ELLIOTT AVIATON won FAA supplemental type certification approval to install the Collins TCAS-4000 traffic alert and collision avoidance system in all King Air 200, 300 and 350 series turboprops. The Moline, Ill.-based fixed-base operator and aircraft modification firm said the TCAS-4000 is fully upgradable to future "free flight" configuration and is more reliable than first generation Collins TCAS-94 units. The new STC approval covers dual directional antennas, dual TDR-94D Mode S transponders, dual TVI-920 displays and an optional MFD-85C multifunction display.
The Aerospace Industries Association hopes to convince President-elect George W. Bush of the need for a White House-level National Aerospace Council to coordinate U.S. aerospace policy. AIA envisions a commission similar to the old National Space Council, but one that also would handle aeronautics. AIA notes that aerospace policymaking is "fragmented" among at least seven federal agencies and departments, as well as state regulators, airports, and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
STAGE III TECHNOLOGIES hopes to begin FAA acoustic flight tests in March, with a supplemental type certificate following later this year, for its Gulfstream II and III Stage 3 hushkit ejector and associated hardware. "Our team of scientists and engineers are quite confident that we have solved the noise problem and that we will pass the Stage 3 noise test in March," said Chairman Todd Stimmel. The huskit would be the first Stage 3 assembly available for older model Gulfstreams.
GARMIN INTERNATIONAL is offering a new digital-to-analog interface adapter, the GAD 42, which will enable communications between Garmin's panel-mount avionics systems and older mechanical or analog systems. GAD 42, which has received technical standard order approval, will provide several interfaces, including: ARINC 407 for course, heading and bearing data; ARINC 561 for GPS-derived time, distance, speed and flight plan display; ARINC 545 for true airspeed; and, RS 422 for Collins compatibility.
SPAR AEROSPACE, which said it believes "that its common shares are undervalued at current market prices based on Spar's current earnings and future prospects," plans to begin repurchasing up to 752,000 shares of its common stock Jan. 2. The repurchase program is scheduled to continue throughout the year. Spar, with approximately 900 employees, specializes in maintenance, repair and overhaul of military and commercial aircraft.
National Transportation Safety Board Chairman James E. Hall, who was reported to be eying a possible Cabinet appointment as Transportation Secretary if Vice President Al Gore had won his bid for president, submitted his resignation to President Clinton Dec. 18. Hall's decision to leave NTSB - effective Jan. 18 - came just five days after the U.S. Supreme Court decision that doomed Gore's chances to win a ballot recount in Florida.
TOWN OF ADDISON, TEXAS and Washington-Staubach Airport Joint Venture named Dave Pearce director and Darci Neuzil assistant director of Addison Airport (ADS). Pearce formerly managed McKinney Municipal Airport (TKI) and Neuzil most recently was responsible for real property planning and development for Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC. will host a Jan. 10 shareholder meeting to vote on its proposed merger into General Electric. Honeywell has agreed to pay GE a $1.35 billion termination fee if its board or shareholders vote down the merger when there is another valid public offer, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Honeywell also granted GE an option to purchase 19.9 percent of its outstanding shares.
Aviation Sales Company sold its Dixie Aerospace Bearings new parts operation to Wencor West, Inc. Dixie Aerospace, based in Atlanta, Ga., employs about three dozen workers and distributes multiple lines of aircraft bearings, carbon seals, sealants, adhesives, lubricants and epoxies. Aviation Sales said it received net aggregate consideration of $17.7 million in the deal inclusive of debt. The net cash proceeds totaled approximately $13.5 million, which was used to reduce outstanding senior debt.
Petitioner: EAA Warbirds of America Squadron 14, Inc. Section of the 14 CFR Affected: 14 CFR Sec. 61.63(d)(5) and Part 125 Description of Relief Sought: To permit Squadron 14 pilots to conduct nonstop sightseeing or demonstration flights for compensation or hire within 25 miles of the departure airport in Squadron 14's Douglas DC-3 airplane (Registration No. N2805J, Serial No. 20835) without those pilots having completed the practical test for a DC-3 type rating in actual or simulated instrument conditions.
WHILE DECLINES in some "new economy" enterprises are causing concerns, the CEO expressed hope that any overall economic downturn will be limited in scope. He noted expectations that the Federal Reserve may trim interest rates and plans by President-elect George W. Bush to push a tax cut through Congress, both of which should help stimulate economic activity.
