GULFSTREAM Model G-IV series airplanes (Docket No. 2001-NM-361-AD; Amendment 39-12571; AD 2001-26-07) - requires an inspection of the electrical connections for the fire extinguisher bottles; an inspection after any subsequent maintenance affecting the fire extinguisher bottles; and corrective action, if necessary. This action is prompted by a report indicating that the electrical connections for the fire extinguisher bottle squibs had been improperly installed either during manufacturing or during subsequent maintenance.
FAA ADMINISTRATOR JANE GARVEY signed off on a plan to relocate a number of FAA headquarters personnel - including the Office of the Administrator and Deputy Administrator - to another building. Most of FAA's Washington, D.C. headquarters staff has been housed in the 10-story FOB 10A building at 800 Independence Ave. S.W. since 1963. The plans calls for leaving Regulation and Certification (AVR), the revamped Air Traffic Control and expanded Security functions - a total of about 3,400 employees - at 800 Independence.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION Tuesday will publish rules for air carriers to reinforce flightcrew compartment doors to deter unauthorized entry into the cockpit. The rules - one that outlines the requirements and another that sets aside certain certification requirements for the modifications - are aimed chiefly at Part 121 air carriers and Part 25 transport category aircraft with 20 or more seats.
JET AVIATION BASEL won a contract from Armaments Corporation of South Africa Ltd. to outfit a Boeing Business Jet for the South African Air Force. The aircraft will be fitted with a head-of-state interior and is slated for delivery in the third quarter of 2002.
Embraer will acquire a Nashville, Tenn. maintenance and overhaul operation from Reliance Aerotech, subject to approval from the city's Airport Authority. Embraer Aircraft Maintenance Services, a division of Embraer Aircraft Holding, will purchase the operating assets of Celsius Aerotech. The company "provides full service maintenance, repair and overhaul capability including scheduled inspections, airframe repairs, aircraft painting and comprehensive component repair capability," Embraer said.
GE AIRCRAFT CT7 series turboprop engines (Docket No. 2000-NE-61-AD; Amendment 39-12594; AD 2002-01-03) - requires removal of Stage 2 turbine aft cooling plates of a certain part number (P/N) and installation of cooling plates of a new design. This amendment is prompted by a report of a Stage 2 turbine aft cooling plate cracking, resulting in an uncontained engine failure. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent Stage 2 turbine aft cooling plate cracking, which could result in uncontained engine failure, and damage to the airplane.
Flightcraft opened a new $4 million aircraft maintenance facility at Portland International Airport, which will allow the Pacific Northwest company to service aircraft as large as a Gulfstream G-V with quicker turnaround times, said Ernie Sturm, Flightcraft president. In addition to space for the maintenance floor and aircraft support and administration, the 72,000-square-foot facility includes 12,000 square feet of space for future expansion.
LARRY STEPHENSON was appointed global military program manager at Bii. He will be responsible for business development and customer support for military and governmental organizations. Stephenson was most recently program manager, global aeroderivative/industrial at the company, which specializes in turbine engine bearing inspection and reconditioning.
NBAA reminded members last week that flight restrictions will remain in place in New Orleans from Jan. 30 through Feb. 4 for the Super Bowl and in the Salt Lake City area for 19 days beginning Feb. 5 for the Winter Olympics. FAA has implemented a Special Traffic Management Program for both New Orleans Louis B. Armstrong Airport and New Orleans Lakefront Airport, the association said. It also alerted members to complete an application form by Jan. 21 if they plan on flying in restricted airspace during the Winter Olympics.
Bryan Moss, vice chairman of Gulfstream Aerospace and a major player in the high-end corporate aircraft business for more than three decades, announced his plans to retire from Gulfstream in April. "Gulfstream is a remarkable company and it has been a privilege to participate in its exciting growth," he said. Moss plans to continue working as a consultant to Gulfstream after his formal retirement.
The general aviation industry last week welcomed a series of "suggestions" for improving airport, fixed-base operation and flight school security that the Federal Aviation Administration sent to its inspectors in the wake of the deliberate crash of a Cessna 172R into a 42-story building in Tampa, Fla.
NATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION promoted Joe "Jay" Evans to director of operations, Robert Lamond to director of air traffic services and infrastructure and Joe Hart to assistant manager of the Operations Services Group. Evans covers professional development, pilot certification, medical regulations and other operations issues for the association. Lamond is responsible for air traffic services, airspace obstructions, special use airspace, aviation weather and air traffic safety issues.
