BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON CANADA Model 206L-4 helicopters (Docket No. 2000-SW-37-AD) - proposes to require installing a high-altitude tail rotor static stop yield indicator to allow operators to detect excessive bending loads sustained by the tail rotor yoke. A preflight check of the indicator also would be required. This proposal is prompted by a determination that a tail rotor yoke with a high altitude rotor system is susceptible to a static and dynamic overload.
Docket No.: 30173 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 25.785(b) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit relief from the general occupant protection requirements for occupants of multiple- place side-facing seats that are occupied during takeoff and landing in any Raytheon Model 4000 airplane manufactured prior to Jan. 1, 2004. Partial Grant, April 23, 2001, Exemption No. 7512
RAYTHEON CORP. signed an agreement with the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to supply and install air traffic control systems for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain airports. The agreement, valued at about $30 million, calls for Raytheon to provide AutoTrac II air traffic management systems and air surveillance long-range radar; secondary surveillance radar; surface movement radar, and an ATC simulator. All civil works and voice communications are included, Raytheon said.
Docket No.: FAA-2001-9458 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 25.785(h)(2), 25.807(d)(7), 25.813(e), and 25.853(d) Description of Relief Sought: To permit business jet interiors to be designed for "private, not-for-hire use" on Boeing Model 737-800 airplanes.
CHC Helicopter Corp. signed a contract with Eurocopter to buy the first EC 225 helicopter and an AS 332 L2 Super Puma, CHC announced at last month's Paris Air Show.
TURBOMECA S.A. Artouste II and Artouste III series turboshaft engines (Docket No. 2000-NE-15-AD; Amendment 39-12275; AD 2001-12-19) - requires installation of modification TU 24, TU 167, or TU 164, depending on the specific engine series. These modifications will prevent uncommanded partial closing or total closing of the electrical fuel cock, which will prevent uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown. From the effective date of this AD, and until the modification is installed, this amendment also will limit the duration of the engine operating cycle.
JASON GIEBLER was promoted to coordinator-engine service at Premier Turbines. Giebler will assist management in developing and maintaining program plans, schedules, status reports, cost estimates and documents.
Model EMB-135 and EMB-145 series airplanes [Docket No. 2000-NM-319-AD; Amendment 39-12268; AD 2001-12-13] - requires replacement of certain brake control units (BCU) with new units. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent uncommanded application of 50 percent braking in one pair of wheels, which could result in the airplane skidding off the runway. The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 165 Model EMB-135 and EMB-145 series airplanes on the U.S. Registry at a cost of $49,500, or $300 per airplane. The AD is effective July 23.
DAVE CALAM was named manager of technical sales at Pacific Avionics and Instruments, Ltd., part of the Innotech-Execaire Group. Calam will support a range of clients including regional and commuter air carriers, charter operators, and commercial helicopter operators. Calam, with more than 25 years experience in technical sales and marketing, most recently was the sales and marketing manager of Ferrotronic Electronics' western operations.
BOMBARDIER will provide the MedLink aviation medical support service for all buyers of Learjet 31A, Learjet 45 and Learjet 60 models purchased after July 1. Bombardier already includes the service for buyers of Challenger 604 and Global Express business jets and said it has been "well received by operators." Aviation medical specialist MedAire, Inc.
Model DHC-7 series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-272-AD; Amendment 39-12266; AD 2001-12-11) - requires modification of the pressure hoses to the ground spoiler actuators. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent blockage of pressure hoses to the ground spoiler actuators, leading to uncommanded deployment of the ground spoilers, reducing airplane controllability.
The House Appropriations Committee June 14 approved a cut in V-22 production funding while adding money for Osprey research and development. The committee cut $590 million in previously approved V-22 production money, $115 million more than the Bush Administration's requested cut, to scale back V-22 production until problems identified by a Defense Department-appointed review panel are fixed. Committee sources told BA affiliate Aerospace Daily that the remaining money would be enough for the military to buy 11 aircraft.
