A hearing before Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on the contentious issue of federal regulations governing commercial air tour overflights at the Grand Canyon turned into what one witness described as a "lovefest" after government officials, an air tour executive and representatives of the environmental community voiced support for a proposal to use an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process to help the various parties resolve their long-standing impasse over aircraft noise. The hearing was called by Sen.
The House aviation subcommittee moved to loosen the knot on flight training for foreign pilots by approving the Aviation Industry Stabilization and Reform Act of 2002 (H.R. 5506) last week. A provision in the bill, designed mainly to help airlines rebound, would exempt foreign pilots seeking recurrent training in the United States from undergoing extensive background checks.
Hamilton Sundstrand was selected to provide the emergency power Ram Air Turbine (RAT) system for Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 7X corporate jet. Hamilton Sundstrand estimated that the contract could generate more than $40 million over the life of the 7X program. The contract calls for Hamilton Sundstrand to provide the complete RAT system, including the air-driven generator, a generator control unit, a transformer rectifier unit, a deployment actuator, an uplock assembly, a restow pump and a release assembly.
House Appropriations Committee last week approved the $60 billion fiscal 2003 transportation appropriations bill that includes $13.6 billion for FAA and $5.1 billion for the Transportation Security Administration (BA, Sept. 30/152). The bill may be rolled into a fiscal 2003 omnibus spending bill as the government still operates under a continuing resolution that provides interim spending authority.
FAA's plan to review Part 135 and other business jet regulations is part of a broader effort to make FAA become a more forward-looking agency that writes rules adaptable to changes in industry, said Nicholas Sabatini, FAA associate administrator for regulation and certification. FAA needs to get a better understanding about where the industry believes the market will be in the future, Sabatini said. As an example, he wondered what Vern Raburn was thinking 10 years ago that caused him to see the market niche for the Eclipse.
Models AT-402, AT-402A, AT-402B, AT-602, AT-802, and AT-802A airplanes (Docket No. 2002-CE-03-AD; Amendment 39-12890; AD 2002-19-10) - requires repetitive inspection of the upper longeron and upper diagonal tube on the left-hand side of the aft fuselage structure for cracks and contacting the manufacturer for a repair scheme if cracks are found. This AD is the result of reports of excessive movement in the empennage due to the loss of fuselage torsional rigidity. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the fuselage caused by cracks.
The Department of Transportation last week awarded a 10-year, $20 million contract to the FAA Center of Excellence for General Aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to continue research and development programs that would improve general aviation pilot training. Embry-Riddle was selected in April 2001 as the lead university for the center. The Embry-Riddle team established the center over the last year with a $2.5 million grant. "The research and training here are more important now in the aftermath of the Sept.
Despite years of acrimony and litigation about restrictions on air tour aircraft at the Grand Canyon to reduce noise, it continues to appear that not many park visitors are disturbed by the sound of aircraft. Under questioning from Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) during a hearing before the Senate aviation subcommittee last week, government and industry officials said National Park Service officials received only 20 to 25 aircraft noise complaints a year from the GCNP's five million visitors.
EDO Corporation won a contract from Sikorsky for a composite torque box as part of the Integrated Retractable Aircraft Munitions System for the Comanche helicopter. The retractable torque box provides a mounting platform for the Hellfire Missile and other weapons systems on the helicopter. The initial contract is valued at $2 million and could increase to $6 million, if all production options are exercised.
FAA TURNS DOWN AOPA MEDICAL PETITION - The Federal Aviation Administration turned down an Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association petition to permit pilots to use a driver's license as a medical certificate, saying the agency lacks the necessary resources to undertake such a change in the regulations.
Civil aviation is a "key catalyst" for economic growth, representing about nine percent of the U.S. gross domestic product, but without more investments in the infrastructure and modernization of the national air traffic control system, aircraft delays will cost the U.S. economy some $170 billion through 2012, according to a new economic study released by DRI-WEFA. The study, The National Economic Impact of Civil Aviation, found that the total impact of civil aviation in 2000 exceeded $900 billion and 11 million jobs.
Megadata Corporation?s AirportMonitor Internet flight tracking and information system will be used by Boca Raton, Fla. Airport under a recently signed contract. Boca Raton becomes the first general aviation airport to use the system and the first airport to use AirportMonitor in South Florida airspace, Megadata said. AirportMonitor is an interactive display of air traffic and flight information in and around the terminal airspace, designed for airport web sites. It enables residents to view traffic in ?near-live? and replay mode.
