Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 helicopters (Docket No. 2000-SW-54-AD; Amendment 39-12105; AD 2001-01-51) - requires visually inspecting the main rotor hydraulic actuator support to verify the presence of all dowel pins and sealant between the support and transmission and the proper torque of each attaching nut. This amendment is prompted by the failure of a support resulting in an accident involving a BHTC Model 222U helicopter. All retaining studs and shear pins were found sheared or pulled out at the junction between the support and the transmission case.
THE PILOT of a Bell 412 helicopter was killed Feb. 28 when the aircraft crashed near White Water, Colo., FAA said. The pilot was conducting a post-maintenance check flight when the accident occurred.
Models 172N, 172P, R172K, 172RG, F172N, F172P, FR172J, and FR172K airplanes (Docket No. 2000-CE-26-AD) - provides additional time for the public to comment on a proposal to supersede AD 80-04-08, which requires inspecting the fuel line and map light switch in the left hand forward door post for chafing or arcing and repairing any damage. AD 80-04-08 also required providing at least a 0.50-inch clearance between the map light switch and the fuel line; and installing a switch cover (insulator) over the map light switch.
Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, -314, and -315 series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-45-AD) - proposes to require revising the Bombardier maintenance program to incorporate repetitive inspections to detect fatigue cracking in certain structures; and corrective actions, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
INDUSTRY LOBBYISTS are pleased about the budget numbers, however, which include $6.9 billion for FAA operations, $3.3 billion for the Airport Improvement Program and $2.9 billion for capital projects (Facilities and Equipment). The package represents a $725 million increase over 2001 funding.
TRANSCONTINENTAL AVIONICS CORPORATION added two charter member dealers to its recently formed national chain of independent avionics shops operating under the TCA affiliation. The dealers, Royal Avionics System of Mesa, Ariz., and Houston Gulf Coast Avionics of League City, Texas, join the initial dealership, East Kansas City Avionics in Grain Valley, Mo. TCA is in negotiations with 12 to 15 more potential participants but initially only wants to add about 10 more while it "debugs" its web site and performs other procedures.
Model BAe.125 Series 800A (C-29A and U-125 Military), 1000A, and 1000B airplanes; Hawker 800 (U-125A Military) airplanes; and Hawker 800XP and 1000 series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-212-AD) - revises an earlier proposal that would have required removal of existing clamps, bedding tapes, and rubber connecting sleeves at the ends of the turbine air discharge duct and the water separator, and replacement of the clamps and rubber connecting sleeves with new, improved components.
Operational errors by controllers have essentially flattened so far in this fiscal year, even declining marginally, FAA reported last month, and the president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association said the new memorandum of understanding between the agency and the union "will go a long way toward reducing [future] operational errors." An FAA spokesman said that operational errors for fiscal 2001, which began Oct. 1, through Feb. 19 amounted to 397, compared with 399 in same period in fiscal 2000.
EXTEX was selected as the preferred supplier of Allison A250 helicopter engine replacement parts for Air Logistics in New Iberia, La. Extex produces more than 300 PMA parts and has agreed to work together with Air Logistics on development of parts that Extex does not already produce. Air Logistics has used Extex replacement parts for its A250-powered helicopter fleet since 1997. A division of Offshore Logistics, Air Logistics operates more than 170 aircraft in support of oil and gas companies that work in the Gulf of Mexico.
Moody's Investors Service predicts the regional jet and general aviation industries will continue to prosper for several years, but warns of a potential overcapacity problem for airframe manufacturers.
SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORP. selected the BFGoodrich Company's Integrated Mechanical Diagnostics-Health and Usage Management System (IMD-HUMS) as standard equipment on the S-92 helicopter. The IMD-HUMS system includes on-board components that gather and process data on aircraft usage and the condition of engine and drive train components. The information from the on-board system can be displayed to the crew and downloaded to ground-based computers, which generate summaries of operations, forecast maintenance requirements and support rapid troubleshooting.
