SIKORSKY Model S-76A, S-76B and S-76C helicopters [Docket No. 2001-SW-59-AD] - proposes to require removing and inspecting each main rotor spindle attachment bolt to ensure that the correct bolts are installed. This proposal is prompted by the discovery of improper bolts installed on a helicopter during its production.
Radio Personality Don Imus joined the Corporate Angel Network as a NetJets fractional aircraft owner. Imus is the first fractional aircraft owner to participate in CAN, a national public charity that arranges free transportation for cancer patients traveling to treatment centers. Imus and his wife Deidre run a nonprofit working cattle ranch in New Mexico for children with cancer, and he said CAN recently flew one of the kids from his ranch. "I found the program rewarding, efficient and hassle-free...and I'm happy to be a part of it," Imus said.
House Aviation Subcommittee approved a bill last week that provides for a program permitting a two-year test under which 250 deputized airline pilots would be authorized to carry firearms in the cockpit. The full Transportation & Infrastructure Committee is scheduled to consider the measure this week.
RAYTHEON Models E55, E55A, A56TC, 58, 58A, 58P, 58PA, 58TC, and 58TCA airplanes (Docket No. 2001-CE-43-AD; Amendment 39-12768; AD 2002-11-07) - requires inspection of the instrument subpanel electroluminescent panel retaining screw for proper length and the rotating beacon circuit breaker switch (or any other switch in the same location) for damage and replacement of any screw or circuit breaker switch as necessary.
Cessna Aircraft handed over a Citation Excel and Bravo to two Canadian fractional ownership providers. AirSprint, based in Calgary, took delivery of the first of two Citation Excels on order. The second is slated for delivery in February. Jet-Share, based at Toronto's Pearson Airport, will operate three Bravos to serve customers in the southern Ontario market.
AIR TRACTOR Models AT-400, AT-401, AT-401B, AT-402, AT-402A, AT-402B, AT-501, AT-802, and AT-802A airplanes (Docket No. 2001-CE-36-AD; Amendment 39-12766; AD 2002-11-05) - supersedes AD 2001-10-04 R1, which lowered the safe life for the wing lower spar cap on certain Air Tractor AT-400, AT-500, and AT-800 series airplanes. AD 2001-10-04 R1 resulted from numerous reports of cracks in the 3/8-inch bolthole of the wing lower spar cap on the affected airplanes.
SIKORSKY Model S-70A and S-70C helicopters (Docket No. 2002-SW-10-AD; Amendment 39-12771; AD 2002-11-10) - supersedes an existing airworthiness directive for Sikorsky Model S-70A and S-70C helicopters. That AD currently requires inspecting a certain part-numbered main landing gear drag beam for a crack, removing any cracked beam before further flight, and reducing the torque of the jackpad mounting bolt retention nut of each beam. This amendment contains the same actions but requires those actions for another beam part number.
Angelo Fiataruolo, who has headed operations of Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd. (PBAL) for the past 23 months, was abruptly dismissed by officials of the Swiss-based parent company last week who installed Swiss nationals to replace Fiataruolo and his chief financial officer.
Banyan Air Service will purchase the assets of Cav-Air's fixed-wing maintenance division, parts distribution, FBO services, and leasehold. The acquisition will help the FBO to combine its 50-acre property with Cav-Air's 35 acres. "Their center field location, larger ramp area, and additional fuel storage will complement our business, paving the way for a new terminal as the nerve center supporting one million square feet of hangars on 85 acres, serving approximately 500 based aircraft," said Don Campion, Banyan president.
Dan Poling was named aircraft service manager at National Flight Services. He will oversee the aircraft maintenance operation in Toledo, Ohio and develop multi-shift maintenance support for customers. Poling started his career at National Flight Services in 1973 as airframe and powerplant mechanic and was most recently parts and components manager.
Jet Aviation Engineering Services redesigned a Learjet 45 winglet for a manufacturing company. The winglet was re-engineered to reduce manufacturing costs and improve it structurally. Jet Aviation engineers used new alloys to decrease fatigue and stress levels and reduced casting and machinery time to lower costs.
The Museum Of Flight, the independent, non-profit museum based at the original manufacturing facility of The Boeing Company in Seattle, Wash., kicked off the first of a three-phase master expansion plan that will double the facility over the next 10 years. Museum organizers have raised $59.3 million to launch the project, and the first phase includes building an 88,000-square-foot addition at the north end of the facility to house the Personal Courage Wing.
Gulfstream Aerospace rolled out its first production Gulfstream V SP, S/N 5001, last week at the company's Savannah, Ga. headquarters, and FlightSafety International said a Gulfstream V simulator at FSI's Greater Philadelphia/Wilmington training center won Level D certification from FAA.
GA LEADERS CONCERNED ABOUT FALLOUT OVER LOST PILOT IN D.C. - General aviation leaders hope last week's incident in which the pilot of a Cessna 182 encroached the temporary no-fly zone around Washington, D.C., coming within five miles of the White House, doesn't serve as another setback in their effort to get GA flights back into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The incident, which took place Wednesday evening, caused a brief evacuation of the White House as two military fighters were sent up to intercept the errant aircraft.
Aircraft Owners And Pilots Association is putting the final touches on a new website, and an accompanying advertising campaign, aimed at reversing misconceptions "of who and what general aviation is among decision makers and local governments," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. The website will depict the positive impact of general aviation and show its reach into the lives of citizens across the country.
Microvision has developed the Nomad Personal Flight System, which will give pilots a head-up view of critical flight information. Relying on an iPAQ Pocket personal computer, the system uses a high-resolution, head-worn display that can present images in see-through or head-up mode. The system is independent of installed avionics and does not require additional certifications, Microvision said. Microvision has priced the system at about $12,000.
While Roy Norris has spent most of his career focusing on selling upper-end business jets, the new chairman and CEO of Mooney Aerospace Group says he's looking forward to the excitement and growth potential of building and selling smaller aircraft. Competition between the business jet manufacturers has dissolved into a market share contest, he said, with the No. 1 question being, "Who's going to give the next biggest discount to EJA?"
Rolls-Royce said orders for fractional aircraft operations accounted for about 16 percent of business jet deliveries in 2001 and expects that figure to double within the next 20 years, demonstrating the trend that new customers are being introduced to the corporate jet market through fractionals. Officials told a media roundtable in Washington, D.C. last week they are cautiously optimistic about the future but expect "a depressed market" during 2003.
Aircraft Owners And Pilots Association is putting the final touches on a new website, and an accompanying advertising campaign, aimed at reversing misconceptions "of who and what general aviation is among decision makers and local governments," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. The website will depict the positive impact of general aviation and show its reach into the lives of citizens across the country.
MEDAIRE President and CEO Joan Sullivan Garrett was named to a three-year term on the Flight Safety Foundation Board of Governors. Garrett previously served on FSF's Fatigue Countermeasures Committee and chaired the Oxygen Committee.
June has been a tough month for top executives of business aircraft manufacturers, with both Cessna and now Pilatus making CEO changes. See article below.
