Model R381/6-123-F/5 propellers (Docket No. 99-NE-43-AD; Amendment 39-12143; AD 99-18-18 R1) - revises an existing AD that requires initial and repetitive visual and ultrasonic inspections of propeller blades for cracks across the camber face, and, if blades are found cracked, replacement with serviceable blades. This amendment is prompted by an engineering analysis of field service data and certification testing that indicate that the repetitive visual inspection interval can be safely increased and that the ultrasonic inspections can be eliminated.
Docket No.: FAA-2001-8787 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 135.143(c)(2) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit Yute Air to operate certain aircraft under part 135 without a TSO-C112 (Mode S) transponder installed in the aircraft. Grant, Jan. 29, 2001, Exemption No. 7428
Executive Jet, Inc. is boosting its European NetJets fractional ownership fleet with an order for 50 Cessna Citations valued at $400 million, the company announced last week. The contract calls for 25 Excels, with delivery to NetJets Europe beginning in November, and 25 Bravos with shipment beginning in January.
ALCOA, INC. plans to invest nearly $90 million to expand aerospace plate capacity at its Davenport, Iowa works. The 30 percent increase in sheet and plate facility at the Davenport plant "is an investment in the future that will help us meet the current and anticipated demand for our aerospace alloys in the growing global aerospace market," said John W. Collins, III, vice president of Alcoa and president of Alcoa Mill Products.
BETH CONORD was appointed director of sales for Flight Explorer, a provider of Internet-based real-time flight tracking information. Conord formerly was senior marketing manager of telesales for Cable&Wireless.
R. ERIC WEIMAR joined The Air Group as director of client services in the Denver office. Weimar has nearly 12 years of aviation experience, beginning as a customer service representative at the former AMR Combs fixed-base operation. He also has served as director of sales and marketing for Mile Hi Aviation and charter sales manager for TAG Aviation.
British carrier Virgin Atlantic plans to offer a new service called Virgin Jetset using business jets, according to an AP wire report. The report, which company officials last week maintained was unconfirmed, said plans are in the early stages, but Virgin hopes to fly on routes between London and New York as well as between Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.
REBEKAH NOTTINGHAM was named vice president of business development for Information and Electronic Warfare Systems in BAE Systems North America's Washington, D.C. office. Nottingham most recently was senior director of Aerospace Electronics Business Development for Lockheed Martin.
The Boeing Company is engaged in a major development program to build an airline transport by the end of the decade that will travel at nearly the speed of sound while carrying up to 250 passengers, officials confirmed Thursday.
Docket No.: FAA-2000-8262 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 25.785(h)(1), 25.807(c)(7) and 25.813(3). Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit permanent exemption from the requirements of 14 CFR Part 25 pertaining to flight attendant direct view, distance between exits, and installation of interior doors between passenger compartments, for A319 Corporate Jets.
Commercial air carrier and general aviation representatives, working with FAA on parallel initiatives to significantly reduce the number of aviation accidents, believe their efforts already are bearing fruit and will ultimately permit them to achieve some aggressive safety goals.
Skyrocketing first class air fares on airlines are making charter travel the more affordable alternative, concluded a new study commissioned by online booking agent Skyjet. The study, conducted by New York-based Harrell Associates, found that businesses could save thousands of dollars by chartering a business jet rather than purchasing first class air fare for four or more executives. First class tickets jumped 22 percent since early last year, while charter flight costs rose only three percent.
Continental Express established an ab initio pilot training program at Kent State University in Ohio. Continental Express expects the program will help provide a pool of applicants for its operations as well as help prepare Kent State students for a commercial career. Qualified Kent State aeronautics students will be accepted into the program in their sophomore year. The program will cover both classroom and flight instruction and include a summer internship at the Continental Express training facility.
Docket No.: 17145 Section of the 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 121.665 and 121.697(a) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit UA to continue to use computerized load manifests that bear the printed name and position of the person responsible for loading the aircraft, instead of that person's signature. Grant, Dec. 29, 2000, Exemption No. 2466M
Docket No.: FAA-2000-8099 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 119.67(a)(1) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit Keith Campbell to serve as Director of Operations at RAA without holding an airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate. Denial, Jan. 29, 2001, Exemption No. 6585B.
IN RESPONSE, FAA Administrator Jane Garvey defended the program, saying, "we have had success" with it and "I frankly think that we have to have some of that," referring to the delegation process. She acknowledged that she hears the inspectors' complaints and agreed that the agency has to strike a balance between the use of designees and inspector oversight.
THE SEARCH for a chief operating officer to head FAA's air traffic operations is not going well.Individuals viewed as strong prospects for the post have dropped out of the running, forcing FAA officials to restart the candidate solicitation process (BA, Feb. 5/59).
NAPLES AIRPORT AUTHORITY last month agreed to defer enforcement of its Stage 2 ban at Naples, Fla. Municipal Airport until July 21. The latest action follows an earlier agreement to delay enforcement of the ban that took effect Jan. 1, pending the outcome of a Part 161 study that FAA called on the authority to complete. The agency also has told the authority that even with a successful Part 161 environmental review, the Stage 2 ban likely violates the authority's grant assurances to provide reasonable access to the airport (BA, Feb. 26/99).
KEITH PEDEN was named senior vice president of human resources for Raytheon. Peden joined Raytheon in 1993 as director of benefits, compensation and human resource management systems and most recently was vice president and deputy director of human resources.
Docket No.: 29013 Section of the 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 91.315, 119.5(g), and 119.21(a) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit VFM to operate its former military B-17G aircraft, which is certificated in the limited category, for the purpose of carrying passengers on local flights in return for receiving donations. Grant, Dec. 22, 2000, Exemption No. 7411
Boeing Business Jets, expanding its support network for the growing fleet of BBJ corporate aircraft, designated the DeCrane Aircraft Systems Integration Group (PATS) in Georgetown, Del. as an authorized warranty repair facility and factory authorized service center. The service center also will provide other maintenance, repair and overhaul services as required.
ASKED ABOUT "lessons learned" from the long-delayed Premier I certification program, and what the company would do differently in future certification efforts, Raytheon Aircraft Company Vice President Jack Hulsey responded, "Communicate, communicate, communicate with the FAA." While "it takes a conscious, disciplined effort to keep those guys in the loop," Hulsey told BA, "close, current involvement with the FAA goes a long way" to resolving problems and making sure everyone is operating from the same page.
Docket No.: FAA-2001-8933 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR 25.857(c), 25.858, and 121.314(c) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To allow operation, until June 20, 2001, of three SD3-60 airplanes beyond the cargo compartment modification deadline of March 20, 2001.
Model EMB-135 and -145 series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-257-AD) - proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive that currently requires repetitive replacement of the bleed-air check valve and associated gaskets on the bleed low-pressure line of the engine, with new parts. This action would continue to require repetitive replacement of the bleed-air check valve and associated gaskets.
