Model 412 helicopters and Agusta S.p.A. Model AB412 helicopters (Docket No. 99-SW-27-AD) - proposes to supersede an existing AD that applies to certain serial-numbered Bell Model 412 helicopters and Agusta S.p.A. Model AB412 helicopters. That AD requires a temporary reduction of the never-exceed velocity (Vne) limitation until completion of an inspection of the tail rotor yoke assembly for fatigue damage and installation of a redesigned yoke flapping stop are accomplished.
AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION appealed to President Bush last week to reconsider Office of Management and Budget recommendations that would cut more than $300 million from funding authorized by Congress for the Federal Aviation Administration's budget in fiscal 2002. "Such an action would erode flight safety and delay much needed upgrades in our national aviation system," AOPA President Phil Boyer said in a letter to Bush. "We can't imagine a more shortsighted decision."
Model CN-235 series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-263-AD) - proposes to require installing a second electrical connector in the electrical master central unit. This action is necessary to prevent the loss of electrical power, other than that provided by the emergency system, in the event of disconnection of the single electrical connector within the electrical master central unit. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition. Send comments in triplicate by Feb. 21 to FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No.
BBA AVIATION named Matthew Huff president of its Signature Combs Aircraft Sales subsidiary. He replaces Dean Rush, who recently joined Fairchild Dornier as president of the manufacturer's new Corporate Aircraft Division (BA, Jan. 15/27). Huff joined Signature Combs in July as vice president of sales and marketing after 10 years with Tyler Jet. Signature Combs also announced appointment of Fred Ahles as vice president of its New Piper Aircraft sales program. Ahles, who has more than 25 years of aviation experience, previously was a regional sales manager.
Docket No.: FAA-2000-8491 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR Secs. 25.562 and 25.785(b) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit certification of medical stretchers for transport of persons whose medical condition dictates such accommodation. The exemption is for an installation on a Learjet Model 45 airplane. Grant, Dec. 7, 2000, Exemption No. 7393
Model DHC-8-200, and -300 series airplanes (Docket No. 2001-NM-03-AD; Amendment 39-12086; AD 2001-02-02) - requires repetitive inspections to detect chafing or arcing damage to the cable/wire and fuel tube assemblies on the right hand side of each engine, and replacement with new components, if necessary. This action also provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by this AD. This action is necessary to prevent chafing of the cable/wire bundles against the fuel line, which could result in arcing and a consequent fire or explosion.
Model MBB-BK 117 helicopters (Docket No. 99-SW-67-AD; Amendment 39-12056; AD 2000-26-06) - supersedes an existing AD that currently requires, before further flight, creating a component log card or equivalent record and determining the calendar age and number of flights on each tension-torsion (TT) strap. This amendment establishes a life limit for certain main rotor TT straps. This amendment is prompted by an accident in which a main rotor blade separated from an ECD Model MBB-BK 117 helicopter due to fatigue failure of a TT strap.
TODD McGAHEY was named vice president/general manager of Garrett Aviation Services in Springfield, Ill. McGahey previously was director of operations at Garrett-Springfield, and, before that, he spent 10 years with GE Aircraft Services in Rutland, Vt.
ELECSYS CORP. said its Airport Systems International subsidiary acquired a tactical air navigation (TACAN) product line from Instrument Services Ltd. of the United Kingdom. The purchase includes one TACAN transmitter and all design rights, software and technical manuals.
TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY Norman Mineta selected his former congressional chief of staff to serve as his chief of staff at DOT. John Flaherty was chief of staff and district director for Mineta between 1988 and 1992, and later served as chief of staff for Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.). He also served a stint with the Washington public affairs firm Winner/Wagner & Associates. At DOT, he will manage Mineta's immediate staff and help support policy, program and managerial functions in the Office of the Secretary.
THE BOEING COMPANY named John Dern, 40, director of media relations, responsible for all external communications for the aerospace company. Dern, who has been with Boeing for 10 years, was previously director of media relations for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Dern reports to Larry McCracken, vice president of public relations.
AIR BOTNIA, a subsidiary of SAS that operates primarily in Finland, signed a memorandum of understanding with Saab Aircraft Leasing to acquire five Saab 2000 aircraft. The 47-seat, high-speed twin-turboprops will be delivered in March to replace 32-seat Saab 340s.
