Model HC-B3TN-5 propellers (Docket No. 2001-NE-44-AD) RIN 2120-AA64 - proposes, for models with blades Part Number T10176H(B,K)-5 or T10178H(B)-11(R) that are installed on Mitsubishi Heavy Industries MU-2 series airplanes, to require replacement of those blades with blades of the latest design. This proposal is prompted by a report of in-flight propeller blade separation that caused a severe out-of-balance condition, damage to the airplane, and resulted in engine shutdown and a safe landing.
Mooney Aerospace boosted its limited warranty on proprietary Mooney-produced parts to three years or 600 hours, whichever comes first. The warranty applies to parts produced for all three Mooney airplane lines - the Bravo (M20M), Ovation2 (M20R) and Eagle2 (M20S). Warranty service can be provided by any of the independent Mooney service centers or by Mooney's Factory Service Center in Kerrville, Texas. Excluded from the warranty are consumables and typical wear and tear.
Digital World Services won a contract to provide TAG Aviation USA its Digital Rights Management software for TAG's aviation manuals. The software ensures the secured distribution of the manuals through digitally-encrypted PDF files on a secured CD. TAG is the first air transportation to use DRM for flight operations personnel. The CDs will be distributed to 600 TAG Aviation employees, including pilots, maintenance technicians and flight attendants.
Model 206A, 206A-1, 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters (Docket No. 2002-SW-01-AD) - proposes to require performing a continuity test, and repairing temporarily any unairworthy chip detector, and replacing any repaired chip detectors. This proposal is prompted by reports of poor or no continuity between the insert and the chip detector housing on certain chip detectors. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of a chip detector, loss of a critical component, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Ron Silverman was promoted to regional vice president, client services at TAG Aviation. He joined TAG in January 2000 as director of client services and managed accounts for Eastern regional management clients. Silverman has 18 years of corporate aviation experience and was president of International Aircraft Management in Teterboro, N.J. for 12 years.
A Pilatus PC-12 was substantially damaged Oct. 16 while attempting to make an emergency landing. The aircraft, with two pilots and two passengers on board, had just departed Runway 6 at the Trenton, N.J. Airport enroute to Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C. when the crew reported an engine failure. The aircraft returned to the airport and made a hard landing and slid off the end of Runway 16. One passenger suffered a minor injury. The PC-12 is registered as N96WF.
RAC OPERATING INCOME IMPROVES, BUT INVENTORY OF UNSOLD UNITS REMAINS HIGH - Operating income at Raytheon Aircraft improved dramatically in the third quarter, but officials acknowledged they have significant numbers of 2002 production aircraft left to sell.
NIMBUS CALLS OFF HORIZONS ACQUISITION - Nimbus Group canceled its agreement to buy Horizons Aviation, the second deal that has fallen through in the last year for the Florida-based company.
Model HD-E6C-3B/E13890K propellers (Docket No. 2000-NE-60-AD) - proposes to require, for certain serial numbers of Model D-1199-2 propeller control units (PCUs) installed, initial and repetitive inspections for below-limit propeller flight idle blade angles, and, as a terminating action, removal of the affected PCUs from service and performance of a complete Major Periodic Inspection when the applicable time-since-new or time-since-overhaul limit is reached, or when any flight idle blade angle is below limits.
Four industry associations last week petitioned FAA to delay the implementation of the agency's rewrite of repair station rules under Part 145 until the agency gives industry enough time to review and comment upon the compliance guidance.
The National Air Transportation Association urged its members to hold off conducting pilot fingerprint checks to comply with new security mandates. TSA mandated fingerprint-based FBI criminal history record checks for certain Part 135 pilots, but has not established the requirements for collector certification or collection standards. While many Part 135 operators are facing a Dec. 6 deadline for completing the checks, NATA said it is concerned that operators will spend time and money on compliance only to find out that their efforts are not valid.