GARY CONAWAY was named vice president-service center at Strategic Jet Services. Conway has more than 30 years of industry experience and was most recently director of sales for Bizjet International's sales and support department. SJS provides consulting, sales, brokerage, acquisition and refurbishment services for new and pre-owned jet aircraft.
BOMBARDIER Model CL-600-2B19 series airplanes (Docket No. 2001-NM-383-AD; Amendment 39-12577; AD 2001-26-51) - publishes an amendment adopting AD 2001-26-51 that was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 series airplanes by individual notices.
FAIRCHILD AIRCRAFT SA226 and SA227 series airplanes (Docket No. 2001-CE-17-AD) - proposes to revise an earlier proposed AD that would apply to certain Fairchild Aircraft Inc. SA226 and SA227 series airplanes equipped with Skidmore-Wilheim Manufacturing Co. (formerly Hydromotive) Model V1-15-1000 brake master cylinders. The earlier NPRM would have required replacing these brake master cylinders with new or overhauled units of the same design. The earlier NPRM resulted from reports of dragging brakes during taxi operations.
HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND Model 247F propellers (Docket No. 2001-NE-40-AD; Amendment 39-12569; AD 2001-26-05) - requires a one-time rework of certain Model 247F propellers by removing all four propeller blades from service, replacing those blades with serviceable propeller blades, and marking the propeller with a new part number. This amendment is prompted by nine reports of the blades partially slipping at the bond joint between the blade tulip and the composite blade airfoil interface.
Security Letters of Authorization (SLOA) 1. SLOAs may be issued and rescinded at the Administrator's discretion. 2. Operators who have been awarded SLOAs will comply with their requirements at all times. 3. A SLOA will identify: a. SLOA type b. Authorized operator c. Authorized aircraft d. Authorized crew e. Authorized passengers (for KDCA access only)
Roy H. Norris, a veteran of the general aviation aircraft business who has held senior executive posts with several original equipment manufacturers, was installed last week as chairman, president and chief executive of Advanced Aerodynamics&Structures, Inc. (AASI).
DeCrane Aircraft Holdings named company executive Jeff Nerland president of its Aircraft Cabin Management Group. Nerland, formerly president of the group's Seating Division, will report directly to DeCrane Aircraft Chief Executive R. Jack DeCrane. In addition to heading the Cabin Management Group, he serves as senior vice president and a member of the company's Management Committee. Nerland succeeds Chuck Becker who left the company to pursue personal interests. Becker joined DeCrane in 1994 as president of Tri-Star Electronics.
J. DAWSON RANSOME, 81, the founder of Philadelphia-based Ransome Airlines and an innovator in the commuter airline business, died Jan. 9 at Estelle's Hospice House in Ocala, Fla. Ransome learned to fly in 1938 and began serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force as a civilian flight instructor in 1941. In 1944 he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army Air Corps and spent the rest of World War II transporting aircraft across the world. He was awarded the Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross.
Aerospace Products International, the Memphis, Tenn.-based distributor of aerospace parts, announced the promotions of several employees. Glen Golden was named executive vice president and chief operating officer of API's Distribution division. Reporting to Golden and responsible for distribution services, is Don Cox, vice president-sales; Lisa Spillars, vice president-customer service and general manager of API Technologies; and, Jim Etter, vice president-fulfillment services.
PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes (Docket No. 2000-CE-77-AD; Amendment 39-12563; AD 2001-25-10) - supersedes AD 99-19-32, which applies to certain Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes. AD 99-19-32 currently requires inspection of the flap actuator internal gear system for correct end-play and backlash measurements and corrective adjustments, if necessary.
SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORP. Model S-76B and S-76C helicopters (Docket No. 2001-SW-51-AD; Amendment 39-12559; AD 2001-25-06) - requires modifying the electrical power distribution system to change the source of the 28 volts supplied to the No. 1 and 2 attitude and heading reference (AHRS) WARN circuits. This amendment is prompted by a ground test simulating loss of the essential bus by pulling both bus tie circuit breakers and switching off both batteries. As a result of this action, both autopilots went off-line.
Stepping up its efforts to reopen Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), the National Business Aviation Association went public last week with a new security plan that would allow business aviation back into DCA by March.
GULFSTREAM won a contract valued at $49.8 million to provide a modified Gulfstream V to the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) for a range of environmental research missions. Gulfstream named the research aircraft HIAPER, for High-Performance, Instrumented, Airborne Platform for Environmental Research, and said the aircraft is slated to enter service in 2005. "The Gulfstream V HIAPER enables us to investigate essential questions concerning the earth's changing climate that have previously been beyond our grasp," said Timothy Killeen, director of NCAR.