Docket No.: FAA-2000-8188 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR Sec. 135.143(c)(2) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit Direct Air to operate certain aircraft under Part 135 without a TSO-C112 (Mode S) transponder installed in the aircraft. Grant, Dec. 8, 2000, Exemption No. 7399
Strong Rolls-Royce sales helped lead Dallas-based aviation supplier Aviall to a 31 percent jump in net sales in 2000 despite a decline of its Inventory Locator Service income. Net sales in 2000 were $485.9 million, compared with 1999 net sales of $371.9 million. Earnings from continuing operations for the year were $10.6 million, or 58 cents per share, compared with $5.1 million, or 28 cents per share in 1999.
A NEW CABIN AIR filtration system designed to capture and kill biological contaminants is being developed by Donaldson High Purity Products and Environmental Defense Technologies, Inc. The new product, HEPA Plus Air Filtration System with Microban, combines a filter designed specifically for the aviation industry with an additive that inhibits the growth of microorganisms in the filter by penetrating and disrupting their cell walls.
HARVEY TICLO was promoted to eBusiness leader for Garrett Aviation Services. He has 16 years of sales and operations experience, most recently as business development program manager for aircraft and engines for Garrett in Tempe, Ariz. He also was a black belt quality leader for Garrett-Springfield.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION will hold its 26th Annual FAA Commercial Aviation Forecast Conference March 13-14 at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center. The forecast conference, co-sponsored by Airports Council International-North America, will include an FAA program update by Administrator Jane Garvey; an aviation forecast with John Rodgers, FAA director of aviation policy and plans, and discussions on demand, capacity, noise and pilot shortage issues, among others. For information, contact FAA at (202) 267-9943; fax, (202) 267-3324.
PRIMEDIA has joined the group of companies providing flight tracking software, releasing its AC-U-KWIK Flight Tracker web-based product that will allow fixed-base operators, charter companies and corporate flight departments to monitor inbound and outbound flights through any public airport in the continental U.S. or Canada. The program allows companies to access real-time flight information through the Internet using aircraft tail numbers. Primedia developed AC-U-KWIK Flight Tracker with G.C.R.
ALAN ARNETT was named vice president of Aerospace Products International's logistics and distribution facility in the Philippines. Arnett joined API 11 years ago and has 22 years of airline, international sales, distribution and aircraft maintenance experience.
BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE delivered the first of 12 new CRJ700 regional airliners Wednesday to Brit Air of Morlaix, France, the first commercial delivery of the new 70-seat aircraft. Bombardier launched the CRJ700 program four years ago with orders, options and memoranda of understanding for 67 aircraft from eight airlines. At the end of January, Bombardier had firm orders for 174 CRJ700s, plus conditional orders and options for another 317 of the 70-seaters from 14 customers on five continents.
Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), the new chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.), the ranking T&I Democrat, jointly urged the Bush Administration to send a "strong signal" that transportation is an important part of the agenda with a budget that fully funds aviation and highway programs.
Docket No.: FAA-2000-8176 Section of 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR Sec. 145.47(b) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit VARIG to use the calibration standards of the Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Normalizacao e Qualidade Industrial (INMETRO) in lieu of the calibration standards of the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to test its inspection and test equipment. Grant, Nov. 30, 2000, Exemption No. 6552B
President Clinton, in a recess appointment late last month, added former airport executive and Tampa attorney Arthenia Joyner and Airports Council International-North America President David Plavin to the Federal Aviation Management Advisory Council (MAC). Clinton nominated both Plavin and Joyner to the MAC in July, but the Senate failed to confirm the nominations before it adjourned for the year. Neither of the nominations was considered controversial.
FAA Thursday warned the Naples Airport Authority that it "strongly recommends that the NAA refrain from implementing or enforcing the Stage 2 ban" at the Naples, Fla. Municipal Airport until a Part 161 study on the ban is successfully completed. The Stage 2 ban, which is to take effect today, was adopted Nov. 16 even though FAA had not approved NAA's Part 161 study, required by law to justify such action (BA, Nov. 20/231). FAA acknowledged that the authority provided additional information on its study, but said in a Dec.
LUFTHANSA TECHNIK'S Hamburg, Germany facility delivered the world's first Boeing 777 equipped with an entirely customized cabin interior. The interior installation began in November 1999 after the aircraft was flown to Hamburg from Boeing's production facility in Seattle, Wash. and was completed last month.
