Canadian engine manufacturer Orenda Recip Inc. opened a new factory in Debert, Nova Scotia this month, the latest step in a program focused on building a new line of piston-powered engines for the aviation market and re-engining existing turboprop-powered aircraft.
Bombardier landed yet another major order for its Canadair Regional Jet series - an estimated $475 million (U.S.) deal with Lufthansa for 10 70-seat CRJ Series 700 aircraft and 10 50-seat CRJ Series 100s. The company's announcement of the contract was the third this month, with a 27-aircraft order from Atlantic Southeast Airlines and orders for 10 CRJs from Atlantic Coast Airlines (BA, Sept. 14/115). The latest contract calls for deliveries of the 50-passenger planes to begin in first quarter 2000 and continue through 2001.
The Senate last week approved 92-1 Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization legislation, but voted down an amendment by Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) to alter the appeal process for emergency certificate revocations. The Wendell H. Ford National Air Transportation System Improvement Act of 1998, S.2279, which contains a number of important aviation provisions, had faced substantial opposition over provisions providing more slots at Chicago O'Hare and Washington Reagan airports and exemptions to the perimeter rule at Washington Reagan (BA, Sept. 21/125).
PILATUS BRITTEN-NORMAN BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2B and BN-2A Mk.111 series airplanes (Docket No. 97-CE-111-AD; Amdt. 39-10723; AD 98-18-07) - requires, for aircraft equipped with a PBN Modification NB/M/256, 50A generator system, inspecting for a 70A generator. If a 70A generator is installed, the AD would require either replacement with a 50A generator or upgrade of the airplane generator system to a 70A system. The AD stems from mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom.
CASA Model C-212 series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-185-AD) - proposes to supersede an existing AD that requires replacement of the cover of the power control quadrant pedestal with a cover that incorporates slot protection. This action would require repetitive inspections for deterioration or damage of the slot protection installed in the cover of the power control quadrant pedestal. This action also would require eventual modification of the cover, which would consitutute a terminating action for the repetitive inspections.
A NATIONAL PARK SERVICE representative told the subcommittee that FAA and NPS "have agreed to conduct a model validation study that should provide additional information regarding the accuracy of these [noise] models and perhaps others that we have not tested at all." Robert Arnberger, superintendent of the GCNP said the design, implementation and results of the model validation study "will be monitored by a panel of internationally acclaimed acoustic experts." Opponents of new overflight restrictions at GCNP are urging legislators to prohibit FAA and NPS from implementi
An analysis of 621 global fatal accidents involving airline passenger aircraft between 1980 and 1996 showed that 41 percent occurred due to lack of positional awareness in the air, Adrian Sayce, head of safety analysis for the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority, said last week in Washington, D.C. Sayce, speaking to the Global Aviation Safety&Security Conference, said half of the 621 fatal accidents occurred during approach and landing. Design short-comings and post-crash fire were each causal factors in 10 percent of all fatal accidents, he said.
BELL Model 214B, 214B-1 and 214ST helicopters (Docket No. 94-SW-29-AD; Amdt. 39-10717; AD 98-18-01) - supersedes an existing AD that establishes a retirement life of 60,000 high-power events for the main rotor trunnion. This amendment requires changing the method of calculating the retirement life for the trunnion from high-power events to a maximum accumulated Retirement Index Number.
ROBERT P. ANDERSON, a fixture in the fixed-base operations business for nearly three decades, will retire as president of AMR Combs Nov. 1. A joint announcement by Don Carty, chairman and chief executive of AMR, and Jim Gunn, president of AMR Global Services, said William S. Koch will succeed Anderson as president of the fixed-base chain. Koch joined AMR Combs in 1989, serving in marketing and sales posts initially. He currently is senior vice president of field operations for the central division of AMR Combs.
AIRNET SYSTEMS, INC. plans to appeal a $200,000 fine proposed by FAA for failing to comply with drug testing regulations (BA, Sept. 21/130). A spokeswoman for the Columbus, Ohio-based carrier said the alleged violation is a result of an interpretation of the rules by an FAA inspector that AirNet does not agree with.
SYSTEMS RESOURCES CORP. received a contract from the Department of Transportation's Volpe National Transportation System Center to provide engineering support services in communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS). The contract, which has a potential value of more than $100 million over five years, is the third in a series of five-year CNS omnibus contracts Volpe has awarded SRC.
