A weak economy combined with a softening in the piston-aircraft market led U.S. general aviation manufacturers to report their first slide in first quarter aircraft deliveries since 1993, despite record billings of $2.1 billion, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association reported last week. U.S. manufacturers delivered 568 general aviation aircraft in the first quarter of 2001, a 7.3 percent drop from first quarter 2000 deliveries of 613.
Federal Aviation Administration Wednesday released its capacity study of the top 31 airports, disclosing that eight airports experience "significant passenger delays." FAA Administrator Jane Garvey told the House aviation subcommittee that FAA is attacking the problem on a "multiple front" and was working on tactical initiatives such as its choke points program, which addreses airspace congestion in terminal and en route environment and free flight technologies. At the same time, FAA is developing longer-term strategic initiatives, such as airspace redesign.
REP. JOHN MICA (R-Fla.), the new chair of the House aviation subcommittee, called last week's release of airport capacity benchmarks "an important starting point to begin reducing delays," but acknowledged that many are concerned about how they will be used. Many general aviation groups fear that the benchmarks - which determine capacity at the nation's 31 busiest airports - could lead to peak-hour pricing.
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION was disappointed that the Internal Revenue Service determined in a recent "Technical Advice Memorandum" (TAM) that charter operators must impose the transportation segment fee on every passenger they carry rather than per aircraft chartered. The TAM also determined that if a charter operator has not been collecting the segment fee, then it must do so retroactively.
SINGAPORE AIRLINES placed a follow-on order for two Learjet 45 business jets for use in the carrier's training program. When delivered, the latest order will boost Singapore's Model 45 fleet to six aircraft. "Singapore Airlines is continuing expansion of its mainline fleet with over 15 widebody aircraft to be delivered in the coming year," airline officials said, requiring that the carrier increase its ab initio training to more than 150 pilots in the coming 12 months, according to Capt. Maurice de Vaz, senior vice president of flight operations for the airline.
Model 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 31, 35, 36, and 55 series airplanes (Docket No. 2001-NM-76-AD; Amendment 39-12177; AD 2001-07-11) - requires an inspection to determine if tires on the main landing gear have a certain part number and certain serial numbers, and replacement with a tire having a part number that does not contain those certain serial numbers, if necessary.
THE SHOOTING DOWN of a general aviation aircraft April 20 by Peruvian military aircraft was condemned last week by The International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations. "Nothing justifies a no-questions-asked destruction of civilian aircraft," said Phil Boyer, IAOPA president and president of the U.S.-based AOPA.
STELLEX TECHNOLOGIES, a supplier of engineered subsystems and components for the aerospace and defense industries, said an agreement to sell substantially all of its aerostructures business was terminated. The sale was being conducted pursuant to an order of a Delaware bankruptcy court. The company said it will propose a "stand alone" plan of reorganization to the bankruptcy court with the support of its senior lenders. Under the plan, Stellex will be reorganized and owned by its creditors.
DPI LABS, INC., LaVerne, Calif., is offering a 600-watt, multi-configurable audio amplifier for use in multi-cabin aircraft or helicopters. The MS3006 audio amplifier, which has interchangeable I/O connectors and six independent audio channels of 100 watts each, can take the place of up to three high-end amplifiers, the company said, conserving space and fuel in the aircraft. For more information, contact DPI Labs at (909) 392-5777 or visit www.dpilabs.com.
Devices 14D11 and 23D04 series fuel regulator and shutoff valves (Docket No. 2001-CE-02-AD; Amendment 39-12178; AD 2001-08-01) - requires a visual inspection and pressure test for leaks, and, if leaks are found, replacement of the fuel regulator and shutoff valve used with JanAero combustion heaters. This AD is the result of numerous reports of fuel regulator and shutoff valves leaking fuel. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fuel leakage in airplanes with these combustion heaters with a consequent fire.
