CPI AEROSTRUCTURES, INC., Edgewood, N.Y., won a contract to build inlet assemblies for the T-38 propulsion modernization program for the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The initial award is for $2.4 million, but the company said the contract could be worth more than $60.8 million if all options are exercised. CPI Aerostructures is a precision machining and subassembly manufacturer for the commercial and military sectors of the aircraft and electronics industries.
BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE has four of its new Continental business jets completed to the point of having the wings and landing gear attached, and two Continentals have the Honeywell AS900 engines installed. Taxi tests are expected to begin shortly in Wichita, where the new aircraft will be built. Engine-maker Honeywell insists that a delay in the certification date for the AS907 engine will not slow the certification schedule for the Continental. See article below.
The UAL Corp. board of directors made it official Thursday, approving the establishment of a new "stand-alone business devoted to fractional ownership of business jets."
Model AS-365N3 helicopters (Docket No. 2001-SW-03-AD) - proposes to require modifying the full authority digital engine control (FADEC) software within 90 days after the effective date of this AD. This proposal is prompted by a design problem in the FADEC "power loss printed circuit board" software found during laboratory testing. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent loss of the FADEC one-engine-inoperative (OEI) power and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. FAA estimates that one helicopter on the U.S.
Model EMB-135 and EMB-145 series airplanes (Docket No. 2001-NM-123-AD; Amendment 39-12226; AD 2001-10-01) - requires revising the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual to prohibit in-flight auxiliary power unit (APU) starts, and installing a placard on or near the APU start/stop switch panel to provide such instructions to the flight crew. This action is necessary to prevent flame backflow into the APU compartment through the eductor during in-flight APU starts, which could result in a fire in the APU compartment.
AVFUEL CORPORATION added 12 branded dealers in the U.S. in the first quarter of the year and recently added five locations in Mexico and Latin America. With the additions, Avfuel is approaching 700 branded FBOs in the U.S. The new international dealers come through Avfuel's partnership with International Corporate and Cargo Services, based in Mexico City, Mexico. The new international Avfuel dealers are at Cancun, Ciudad Juarez, Aeroservicios ICCS Monterrey, Torreon and Aerotron ICCS Vallarta.
THE CROWDED SKIES soon could grow busier as FAA comes closer to establishing flight certification rules for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The growing presence of the unmanned aircraft has forced FAA to figure out how they fit within the Federal Aviation Regulations. Interested parties from the UAV community, including Air Force and Navy representatives, agreed this month on the framework of an executive committee to guide the certification rules.
CANADIAN SIMULATOR MANUFACTURER CAE has developed a new training system that will "provide the highest quality training to pilots and maintenance crews via a standard PC environment," the company said. The new Simfinity system combines high-fidelity simulation software with complete courseware to allow students to learn and practice on their own.
Triumph Group, Inc., which designs, manufactures and repairs a variety of aviation engine components, is forming a new operating group to service its growing industrial gas turbine business.
Honeywell engine executives say certification of the company's new AS900 turbofans will slip about 12 months while engineers develop and test a series of product enhancements designed to improve the new engines' durability and maintainability in service. Honeywell insists the schedule changes will not slow certification of the BAe Systems Avro RJX regional jet or the Bombardier Continental business jet.
EMBRAER'S net income soared 124 percent in the first quarter, while revenues were up nearly 50 percent, the Brazilian manufacturer reported. The company reported net income of $108.5 million for the first quarter of 2001, compared with net income of $55.1 million during the same period a year ago. Sales jumped from $582.6 million a year ago, to $756.4 million in the most recent reporting period.
DAIMLERCHYRSLER AVIATION won FAA certification for a series of new avionics installations on Gulfstream aircraft. DaimlerChyrsler received approval for the Honeywell Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System with 210-210 software on the Gulfstream V and a Universal terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS) on Gulfstream III, IIB and III aircraft. DaimlerChrysler expects to win a further certification for installation of TAWS as a display on a flight management system by the third quarter.