MEMBERS of the National Air Transportation Association's Air Charter Committee are scheduled to meet Oct. 7 to consider details of a position paper on how FAA should regulate fractional aircraft ownership programs. NATA is one of a number of trade associations solicited by FAA for their views on the issue, but it's proving to be a particularly thorny problem for NATA to resolve. An earlier survey of NATA members showed a wide range of views (BA, Aug. 10/61) and the organization formed a working group to consider the issue in July.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE AVIATION OFFICIALS will hold its 68th NASAO Annual Convention Sept. 17-22, 1999, at the Colonial Williamsburg Marriott, Williamsburg, Va. For more information, call (301) 588-0587.
Israel Aircraft Industries reported a near tripling of net income in the first six months of 1998. IAI reported a net profit of $19.7 million on sales of $929 million for the first half of the year, compared with profits of $6.9 million on sales of $771 million during the same period in 1997. Export sales also were up sharply to $725 million, compared with $582 million in the first half of 1997.
AERO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING won a contract to modernize Boeing's transonic wind tunnel facility in Seattle. The contract includes design, fabrication, equipment supply and installation of a major portion of the tunnel in the next 30 months, ASE said.
The National Business Aviation Association and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association both strongly endorsed continued regulation of fractional aircraft ownership programs under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, stating that such programs have operated safely for years under those regulations.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, following the lead of Canadian authorities, this month issued an emergency airworthiness directive covering the flap system of the Bombardier CRJ100. FAA said the action is intended to prevent an "unannunciated failure of the flap system, which could result in flap asymmetry, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane." The order requires revising the maintenance program and providing the flight crew with revised procedures for checking the flap system.
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION Friday issued an "Action Call" for its members to contact their legislators in opposition to a provision that would permit federal law enforcement officers to order aircraft to land. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) included the provision in Coast Guard reauthorization legislation, S.1259, which is before the Senate.
STEPHEN TAYLOR was appointed director of sales, marketing and customer satisfaction for Chrysler Pentastar. Taylor previously served with Gulfstream Aerospace for 14 years in marketing, sales support and customer relations capacities.
SIMAT, HELLIESEN&EICHNER promoted Deborah Meehan to president and chief operating officer. Formerly senior vice president, Meehan will manage SH&E's five offices in New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., London and Amsterdam. She joined SH&E in 1982 as a consultant specializing in airport strategic planning issues and most recently, was responsible for SH&E's airport and public sector practices.
GARY SWARTZ was appointed vice president, procurement, North America for Rolls-Royce. Based in Indianapolis, Swartz will direct procurement in North America. He previously was vice president, supply management, production planning, logistics and parts distribution at Outboard Marine Corporation in Waukegan, Ill.
John W. Douglass, new president of the Aerospace Industries Association, said the U.S. faces a "chaotic" period in the next couple of years, but that he is "positive about coming to AIA at this time."
FAA ADMINISTRATOR JANE GARVEY last week appealed to International Civil Aviation Organization member states to follow ICAO standards in dealing with noise issues.Noting that various countries "have strong views favoring ever more restrictive noise standards," Garvey told the ICAO Assembly Tuesday in Montreal that individual proposals "in our view would undermine the basic principle of uniform international standards for aviation. The U.S.
BOMBARDIER Model DHC-3 Otter airplanes (Docket No. 97-CE-120-AD; Amdt. 39-10724; AD 98-18-08) - applies to DHC-3 airplanes modified in accordance with A.M. Luton Supplemental Type Certificate No. SA3777NM. This AD requires modifying the airplane's electrical system. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent electrical system failure caused by inadequate electrical system design, which could result in loss of the engine instruments or a possible electrical fire in the airplane's cockpit. FAA estimates that the AD will cover 17 airplanes on the U.S.
RAYTHEON Hawker 800XP series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-195-AD) - proposes to require replacement of the fuel feed hose assemblies of the auxiliary power unit with new hose assemblies. This proposal is prompted by a report of the collapse of the inner casing of the fuel feed hose that supplies fuel to the APU. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the fuel feed hose assemblies, which could result in fuel leakage and consequent risk of fire in the aft equipment bay. FAA estimates the AD will cover 11 airplanes on the U.S. Registry.