MEDAIRE, INC., the aviation medical services provider, said it received more calls for in-flight medical emergencies last year than any other, with vasovagal episodes (dizziness/fainting) the most frequent complaint. MedAire said the number of gastrointestinal incidents jumped by about 40 percent last year and was the second most frequent complaint, followed by cardiac, respiratory and neurological problems.
ADVANCED AERODYNAMICS&STRUCTURES Inc. is appealing NASDAQ's decision to de-list its Class B warrants. NASDAQ notified the Long Beach, Calif. Jetcruzer 500 developer that the Class B warrants did not meet minimum trading requirements. AASI requested a hearing to review that claim, but said the warrants will remain listed pending the outcome of a hearing. AASI's Class A warrants will remain listed.
BRIAN KEITH SHAW was promoted to director of human resources for Dallas Airmotive Inc. Shaw, who joined Dallas Airmotive in 1998, formerly was human resources manager. He also held a number of human resources positions with Raytheon Aircraft, including employee relations manager, labor relations representative and human resources administrator.
CLEVELAND HOPKINS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT is soliciting letters of interest for airport-related development of city-owned real estate at Burke Lakefront Airport. The letters of interest are due March 30. For more information, contact Louis Rice, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, 5300 Riverside Drive, Cleveland, Ohio 44135-3913; fax (216) 265-6021.
AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION sent letters to its 360,000 members last week seeking contributions to the AOPA Political Action Committee to fight a new proposal for privatizing the nation's air traffic control system.The proposal, from the Reason Public Policy Institute, was developed by the major airlines, AOPA charged. "If we let these airlines have their way, and allow their plan to become law, safety will be sacrificed to give the powerful airlines a tax break. And ultimately GA pilots will pay," the letter warns.
COYNE found a strong interest among operators in Florida in the new genre of entry-level business jets in development, such as the Eclipse. The operators, particularly those currently flying twin-pistons, were attracted to the idea of owning a fractional share in a million-dollar jet, he said.
BOMBARDIER'S CRJ900 regional airliner made a successful first flight of two hours, 54 minutes Wednesday from Montreal's Mirabel International Airport. The aircraft that flew last week is the first of two to be used in the test program. The aircraft, originally CRJ700 S/N 10001, was stretched by inserting two fuselage plugs measuring 90 inches and 62 inches. The first all-new CRJ900, S/N 15001, is scheduled to fly later this year.
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NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION President Jim Coyne, returning from his first round of visits to four of the "100 Most Needed Airports," was encouraged Friday that those meetings generated significant dialog in the community about the importance of a local airport (BA, Feb. 19/83). He said an overriding theme of the four communities in Florida visited last week was that "there isn't anyone to stand up and be an advocate" for the local airports.
L.J. AVIATION of Latrobe, Pa. signed an agreement with a second Pittsburgh-area company to manage a Bombardier Continental business jet the firm just ordered. L.J. Aviation signed its first Continental management contract with another Pittsburgh company late last year. The Latrobe, Pa. aircraft management and charter operator currently manages 13 aircraft for owners in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Ohio and also operates a corporate shuttle in Tennessee.
MERCURY AIR CENTERS is hoping to lure corporate pilots to its chain of fixed-base facilities with a new Internet-based reservation system. Mercury said pilots or dispatchers can use its new Easy Turn system to make advance reservations for fuel and other services at any of Mercury's 19 locations by going to the Mercury web site and notifying a particular FBO of aircraft arrival and departure times and detailing any special requirements.
DPI LABS announced availability of "the world's first 20-watt, color-corrected halogen light" for aircraft cabin interiors. The company, based in La Verne, Calif., said the new 20-watt light delivers four times the brightness of typical incandescent lamps, noting that it comes with a diffusion filter to improve readability for passengers by softening the light cast around the edges of the reading area.
