EUROCOPTER Model AS332L and AS332L1 helicopters (Docket No. 2001-SW-46-AD; Amendment 39-12801; AD 2002-14-01) - requires adding a supplement to the Limitations section of the applicable Rotorcraft Flight Manual for helicopters with "SEFA" skis installed. This amendment is prompted by the need to limit the taxi and Vne speed of those helicopters with skis. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent structural failure of a ski and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. FAA estimates that this AD will affect three helicopters on the U.S.
Just over three years since development began, Eclipse Aviation was scheduled to roll out the first Eclipse 500 business jet last weekend, the first of what company officials believe will soon be a fleet of thousands of aircraft for the owner-flown and air taxi markets.
Federal Aviation Administration issued a stern warning to pilots last week to avoid areas where temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) are in place. The agency warned that the TFRs are not shown on sectional or other aeronautical charts, but said the TFR information is available through flight service stations or DUATS.
A Boeing 777 pilot for United Airlines was killed July 6 after the 2002 model Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 20C-1 he was flying experienced engine problems and crashed into a subdivision as the pilot was attempting to find a safe place to land.
DA 20 CRASH CLAIMS BOEING 777 PILOT - A Boeing 777 pilot for United Airlines was killed July 6 after the 2002 model Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 20C-1 he was flying experienced engine problems and crashed into a subdivision as the pilot was attempting to find a safe place to land.
Brian F. Gunderson, a long-time aide to Rep. Dick Armey (R-Texas), was named chief of staff in the office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Gunderson, who held a variety of positions in Armey's office from 1985-2000, most recently has been Armey's top aide, helping to manage the House Republican legislative agenda, including last year's passage of the Trade Promotion Authority legislation.
Jim Keenan was named senior vice president of commercial engines for Pratt & Whitney Commercial Engines. He will have full responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Commercial Engines Division, said Robert F. Leduc, president of the division, who said Keenan's appointment will provide Leduc with more time to focus on critical customer and employee issues as well as long-term strategic initiatives. The Commercial Engines unit serves more than 500 customers worldwide and has more than 7,000 employees.
Alenia Aeronautica and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics sold the first five of what is expected to be a total of 12 C-27J Spartan airlifters to the Italian government. Alenia and Lockheed jointly developed the C-27J, and the contract is valued at more than $200 million. The first C-27 will be delivered to the Italian Air Force by mid-2005, with the final aircraft to be delivered by late 2006. Powered by Rolls Royce AE21002 engines, the C-27J Spartan is based on the twin-engine C-27A/G.
The Aviation Service division of BBA Group PLC, the British parent company of Signature Flight Support, has added several new locations to its network of fixed-base operations and acquired a freight and ground handling company.
Jeff Flack joined Innotech Aviation as regional sales manager for the Southeast U.S., based in Greer, S.C. John Moyn, Innotech's vice president of sales and marketing for the U.S., said Flack will be responsible for marketing the company's business aircraft maintenance, refurbishment, overhaul and repair services at its facilities in Montreal, Quebec and Toronto, Ontario. Flack previously held sales and marketing posts with Stevens Aviation, B/E Aerospace and Raytheon Aircraft.
Lawrence M. Falco was named division manager of Barnes Aerospace Apex Manufacturing Division in Phoenix, Ariz. He will be responsible for all of the division's activities. Most recently, Falco was division manager of the Barnes Aerospace Ceramics Division. His career also includes positions with Precision Components International in Columbus, Ga. and with Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, Conn. from 1991 to 1996.
Brian F. Gunderson, a long-time aide to Rep. Dick Armey (R-Texas), was named chief of staff in the office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Gunderson, who held a variety of positions in Armey's office from 1985-2000, most recently has been Armey's top aide, helping to manage the House Republican legislative agenda, including last year's passage of the Trade Promotion Authority legislation.
Just over three years since development began, Eclipse Aviation was scheduled to roll out the first Eclipse 500 business jet last weekend, the first of what company officials believe will soon be a fleet of thousands of aircraft for the owner-flown and air taxi markets.
HOUSE PASSES BILL TO STREAMLINE AIRPORT PROJECTS - The House of Representatives approved legislation Wednesday designed to expedite consideration of airport expansion projects, a move aimed at increasing the land-side capacity of the national airspace system.
Boeing recently launched a new website dedicated to aviation safety information. The website, www.boeing.com/safety, will "provide extensive information about all the things industry does every day to ensure the highest level of safety for the flying public," said Alan Mulally, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Keystone Helicopter, West Chester, Pa., said Argosy Investment Partners II LP of Wayne, Pa., has joined Keystone's outside group of institutional investors. Terms of Argosy's involvement were not disclosed, but Steve Townes, CEO of the helicopter company, said "We welcome Argosy's investment experience and capital resources as we continue to grow Keystone Helicopter internally as well as through follow-on acquisitions."
The House of Representatives approved legislation Wednesday designed to expedite consideration of airport expansion projects, a move aimed at increasing the land-side capacity of the national airspace system.
Boeing recently launched a new website dedicated to aviation safety information. The website, www.boeing.com/safety, will "provide extensive information about all the things industry does every day to ensure the highest level of safety for the flying public," said Alan Mulally, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
BBA GROUP ADDING LOCATIONS, EXPANDING FACILITIES - The Aviation Service division of BBA Group PLC, the British parent company of Signature Flight Support, has added several new locations to its network of fixed-base operations and acquired a freight and ground handling company.
GULFSTREAM LP Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes (Docket No. 2002-NM-114-AD) - proposes to require revising the airplane flight manual to advise the flightcrew to don oxygen masks as a first and immediate step following a cabin altitude alert. This action is necessary to prevent incapacitation of the flightcrew due to lack of oxygen. FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 90 airplanes on the U.S. Registry at a cost of $5,400, or $60 per airplane. Send comments in triplicate by Aug.
Jeff Flack joined Innotech Aviation as regional sales manager for the Southeast U.S., based in Greer, S.C. John Moyn, Innotech's vice president of sales and marketing for the U.S., said Flack will be responsible for marketing the company's business aircraft maintenance, refurbishment, overhaul and repair services at its facilities in Montreal, Quebec and Toronto, Ontario. Flack previously held sales and marketing posts with Stevens Aviation, B/E Aerospace and Raytheon Aircraft.
Cessna Aircraft and its parent company Textron agreed to pay $1.6 million last week to settle a wrongful death suit brought by the family of former Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan and another man who were killed in the crash of a 1980 model Cessna 335 while Carnahan was campaigning for a U.S. Senate seat on Oct. 16, 2000. The National Transportation Safety Board recently determined that the probable cause of the accident was "the pilot's failure to control the airplane while maneuvering because of spatial disorientation.
Cessna Aircraft and its parent company Textron agreed to pay $1.6 million last week to settle a wrongful death suit brought by the family of former Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan and another man who were killed in the crash of a 1980 model Cessna 335 while Carnahan was campaigning for a U.S. Senate seat on Oct. 16, 2000. The National Transportation Safety Board recently determined that the probable cause of the accident was "the pilot's failure to control the airplane while maneuvering because of spatial disorientation.
