Model SN-601 (Corvette) series airplanes [Docket No. 98-NM-365-AD; Amendment 39-11402; AD 99-23-06] - adopts a new airworthiness directive, applicable to all Aerospatiale Model SN-601 (Corvette) series airplanes, that requires repetitive inspections, and repair if necessary, of the locking indication system of the drag strut jack on the main landing gear (MLG) to detect corrosion and damage resulting from its operation. This proposal also requires replacement of seals and backup rings with new parts.
JET AVIATION'S takeover of Jet East's fixed-base operation at Love Field paid quick dividends in increased fuel sales. "Because of the loyal customer base that Jet Aviation enjoys, in the past month fuel sales at...Dallas have nearly tripled, going from an average of 35,000 gallons per month to more than 90,000 gallons per month," the company said. See related article below.
GRAHAM THORNTON will join TRW Aeronautical Systems (Lucas Aerospace) Jan. 1 as vice president of business development. Thornton, 51, will focus on international markets. He replaces David Bundred, who is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities. Thornton had been group director-marketing&business development at Smiths Industries Aerospace. Thornton holds a doctorate in cryogenic engineering. From 1975 to 1984 he lectured in engineering science at Oxford University, where he still lectures part time.
C. JEFFREY KNITTEL was named president of CIT Aerospace, where he will be responsible for overall management of the CIT Aerospace commercial aircraft fleet. Knittel began his career with Cessna Finance Company and in 1982 he joined Manufacturers Hanover Leasing Corp. as vice president of its Aviation Group. Knittel holds a bachelor's degree in aviation management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and graduated from The Wharton School of Business Advanced Management Program.
FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP AVIATION RULEMAKING COMMITTEE held its last scheduled meeting last week and officials are optimistic their recommendations will be viewed favorably by both the aviation community and FAA.See article below
SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORP., which previously announced plans to move a large portion of its operations from West Palm Beach, Fla. to Connecticut, has reversed course. The company now plans to keep its Development Flight Center in the Florida city (BA, Aug. 16/75). The decision follows "a thorough analysis of moving to other sites," said Sikorsky President Dean Borgman. The RAH-66 Commanche and S-92 helicopter projects will remain in Palm Beach, but the S-76 helicopter completion and delivery operations will be moved. Candidate locations are still being evaluated.
SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING EMPLOYEES IN AEROSPACE (SPEEA) rejected The Boeing Company's latest contract offer and authorized union leaders to call a strike, if necessary. The union said the Boeing proposal was rejected by a vote of 593-6, and that 84 percent of the engineers approved the strike authorization. SPEEA represents 22,600 engineers and technical workers at Boeing, including 1,350 engineers in Wichita.
A rash of fatal accidents claimed 20 victims late last week in the U.S. and a Piper Navajo crash in Africa resulted in the death of all 10 people aboard. According to preliminary FAA reports, the fatal accidents included:
AIRCHARTER.COM, a San Francisco-based charter reservation system, developed IntellAgent, which analyzes all aspects of a trip and matches itinerary needs with the most suitable aircraft. IntellAgent factors in the number of passengers, aircraft range and speed, baggage capacity, maximum weight limits, time en route and price. IntellAgent then lists suitable aircraft in descending order. The website feature also estimates time en route, local arrival times, and interactive maps. It also allows travelers to view images of the potential aircraft.
A Rand Corp. report commissioned by the National Transportation Safety Board concludes that NTSB is desperately short of resources and needs to make changes in the accident investigation process - particularly as it relates to the involvement of "parties" to an investigation.
A team of general aviation users, air traffic controllers and Federal Aviation Administration officials drafted a series of recommendations aimed at improving flight service information to GA. The recommendations, drafted during a meeting last month, stem from concern that general aviation "takes a back seat" in FAA planning and resources, said Wally Pike, president of the National Association of Air Traffic Specialists, which represents Flight Service Station personnel.
SPAR AEROSPACE LTD., which had been reviewing strategic proposals including the possible sale of some company assets, said the proposals received "have been deemed less attractive than retention of the successful Aviation Services Division. The company is no longer for sale." Spar said it will continue to pursue the international market in avionics upgrade programs and commercial maintenance, repair and overhaul. Anthony Caputo, president of the Aviation Services Division, was named president of Spar and a director of the company.
LEANNA K. RIERSON is the Federal Aviation Administration's newest national resource specialist, focusing on leading-edge aircraft computerization and certification issues. She has more than 10 years experience in software development, including four as a lead avionics engineer on business jets for Cessna Aircraft. She joined FAA's Aircraft Certification Office in Wichita, Kan. in 1995 and since 1997 she has been the software technical specialist and program manager for the Aircraft Certification Service's Avionics Branch.
