Docket No.: 28855 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 135.152(a). Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To amend Exemption No. 6714, as amended, which permits Offshore to operate certain helicopters under Part 135 without an approved digital flight data recorder installed on each helicopter by (1) changing the name of the exemption holder from Offshore Logistics, Inc., to Air Logistics, L.L.C., and (2) updating the list of helicopters covered by the exemption. Grant, May 4, 2001, Exemption No. 6714C
The Airport Movement Area Safety program (AMASS), years in the making, finally got a green light last month from FAA, which said it will begin using the system at 34 of the busiest U.S. airports to help prevent runway collisions. FAA, which contracted for the first three AMASS units in June 1996, said that "developing AMASS into a useful, reliable warning system to meet user requirements has been an extremely complex technical challenge."
A COALITION of aviation, communications, and satellite companies and organizations fears that ultra-wideband devices could "cause significant harmful interference" to the global positioning system. In a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell, the coalition urged that the FCC develop a licensing system for the use of such devices based on extensive testing of the operational characteristics. The coalition is particularly concerned that ultra-wideband devices currently are unregulated.
Model S-76A, S-76B, and S-76C helicopters (Docket No. 2001-SW-05-AD; Amendment 39-12232; AD 2001-10-06) - supersedes an AD that requires, before further flight, performing a fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of the main rotor shaft assembly. Also, a recurring FPI and visual inspection for a cracked shaft are required by that AD. That AD also requires replacing the shaft with an airworthy shaft before further flight if a crack is found. This amendment requires replacing certain serial numbered shafts with an airworthy shaft before further flight.
WORLD FUEL SERVICES announced formation of a new division that will provide "comprehensive fuel management services to the airline industry." The new unit will be headed by Patricia Carbaugh, who has more than 18 years of aviation industry experience. "Our fuel management division will offer vital services to domestic and international carriers looking to reduce their cost of processing and leverage their purchasing power in the international market," said Jerrold Blair, chairman of World Fuel.
A Gulfstream IV business jet was damaged May 12 in San Diego when the pilot of a parked helicopter started the engine of his aircraft as the G-IV was being guided past the rotorcraft to a parking spot, causing the helicopter's main rotor blade to strike the business jet's right side winglet.
GE ENGINE SERVICES Company Ltd. in Xiamen, China reached an agreement under which China Eastern Airlines Co. will buy a 30 percent stake, and become a major shareholder, in the engine overhaul joined venture. The Xiamen venture was formed in February 1999 through a teaming agreement between GE Engine Services, Xiamen Aviation Industry Co. and Taikoo Aircraft Engineering Company. The facility is expected to begin operations late next month to overhaul and repair engines made by GE Aircraft Engines and CFM International.
THE COMMERCE COMMITTEE, however, postponed a vote on a bill that would provide for streamlining the environmental review process for airports, lift the cap on the salary of a chief operating officer to manage FAA's air traffic control operations, and allow airlines to consult on scheduling during peak periods at congested airports. The committee was expected to consider an amendment to a bill introduced by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) (BA, May 21/237).
AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION is offering a new Air Safety Foundation Safety Advisor booklet - Collision Avoidance: Strategies and Tactics - to supplement its Collision Avoidance seminars. AOPA said nearly 7,500 pilots have attended the Collision Avoidance seminars in 60 locations throughout the U.S. since they began in October 2000. Pilots unable to attend the seminar can use the booklet as a self-study course.
ROBERT CHIUSANO was named executive vice president and chief operating officer-Government Systems for Rockwell Collins. Chiusano is a 22-year company veteran who most recently was vice president and general manager of Government Systems. As executive vice president and COO, he will have responsibility for all Government Systems businesses, including international subsidiaries and the China Business Development office.
