EMBRAER Model EMB-135 and -145 series airplanes (Docket No. 2002-NM-131-AD; Amendment 39-12825; AD 2002-14-25) - supersedes an existing AD that currently requires repetitive inspections of the actuator clutches of the primary and backup pitch trim systems of the horizontal stabilizer for proper pitch trim indications, and replacement of the actuator, if necessary. This amendment expands the applicability in the existing AD. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a civil airworthiness authority.
Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta confirmed to Congress last week that the Bush Administration "decided not to proceed with opening" Washington Reagan National Airport to general aviation flights (BA, July 22/31). That decision came after assessing recent "intelligence reports," Mineta told the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, adding that he cannot give a date when the GA ban will be lifted.
NEW BOMBARDIER REGIONAL JET APPEARS MORE LIKELY - Bombardier appears to be moving closer to a decision on whether to go ahead with a new large regional jet.
Gulfstream's first production GV-SP took to the skies for the first time July 18, completing a five-hour and one-minute flight from Savannah International Airport. The flight of Serial Number 5001 came 16 days after the 100th flight of the GV-SP test article. The GV-SP, Gulfstream's follow-on to its long-range G-V, can fly eight passengers and four crew 6,750 nautical miles, reaching speeds up to Mach .88 and altitudes of up to 51,000 feet. It incorporates Gulfsteam's new PlaneView cockpit, which includes an Enhanced Vision System.
Duncan Aviation is hosting an Intelli-Conference Symposium Oct. 1 and 2 at its Lincoln, Neb. headquarters. The symposium, in its sixth year, will include 19 workshops and technical sessions covering aging aircraft issues, troubleshooting, avionics and communications upgrades, aircraft acquisition, the used market, large completion and maintenance projects, parts tracking and human factors resource management. For more information, contact Duncan at (402) 475-2611 or visit www.DuncanAviation.com/Conference web site.
FAA Administrator Jane Garvey, making her last appearance before the Aero Club of Washington Tuesday, told an overflow audience - which included her successor, Marion Blakey - that the biggest challenge Blakey will face is staying focused on airspace modernization and safety in the face of new security concerns and requirements. Garvey received standing ovations before and after her speech. See excerpts below.
FlightSafety International's new Hawker 800XP simulator in Wichita, Kan. won FAA Level D certification. The Wichita installation is the third Hawker 800XP simulator built by the company, and FSI said several features of the new unit "qualify it as one of the most advanced in the world." The new simulator incorporates a Wintel or Pentium chip-based host computer, modular construction and a new-generation VITAL-9 visual system that surrounds the cockpit "with day and night scenes of unprecedented texture and clarity" through use of high-resolution technology.
Jet Aviation's West Palm Beach, Fla. facility recently received approval from Brazilian airworthiness officials to perform maintenance on aircraft registered in that country.
FAA Administrator Jane Garvey, making her last appearance before the Aero Club of Washington Tuesday, told an overflow audience - which included her successor, Marion Blakey - that the biggest challenge Blakey will face is staying focused on airspace modernization and safety in the face of new security concerns and requirements. Garvey received standing ovations before and after her speech. See excerpts below.
Despite production cutbacks by some of its competitors, Rosanvallon says Dassault Falcon Jet will continue to produce business jets at a rate of seven per month through 2002 and probably through 2003 as well. He noted that 2003 is an important year for the company as it begins delivery of the Falcon 900EX with the EASy cockpit avionics package and the first units of the Falcon 2000EX.
Stevens Aviation Nashville (BNA), signed a five-year lease extension with the airport that ensures the company's presence there until 2007. The Stevens facility opened in March 1981 and is an authorized Raytheon/Beechcraft service center. The service facility has 45 employees, a 30,000-square-foot hangar and 10,000 square feet of office space.
Keystone Helicopter's Flight Division signed a five-year agreement with Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock to provide flight management services for the hospital's intensive-care "Angel Flight" transport program. Keystone will employ nine pilots and three mechanics to support the program's two twin-engine helicopters. Keystone also is completing the outfitting of two new Sikorsky S76C+ helicopters that will be used to upgrade the hospital's fleet (BA, July 15/27).