COLORADO legislators are considering adding funding in appropriations legislation for radar at Eagle County Regional Airport in Vail, Colo., Bryan Burns, president of Vail Valley Jet Center, said. Eagle County has had trouble getting airport funding to install radar at the airport because its traffic is seasonal, skewing the overall cost/benefit numbers. The lack of radar is particularly a problem during peak seasons when air traffic control is trying to handle increased traffic at a number of airports throughout the resort area by assigning landing slots.
United Airlines, one of the world's largest providers of scheduled airline service, is preparing to launch a new subsidiary that will offer fractional aircraft ownership in business jets, as well as providing aircraft management and charter services. The Chicago-based carrier, which has seen a decline in the number of high-yield business travelers on its scheduled flights as the economy has slowed down, wants to tap into the lucrative and rapidly growing fractional ownership business.
GEORGE MARSH joined Dassault Falcon Jet as a field service representative based in Columbus, Ohio. Marsh formerly was a senior service technician with ITW/Hobart Ground Power Division in Troy, Ohio. He also has maintained corporate aircraft for Stevens Aviation, L.M. Berry and Company, Kraft and NCR Corporation.
A BEECH BONANZA F35 operated by Basler Turbo Conversions was destroyed on impact with terrain and the pilot killed April 17 during an approach to Runway 36 at the Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wis. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aircraft, N888SM, was conducting a maintenance test flight.
TITANIUM METALS CORP. reached a settlement of the litigation against The Boeing Company in regard to the parties' 1997 long-term titanium purchase and supply agreement. TIMET said it will receive a cash payment pursuant to the settlement, adding that the parties also have entered into an amended long-term agreement that "provides Boeing with the right to purchase up to 7.5 million pounds of titanium products annually from TIMET through 2007. Under a separate agreement, TIMET said it will establish and hold titanium buffer stock for Boeing at TIMET's facilities.
Bombardier Aerospace delivered its 500th Canadair Regional Jet to Atlantic Coast Airlines last week. The Series 200 model was the carrier's 43rd delivery from a firm order for 96 of the 50-seat regional jets. ACA also holds options for 80 more CRJs.
The Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency airworthiness directive Friday covering Rolls-Royce AE3007 turbofan engines used on Embraer ERJ-145 and ERJ-135 regional jets because of reports of "rapid failures of the No. 1 bearing" in the engines.
THREE PEOPLE aboard a Cirrus SR20 airplane were killed April 10 when the aircraft, N116CD, hit mountainous terrain and burned northwest of Sierra Vista, Ariz. The Part 91 flight took off from Tucson International Airport about 1830 enroute to Albuquerque, N.M. The National Transportation Safety Board said instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site and no flight plan had been filed. The aircraft was found April 14 near the crest of a ridgeline at 5,200 feet MSL.
Model 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters (Docket No. 2001-SW-06-AD; Amendment 39-12181; AD 2001-08-04) - supersedes an existing AD that requires inspecting the locking washer on each main rotor actuator for twisting or damage to the tab and replacing any locking washer that has a twisted or damaged tab. Replacing certain locking washers, regardless of condition, also is required within a specified time period. Installing a certain airworthy locking device on each actuator constitutes terminating action for the requirements of that AD.
ORGANIZERS of the EBACE business aviation exposition in Geneva, Switzerland "were very, very pleased" with the event and its acceptance, said National Business Aviation Association President Jack Olcott. The event drew more than 3,600 attendees, about 20 percent more than anticipated, and some 185 exhibitors. "People felt it was a very auspicious beginning," said Olcott, noting that it was the first conference of its size focusing strictly on business aviation.
ATLANTIC AVIATION added a Gulfstream II-SP to its charter fleet. The 11-passenger aircraft is based in Morristown, N.J. Atlantic Aviation's Flight Services Division manages and operates 23 turbine-powered aircraft.
BFGOODRICH won Swiss government certification for its Skywatch Traffic Advisory System, an active surveillance system that operates as an air-to-ground or ground-to-air interrogation device.
The day before General Dynamics announced plans to buy Newport News Shipbuilding, President Bush said he plans to nominate a top GD executive as Secretary of the Navy.
