEADLINE FOR 95K RULES - The Transportation Security Administration last week agreed to postpone the deadline for the "95K" security requirements until the agency releases a final plan of compliance and gives the affected operators at least 30 days to review it. TSA originally adopted rules in June requiring charter operators of aircraft that weigh at least 95,000 pounds to screen passengers before boarding.
Ducommun Inc. won a contract valued at $7 million to build complete assemblies for Carson Helicopters' composite main rotor blade on S-61 helicopters. The work will be completed at Ducommun AeroStructures in Monrovia, Calif. Deliveries are slated to begin in 2003. The Carson blades are in the final stages of FAA certification and are expected to allow the S-61 to lift an additional 2,000 pounds and fly 15 knots faster.
Japanese manufacturer Toyota, which has been quietly doing development work on a new single-engine aircraft for at least a decade, is now conducting a survey of aviation professionals to determine what the market outlook for such a new product offering might be.
Steve Antuna was named dispatch manager at Aerodynamics, Inc. in Waterford, Mich. A certified pilot, Antuna was most recently senior dispatcher for domestic and international flight operations at DaimlerChrysler/Pentar Aviation, where he worked for 20 years.
Model P-180 airplanes (Docket No. 2002-CE-48-AD; Amendment 39-12954; AD 2002-23-10) - requires inspection for proper clearance between the first outboard flap control rod and the bleed air duct for interference, replacement of worn or damaged parts or correction of interference, and adjustment of clearance. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the airworthiness authority for Italy.
Model Galaxy and Gulfstream 200 airplanes (Docket No. 2002-NM-265-AD; Amendment 39-12945; AD 2002-23-01) - requires a one-time inspection for evidence of damage to the forward engine cross spar assembly; and repair if necessary. This action is necessary to detect and correct damage to the forward engine cross spar assembly, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the forward engine cross spar assembly. The AD is effective Nov. 29, but FAA will accept comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket until Dec. 13.
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
Rockwell Collins will provide its Flight Dynamics head-up guidance system (HGS) for Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 7X business jet. The 7X HGS will be based on the Flight Dynamics 4000 HGS but will be smaller and weigh less. The system, which will be integrated with the Falcon 7X avionics, will improve situational awareness in all phases of flight and enable the Falcon 7X to achieve lower-than-standard Category I minimums and some Category II. It provides all-weather approach and landing guidance in visibility as low as 600 feet runway visual range.
Nimbus Group posted a loss of $500,000 for the third quarter ending Sept. 30. Third quarter revenues remained flat from third quarter 2001, totaling $2.4 million. The financial results primarily reflect the operations of Nimbus's wholly owned subsidiary Take to Auction (TTA). However, Nimbus is negotiating a deal, which is expected to be finalized in the next month, to sell TTA for $1.5 million. The proceeds will go to starting operations at Nimbus Jet and developing the company's national air taxi service.
Rockwell Collins will provide its Flight Dynamics head-up guidance system (HGS) for Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 7X business jet. The 7X HGS will be based on the Flight Dynamics 4000 HGS but will be smaller and weigh less. The system, which will be integrated with the Falcon 7X avionics, will improve situational awareness in all phases of flight and enable the Falcon 7X to achieve lower-than-standard Category I minimums and some Category II. It provides all-weather approach and landing guidance in visibility as low as 600 feet runway visual range.
The Transportation Security Administration last week agreed to postpone the deadline for the "95K" security requirements until the agency releases a final plan of compliance and gives the affected operators at least 30 days to review it. TSA originally adopted rules in June requiring charter operators of aircraft that weigh at least 95,000 pounds to screen passengers before boarding.
Earl Robinson, the former Fairchild Dornier executive who departed the manufacturer a few years ago to form Alliance Aircraft, is in serious negotiations with German officials about acquiring the assets of the now bankrupt Fairchild Dornier. Robinson, who worked for the company until 1998, claims to have found sufficient financing to buy the manufacturer and complete development of the 728 regional jet. The German manufacturer's creditors committee plans to meet early next month to make a final decision on bids for the company.
Richard Ning was appointed sales representative at FlightSafetyBoeing. Based in Beijing, Ning will be responsible for FSB sales in China. Ning was most recently sales manager for The Boeing Company in Beijing.
FAA last week kicked off the first meeting of a new industry-based committee that will take a close look at the accuracy of the agency's cost-benefit analyses. The Aviation Rulemaking Cost Committee will identify whether variables FAA uses in its cost-benefit analyses are sound, said one industry participant. The committee, chartered for a year, comprises a cross-section of industry officials, but primarily includes participants with a background in cost analysis.
BAE Systems North America completed its acquisition of Corbett Technologies, Inc., a $15 million dollar transaction. Corbett, based in Alexandria, Va., employs more than 100 people and specializes in safeguarding information systems by providing full-service information assurance solutions. The company was formed in 1994 and ranked in the top 15 fastest growing public and private technology companies in the Washington, D.C. area in 2002.
Sporty's Pilot Shop released "Flying the North Atlantic Safely" on DVD. The two-hour DVD, presented by North Atlantic crossing expert Ed Carlson, covers topics such as requirements for the plane and pilot, what to take, where to stay, and how to get accurate weather information along the way. Sporty's also offers a planning chart and workbook for North Atlantic crossings. The DVD is priced at $89.95 and the workbook costs $39.95.
Jet Aviation Basel upgraded its completions equipment with the addition of computer numerically controlled (CNC) wood-milling, laser-cutting and sheet-metal bending machines for the cabinetry and sheet-metal shops. The CNC machines cut and bend honeycomb, plywood and sheet metal. Jet Aviation officials said the machines reduce the number of steps in the processes and ensure consistency and quality.
Members of the Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry want to make sure their report doesn't end up on a shelf collecting dust, so they've taken steps to keep official Washington focusing on its contents. Commission members were careful to regularly brief Bush Administration and Congressional officials while the report was being compiled during the past year to keep them interested and in the loop. Commission member and former Rep.
BELL HELICOPTER Model 407 helicopters (Docket No. 2001-SW-53-AD) - revises an earlier proposed AD that would have required preflight checking and repetitively inspecting for a crack in certain tailbooms that have not been redesigned and replacing the tailboom if a crack is found. That proposal was prompted by cracking discovered in other areas of certain tailbooms and introduction of a redesigned tailboom with a chemically milled skin, which does not require the current inspections.
