Rockwell Collins won a contract to provide displays for at least 1,200 Sikorsky Black Hawk UH-60 helicopters. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based avionics manufacturer signed an agreement with Sikorsky last week that is expected to generate $225 million in sales for Collins over the 20-year life of the program. In April 2001, the Army approved the upgrade of 1,500 Black Hawks to a UH-60M standard, a program designed to extend the service life of the helicopter until 2025. The first Black Hawks entered Army service in 1978.
RAYTHEON BEECH Models 36, A36, A36TC, B36TC, 58, and 58A airplanes (Docket No. 2002-CE-07-AD) - proposes to supercede AD 2000-26-16, which applies to certain Raytheon Beech Models A36, B36TC, and 58 airplanes. AD 2000-26-16 currently requires inspections for missing rivets on the right hand side of the fuselage and, if necessary, installation of missing rivets. AD 2000-26-16 resulted from Raytheon identifying several instances of missing rivets on these airplanes.
MINETA FILLS OPENINGS ON FAA AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE - Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta appointed Kip Hawley and Philip Brady to fill vacancies on the five-member Federal Aviation Administration Management Advisory Council Air Traffic Services Subcommittee. Congress established the subcommittee in the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21) to provide direct oversight and approval of FAA air traffic contracts totaling more than $100,000.
National Air Transportation Association and the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association have sold the Aviation Services and Suppliers Super Show (AS3) to Cygnus Business Media. The company previously acquired the GSE International Expo, which focuses on ground support equipment and services. Cygnus said it plans to collocate the two events next spring and operate them as separate but concurrent shows. "The aviation industry is changing, with products and services that overlap both the general and commercial sectors," said Cygnus Expositions President Jeff Price.
Keith D. Rash was named regional sales director at Wing Aviation in Conroe, Tex. He most recently worked in sales and customer service at BizJet International Sales and Support. Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Rash will sell maintenance, avionics upgrades, installations, paint and interior.
The South Korean Air Force conducted a successful first flight of its T-50 advanced fighter trainer Aug. 20, ending two months of delays with a 39-minute flight. The first T-50 Golden Eagle, designed and built by Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries, was supposed to have flown in June, but software glitches and wiring problems postponed the event. The takeoff and landing were performed at the KAI plant in Sachon, Korea. The new trainer is designed for top speeds of Mach 1.4.
Newark International Airport (EWR) would be renamed Liberty International Airport to commemorate the events of Sept. 11, under a proposal that surfaced last week. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said it supports the name change, adding that it "will work with Governors McGreevy and Pataki, our Board of Commissioners and the city of Newark to see that this fitting tribute becomes a reality."
The Federal Aviation Administration is planning a comprehensive review of rules governing aircraft that operate under Parts 135, 125, 119 and 91, the agency confirmed last week, saying "there is a significant possibility of major revision to Part 135 and 125 to reflect today's environment." FAA's Kathy Perfetti first detailed the agency's plans to a gathering of the National Air Transportation Association's Fractional Aircraft Business Council earlier this month, saying a recent memorandum on the use of certain large aircraft under Part 135 could serve as a springboard
Bill Hogate was named regional sales manager, Northern Region at CAE SimuFlite, covering Canada, Illinois and Wisconsin. Hogate was most recently vice president, business development at GetThere. He is also an airline transport rated pilot with more than 3,000 hours.
MORAVAN Models Z-143L and Z-242L airplanes (Docket No. 99-CE-71-AD) - proposes to require modification of the engine secondary vent line. This proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the airworthiness authority for the Czech Republic. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to prevent the engine crankcase ventilation lines from freezing during flight in cold weather conditions, which could result in oil leaking from the engine. The proposed AD affects an estimated 39 aircraft on the U.S.
August 31-September 2 - The Cleveland National Air Show, 1501 North Marginal Road, Burke Lakefront Airport, Cleveland, Ohio. For more information call Kim Dell at (216) 781-0747 or visit www.clevelandairshow.com September 8 - National Aircraft Resale Association Fall Meeting, Peabody Hotel, Orlando, Fla. September 10-12 - National Business Aviation Association 55th Annual Meeting and Convention, Orlando, Fla., (202) 783-9000
Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta appointed Kip Hawley and Philip Brady to fill vacancies on the five-member Federal Aviation Administration Management Advisory Council Air Traffic Services Subcommittee. Congress established the subcommittee in the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21) to provide direct oversight and approval of FAA air traffic contracts totaling more than $100,000.
