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.
Model Galaxy airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-201-AD) - withdraws a proposal that would have required replacement of certain existing fasteners in the aft pickup fittings of the horizontal stabilizer. Since the issuance of the proposal, FAA has received information from Galaxy Aerospace indicating that the replacement already has been carried out on all the affected airplanes, and that the replacement is now standard on all airplanes off the production line. Accordingly, the proposed rule is withdrawn.
The Air Force's Air Education and Training command at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. ordered an operational stand-down of all 180 T-1A Jayhawk training aircraft while the planes undergo an inspection for discrepancies.
Beech Models 35-C33A, E33A, E33C, F33A, F33C, S35, V35, V35A, V35B, 36, and A36 airplanes (Docket No. 99-CE-63-AD; Amendment 39-12185; AD 2001-08-08) -- requires operators to repetitively replace the existing Aeroquip V-band exhaust clamp. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the tailpipe from detaching from the turbocharger due to failure of the V-band exhaust clamp. Clamp failure could result in the release of high temperature gases inside the engine compartment with the potential for a fire in the engine compartment.
Docket No.: 29742 Section of the 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR section V, paragraph B of Appendix I to Part 121. Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit National employees who perform a safety-sensitive function and who are required to undergo a medical examination under 14 CFR Part 67 to be excluded from periodic drug testing. Denial, March 20, 2001, Exemption No. 7470.
Nick Sabatini, manager of Flight Standards in the Federal Aviation Administration's Eastern Region, this week will take over as director of Flight Standards at FAA headquarter in Washington, D.C., replacing Nick Lacey, who was reassigned. Lacey is to implement an FAA operational evolution plan for airspace management and particularly will be involved in the certification of new equipment. Lacey also will continue his involvement in international safety issues.
Docket No.: FAA-2001-8860. Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 25.853(a) Description of Relief Sought: To provide a four-year extension to Exemption No. 6634A to permit continued testing and interim use of certain adhesives, which do not fully comply with the vertical burn test requirements of Sec. 25.858.3(a), in the manufacture of seat cushion assemblies.
Docket No.: FAA-2000-8182 Section of the 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 61.113(e) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit members of the Washoe County Sheriff's Air Squadron who hold private pilot certificates to continue to be reimbursed for fuel, oil, and maintenance expenses while performing search and location missions for the Sheriff's Office. Grant, March 26, 2001, Exemption No. 7473
Docket No.: FAA-2001-9134 Section of the 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 121.314(c) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To allow operation, until June 20, 2001, of one SD3-30 airplane beyond the cargo compartment modification deadline of March 19, 2001. Partial Grant, March 15, 2001, Exemption No. 7466
OFFICIALLY, Executive Jet International placed a firm order for 50 Galaxy business jets last week and took an option on 50 more, but according to EJI Chairman Richard Santulli there is little doubt his company will take all 100 Galaxys. "We don't buy an airplane [model] unless we're going to buy 100 of them because the economics just don't make sense" otherwise, Santulli said last week. See article below.
SOUTHWEST JET AVIATION added a Citation I-SP to its charter fleet. The new addition will be based at the Scottsdale, Ariz. Municipal Airport (SDL) and will be available at a rate of $1,400 per hour. "This Citation will give our charter customers a cost-effective transition aircraft between the King Air B200 and our Beechjets," said Jeff Schlueter, president of Southwest Jet Aviation.
Docket No.: FAA-2001-8863 (previously Docket No. 25506) Section of the 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 91.215(c) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit the Navy to provide realistic air combat training in airspace defined in the exemption as the "Transponder-Off Area." Grant, March 27, 2001, Exemption No. 6741A
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association fears a provision in the Federal Aviation Administration's National Parks Air Tour Management proposal will open the door to curbs on other low-flying operations, the association said last week. FAA released the proposal late last month as part of a national policy for governing air tour operations over national parks. That proposal, mandated by Congress, stems from recommendations of a working group involving air tour operators and other general aviation interests, environmentalists, and government representatives.
