SIMUFLITE TRAINING INTERNATIONAL ordered four Cessna and Gulfstream Level D simulators. The simulators, manufactured by CAE, Inc. in Montreal, will be used for Gulfstream IV-SP, Gulfstream V, Citation Ultra/Bravo and Citation Excel training. SimuFlite will install the simulators in a new 164,000-sqaure-foot wing at its Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport training center.
British engine maker Rolls-Royce will acquire all the assets of BMW Rolls-Royce, the German joint venture that successfully launched a new family of turbofan engines that power a new generation of long-range business aircraft and 100-seat airliners.
A DISAPPOINTING third-quarter financial report by Lockheed Martin was quickly followed by the retirement of Peter B. Teets, president and chief operating officer and a 37-year veteran of the company. The company reported third quarter earnings of $217 million, a $101 million decrease from the same period a year ago, and sharply degraded the earnings outlook for 2000.
NEW PIPER signed an exclusive, long-term agreement with SimCom International for recurrent and transition training at New Piper's facility in Vero Beach, Fla. SimCom will provide the recurrent and transition training for customers of the Saratoga II HP, Saratoga II TC, Seneca V and Malibu Mirage aircraft. The contract also calls for SimCom to train maintenance technicians at authorized service centers. SimCom and New Piper are jointly developing pilot and maintenance training courses for the Malibu Meridian and plan to commission a simulator in late 2000.
O-470, IO-470, TSIO-470, IO-520, TSIO-520, LTSIO-520, GTSIO-520, IO-550, TSIO-550, and TSIOL-550 series reciprocating engines (Docket No. 99-NE-28-AD; Amendment 39-11290; AD 99-19-01) - action supersedes priority letter AD 99-09-17 that currently requires a one-time visual and ultrasonic (UT) inspection of the No. 2 and No. 5 crankshaft cheeks for cracks. All crankshafts found with a cracked cheek must be replaced with a serviceable crankshaft prior to further flight.
HOUSE AND SENATE conferees continue their behind-the-scenes negotiations on a comprehensive FAA reauthorization package, but both sides still appear firmly entrenched in their positions on budget issues - including House efforts to take the trust fund off budget, ensure minimum spending levels and guarantee a general fund contribution. Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), the Senate Budget Committee chairman who opposes the House budget proposals, drafted his own version.
(Docket No. 98-ANE-62-AD; Amendment 39-11388; AD 99-22-10) - establishes new life limits for certain high pressure compressor (HPC) spools, Stage 9 HPC disks, and rear HPC spools. This amendment is prompted by a cyclic life analysis using increased stress levels resulting from manufacturing discrepancies. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent HPC spool and disk cracking, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the aircraft.
Model SA-365C, C1, C2, N, and N1; AS-365N2; and SA-366G1 helicopters (Docket No. 98-SW-75-AD; Amdt. 39-11369; AD 99-21-24) - requires inspecting the tightening torque of the main rotor hub blade attach beam spherical thrust bearing bolts. This AD also requires either applying the specified torque or, if necessary, conducting a dye penetrant inspection for cracks in the metal components. Replacing the spherical thrust bearing with an airworthy bearing is also required if a crack is found.
AS FOR GOVERNING air tours over national parks, FAA is ready to release its NPRM as soon as Congress adopts legislation providing for the regulations. That legislation, which has been in the works for about 18 months, has been held up because it was included as part of FAA reauthorization. The bill calls for implementing air tour management plans at various national parks, and FAA and the National Park Service already have begun to meet to consider such plans.
S-TECH CORPORATION, Mineral Wells, Texas, was selected to supply the autopilot for the VisionAire Vantage single-engine business jet. The autopilot will integrate with Meggitt displays and Garmin avionics in the cockpit.
A MODEL 35A LEARJET crashed in Europe last week while the crew was attempting to land in bad weather, resulting in the death of both pilots and the passenger. The Oct. 24 accident happened at about 10:30 a.m. while the crew was making a second approach to the Genoa, Italy airport in heavy rain and gusty winds. Officials said the aircraft crashed into the Mediterranean Ocean. The aircraft, I-AVJG, was owned by Avioriprse S.R.I, and was on a charter flight from Naples.
AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION'S Expo '99 Oct. 21-23 in Atlantic City, N.J. drew a record 9,749 registrants and 463 exhibitors, AOPA said. The three-day event hosted 60 static display aircraft and more than 90 seminars. AOPA President Phil Boyer said those numbers are especially impressive given that "unlike a business trade show, pilots are taking vacation time and spending their own money to come to EXPO." AOPA said, however, that a number of members "were appalled at the deteriorated condition of once-proud Bader Field, site of the Expo static display.
A French consortium agreed last week to take a 20 percent stake in Brazilian manufacturer Embraer for $209 million and, as part of the agreement, will have two seats on the 13-member Embraer board. Control will remain with Embraer's Brazilian partners, Banco Bozano, Simonson and two pension funds, Previ (Banco de Brasil) and Sistel (Telebras). The French group comprises Aerospatiale-Matra, Dassault Aviation, Thomson-CFS and Snecma.
SOLOY CORPORATION named David Stauffer, a 22-year company veteran, as president. Joe Soloy will remain active with the company as chairman and focus on certification efforts for the Soloy Dual Pac. During his tenure with the company, Stauffer has held several management positions, including shop foreman, plant manager, product/project manager, engineering manager and, most recently, vice president.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION plans to turn its attention to a rewrite of Part 135 regulations once it finishes work on the fractional ownership and air tour issues, according to an FAA official.National Air Transportation Association, which represents on-demand Part 135 operators, says the Part 135 industry has changed dramatically since the rules were first written and plans to closely monitor the expected regulatory rewrite.
Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 series airplanes (Docket No. 99-NM-32-AD; Amdt. 39-11382; AD 99-22-04) - requires modification of the wiring of the emergency lighting system. 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 the pilots from having full authority over the cabin emergency lights, which could result in delayed egress of the passengers and crew from the cabin during emergency evacuation.
CONFEREES hope to meet this week to continue their work on the reauthorization package. Some members have begun to fear that if conferees do not reach agreement before Congress recesses - likely this week or next - then a reauthorization package may not be considered until the next Congress, some 15 months away. The Airport Improvement Program, meanwhile, remains lapsed.
AEROSPACE INDUSTRY CONSOLIDATION continued last week as Rolls-Royce plc announced it was buying BMW's share of German engine manufacturer BMW Rolls-Royce, and a group of French aerospace manufacturers said they will take a stake in Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer. See articles below.
Industry leaders and FAA officials are drafting plans to improve safety in six key areas toward a goal of reducing the expected number of general aviation accidents by 20 percent through 2007. This goal, called a "safety metric," last week was formally unveiled during a conference on FAA's Safer Skies initiative after months of collaboration between industry and the agency (BA, Sept. 27/143).
Model 400A Airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-280-AD; Amdt. 39-11351; AD 99-21-08) - requires replacement of the fuel drain tube assembly in the aft fuselage with a new, modified assembly. This amendment is prompted by a report of chafing of the fuel tube assembly against the elevator control cable due to inadequate clearance between the components. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent chafing of the fuel drain tube assembly, which could result in fuel leakage from the fuel drain tube assembly and consequent risk of a fire.
DASSAULT FALCON JET named Dwight Reimer, long-time director of sales in Canada, to direct its western sales territory, including Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Colorado and Nebraska. Reimer will report to Ronald Zielinski, vice president of marketing for the Western U.S.
FRASCA INTERNATIONAL won an order from the U.S. Forest Service in Boise, Idaho for a Model 242T King Air flight training device. The FTD will include a three-channel FVS-200T visual system, GPS, and enclosed instructor cab. Frasca plans to deliver the FTD in early 2000.
Whether federal investigators will ever be able to definitively identify a specific component, system or structural failure that led to the Oct. 25 incapacitation and death of the pilots and passengers aboard a chartered Model 35 Learjet seemed remote last week, given the almost total destruction of the airframe due to impact forces at the end of a high-speed dive from cruising altitude.
Model SD3-60 SHERPA, SD3-SHERPA, and SD3-30 series airplanes (Docket No. 99-NM-223-AD) - proposes to require replacement of existing oxygen system "O" rings with improved wear-resistant "O" rings. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
