ROCKWELL COLLINS FLIGHT DYNAMICS is developing a new system that will enhance runway and taxiway views in all weather conditions. The Surface Guidance System (SGS), which Flight Dynamics officials say will help reduce the risk of runway incursion, will provide an outside real-world view through the Head-up Guidance System (HGS) combiner. SGS will provide taxi guidance based on actual aircraft position in relation to an onboard runway/taxiway database.
Docket No.: 26378 Section of the FAR Affected: 14 CFR 145.47(c)(1) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit MTU to extend its certification privileges as an FAA-approved foreign repair station to contract the maintenance and repair of engine components of International Aero Engines AG Model V2500 turbine engines to facilities that are not FAA-certificated repair stations, U.S.-original equipment manufacturers, or approved manufacturing licensees for such engines.
MICHAEL LILLEY was promoted to vice president and general manager of Wood Group Turbopower, Inc. Lilley joined the Wood Group in August 1999 as vice president of finance. In his new position, he will oversee operations of the PT6, Twin Pac and Allison T56 engine programs.
Model EMB-120 series airplanes (Docket No. 99-NM-356-AD; Amendment 39-11916; AD 2000-20-05) - requires revising the airplane flight manual (AFM), and either installing hydraulic tube assemblies incorporating a check valve, or visually inspecting the check valve if already installed and corrective action, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
CESSNA AIRCRAFT sold three new Citations to Flying Partners C.V., the Antwerp, Belgium shared ownership program. The order includes a Citation Encore and two Citation Bravos with delivery to begin in January 2002. Flying Partners, founded in 1995, combines charter and shared ownership services. It already operates a Citation III, two Citation SIIs, a Citation I-SP and a Cessna 425 Conquest. Flying Partners also is scheduled to take delivery of a Citation Ultra next year. Cessna also announced an order from Ben Air in Stauning, Denmark for five Grand Caravans.
Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes (Docket No. 2000-CE-55-AD) - proposes to require incorporation of pilot's operating handbook (POH) information that would prohibit the operation of the windshield heating system in the "LIGHT" mode, and would require modification of the windshield deicing system wiring and circuit breakers. The POH information could be removed after accomplishing the modification. The proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the airworthiness authority for Switzerland.
LOUIS R. HUGHES, 51, president and chief operating officer of Lockheed Martin since April 27, plans to leave the company Oct. 31 to rejoin his family in Chicago. Robert J. Stevens, 49, the company's chief financial officer, will replace Hughes as president. Hughes and Lockheed officials emphasized the decision was strictly a personal one and did not reflect any differences of opinion between Hughes and the Lockheed Martin board.
NASA's initiative to increase availability of low-cost general aviation aircraft and access to small airports - the Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) - received a boost from Congress last week as legislators provided $9 million in seed money for the program and directed the agency to ask for more funding in following years. The $9 million was included in NASA's fiscal 2001 budget, which cleared both the House and Senate Thursday. The House originally denied NASA's request for $9 million in starter money, but the Senate had supported the program (BA, Sept.
Model G-1159A (G-III) series airplanes (Docket No. 2000-NM-144-AD) - proposes to require modification of the master caution panel by installing an additional legend labeled "BATT ON BUS" and associated wiring to indicate when the airplane batteries are powering the direct current (DC) essential bus. This action is necessary to ensure that the flight crew is aware that an electrical system failure has occurred and that the main airplane batteries are powering the essential DC bus.
The House last week gave final congressional approval to a three-year, $216 million bill authorizing funding for the National Transportation Safety Board. The House also passed a measure authorizing the Interior Secretary to convey 6,400 acres of public land to Clark County, Nev., for a second airport to serve the fast-growing Las Vegas, Nev. metropolitan area. Both bills already have been backed by the Senate and now go to the White House for President Clinton's expected approval.
ANTONIO SCENNA was appointed chief pilot of Jet Aviation's U.S. Aircraft Management Division. Scenna oversees flight operations for the entire U.S. fleet as well as compliance with local, state, federal and company policies. He most recently was a pilot for Challenger 601 and 604 aircraft.
PILATUS BUSINESS AIRCRAFT officials are contemplating development of a fractional aircraft ownership program that would utilize the PC-12 utility turboprop. Officials tell BA they don't want just any fractional program, but one that would take advantage of the PC-12's unique operating characteristics. Key to the prospects for a fractional program are the PC-12's relatively low acquisition and operating costs. Officials believe they could lease or sell one-quarter shares in the PC-12 for around $30,000 a month, which would include the initial buy-in.
MEGGITT AVIONICS, which acquired Mineral Wells, Texas-based S-TEC last spring (BA, April 10/165), is integrating its sales and marketing functions with S-TEC's organization. Tim Cronin, vice president of sales and marketing, will oversee the newly integrated sales and marketing unit and Kenneth Paul, director of marketing, will lead marketing and communications activities for the product lines.
