FAA'S MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL held its first meeting last week, spending more than four and one-half hours with FAA Administrator Jane Garvey and acting Deputy Administrator Monte Belger receiving a series of briefings that covered the agency's lines of business, funding stream and historical relationship with the Transportation Department. As its name suggests, the MAC plans to concentrate on improving management within FAA, rather than focusing on policy issues. The MAC plans to meet again in mid-November and early December.
Beech Models A36 and B36TC airplanes (Docket No. 2000-CE-15-AD; Amendment 39-11925; AD 2000-20-14) - requires an inspection for the installation of firewall sealant and installing firewall sealant if not present. This AD is the result of a report that firewall sealant was not found during a routine production inspection. The actions specified by this AD are intended to correct the absence of sealant and prevent the consequent entry of smoke or fire into the flight compartment or cabin in the event of an engine compartment fire.
P-180 airplanes (Docket No. 99-CE-34-AD; Amendment 39-11578; AD 2000-03-19) - proposes to remove AD 2000-03-19, which currently applies to all Piaggio P-180 airplanes equipped with pneumatic deicing boots. AD 2000-03-19 requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include requirements for activating the airframe pneumatic deicing boots. Since FAA issued AD 2000-03-19, Piaggio has shown the language currently included in the AFM and the airplane configuration are satisfactory to address the conditions identified in AD 2000-03-19.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION last week proposed a $2.5 million civil penalty against Parker-Hannifin Corp. for allegedly violating product alteration reporting requirements. FAA alleged that Parker-Hannifin's Fort Worth, Texas Stratoflex unit made "thousands" of minor changes to its aircraft fluid connectors over 12 years without reporting those changes to FAA, as required by the manufacturer's own quality control system.
Dallas/Fort Worth-based SimuFlite Training International plans to move into the Northeast with a new business aviation training center and, in a separate action, expand its training portfolio to cover seven more aircraft and helicopter models. The company expects to announce before yearend details on a new center that will house six simulators, multimedia classrooms, an aviation library and dining room. Officials have narrowed the site selection down to three locations in the Northeast, where rival FlightSafety International is headquartered.
GALAXY AEROSPACE plans to survey Westwind operators to develop a package of potential upgrades for their aircraft. Cincinnati, Ohio-based ARG/US will conduct the surveys, which will ask Westwind owners about possible upgrades to engines, avionics, interiors and aircraft systems. Galaxy said it would use the data to analyze market feasibility for enhancement programs and decide on whether to offer individual improvements or upgrade packages. Galaxy expects to announce its findings early next year.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, noting that medical issues have become more critical to its members, formed a new medical advisory board to tackle those issues. The board, which held its first meeting at AOPA's Expo 2000 in Long Beach, Calif., will provide expert advice and help the association work through medical issues. "Medical issues are a growing concern for AOPA members and the issues are getting increasingly more complex," said AOPA President Phil Boyer.
JOHN WILLIAMS was named chief executive officer for eBizJets. Williams, who spent eight years with American Express, most recently was president and CEO for Biztravel.com, Inc.
ACCUFLEET INTERNATIONAL formed a new business unit, SIDA Systems, to provide services for companies that must meet employee screening requirements to operate in secure identification display areas of airports. AccuFleet said SIDA Systems would provide pre-employment verifications and background investigations for employers.
STEVE CRAWFORD was promoted to regional vice president of technical services for Bombardier Business Aircraft. Crawford, who has served with Bombardier for 24 years, has held positions within surveillance systems, core engineering, regional jet and Challenger customer support.
Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra Series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-10-AD; Amendment 39-11935; AD 2000-21-03) - requires a one-time inspection of the position of the aileron autopilot servo and attachment arm; follow-on actions; corrective actions, if necessary; and installation of a stopper angle on the servo bracket. This action is necessary to prevent the control link of the aileron autopilot servo from being driven overcenter, which could result in roll oscillations when the autopilot is engaged.