Hamilton Aerospace Technologies received a contract to provide ground and flight support for Aviation Partners Boeing's B737-300 aircraft. A joint venture between Aviation Partners Inc. and The Boeing Company, Aviation Partners Boeing produces winglets for retrofit on Boeing commercial jets. A subsidiary of Renegade Venture Corp., Hamilton won an FAA Part 145 certificate in May. "Few companies so young could have landed this contract with Aviation Partners Boeing," said John Sawyer, the newly appointed president of Hamilton.
GA SHIPMENTS, BILLINGS SLIDE IN FIRST NINE MONTHS - General aviation plane-makers delivered 1,766 aircraft in the first nine months of 2002, a 16.6 percent drop from the 2,118 through the first three quarters of 2002. Billings also fell 18.1 percent from $10.25 billion through the first nine months of 2001 to $8.39 billion in the same period this year. "The numbers reflect the reality of a weak economy, not just in the U.S., but around the world," said GAMA President and CEO Ed Bolen.
Spectro Oil Analysis Company, Hampshire, United Kingdom, earned additional accreditation from the United Kingdom Accreditation Service, expanding the number of its ISO/IEC 17025 in-house test methods to 25. The latest accreditation covered six in-house methods for analysis. Along with its New Jersey-based sister company, Jet-Care International, Spectro Oil Analysis provides engine condition monitoring services, including oil, fuel, hydraulic fluid and chip analysis.
KING AIR CRASH KILLS SEN. WELLSTONE, FAMILY MEMBERS - A King Air crash in northeast Minnesota Friday killed Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-Minn.), his wife Sheila and their daughter Marcia. Five others onboard, including two pilots and three staff members, also died in the crash.
Spectro Oil Analysis Company, Hampshire, United Kingdom, earned additional accreditation from the United Kingdom Accreditation Service, expanding the number of its ISO/IEC 17025 in-house test methods to 25. The latest accreditation covered six in-house methods for analysis. Along with its New Jersey-based sister company, Jet-Care International, Spectro Oil Analysis provides engine condition monitoring services, including oil, fuel, hydraulic fluid and chip analysis.
The Federal Aviation Administration this week will release new rules requiring pilots to present a government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's license, upon request from government agencies. The rules, proposed earlier this year by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association in response to growing security concerns, are intended to enable "a readily available, low-cost way for pilots to carry photo identification," FAA said.
RAYTHEON GETS GPS ANTI-JAM CONTRACT FOR DAE PROGRAM - Two Raytheon Company businesses will develop anti-jamming technology for the Global Positioning System (GPS), the company said this month.
The National Air Transportation Association urged its members to hold off conducting pilot fingerprint checks to comply with new security mandates. TSA mandated fingerprint-based FBI criminal history record checks for certain Part 135 pilots, but has not established the requirements for collector certification or collection standards. While many Part 135 operators are facing a Dec. 6 deadline for completing the checks, NATA said it is concerned that operators will spend time and money on compliance only to find out that their efforts are not valid.
FAA officials expect shortly to release the charter outlining plans for the agency's Part 135 review and hope to organize the first meeting of an industry-based Aviation Rulemaking Committee on the topic in January. Kathy Perfetti, manager of FAA's newly established Part 135 and Fractional Ownership Operations Branch, has been working with industry and already has received a number of expressions of interest from potential participants.FAA plans to invite participation in the effort on several levels.
FAA Administrator Marion Blakey continues to meet with the general aviation community, speaking before the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association's Expo last week in Palm Springs, Calif. In her remarks, Blakey acknowledged that FAA's role is to be "an advocate for commerce and the economic benefits of aviation" and said, "We will never overlook an opportunity to remind our colleagues in the security agencies of the importance of general aviation." But she added that the community must be its own best advocate before TSA.
Mooney Aerospace boosted its limited warranty on proprietary Mooney-produced parts to three years or 600 hours, whichever comes first. The warranty applies to parts produced for all three Mooney airplane lines - the Bravo (M20M), Ovation2 (M20R) and Eagle2 (M20S). Warranty service can be provided by any of the independent Mooney service centers or by Mooney's Factory Service Center in Kerrville, Texas. Excluded from the warranty are consumables and typical wear and tear.