Model DHC-8-101, -102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 series airplanes [Docket No. 98-NM-335-AD; Amendment 39-11401; AD 99-23-05] - requires repetitive detailed visual inspections and high frequency eddy current inspections to detect cracking of the wing upper skin and ladder plates at over-wing access panels between certain stations; and repair, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION has no objection to an agreement under which Fairchild Aerospace - specifically, its German operation Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH - will receive a loan of $350 million guaranteed by the Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Bavaria, the EC said last week (BA, Dec. 6/255). The EC clearance is the next to last step in Fairchild's plan to secure development funding for its 428JET and 728JET programs.
United Technologies Corp. acquired all the shares of Great Lakes Turbines, the Muskegon, Mich. company that supplies and services components for small gas turbine engines. The business, which includes a parts distribution operation, will be integrated into the operations of Pratt&Whitney Canada's Service Centers.
GROEN BROTHERS AVIATION'S Hawk 4 gyroplane was flown successfully in a crop spraying demonstration. The Hawk 4, a four-seat gyroplane undergoing FAA certification, "performed well under exacting conditions," GBA said, adding that it "easily maneuvers over small fields, and has little problem spraying between obstacles." GBA said the gyroplane also could be operated for commuting, package delivery, air taxi, traffic monitoring, land management, aerial photography, electronic news gathering, surveillance and police work.
Model Hawker 1000 series airplanes [Docket No. 99-NM-156-AD; Amendment 39-11406; AD 99-23-10] - requires a visual inspection of the PS wire bundle, shielded wires going to fuel probe 'G,' and any other wire or wire bundle for chafing in the forward wing spar and forward ventral tank area; and corrective actions, if necessary.
ANTHONY DIAZ was named executive vice president of CIT Aerospace. He has been associated with subsidiaries and affiliates of CIT since 1987 and is responsible for developing new business volume, portfolio management and aircraft re-marketing. A bachelor of science graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, he previously worked for Cessna Finance Company and People Express Airlines.
BMW Rolls-Royce was renamed Rolls-Royce Deutschland as it becomes a fully owned subsidiary of Rolls-Royce plc Jan. 1. The British company reached an agreement last month to acquire the remaining stock in BMW Rolls Royce that had been held by auto-maker BMW (BA, Nov. 1/204). Rolls-Royce's Chief Executive John Rose told BA affiliate Aviation Daily that the new German division may take over responsibility for all two-shaft engines in the future. Currently, the Dahlewitz, Germany-based unit is responsible for engines in the 13,000-23,000-pounds thrust range.
FENTON APPLEBY was named director of PT6 sales for Wood Group Turbopower, Inc., Miami Lakes, Fla. Appleby will head a team of national and international PT6 sales managers and is responsible for sales and support. He has more than 15 years experience working with regional airline and business aviation operators and most recently was director of turboprop engines for Airwork. Appleby will report directly to Stephen McBride, president of the company, and will focus on increasing Wood Group's penetration of the PT6 engine overhaul and repair market.
PIEDMONT HAWTHORNE took over operational control of the Shell Aerocentre at the Calgary, Alberta International Airport (YYC) Dec. 1, the final step in acquiring three FBOs from Shell Canada Products, Ltd. (BA, Oct. 18/174). The other two locations are Vancouver International (YVR) and Toronto Pearson (YYZ). Piedmont Hawthorne said the legal transaction closed Nov. 1, but operational changeovers were staggered. All three locations now operate as Piedmont Hawthorne and are branded Shell Aerocentre fuel dealers. "We want to develop Canada and we want to develop U.S.
Federal Aviation Administration should develop a two-tiered certification process for repair stations that maintain large Part 121 aircraft and those that work on general aviation airplanes, the National Air Transportation Association recommended this month. In comments on FAA's proposed rewrite of Part 145 regulations governing repair stations, NATA offered the two-tiered certification process as a "reasonable alternative" to a one-size-fits-all proposal that is unworkable for a large number of GA repair stations.
HONEYWELL completed a successful tender offer initiated by AlliedSignal, Inc. for all the outstanding common stock of TriStar Aerospace Co. TriStar, based in Dallas, Texas, is a leading manufacturer of fasteners, fastening systems and related hardware to the aerospace industry and provides automatic parts replenishment and other customized inventory management services.
Members of the Fractional Ownership Aviation Rulemaking Committee established by FAA Administrator Jane Garvey have completed an initial draft of their recommendations to FAA on how fractional aircraft providers should be regulated, and a spokesman for the group remains optimistic those recommendations will be viewed favorably by all segments of the aviation community.