Canadian manufacturer Bombardier is getting ready to begin final assembly of the first Global 5000, a shorter version of the very-long-range Global Express that it has been building for several years. The forward fuselage for the first Global 5000 arrived in Bombardier's Toronto facility late last month following shipment from the company's Belfast, Northern Ireland factory. First flight is expected in the first quarter of 2003, with type certification from Canadian, U.S. and European authorities in the first quarter of 2004.
Avquotes.com added Embraer Aircraft Maintenance Services, Texas Aviation Services and the HAS Corporation to its subscription list for its maintenance quote service. Launched in January 2000, Avquotes.com provides aircraft operators the ability to solicit aircraft maintenance and refurbishment quotes from a number of companies through a single point of contact.
While most other manufacturers were scaling back production, Cirrus Design Corp. nearly doubled its output, delivering more aircraft so far this year than any other general aviation manufacturer except Cessna. The Duluth, Minn. maker of the single-engine SR20 and SR22 shipped 168 airplanes in the first half of the year. New Piper delivered 157 and Raytheon Aircraft 113. See article as well as BA's unit shipment chart below.
Pratt & Whitney Canada signed a fleet management program with Air Midwest, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mesa Air Group, Inc. The deal includes a six-year term cost plan (TCP) covering certain engine maintenance services, in addition to the purchase of select assets of Mesa's Desert Turbine Services maintenance facility in Farmington, N.M. The agreement, valued at $70 million over six years, covers Mesa's 116 installed and spare PT6A-67D engines for its fleet of Beech 1900 airliners.
FlightSafety International's new Hawker 800XP simulator in Wichita, Kan. won FAA Level D certification. The Wichita installation is the third Hawker 800XP simulator built by the company, and FSI said several features of the new unit "qualify it as one of the most advanced in the world." The new simulator incorporates a Wintel or Pentium chip-based host computer, modular construction and a new-generation VITAL-9 visual system that surrounds the cockpit "with day and night scenes of unprecedented texture and clarity" through use of high-resolution technology.
Pratt&Whitney Canada is pursuing an agreement with Russian officials for use of the engine manufacturer's new 10,000-pound-plus thrust powerplant to launch the new PW800 program on a new line of regional jets.
In a parting speech Wednesday before the Aero Club of Washington, FAA Administrator Jane Garvey stressed the collaborative effort between government and industry during her tenure at the helm of FAA. Garvey's last day as administrator is Aug. 4. Below are excerpts from that speech, which she said was her "state of aviation" address.
EMBRAER Model EMB-134 and -145 series airplanes (Docket No. 2002-NM-129-AD; Amendment 39-12823; AD 2002-14-23) - requires a one-time inspection of the clutch assembly of the horizontal stabilizer actuator (HSA) to verify that at least one locking tab on the key washer is bent into the locking groove of the clutch nut, and follow-on actions. This action is necessary to prevent a loose or disengaged clutch nut on the HSA clutch assembly, which could result in loss of pitch trim and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
Federal Aviation Administration selected five sites for its latest round of awards in the Military Airport Program, which provides funds to facilities that have converted or plan to covert from military to civilian or joint airport use. The airports are: Guam International; San Bernardino International, Calif.; Sawyer Airport, Marquette, Mich.; Mid-America Airport, Belleville, Ill.; and Plattsburgh International, Plattsburgh, N.Y. All but Plattsburgh are already in the program and are being re-designated to continue. A dozen other airports also are in the MAP.
TURBOMECA Arriel Models 1A, 1A1, 1B, 1D, and 1D1 turboshaft engines (Docket No. 2001-NE-35-AD; Amendment 39-12826; AD 2002-14-26) - requires installation of containment shield rings around the free turbine blade area, and installation of a double support around the gearbox free turbine bearing housing. This amendment is prompted by two reports of the cantilevered axis of the free turbine moving from its design position and inducing blade trajectories outside the current design free turbine containment area.
