The general aviation community is coordinating efforts to tighten security of its operations and answer the concerns of senior Bush Administration officials that private aircraft pose a potential threat to national security.
SHORT BROTHERS Model SD3 series airplanes (Docket No. 2001-NM-113-AD; Amendment 39-12525; AD 2001-24-09) - requires repetitive tests (checks) of the engine power lever to ensure that the fuel control unit (FCU) lever is contacting the maximum stop, adjustment of the FCU rigging, if necessary, and an engine ground run for correct gas generator rotational speed. This AD also requires a static reduced power check on each engine to ensure correct operation of the reserve takeoff power (RTOP) system; and follow-on actions, if necessary.
AVOLAR, United Air Lines' fractional business aircraft ownership subsidiary, will permanently locate its headquarters in Chicago, Ill. "After studying a number of alternatives, it was clear to us that Chicago will offer Avolar the most potential for growth and operational convenience coupled with state and city governments that value and encourage the development of new business and new jobs," said Stuart I.
Canadian manufacturer Bombardier plans to sharply reduce business jet deliveries next year, but officials told financial analysts last week that the company's overall aircraft deliveries will remain stable because of increased shipments of regional jets and turboprops for the airlines.
JET AVIATION AG ordered the CTT Systems Zonal Comfort System for installation on a Boeing Business Jet. The moisture management system will regulate humidity levels in the cabin while preventing condensation by distributing dry air from the Zonal Drying System between the cabin and the aircraft skin, said Jet Aviation. The system will be delivered in the first quarter of 2002.
Senate lawmakers meeting last month to discuss how the government can use biometric technology to thwart potential terrorist attacks recognized the need for a national standard.
FIELD AIRCRAFT SPARES completed its reorganization and emerged from bankruptcy, the company announced last week. Under the reorganization plan, the company received $2.35 million in new debt and equity financing from private investors, which received controlling interest in the company. Alan Fields continues as chief executive officer of the company, Brian Aune as chief financial officer and Neil O'Hara as senior vice president. Jeffrey Crevoiserat and Brian Katzen, who own controlling interest, will serve as chairman and vice chairman, respectively.
Garmin acquired Sequoia Instruments, a research and development company in Los Gatos, Calif., for $5 million in cash. Sequoia's main technology is a GPS-aided Air Data and Attitude Heading and Reference System (ADHRS), which provides navigational data for aviation, marine and land applications. Sequoia also has been involved in research and development for NASA's Advanced General Aviation Transport Experiment (AGATE) program.
BOEING signed an agreement with Aerosud to manufacture parts for Boeing aircraft as part of a deal to stimulate and develop South Africa's aviation industry. Using funding from Boeing, Aerosud is building a new manufacturing facility next to the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria, South Africa. The new plant is due to begin operations by mid-2002.
CHICAGO'S Meigs Field came within moments of winning a 25-year stay of execution last week, but a tentative deal between Chicago Mayor Richard Daley (D) and Illinois Gov. George Ryan (R) unraveled over a dispute about who would pay for the lakefront airport's $4 million annual operating deficit, Chicago newspapers reported Friday.Under the agreement, Daley, who wants to close the airport in February, would agree to keep it open until 2026 and, in return, win the state's blessing for his plans to reconfigure and build new runways at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
WILLIAM J. MCGRATH was named president at Vector Systems. McGrath, a former Air Force instructor pilot and flight examiner, was most recently vice president of business development for Pan Am International Flight Academy in Miami, Fla. He also has held senior management positions with GE Capital Aviation Training in London, England and Hughes Training, CAE-Link and SimuFlite Training International. McGrath has more than 25 years of aerospace training and simulation experience.
BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE won FAA approval for the operation of the Learjet 35/36 series aircraft in reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) airspace. The approval applies to Learjet 35/36s with the Century III Softflite wing configuration equipped with certain STC'd electronics.