AT LEAST ONE OEM CEO believes "we're going to see some slowdown in activity" among potential new aircraft buyers because of concerns about the possibility of the economy slowing. While the executive told BA he hasn't seen any dramatic impact yet in new aircraft sales, he said it's no secret that when corporate profits are under pressure, people don't buy airplanes at the same rate. He observed that much of the economic growth in recent years has been driven by productivity gains, which he said may become more difficult to sustain.
EMBRAER Model EMB-145 series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-256-AD) - proposes to require inspection of the bolts on the hinge fittings that attach the spring tab and the servo tab to the rear spar of the elevators for evidence of loosening; inspection of the region of the hinge fittings on the spring tab for interference of the bonding jumpers attached to the hinge fittings with the leading edge of the spring tab; and corrective action, if necessary.
AERO SERVICES EXECUTIVE (ASE) became the first French company to select an Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ) for use in a charter fleet. Manufacturer Airbus said ASE is scheduled to take delivery of its corporate configured A319 airliner this summer. "We pride ourselves on helping our customers to make better use of their time and the ACJ...will enable us to transport larger groups in unprecedented comfort over longer distances," said ASE Managing Director Phillippe d'Aprile.
KENNY ST. CLAIR was appointed sales representative for Professional Aviation Associates. St. Clair, who will be based in the Atlanta office, will work in the Beechcraft Division. He formerly spent three years with AAR and, before that, was with AVSCO for 15 years.
TRANSCONTINENTAL AVIONICS was founded by two industry veterans - J. Phil McCoy and Dennis Stoll - as an umbrella company to provide avionics services through a network of independent avionics shops operating under the TCA flag. TCA said that under its concept, "even the smallest independent dealer can now compete at every level...The avionics shop wins by association with a national brand name, volume purchasing, and a nationwide network." The customer, in turn, will receive lower avionics prices, the company added.
BELL Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, and 212 helicopters (Docket No. 2000-SW-28-AD; Amendment 39-12042; AD 2000-15-52) - supersedes AD 2000-15-52, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, and 212 helicopters by individual letters. This AD reduces the retirement index number (RIN) life limit for the main rotor mast; increases the RIN factor for masts and main rotor trunnions; applies standard RIN factors for all external load lifts; and requires a one-time inspection of the snap ring groove area of the mast.
FAA AND INDUSTRY are collaborating on a pilot program aimed at expediting supplemental type certificate approvals for avionics.The program, apparently still on the drawing board, would include creation of a Designee Managed Organization (DMO), which would move toward a "one-stop shopping" method for obtaining STC approvals, an FAA spokesman said. The DMO would increase use of designated engineering representatives - a goal of both industry and FAA - in the product approval process.
LYNN COCKRUM was appointed vice president and chief financial officer for FlightSafety Boeing Training International. Cockrum will be responsible for all accounting, treasury and financial planning for FlightSafety Boeing. He formerly spent eight years with Gordon Trucking and Valley Freightliner as chief financial officer and also worked with Deloitte&Touche, LLP for 11 years.
BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE won Transport Canada approval for its 70-passenger CRJ700 regional jet, the follow-on to its successful 50-passenger CRJ, and expects European Joint Aviation Authorities and U.S. Federal Aviation Administration approvals shortly. Bombardier, which has 174 orders in hand for the CRJ700, expects the first aircraft to enter airline service with French regional carrier Brit Air this quarter. Brit Air has signed contracts for 12 of the aircraft.
Aviation General Inc. named Carl R. Gull executive vice president and chief operating officer of Commander Aircraft Company, its wholly owned subsidiary. Gull, who joined Commander in 1998, had been vice president-aircraft product support and flight training. Gull was a commander and naval aviator during his military career and graduated from the Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). He has a degree in aeronautical engineering technology from Oklahoma State University and is an airframe and powerplant mechanic.
A group of Swiss investors agreed to purchase Pilatus Aircraft, the manufacturer based in Stans, Switzerland that produces a line of high-performance single-engine aircraft. The company had been for sale for some time, but officials of Unaxis - who want to focus on other business interests - were intent on finding a buyer who would continue existing Pilatus programs and keep the company headquartered in Stans (BA, Oct. 23/188).
Investigators found a hydraulic malfunction on the Bell-Boeing MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft that crashed Oct. 11, killing four Marines. While the U.S. Marine Corps hasn't determined the severity of the problem or whether it contributed to the accident, it's the first evidence that points to what might have happened that evening. At the same time, the Marines have largely ruled out a number of other factors guessed as possible culprits - lack of fuel, fuel contamination, in-flight fire, electrical malfunction and spatial disorientation, the service said.
