Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes (Docket No. 99-NM-27-AD; Amdt. 39-11389; AD 99-22-11) - requires installation of modified roller sub-assemblies in both the main landing gear (MLG) door lock and the MLG uplock. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the roller sub-assemblies, which could result in failure of the MLG to retract and lock after takeoff, or to deploy properly for landing.
THE TIMKEN COMPANY won FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (FAA-PMA) for its line of aircraft landing wheel bearings. The company, based in Canton, Ohio, said the approval means Timken bearings can be sold through the distribution channel to replace bearings in aircraft landing wheel applications. FAA initially approved 40 parts in September and another 134 parts last month.
Fairchild Aerospace, which has positioned itself as a major player in the regional airliner business with simultaneous development of multiple aircraft models, took a major step into one of the world's largest potential markets last week with the first delivery of a 328JET to Hainan Airlines of China. That aircraft is one of 19 firm orders for 328JETs by the Chinese carrier, which holds options for 20 more. The potential value of the contract if all options are exercised is estimated at $464 million by Fairchild.
Federal Aviation Administration's plans for a formal committee to review fractional ownership began to take shape last week as the agency formally notified a number of potential participants, and officials said they hoped to have the schedule and committee membership finalized by early this week.
Model SA-360C, SA-365C, C1, C2, SA-365N, N1, AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 helicopters (Docket No. 98-SW-26-AD; Amdt. 39-11359;AD 99-21-14) - requires inspecting and, if necessary, replacing certain circuit breakers. This amendment is prompted by the manufacturer discovering the loss of electrical continuity between the terminals of a circuit breaker. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of electrical power, loss of instrumentation, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. FAA estimates that 136 helicopters on the U.S.
PAUL MCBRIDE was appointed manager of product support for Textron Lycoming. McBride, who has served with Lycoming for 35 years, will be responsible for worldwide product and technical support in addition to continuing to conduct technical symposiums as well as FAA IA renewal seminars.
Revenues for the first quarter of Mercury Air Group's fiscal year jumped 41.8 percent, but growth in net income failed to keep pace, the company said last week.
RAY HAUCK, president of Pemco Aeroplex, named Col. Jerry M. Cryer (Ret.) vice president and general manager of its Pemco World Air Services unit, effective Nov. 15. Cryer has more than 26 years of experience in maintenance and overhaul with the Air Force and through his association with Lockheed Martin Aviation Center. Cryer will oversee Pemco World Air Services' airframe programs, including maintenance and modification services. Pemco is part of Precision Standard, which is based in Denver with facilities in Alabama, California and Florida.
FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL said FAA issued Level D certification for the company's newest Gulfstream IV simulator at FSI's Savannah, Ga. learning center.
Trans World Airlines, Inc. and Chau-tauqua Airlines have signed a 10-year agreement under which the regional carrier will begin fielding a fleet of 50-passenger regional jets next summer to feed traffic to the larger carrier. Chautauqua is exercising options for 15 50-passenger Embraer Regional Jets (ERJs) that will be configured in a single class. Those airplanes will begin entering service next summer and all 15 are scheduled to be carrying passengers by the end of 2001.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University last month reached agreement with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers on a three-year labor contract covering about 80 hourly, part-time and full-time flight instructors at the Daytona Beach, Fla. campus. Negotiations on the pact began in February and concluded a year after the flight instructors voted for IAM representation (BA, Oct. 12,1998/161). The agreement was the first for the university with any union, a spokeswoman said.
FlightSafety International has added four aerobatic aircraft at two of its training locations to provide pilots with aircraft "upset" training. FSI is basing two Zlin Z242L aerobatic trainers manufactured in the Czech Republic at its training facility in Dothan, Ala., and two at its FlightSafety Academy in Vero Beach, Fla. At Dothan, the Zlins will be used to enhance an existing in-flight training course conducted for U.S. Army pilots. It is part of the fixed-wing instructor course dealing with upset situations and recovery techniques.
REPORTS that growing numbers of regional jets entering airline service will clog the ATC system are untrue, according to Walt Coleman, president of the Regional Airline Association. During a recent interview Coleman pointed out that of 58,154 IFR departures on Oct. 21, only 2,000 were RJs.