Used retail jet and turboprop deliveries inside and outside North America for April 2001 (see related graphs on Pages 247 and 248 of the hard copy of this issue.) Used Retail Deliveries April 1998 April 1999 April 2000 April 2001 L M H L M H L M H L M H Jet North 64 34 28 61 25 25 40 26 24 32 20 12 America
Arrius Models 2B, 2B1, and 2F turboshaft engines (Docket No. 2000-NE-12-AD; Amendment 39-12191; AD 2001-08-14) - requires the replacement of the right injector half manifold, left injector half manifold, and privilege injector pipe. This amendment is prompted by reports from the Direction Generale de L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the airworthiness authority for France, of partially or totally blocked fuel injection manifolds, which were found during inspections at a repair workshop.
FAA downgraded Panama's civil aviation status, giving it a Category 2 rating under International Civil Aviation Organization safety standards. The ratings are an evaluation of the ability of a country's civil aviation authority to safely oversee aviation operations. Panamanian officials are working with FAA to regain Category 1 status.
Model 150B airplanes (Docket No. 2000-CE-22-AD; Amendment 39-12223; AD 2001-09-16) - requires inspection of the rudder cables for fraying, broken strands, etc. and replacement of any damaged cables. This AD also requires replacement of the rudder cable pulleys with larger diameter pulleys to eliminate the possibility of further damage. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the airworthiness authority for Australia.
A group of seven airlines and the British government was cleared last week by the European Commission to assume joint control over the U.K.'s National Air Traffic Control Services (NATS). The EC's decision was the last obstacle that could have hampered the privatization of the British air traffic control system. The U.K. government first launched the privatization procedure in July 1997. After a lengthy bidding process, a group of airlines in March was chosen as the national authorities' strategic partner in NATS.
CF34 series turbofan engines (Docket No. 99-NE-49-AD; Amendment 39-12228; AD 2000-03-03 R1) - revises an existing AD that requires revisions to the Engine Maintenance Program specified in the manufacturer's Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA). Those revisions require enhanced inspection of selected critical life-limited parts at each piece-part exposure. The existing AD also requires that an air carrier's approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program incorporate these inspection procedures.
SOCIETY OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS scheduled an Aircraft Ground De-Icing Conference&Exhibition July 10-12 at the Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. The conference will cover ground ice detection, runway performance/deterioration, hold over times, facilities, fluids and methods and training. For more information, contact SAE at (724) 772-7131.
FAA has selected four more airports to participate in the Military Airport Program (MAP). The four are Wurthsmith-Oscoda Airport, Oscoda, Minn.; Tipton Airport, Odenton, Md.; Okaloosa Regional Airport, Okaloosa County, Fla.; and Laredo International Airport, Laredo, Texas. MAP is part of the Airport Improvement Program and provides financial assistance to the civilian sponsors of military airfields that are being converted to civil or joint use, or those already converted.
NATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION scheduled a number of its BASICS (Business Aviation Seminar for Information, Concepts and Solutions) sessions nationwide. The sessions provide a forum for flight department managers to discuss concerns with NBAA representatives. Upcoming sessions are scheduled for June 1 at the Hilton Gardens in St. Louis; June 6 and 7 in Van Nuys/Orange County, Calif., and June 15 and 16 in Dallas/Fort Worth. For more information, contact June DeFontes at (202) 783-9360.
BRIAN HARRINGTON joined Premier Turbines as TFE731 service and support manager in the Central U.S. Harrington will be based in Dallas and responsible for Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. He formerly served with Bombardier, where he helped develop the engine "power by the hour" program.
General aviation leaders are pushing Congress to at least re-examine, if not repeal altogether, a 1994 measure that gives authority to U.S. agents to help foreign countries in drug interdiction efforts that involve shooting down suspect aircraft. Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is backing a bill, H.R.1818, introduced this month by Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), to eliminate the "shoot down" authority, and last week AOPA sent a letter to every member of Congress urging their support.
NASA has made its TRAJECT automated air traffic management system available for business applications and commercial licensing. Scientists at NASA Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., developed TRAJECT to improve the scheduling and directing of aircraft, boats, trucks and railroad cars. Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport was the venue for the first test of the system during the 1996 Olympics, and it has been used there ever since. NASA plans a technology licensing briefing May 30 to discuss potential commercial applications for the system.
