AIR TRACTOR Models AT-502, AT-502A, AT-502B, and AT-503A airplanes (Docket No. 2002-CE-10-AD; Amendment 39-12764; AD 2002-11-03) - lowers the safe life for the wing lower spar cap established in AD 2001-10-04 R1 and further reduces the safe life for airplanes that incorporate or have incorporated Marburger Enterprises, Inc. winglets.
The Transportation Security Administration is hoping to release a draft "standard security program" (SSP) by June 24 that will provide charter operators guidance on compliance with the so-called Twelve-Five rule and has promised that it would not enforce the requirements until operators have had at least 30 days to review them. At the direction of Congress, TSA released the Twelve-Five rule in February, calling for charters operating aircraft that weigh at least 12,500 pounds to implement a security program by June 24.
SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT teamed with Raytheon to develop an Unmanned Combat Armed Rotorcraft (UCAR) concept under a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) contract. The contract covers the conceptual design, including effectiveness and cost projections, and a plan for the UCAR program. Sikorsky will draw upon its low observable combat rotorcraft design and integration experience from the Comanche and Raytheon will provide advanced sensors, advanced weapon development, unmanned aerial vehicle command and control, and C4ISR integration.
Pilot spatial disorientation complicated by a faulty attitude indicator was the likely reason a Cessna 335 crashed near Hillsboro, Mo. Oct. 16, 2000, killing former Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan (D), his son Randy and his campaign aide, Chris Sifford, the National Transportation Safety Board reaffirmed in its final accident report released last week. The accident gained national attention as the former governor, who was in a contentious and close Senate race with then Sen. John Ashcroft (R), died on the campaign trail within a month of the election.
Returning to a concept pursued by the Clinton administration, President Bush Thursday signed an executive order calling for the establishment of a performance-based air traffic organization (ATO) that will be run by a chief operating officer. The executive order was first signed by President Clinton on Dec. 7.
The Honeywell TPE331 turboprop engine fleet has amassed more than 100 million hours of operation since entering service in 1965. Nearly 13,000 TPE331s have been delivered to manufacturers of 40 different regional, utility, business, general aviation and agricultural aircraft.
Atlantic Coast Airlines placed a $571.5 million order for 25 Bombardier CRJ200 regional jets, the manufacturer announced. The aircraft, which the airline will fly under the United Express banner, are scheduled for delivery during 2003 and 2004. The order is the tenth that ACA has placed with Bombardier since its first in January 1997.
LUFTHANSA TECHNIK handed over a VIP Boeing 747-400 jumbo jet to a private customer in the Middle East. The aircraft, the seventh VIP Boeing 747 that Lufthansa Technik has completed, arrived at Lufthansa's facilities in Hamburg, Germany in January 2001 for outfitting with a customized interior. Lufthansa will begin work on its next VIP 747 in July for another Middle East customer. The German aviation services company will install an interior that includes sleeping quarters, a conference room and work areas. Plans call for the work to be completed by the end of 2003.
Atlantic Coast Airlines placed a $571.5 million order for 25 Bombardier CRJ200 regional jets, the manufacturer announced. The aircraft, which the airline will fly under the United Express banner, are scheduled for delivery during 2003 and 2004. The order is the tenth that ACA has placed with Bombardier since its first in January 1997.
Revenue and profits dropped slightly in 2001 for Jet Aviation, but the Swiss-based aviation services company said its results were the second highest in company history despite the sluggish economy. The company had revenues of CHF 795 million in 2001, compared with CHF 841 million in 2000, and profits slid six percent to CHF 55 million in 2001.
(Docket No. 2000-NE-57-AD) - proposed to require inspecting certain Titeflex hoses for a date of manufacture, and if necessary, replacing the hose with a serviceable part. This proposal is prompted by reports of hoses that failed to meet the fire test requirements during laboratory testing. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of a hose when exposed to fire. FAA estimates this proposed AD would affect 2,500 hoses installed on airplanes on the U.S. Registry at a cost of $3.25 million. Send comments by Aug.
THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION signed a project document and management services agreement with Afghanistan to rebuild Kabul Airport and provide air traffic control. The $8.2 million (U.S.) project, funded by Afghanistan, is part of a larger ICAO initiative to restore the country's civil aviation system. Under the latest agreement, ICAO will manage the Kabul Airport project, including hiring and training of airport and ATC personnel and well as purchasing of equipment.
CESSNA AIRCRAFT named Trans Global Aviation Limited a Caravan authorized sales representative in Spain. The company will represent Cessna as MB Aviacion S.L. The appointment comes as Cessna delivers its first four Caravans to cargo companies in Spain. The Wichita, Kan. manufacturer said interest has picked up in the aircraft over the past six months from European operators thanks to a release of a proposed rule change that would allow single-engine turbine aircraft to operate commercially in instrument meteorological and night conditions.
THE IOWA legislature last week agreed to cut the remaining $500,000 in aviation program funding (BA, May 27/245). While the state's Office of Aviation was given enough money to cover its operations, it was not given any money to spend on aviation programs. "We are already working on the challenges that lie before us," said Michelle McEnany, director of the Iowa Office of Aviation.
Bombardier's long-range Global Express business jet won type certification approval from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau, clearing the way for customers to register the 6,500-nautical-mile aircraft in Japan.
Eclipse Friday acknowledged that its 1,000-aircraft order from charter start-up Nimbus could be in jeopardy as a June 30 deadline for deposits looms, but President and Chief Executive Vern Raburn was optimistic about the market for the company's entry-level Eclipse 500 jet with or without the Nimbus order. "The Nimbus deal has always been a deal that has requirements to be met," Raburn said. "They're having a hard time raising the money [to meet those requirements]."
RAYTHEON Model 390 airplanes (Docket No. 2002-CE-19-AD; Amendment 39-12763; AD 2002-11-02) - requires insertion of a temporary change into the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) that adds a limitation for prohibiting flight into icing conditions and adds procedures for when an icing condition occurs. This AD is the result of reports of a manufacturing problem with the wing leading edge anti-ice system.
Airshow is nearing completion of a new satellite television system that will provide multi-region reception and is working with Jet Aviation of Basel, Switzerland for installation, system testing and FAA certification on a widebody business jet. Airshow's Tailwind 550 Airborne TV System will incorporate a new AeroSat antenna designed to mount on large aircraft to enable reception over several regions, including the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. Airshow will begin delivery of the system later this year.
The World's Scheduled Airlines lost $10.9 billion last year, according to the International Civil Aviation Organization. The losses were attributed to a general economic slowdown in the second half of 2001, coupled with the sharp decline in traffic following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S.
The World's Scheduled Airlines lost $10.9 billion last year, according to the International Civil Aviation Organization. The losses were attributed to a general economic slowdown in the second half of 2001, coupled with the sharp decline in traffic following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S.
JOHN ODEGARD was named vice president of sales at NetJets. He will be responsible for sales in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Odegard was most recently regional sales manager for Raytheon Travel Air for four years.
Airshow is nearing completion of a new satellite television system that will provide multi-region reception and is working with Jet Aviation of Basel, Switzerland for installation, system testing and FAA certification on a widebody business jet. Airshow's Tailwind 550 Airborne TV System will incorporate a new AeroSat antenna designed to mount on large aircraft to enable reception over several regions, including the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. Airshow will begin delivery of the system later this year.
Jet Aviation Dusseldorf was named an authorized service center for Raytheon Premier I aircraft. The recognition allows the Dusseldorf, Germany, facility to perform heavy and scheduled airframe and engine maintenance on the business jet. Jet Aviation Dusseldorf also is a Raytheon authorized service center for the King Air 200 and 300, Beech 1900, Beech Baron and Beech Bonanza.
Jet Aviation, one of the world's largest operators of high-end business jets and aircraft maintenance facilities, is being shopped around to potential buyers, officials confirmed last week. The official word, from a Jet Aviation spokesman, was that the board of directors of Hirschmann Industrial Holding Ltd. Zug, the parent company of Jet Aviation, has retained the services of Goldman Sachs and is "currently evaluating strategic options, including, but not limited to a potential combination and/or cooperation of Jet Aviation with a strategic partner."