Concerned that the Federal Aviation Administration might be trying to go too far too soon, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is opposing a proposal to reduce separation minimums between flight levels 290 and 390 by 2004. FAA is weighing options for implementing reduced vertical separation minimums (RVSM) from 2,000 feet to 1,000 feet in domestic airspace by the end of 2004. The initial plan, which won tentative support from many general aviation groups, called for RVSM between FL350-390 initially with expansion into other flight levels later (BA, Jan.
Two Canadian Snowbird CT-114 Tutor Aircraft collided Thursday afternoon during a media familiarization flight forcing the occupants of one of the aircraft to parachute into Lake Erie. The pilot and passenger ejected safely and were rescued by helicopter. The pilot, Maj. Bob Painchaud, was treated for minor injuries and released from the hospital. The passenger, Sgt. David Wilson of the Canadian Forces Recruiting Center, was treated and reported to be in good condition.
TOLGA ERDOGUS was appointed vice president, engineering at eBizJets. Erdogus was formerly a vice president at Fleet Bank. Erdogus will establish an internal Technology Group.
Model 55 series airplanes and Model 60 airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-128-AD; Amendment 39-12257; AD 2001-12-02) - requires replacement of the brake valve adjustment screw with a new improved screw, and for certain airplanes, it would also require installation of a new brake valve lever stop. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent bottoming of the valve components before contact of the brake valve lever with the stop, which could result in loss of all hydraulic fluid and consequent loss of normal braking.
A 42-year-old military trainer broke up in flight and crashed June 16 near La Crosse, Wis., killing the pilot and a newly wed woman whose husband was watching from the ground while taping the flight with a video camera.
HONEYWELL won a contract from aircraft manufacturer Socata, a subsidiary of European Aeronautics Defense&Space Co. (EADS), to provide the hybrid vapor cycle system/environmental control system (VCS/ECS) for the TBM 700 turboprop. The hybrid system, which Honeywell said is a proprietary concept for small aircraft, comprises both a vapor cycle system and an air cycle system to provide air conditioning (heating/cooling) in the cabin. The new technology switches from bleed air from the engine while in flight to closed-loop refrigerant.
Model 328-300 series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-386-AD; Amendment 39-12259; AD 2001-12-04) - requires replacement of the hydraulic line between the main hydraulic pump and the pulsation damper in hydraulic system "B" with a new hydraulic flex hose. This action is necessary to prevent cracking in the hydraulic line (due to a production defect), leading to heavy leakage in hydraulic system "B," which could impair the functioning of the airplane's flaps, roll spoilers, inner ground spoilers, and nose wheel steering.
GOODRICH CORPORATION won a contract to supply its flight observer seat for Gulfstream's GV-SP long-range business jet. Goodrich will begin delivery of the first seats for the GV-SP in mid-2002.
KENNETH DANDY was named vice president and general manager of Pacific Avionics and Instruments Ltd. in Vancouver, B.C. Dandy has 36 years of experience at Innotech, managing its Vancouver and Calgary operations.
AOG AIR SUPPORT received FAA approval for its new 5370 Upgross Kit. The kit allows operators of de Havilland Beaver aircraft to increase the operating weight by 270 pounds to 5,370 pounds for additional fuel or cargo without the need for a wing tip fuel tank.
CAE appointed John Lenyo president of CAE USA, responsible for the company's military simulation and training business in the U.S. Lenyo replaces John Pitts, who is leaving the company to pursue other interests. Lenyo has more than 20 years of experience in the simulation and training industry, most recently as vice president of marketing and business development for Reflectone. He also has served with Lockheed Martin, General Electric Aerospace, Link and Boeing.
WAYNE J. LOVETT was appointed executive vice president of Mercury Air Group. Lovett was previously the presiding judge of Lakeway Municipal Court in Lakeway, Texas. As part of the senior management team, Lovett will be responsible for administration as well as the legal, risk, and information technology departments.