HOW GOOD A VENUE for selling airplanes is the annual National Business Aviation Association convention? According to the CEO of one business jet manufacturer, the three-day NBAA show "is clearly the best show for the money," and "ten-fold better" than major international shows such as Farnborough and Paris. Noting that North America remains the source of three-quarters of business jet customers, he believes the NBAA format is more customer friendly than the larger international shows.
A national air and space museum capable of housing nearly 300 aircraft and space vehicles came a large step closer to reality Wednesday as government officials and the principal donor broke ground for the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center on the grounds of Dulles International Airport (IAD) outside Washington, D.C.
Brazilian manufacturer Embraer won a contract to supply four of its regional jet aircraft to the Belgian Ministry of Defense. The aircraft, two 37-seat ERJ-135s and two 50-seat ERJ-145s, will be used as government staff transports. Delivery is scheduled for April 2001 in a contract valued at $78 million. The Brazilian manufacturer noted that it earlier won a similar order from the Greek government and is discussing sales with other European governments.
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD is investigating the Oct. 17 midair collision of a Gulfstream III, N162JC, owned by actor Jim Carrey and a Beech C90 King Air, N1801B, while both were on a four-mile final approach to Runway 16R at the Van Nuys, Calif. Airport (VNY). Both aircraft subsequently landed safely at the airport. There were no injuries, but the King Air was substantially damaged when the landing gear of the Gulfstream struck the wing and top of the turboprop.
AMETEK AEROSPACE, Sellersville, Pa., won a contract to provide the fuel quantity gauging system for the Ayres Loadmaster LM200 aircraft. J.C. Carter, charged with fuels systems integration on the Loadmaster, awarded the contract to Ametek. Ametek also is jointly developing a barometric altimeter with Honeywell for the Loadmaster. Ametek produces a range of instruments and controls.
Attorneys representing Grand Canyon air tour operators asked the U.S. Court of Appeals to stay new FAA regulations that the operators claim pose "a significant and serious risk of death and serious bodily injury as well as of substantial economic loss."
Beech Models 60, A60, and B60 airplanes (Docket No. 99-CE-74-AD) - proposes to require an inspection for the existence of any lower forward wing bolts with the Mercury Aerospace trademark, and replacement of any such bolt with an FAA-approved bolt without this trademark. The proposed AD is the result of a report that wing bolts supplied by Mercury Aerospace may not meet the required Rockwell hardness specifications. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to detect and correct wing bolts that do not meet strength requirements.
DANIEL FULGHAM was named group vice president for Wall Colmonoy Corporation's Process Business Units. Formerly vice president/general manager at Bristol Aviation Services, Fulgham has more than 22 years of aviation industry experience.
JAMES RASH was appointed vice president of engineering and marketing for aviation/government product lines for Scott Aviation in Lancaster, N.Y. Rash, most recently director of aviation/government product lines, will be responsible for business and product development, engineering and strategic planning.
Model AS332C, L, and L1 helicopters (Docket No. 99-SW-35-AD; Amendment 39-11929; AD 2000-20-17) - requires inspecting the horizontal stabilizer spar tube for corrosion, hardness, cracks, and scratches, and if necessary, replacing any unairworthy spar tube and bushing with an airworthy spar tube and bushing. This amendment is prompted by the loss of a horizontal stabilizer in flight due to a spar tube failure.
AVIDYNE is offering its FlightMax flight situation displays with AirCell cellular-based datalink capability. FlightMax owners can use AirCell phones to receive weather data, including radar maps that will overlay on the FlightMax moving map display. FlightMax displays offer text and graphical depictions of weather data. Avidyne expects to win certification of the AirCell interface in the second half of 2001 and will offer datalink upgrades for existing FlightMax systems for $500.
ONLY SEVEN of the 10 presidential nominees to the MAC have been confirmed. The nominations of David Plavin, president of the Airports Council International-North America, and Arthenia Joyner, an attorney, have cleared the Senate Commerce Committee and are awaiting action by the full Senate. The nomination of AOPA President Phil Boyer appears dead because of opposition from Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.).