Helicopter Association International urged its members to contact their local congressmen opposing a measure in the fiscal 2003 transportation appropriations bill that would prevent FAA from issuing waivers from temporary flight restrictions around large stadiums. While the NFL and other sports organizations have lobbied to keep the TFRs in place, citing security concerns about banner towers, the TFRs cover all aircraft and rotorcraft and could affect traffic in and out of several key airports.
LOCKHEED (Docket No. 2002-NM-220-AD; Amendment 39-12893; AD 2002-19-13) - requires, for certain airplanes originally manufactured by Lockheed for t he military as the P2V, among other actions, repetitive dye penetrant and detailed inspections to detect cracks in certain areas located on the left- and right-side lower wing surface between the fuselage and inboard engine nacelle; repetitive detailed inspections of adjacent areas; and repair, if necessary. This action also requires operators to submit a report of the initial inspection findings.
BRS delivered the first customer unit of its whole-airframe parachute system for the Cessna 172 Skyhawk series to William Kamm. The installation was done at the BRS facility at the South St. Paul, Minn. Airport. BRS won a production certificate for the parachute on Sept. 4 and the company has more than 20 orders.
Federal Aviation Administration issued another airworthiness directive on Textron Lycoming AEIO-540, IO-540, LTIO-540, O-540 and TIO-540 series reciprocating engines with crankshaft gear retaining bolts, P/N STD-2209 installed. The AD applies to engines used in thousands of single- and twin-engine general aviation aircraft and requires replacement of the crankshaft gear retaining bolt in accordance with Lycoming Service Bulletin SB No. 554, dated Sept. 30.
EDO Corporation won a contract from Sikorsky for a composite torque box as part of the Integrated Retractable Aircraft Munitions System for the Comanche helicopter. The retractable torque box provides a mounting platform for the Hellfire Missile and other weapons systems on the helicopter. The initial contract is valued at $2 million and could increase to $6 million, if all production options are exercised.
Oct 24-26 - Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Expo 2002, Palm Springs, Calif., (301) 695-2000 November 4-7 - Flight Safety Foundation/International Federation of Airworthiness/International Air Transport Association 55th Annual International Air Safety Seminar, City West Hotel and Conference Center, Dublin, Ireland, (703) 739-6700 February 9-11, 2003 - Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo 2003, Dallas, Texas, (703) 683-4646
BizJet International, the Tulsa, Okla., service facility, purchased the TFE731 engine inventory of Standard Aero as part of BizJet's expansion of its TFE731 capability. BizJet, a unit of Lufthansa Technik Service Co., said the Standard Aero assets include rental and lease engines, test equipment, tooling and an extensive inventory of new and used hardware. "This purchase will help us meet the increasing demand for our TFE services," said Jace Stone, vice president of sales, marketing and business development for Bizjet.
HOUSE AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE PASSES AVIATION REFORM BILL - The House aviation subcommittee moved to loosen the knot on flight training for foreign pilots by approving the Aviation Industry Stabilization and Reform Act of 2002 (H.R. 5506) last week. A provision in the bill, designed mainly to help airlines rebound, would exempt foreign pilots seeking recurrent training in the United States from undergoing extensive background checks.
The Federal Aviation Administration is calling for scheduled airlines to develop corrosion prevention and control programs (CPCPs) on their entire fleet of multi-engine aircraft and asked for comments on the need for such programs in other operations. The proposal, published in the Oct. 3 Federal Register, covers Parts 121, 129 and scheduled Part 135 operators.
ECONOMISTS PEG PRICE OF AVIATION CAPACITY SHORTFALL AT $170 BILLION - Civil aviation is a "key catalyst" for economic growth, representing about nine percent of the U.S. gross domestic product, but without more investments in the infrastructure and modernization of the national air traffic control system, aircraft delays will cost the U.S. economy some $170 billion through 2012, according to a new economic study released by DRI-WEFA.
Raytheon Aircraft Charter & Management added three aircraft to its charter certificate - a Beechjet 400A based in Atlanta, a Hawker 700/731 based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and a Falcon 900 based in Indianapolis.
Air traffic controllers gave FAA until the end of the year to decide if it will extend their contract for two years or enter negotiations for a new contract.
The Department of Transportation last week awarded a 10-year, $20 million contract to the FAA Center of Excellence for General Aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to continue research and development programs that would improve general aviation pilot training. Embry-Riddle was selected in April 2001 as the lead university for the center. The Embry-Riddle team established the center over the last year with a $2.5 million grant. "The research and training here are more important now in the aftermath of the Sept.