Jet Centers selected advertising agency Ackerman McQueen of Dallas, Texas to oversee the launch of a new branding campaign. Jet Centers is a fixed-base operator that provides executive jet services. The company, which has facilities in Austin and Fort Worth, Texas, Tucson, Ariz., Greeley, Colo. and Casper, Wyo., plans to open additional facilities this year. The company recently went public with its stock.
Conklin&De Decker will hold its second annual Aircraft Acquisition Planning seminar in Scottsdale, Ariz., November 14-15, 2002. The seminar will covers topics such as how to determine the best aircraft for the mission, financing and leasing arrangements, ownership alternatives and depreciation.
The Commission on the Future of the United States Aerospace Industry convened its fourth public meeting last week, hearing testimony from industry leaders about the need for more air traffic controllers, expanded runways and prioritizing aviation programs.
Glenn MacDonald was named regional sales manager, northeast region at CAE SimuFlite, covering Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Vermont. He was formerly vice president at ExcelAire Service and holds a commercial helicopter pilot license.
Avfuel recently added two new fixed-base operators to its dealers network. Executive Air Center of Orlando, Fla. is an authorized Cessna Service Center. The company offers hangar space, maintenance and repair services and aircraft detailing. Avion Jet Center, located on the southwest side of Orlando, specializes in aircraft rental and sales, charter service, maintenance, line service and fueling. The FBO also houses the Avion Air Academy, which offers private pilot training, college credit courses and professional pilot programs.
Parker Hannifin Corporation's Nichols Airborne and Aircraft Wheel & Brake divisions introduced its fuel pump and wheel and brake conversion kit rebate program for its Airborne and Cleveland brands. The rebates apply to Hawker, Raytheon, Mitsubishi, Cessna and New Piper fleets and include a $200 savings on 24 different Airbone fuel pumps and a $400 savings on 10 Cleveland conversion kits. The rebates, which will be available through authorized Airborne and Cleveland distributors as well as on the Parker websites, are effective Sept. 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003.
CHC Helicopter Corporation's subsidiary CHC Scotia won a five-year contract renewal plus options for another five years from Centrica unit Hydrocarbon Resources Limited and BHP Billiton for the use of two AS365N Dauphin helicopters to support offshore East Irish Sea oil and gas operations. CHC Scotia valued the contract over the five years at $48 million (Canadian).
Neil Hocker was named senior certification engineer at Jet Aviation Engineering Services. Hocker, a certified FAA Designated Airworthiness Representative, will work to develop supplemental type certificates for the company. With 30 years of aviation experience, specifically in quality assurance and non-destructive testing, Hocker was previously manager of quality and engineering at West Star Aviation.
BROWARD COUNTY DELAYS DECISION ON FORT LAUDERDALE RUNWAY - Although FAA is pushing for a quick decision, the Broward County, Fla., Commission last week decided to defer any action on a proposed extension of the south runway at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport.
FAA GROUNDS AIRCRAFT WITH CERTAIN LYCOMING ENGINES - The Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency airworthiness directive grounding aircraft powered by Textron Lycoming TIO-540 and LTIO-540 engines, requiring operators to inspect and replace crankshafts before further flight. "This emergency AD is prompted by reports of 17 crankshaft failures in LTIO-540 and TIO engines, rated at 300 horsepower or higher, that were assembled with certain crankshafts that were manufactured using a hammer-forged process," FAA said.
Aircraft Owners And Pilots Association and the sports community have been working with FAA and TSA to tighten up the language of a temporary flight restriction put in place Sept. 20 prohibiting flights within a three-nautical-mile radius or 3,000 feet over "any major professional or collegiate sporting event or any other major open air assembly unless authorized by ATC." The TFR effectively quashed the 2001 fall football season for banner towers, but they have been receiving waivers for this season.
Honeywell signed an agreement to team with Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management of Rockville, Md. to provide FAA with Local Area Augmentation System (LAAS) hardware and support. FAA expects to award a contract in September for the initial production units and installation at six airports, with options for another 15-40 per year over five years. LAAS is an airport-based ground system that uses Global Positioning System satellites to provide aircraft with exact local navigational data to permit them to execute precision approaches.