GEORGE M. PERINIS was named director of aviation business development for Michael Baker, Inc., a subsidiary of Michael Baker Corp. Perinis, who has more than 30 years of experience in planning and designing airports, was a senior vice president of Tasso Katselas Associates from 1980 to 1999. Michael Baker Corp. provides engineering design for the transportation and civil infrastructures markets, among others.
Fresh on the heels of United Airlines' announced plans to establish a subsidiary to offer a fractional aircraft program (BA, April 30/203), Canadian carriers Air Canada and Skyservice said they have forged a "strategic partnership" that will include a business aviation division.
THE CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE (CASS) will bid for a joint stake in several airports around the world for privatization. CAAS, through its wholly owned subsidiary Singapore Changi Airport Enterprise (SCAE), along with Alterra Partners of the United Kingdom, have identified three airports up for privatization: Kingsford Smith in Sydney, Seeb International in Oman and a facility in Cyprus.
Model ATR 42-500 series airplanes (Docket No. 2001-NM-66-AD; Amendment 39-12174; AD 2000-23-04 R1) - revises an existing AD that requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate life limits for certain items and inspections for fatigue cracking in certain structures. This amendment also adds information pertaining to certain material incorporated by reference.
Docket No.: FAA-2000-8186 (previously Docket No. 28455) Section of the 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 135.203(a)(1) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit Sound Flight to conduct operations under visual flight rules at an altitude below 500 feet, over water, outside controlled airspace. Grant, March 26, 2001, Exemption No. 6428B
AS AEROSPACE companies struggle to staff key engineering slots, the nation's universities continue to produce fewer prospects. The number of U.S. graduates in aerospace engineering and related fields has dropped 57 percent at the bachelor's level and 39 percent at the master's level since 1990, Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) noted. This is particularly worrisome because the "skilled aeronautics workforce is aging and retiring," he said, adding, "A commitment to education is key to the U.S. technology and aeronautics industries."
FAA officials this week are expected to brief House and Senate leaders on a proposal to adopt a peak-hour pricing proposal at least for congestion-plagued LaGuardia Airport in New York and perhaps for a few other busy airports. Asked during an interview with BA affiliate Airports if peak pricing is legal, FAA Administrator Jane Garvey responded, "We think we're on pretty good legal ground.
GENERAL ELECTRIC'S planned $45 billion acquisition of Honeywell moved a step closer to reality last week, as the U.S. Department of Justice approved the deal on condition that Honeywell sell its military helicopter engine unit. Justice said as originally proposed, the merger would have substantially lessened competition in the production of U.S. military helicopter engines and services for the heavy maintenance, repair and overhaul of certain Honeywell aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. "Without this divestiture, the U.S.
Docket No.: FAA-2000-8319 Section of the 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 65.104(a)(2) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To allow O'Jala to be eligible to apply for a repairman certificate (experimental aircraft builder) for a Christen Eagle II kit airplane (registration No. N13LD, serial No. O'Connell-0001), without being the primary builder. Grant, March 31, 2001, Exemption No. 7471
AS THE SCHEDULED CARRIERS begin making plans to enter the premium service fractional aircraft business, Congress appears more determined to make them improve service on their scheduled flights. Reps. John E. Sweeney (R-N.Y.) and John D. Dingell (D-Mich.), along with more than 20 co-sponsors, introduced the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act last week.
Docket No.: FAA-2001-9034 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 25.1435(b)(1) Description of Relief Sought: To provide Bombardier Aerospace relief from the static pressure test requirement of Sec. 25.1435(b)(1), for the hydraulic system on the Bombardier Continental Business Jet Model BD-100-1A10 airplane.
Most business jets will be exempt from a new Federal Aviation Administration rule requiring design approval holders of certain turbine-powered airplanes "to substantiate that the design of the fuel tank system precludes the existence of ignition sources within the airplane fuel tanks." The rule, which is scheduled for publication in today's (May 7) Federal Register, also requires development and implementation of maintenance and inspection instructions to assure the safety of the fuel tank system.