Both people aboard a Robinson R-22 helicopter were killed shortly after noon Oct. 14 in Pembroke Pines, Fla. when the aircraft crashed onto a street. The aircraft, N4004J, was operated by Volar Helicopters, Inc. and was being flown as a personal flight under Part 91. The airline transport pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The flight had originated from the Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Executive Airport about 30 minutes before the accident.
DASSAULT AVIATION will begin delivery in December of Falcon 2000 and 900 series business jets that incorporate a new carbon fiber horizontal stabilizer. The stabilizer, which Dassault said is dimensionally and aerodynamically identical to the original tailplane, has a dramatically reduced parts count - the number of metal parts drops from 240 to 60 and the number of fasteners goes down from 11,784 to 3,800 - resulting in a 30-pound weight savings.
Model 204B helicopters (Docket No. 2000-SW-16-AD) - proposes to require replacing any main rotor mast assembly, Part Number (P/N) 204-011-450-001, within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS). This proposal is prompted by the crash of a restricted category Model UH-1B helicopter due to failure of a mast, P/N 204-011-450-001. The same mast P/N is used on Model 204B helicopters. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the mast and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. FAA estimates that 15 helicopters on the U.S.
HONEYWELL and United Technologies Corp. caused a 24-hour sensation at the end of last week, confirming Thursday afternoon they were having merger talks, and announcing Friday afternoon that the deal was dead. United Technologies said Friday it ended talks with Honeywell about a $40 billion merger after Honeywell "received another bid from a third party." That third party is believed to be General Electric, which provides a range of powerplants for regional jets and business jets, and large commercial airliners.
Docket No.: 24800 Section of the FAR Affected: 14 CFR 103.1(e)(1) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit TAC to operate powered ultralight vehicles with an empty weight of up to 350 pounds to accommodate physically disabled persons. Grant, Aug. 25, 2000, Exemption No. 5001F
Gulfstream Aerospace and Textron's Cessna Aircraft Co. have both picked BFGoodrich instruments as standard equipment on new aircraft, BFGoodrich announced. Gulfstream picked BFGoodrich's Electronic Standby Instrument System (ESIS) model GH-3100 and the Electronic Bearing Distance Indicator (EBDI) model EBDI-4000 as standard equipment on the Gulfstream V-SP aircraft program. With an active matrix liquid crystal display, the GH-3100 is designed to perform well both in dark cockpits and in direct sunlight, BFGoodrich said.
GKN PLC of the United Kingdom plans to buy Boeing's St. Louis fabrication operations, establish its U.S.-based administrative offices there, and transfer its non-Boeing manufacturing work to St. Louis, the companies said last week. Value of the deal, which should be completed early next year, assuming approval by the companies' boards of directors and regulatory agencies, is $61 million. Revenue to GKN over a five-year period is expected to be $1.8 billion with about $300 million coming in 2001. The announcement of the St.
PAULI SYSTEMS, known for its paint stripping systems, has developed an integrated adhesive removal and wash facility for a major aircraft manufacturer. The turnkey system, designed to remove adhesive squeeze-out produced during the bonding stage of aircraft fabrication, is used instead of conventional hand sanding to remove excess adhesive. The Pauli system uses a three-stage process: a starch-based blast media, hot water wash and alodine application. For more information, contact Pauli Systems at 1820 Walters Court, Fairfield, Calif.
WITNESS REPORTS indicate that the Bombardier Aerospace Challenger that crashed in Wichita this month barely got off the ground before encountering control problems (BA, Oct. 16/180). National Transportation Safety Board said a witness who was driving his car near the airport observed the aircraft "flying sideways about six to ten feet off of the ground. I then saw the aircraft level out, and I thought that everything was OK. I slowed down and was watching it and it tilted sideways again [right wing toward the ground].
JEFFERSON COUNTY AIRPORT (BJC) in Broomfield, Colo. has added one day, Nov. 6, to the period during which its primary runway, 29R/11L, will be shut down for construction. The airport now expects the runway to be closed from Oct. 26-Nov. 6 for construction of the Echo taxiway. During the closure, pilots should use the airport's secondary runway, 29L/11R, which is 75 feet wide and 7,004 feet long. A displaced threshold of up to 600 feet may be in effect.
GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE received a request from House aviation subcommittee Chairman John Duncan (R-Tenn.) and ranking Democrat William Lipinski (D-Ill.) to examine implementation of the Pilot Records Act, a law they cosponsored that requires air carriers to secure the training and employment history of pilots including their driving records. The congressmen particularly are interested in whether the requirements cover driving-while-intoxicated incidents.
RONALD MANNING joined Jet Aviation's U.S. Charter Division as Southwest regional charter sales manager in Dallas, Texas. Manning formerly was manager of aircraft scheduling and charter procurement for Bombardier Aerospace.
