Rolls-Royce signed an agreement to purchase National Airmotive Corp. from First Aviation Services (FAS) for $73 million. The agreement follows a decision earlier this year by FAS to explore ways of enhancing shareholder value (BA, May 3/200). Headquartered in Oakland, Calif., NAC overhauls and repairs gas turbine engines, including Allison T56 and 250 models and the Pratt&Whitney PT6 line. FAS said then that NAC was expected to have sales of $110 million and operating income of $10 million - before depreciation - in the current fiscal year.
Kent L. Statler was named vice president of maintenance operations for Collins Aviation Services (CAS), with responsibility for overseeing the management of all CAS maintenance service operations worldwide, including avionics, in-flight entertainment and on-board services. He reports to Harry Gregory, vice president and general manager of CAS.
EXECUTIVE JET, INC. will hold a "vendor relations forum" Oct. 13 during the NBAA convention in Atlanta during which the company will demonstrate its new vendor website and discuss its "preferred vendor" program. EJI said the forum should be of particular interest to fixed-base operators, charter operators, companies that provide aircraft handling, caterers, ground transportation companies and repair stations in the U.S., Europe and Middle East. The meeting is set for Oct. 13 from 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. in Room 217E of the convention center.
WARREN PECK was named Falcon aircraft customer service/sales representative for BIZJET International Sales&Support in Tulsa, Okla. Peck has 20 years of aviation experience, flying as a U.S. Air Force pilot and later for Continental Airlines.
Model ATR 42-300 and ATR 42-320 series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-201-AD; Amdt. 39-11272; AD 99-18-06) - requires a one-time inspection for cracking of a fastener hole located on the lower surface of the outer wing, and repair, if necessary; and cold working of the hole and installation of a new fastener in the hole. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
B/E AEROSPACE agreed to sell its remaining 49 percent stake in Sextant In-Flight Systems to joint venture partner Sextant Avionique. The agreement enables the company to exit the in-flight entertainment business, no longer a focus of the company. Under the agreement, B/E will receive between $93.3 million and $125 million, depending on Sextant In-Flight Systems' sales and performance through Dec. 31, 2001.
Model 1124 and 1124A series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-332-AD; Amdt. 39-11274; AD 99-18-08) - requires installation of an independent circuit breaker and associated wiring changes for the hydraulic low pressure warning lights. 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 loss of the hydraulic low pressure warning lights. Low pressure in the hydraulic system can reduce controllability of the airplane.
General Accounting Office will launch an investigation of the Federal Aviation Administration's satellite navigation program, saying Congress has asked it to review the agency's effort to move from a ground-based navigation system. GAO, which expects to have a report ready by next spring, plans to review the current and future GPS infrastructure and how aviation users benefit from GPS, with and without the wide and local area augmentation system.
Docket No.: 29572 Section of the FAR Affected: 14 CFR 25.562 and 25.785 (b) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit certification of medical stretchers for transport of persons who need them. The exemption is for installation on Gulfstream Model G-V series airplanes. Grant, July 1, 1999, Exemption No. 6911
FAIRCHILD AEROSPACE delivered its third production 328JET to Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria. Fairchild, which won certification for the 328JET in July, shipped the first two aircraft to Skyway Airlines. Shell Petroleum will operate the aircraft for personnel transport within Nigeria.
Model CH-54B helicopters (Docket No. 97-SW-59-AD; Amendment 39-11235; AD 99-15-14) - requires initial and recurring inspections and rework or replacement, if necessary, of the second stage lower planetary plate. This amendment is prompted by two reports of cracked plates that have been found during overhaul and inspections. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the main gearbox plate due to fatigue cracking, which could lead to failure of the main gearbox and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Federal Aviation Administration awarded ARINC a five-year contract to support development and initial operational capability of controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC). This program will reduce air travel delays and improve safety as air traffic increases by providing a more efficient means of communications between ground controllers and pilots, the company said.
FAA NEEDS to improve air traffic communications between "all levels of system users," according to a National Traffic Management Evaluation the agency conducted with the Air Transport Association from July 19 through Aug. 5. The evaluation found a need for improvement in 11 areas including standardization of equipment, training and procedures.
Model SD3-30 series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-349-AD; Amdt. 39-11275; AD 99-18-09) - requires modifi-cation of electrical wiring associated with heater components. 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 autofeather system, which could reduce controllability of the airplane in the event of engine failure during takeoff. FAA estimates that 27 airplanes on the U.S.
MARYLAND is launching a new program to increase funding for and promote use of the state's 33 public-use GA airports, which state officials said "serve as economic engines for their local communities."See article on Page 107.
The Senate is expected to almost immediately take up fiscal 2000 transportation appropriations legislation upon returning from its month-long August recess this week. A "cloture" vote is scheduled Sept. 9 in the Senate to establish a timeline to debate the transportation appropriations bill. This procedure would block a potential filibuster and allow the Senate to vote on the bill. The cloture vote is necessary to overcome opposition to certain controversial transit funding provisions in the bill.
MITRE CORPORATION, at the request of FAA, is offering its Self-Managed Arrival Resequencing Tool (SMART) for license. The SMART software package allows users to manage their own arrival flights through the use of flight plans and air traffic data. It displays the relationship between demand and capacity at an airport allowing airlines to prioritize flights, Mitre said.
MATTHEW HARTNETT joined Boston JetSearch, Inc. as senior vice president. Hartnett, formerly vice president of used aircraft sales for Bombardier Business Aircraft, will be responsible for assisting in the acquisition of business jets for clients. Hartnett also has held positions with Cessna, Gates Learjet and Mitsubishi.
Docket No.: 29250 Sections of the FAR Affected: 14 CFR 135.299(a) Description of Relief Sought/Disposition: To permit True North pilots to accomplish a line operational evaluation in a Level C or Level D flight simulator in lieu of a line check in an aircraft. Denial, June 29, 1999, Exemption No. 6913
NEIL MORGAN was appointed business development manager-airline market for IEC International, an in-flight entertainment specialist based in the United Kingdom. Morgan previously was director-European region and market development and planning for Matsushita. He also was European sales and marketing manager for Avicom International.
ANDRE MERRETT was appointed vice president and general counsel for Mesa Air Group. Before joining Mesa, Merrett served with the international law firm of Squire, Sanders and Dempsey.
Raytheon Aircraft Corp. executives, stung by criticism from customers about perceived shortcomings in the company's product support network, are implementing a major program aimed not only at improving customer support but making it a positive factor in convincing buyers to select Raytheon-built aircraft.
The pilot and all six passengers aboard a Beech King Air 90 were killed Friday when their aircraft crashed into a shopping mall parking lot while on approach to the West Palm Beach, Fla. International Airport. Preliminary information from FAA said the aircraft, N338AS, was registered to C.P. Horizons Corp. The aircraft had been cleared by controllers for a visual approach to Runway 13 when the pilot reported an unspecified problem. The plane crashed about one-half mile from the airport.
(Beech) Model 400A airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-280-AD) - proposes to require replacement of the fuel drain tube assembly in the aft fuselage with a new, modified assembly. This proposal 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 the proposed 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.
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION also launched an airport initiative, announcing that it is requesting proposals from firms capable "of performing a study of public opinions about general aviation airports."