Iridium Satellite and Icarus Instruments say that a new satellite-based aeronautical voice and data communications system that provides aircraft crew and passengers with "reliable, worldwide communications in the air and on the ground" is now commercially available.
Peter Edwards, a veteran of more than 20 years of aircraft marketing experience, was named president and chief operating officer of Bombardier's Business Aircraft division. Edwards succeeds Pierre Beaudoin, who had been serving in that capacity in addition to serving as president of the company's entire Aerospace unit since October (BA, Oct. 22/187).
House transportation leaders last week introduced a bill that would provide the general aviation community with up to $7.5 billion in compensation for losses incurred in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The most sweeping general aviation compensation package yet, the General Aviation Industry Reparations Act of 2001, H.R.3347, would provide general aviation businesses up to $5 billion in loans and $2.5 billion in direct compensation for documented losses stemming from the terrorist attacks (BA, Nov. 12/221).
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION Friday reopened the comment period until Jan. 29 for its rewrite of the Part 145 rule that governs repair stations. The agency issued the final rule Aug. 6, but originally accepted comments through Oct. 5 on the recordkeeping requirements. Several organizations requested the reopening of the docket, citing the need for more time in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. "The petitioners indicated that the recent events devastated its member companies," the agency said.
PILATUS Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes (Docket No. 2001-CE-24-AD; Amendment 39-12494; AD 2001-22-15) - requires an inspection of the cargo doors to identify front and rear end frames with plain lightening holes and installation of reinforcing plates on any frame with plain lightening holes. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the air worthiness authority for Switzerland.
L-3 COMMUNICATIONS acquired 65.8 percent of SPAR Aerospace shares and replaced five members of SPAR's board of directors with its nominees. Chairman Eric Rosenfeld, Michael Martino, James McDonald, James Doak and Robert Poile left the board and were replaced by L-3 Communications executives Frank C. Lanza, Robert V. LaPenta, Christopher C. Cambria, Michael T. Strianese and Jimmie Adams. Lanza was appointed the new chairman.
- this proposed AD would require installation of a new strainer draining system in the cabin fuselage. This proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for France. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to prevent water from accumulating in the fuselage, then freezing and interfering with or causing the elevator controls to seize. This could result in loss of elevator control with consequent loss of airplane control.
INSURANCE PREMIUMS for all classes of aviation users are expected to show average increases of more than 100 percent. Even more alarming are the projections for war risk hull insurance, where cost increases of more than 700 percent are anticipated, according to a recent market overview by global insurance broker Willis Group. Willis said rates are rising in most industry segments while market capacity shrinks.
Summary: Pursuant to FAA's rulemaking provisions governing the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for exemption (14 CFR Part 11), this notice contains a summary of certain petitions seeking relief from specified requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Chapter I), dispositions of certain petitions previously received, and corrections. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities.
Airbus announced Thursday that it has selected Wichita, home of 45,000 aviation workers and more than 130 aviation-related companies, as the home for its new engineering facility. Airbus will hire 60 structural and stress design engineers and plans to open the new facility early next year in Wichita's Old Town section. Mayor Bob Knight said there is "no other place in the world where a company could find the quantity or quality of aviation engineers than in Wichita.
JET AVIATION HANDLING was contracted by Thai Airways to take over import and export cargo services for the airline at Zurich's International Airport. The agreement includes cargo handling for daily flights to and from Bangkok. The new contract will boost cargo-handling volume by about 8,000 tons a year at Zurich Airport, a 20 percent increase from last year, said Hans-Peter Moor, Jet Aviation Handling's cargo manager.
PIEDMONT HAWTHORNE was selected by the Miami-Dade Aviation Department to open a new fixed-base facility in Miami. The company will take over the former Miami Aircraft location at Opa-Locka Airport. The facility includes more than 65,000 square feet of terminal, hangar and office space. The FBO also is undergoing a $3.5 million renovation that will add new amenities such as a weather/flight planning room, conference room, pilot's lounge, snooze room and car/limousine rental and tie-downs.