Docket No.: FAA-2001-9010 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 135.143(c)(2) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit Kitty Hawk to operate certain aircraft under Part 135 without a TSO-C112 (Mode S) transponder installed in the aircraft. Grant, April 16, 2001, Exemption No. 7506
Docket No.: FAA-2001-8741 (previously Docket No. 29218) Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 91.409(b) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit owners and perators of Cessna Model 172R, 172S, and 182S (C-172R, C-172S, and C-182S, respectively) airplanes to use Cessna's PhaseCard Inspection Program rather than completing the required 100-hour inspection. Grant, April 10, 2001, Exemption No. 6901B
Docket No.: 29975 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 121.434(c)(1)(ii) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit Express to substitute a qualified and authorized check airman in place of an FAA inspector to observe a qualifying pilot-in-command who is completing initial or upgrade training specified in Sec. 121.424 during at least one flight leg that includes a takeoff and a landing. Grant, April 12, 2001, Exemption No. 7504
CESSNA began delivery of its enhanced Skylane 182T and the Turbo Skylane T182T. Both aircraft incorporate modifications to improve speed and are fitted with an upgraded Bendix King avionics suite, which includes the new KMD 550 multifunction display. The new Skylane 182T has an improved cowling design and streamlined wheel fairings that boost cruise speed to 144 knots. The Skylane 182T is offered at a base price of $242,000, including a basic IFR package, Nav/Com with glideslope, audio panel with marker beacon, a two-axis autopilot and altitude reporting transponder.
Cirrus Design Corp., the startup single-engine aircraft manufacturer that was forced to lay off workers and revamp its production process early this year, has managed to sharply reduce the time needed to build new aircraft. As a result, officials expect the Duluth, Minn. company to show a profit later this year, a spokesman told BA Thursday.
Model CL-600-2B16 (including CL-601-3A and CL-601-3R) series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-397-AD) - proposes to require modification of the wiring for the internal fuel/defuel panel. This action is necessary to prevent the loss of engine and fuel indications essential for safe flight and landing. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition. FAA estimates that 18 airplanes on the U.S. Registry would be affected by this proposed AD, but the manufacturer has indicated that it would cover the costs of labor and replacement parts.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION Thursday will hold a meeting to update industry leaders on its progress toward implementing domestic reduced vertical separation minimums (DRVSM) by 2004 (BA, Jan. 15/27). The agency hopes to formally commit to a concrete implementation schedule by late next month or early July. FAA in February discussed its early plans to cut required separation minimums to 1,000 feet vertically initially for aircraft flying between 35,000 feet and 39,000 feet in domestic airspace.
VERMONT SEN. JAMES JEFFORDS's decision to leave the Republican Party and serve as an independent in the Senate, will result in committee chairmanships moving from Republicans to Democrats. On the Senate Commerce Committee, that means Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) will be replaced as chairman by Sen. Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.). See details and other changes below.
Docket No.: FAA-2001-8877 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 25.857(c), and 25.858, 121.314(c) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit two Boeing Model 737-200 airplanes to operate until Sept. 15, 2001, without being fitted with fire suppression equipment. Denial, March 13, 2001, Exemption No. 7457
Model AS350B, B1, B2, B3, BA, D, D1 and AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters (Docket No. 2000-SW-47-AD) - proposes to supersede an existing AD that requires inspecting certain versions of the tail rotor pitch change spider assembly for the proper rotational torque, axial play, and any brinelling of the bearing. This action would require identifying the spider assembly with index marks to detect bearing spacer rotation, visually checking to ensure that the index marks are aligned before the first flight of each day, and subsequently modifying the bearing spider assembly.
KC 225 automatic flight control systems (Docket No. 2001-CE-08-AD; Amendment 39-12235; AD 2001-10-09) - requires inspection of the KC 225 AFCS to determine the computer modifications that are incorporated, deactivation of any units with only Mods 1 and/or 2 incorporated, and fabrication and installation of an appropriate placard if the unit is deactivated/inoperative. The AD would provide, as an alternative method of compliance, the option of installing a unit that incorporated MOD 3 or higher.
NATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION appointed John H. Ratcliff, director of aviation and chief pilot for Ford Motor Company in North America, to fill the remaining term of Kenneth Peartree of Hewlett Packard on NBAA's board of directors. Ratcliff will stand for election for a three-year term in September. Ratcliff joined Ford in 1973 and previously held the titles of pilot, supervisor of flight operations and chief pilot. He also has served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force and was a member of the Michigan Air National Guard through 1982.
UAL Corp. continues to make strides toward forming a fractional ownership business jet operation, winning board approval this month, putting a number of key executives in place and moving to turn letters of intent for fleet orders into definitive agreements, UAL executive Stuart I. Oran told BA last week. Following board approval for launch (BA, May 21/237), Oran said the "next major piece" to establishing the organization is finalizing the first round of aircraft orders.
Docket No.: FAA-2001-8787 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 135.143(c)(2) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit Flight Alaska to operate certain aircraft under Part 135 without a TSO-C112 (Mode S) transponder installed in the aircraft. Grant, April 16, 2001, Exemption No. 7505