KENNETH GARRITY was elected president of Edwards and Kelcey, a 750-person consulting, planning, engineering and construction company. Garrity has 30 years of experience in transportation planning and design, and was involved in the expansion of major airports such as Boston Logan and Kennedy International.
AirNet Systems, Inc. said its pilots handily defeated an attempt by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to win the right to represent the pilot group. The union filed an application with the National Mediation Board in August to represent the pilots. According to an AirNet spokeswoman, the pilot group consists of 160 individuals. Ballots were distributed to 158 pilots, but only 66 returned those ballots - 63 of whom were in favor of representation by the Teamsters and three who voted for another union.
MAYTAG AIRCRAFT CORP., a subsidiary of Mercury Air Group, won a contract from the 10th Air Base Wing of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., to operate and manage meteorological services for the Air Force Academy. The Weather Data Services Division of Maytag will provide weather observation and forecasting and full logistics support for maintenance and replacement of government-furnished weather equipment. The contract, which begins Jan. 18, has four one-year options and is valued at $2.2 million.
NATIONAL DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION (NDIA) is helping to create a new non-profit association dedicated to defense acquisition and technology business. The new Association of Defense Acquisition&Technology Professionals will be organized with its own board to establish policy, but will share support and administrative functions with NDIA. Both are based Arlington, Va. For more information on the Association of Defense Acquisition&Technology Professionals, check its Web site at www.adatpro.org or call (703) 247-2561.
AIRCRAFT SERVICES GROUP, Ramsey, N.J., in conjunction with FlightSafety International, plans to begin offering training early next year in the EVAS system, which is designed to permit pilots to maintain visibility even in the event of dense smoke in the cockpit. ASG said it expects training to begin at the Falcon training center in Teterboro, to be followed in the first quarter by training in Gulfstream, Challenger, Hawker, Cessna and Learjet simulators.
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION this month plans to send its members an "Action Call" urging them to comment on the Federal Aviation Administration's comprehensive proposed rewrite of Part 145 regulations governing repair stations. FAA last month extended the comment period, originally slated to close Oct. 19, to Dec. 3 (BA, Oct. 11/168). NATA estimates that the proposal could increase maintenance costs by 25 percent due to additional administrative requirements.
PRATT&WHITNEY ENGINE SERVICES plans to open a new regional service center at Orlando International Airport in the first quarter of next year. Noting that Orlando is "a major hub for corporate aircraft in the region," P&W said the new facility will complement its overhaul and repair facility in West Virginia for support of PT6A, JT15D, PW300 and PW500 engine families.
The BFGoodrich Company will supply a number of components for Bombardier's new Continental business jet under an agreement announced last week. BFGoodrich Aerospace will supply the entire braking system, including wheels and brakes, tires and brake control; the air data system; the landing gear proximity sensing system; cockpit crew seats; electronic junction boxes; and the pilot stick shaker and stick pusher. The Continental is scheduled to make its first flight in 2001, followed by type certification in September 2002.
MERCURY AIR GROUP'S board of directors and lenders approved a repurchase of up to $2 million of the company's common stock from time to time in the open market. Mercury, a provider of aviation fuel, cargo services, information technology and support services, reported fiscal 1999 net income of $5.9 million on revenues of $224 million.
APPARENT INCAPACITATION of the six persons aboard a Model 35 Learjet hours before it crashed in Mina, S.D. Oct. 25 has heightened interest among corporate pilots in receiving training specifically aimed at preparing them to deal with inflight loss of pressurization. See related article below.
FAIRCHILD AEROSPACE officials remain confident they will reach an agreement this month to secure the outside financing they need to proceed with development of the 428JET and 728JET programs. Fairchild President Jim Robinson said last month the company anticipates raising $200 million to $300 million in equity financing that will be coupled with $350 million in loans guaranteed by the German government and some $200 million in internally generated cash (BA, Oct. 18/175).
MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY anticipates funding a study to investigate current aircraft and runway deicing practices and procedures on the airside at Boston Logan International Airport. The study will evaluate methods for collecting aircraft deicing chemicals, look at the possibility of establishing a central aircraft deicing facility and identify potential sites for the facility. Estimated value of the study is $125,000, and anticipated advertisement date is Jan. 1, 2000. The Project No. is L324.
