PILATUS Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes (Docket No. 98-CE-40-AD; Amdt. 39-10608; AD 98-11-01 R1) - revises AD 98-11-01, which requires replacing the fuel vent valves and drilling a 4.8 millimeter (0.1875 inch) hole in each fuel filler cap. AD 98-11-01 also requires a temporary revision to the pilot's operating handbook that specifies checking to assure that the fuel filler cap hole is clear of ice and foreign objects.
Federal Aviation Administration issues emergency revocations "rarely," but the consistency of actions taken by region and the time needed to issue the orders raises concerns, according to the General Accounting Office. GAO Thursday testified before the House aviation subcommittee on the results of its study of FAA emergency revocation actions. Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), author of legislation in the Senate that would alter the appeal process for FAA emergency revocations, requested the study.
WAYFARER AVIATION added a Sikorsky S-76B to its charter fleet. The aircraft, which will be certified for charter beginning Aug. 15, will be based in Farmingdale, N.Y. The addition continues Wayfarer's efforts to increase its fleet. The White Plains, N.Y. aviation services company in the past two years also has added a Gulfstream II, III and IV; Falcon 20F and 900B; Challenger 600, 601 and 604; Westwind II, Hawker 800XP, Learjet 35A and 55; Citation V; Beechjet 400A; A-Star and Agusta helicopter.
FOKKER F.28 Mark 0100 series airplane (Docket No. 97-NM-329-AD; Amdt. 39-10623; AD 98-13-32) - requires interim inspections for discrepancies of the main fitting subassembly of the main landing gear, and follow-on corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment also requires a one-time inspection for discrepancies of the fitting, repair of the fitting, if necessary, and application of new surface protection, which would terminate the interim inspections.
CESSNA AIRCRAFT delivered its first Skyhawk SP, the enhanced Model 172S announced four months ago, to Paul and Denise Hankenson of Okemos, Mich. Paul Hankenson, a family practitioner and aviation medical examiner, previously owned a Cessna 152.
GALAXY AEROSPACE appointed Kip Harkness, who has developed interior designs for a number of business jets, to lead the interior design effort for Astra SPX and Galaxy business jets. Harkness will establish Galaxy's design center, which will use computer graphics to help customers visualize and select interior configurations. He most recently was manager of design for Bombardier Business Aircraft and previously worked for Isaacman Design Associates. He has assisted in creating interiors for small, medium and large business jets.
AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION expects some 10,000 attendees at its Expo '98 Oct. 23-25 in Palm Springs, Calif. The Expo will include a 70- aircraft Parade of Planes, more than 400 exhibit booths, 70 different seminar topics and an address by FAA Administrator Jane Garvey. For more information, contact AOPA at (301) 695-2000.
Commander Aircraft Company continued to report substantial losses for the second quarter and first half of 1998, but the Bethany, Okla. manufacturer's financial picture improved as revenues increased significantly in the first half.
NOAH ROCKOWITZ was named senior vice president of Hudson General Corporation. Rockowitz will continue to serve as general counsel and corporate secretary, positions he has held since joining the company in 1985. Before that, he was assistant general counsel of Belco Petroleum Corp. and associated with the New York City law firm of Cahill Gordon&Reindel.
FOKKER Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-16-AD; Amdt. 39-10616; AD 98-13-25) - supersedes an existing AD that requires an inspection for free movement of the actuator servo-valve subassembly of the horizontal stabilizer actuator and replacement, if necessary.
WHILE THE INFLUX of new aircraft makes it a good time to be an aircraft buyer, it also is a good time to be an aircraft borrower, according to The CIT Group. Dick Crofton, vice president of The CIT Group's Business Aircraft Division said current competition among lenders is "severe." Crofton said customers are demanding - and getting - longer leasing terms and more liberal programs.
ELLIOTT AVIATION has begun a $3 million expansion at its facility on Quad City International Airport in Moline, Ill. The expansion, slated for completion in January, will increase total square footage at the facility from 54,000 to 91,000.
JOE BOYD joined General Aviation Services to head up the single-engine Cessna program. Priester Aviation, selected as a Cessna CSTAR in 1997, is coordinating with General Aviation Services for the sale of Cessna's single-engine line. Boyd, who will be responsible for selling the 172, 182 and 206, previously was vice president of sales and marketing for a major printing company.
Summary: Pursuant to FAA's rulemaking provisions governing the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for exemption (14 CFR Part 11), this notice contains a summary of certain petitions seeking relief from specified requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Chapter I), dispositions of certain petitions previously received, and corrections. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities.
VISIONAIRE CORP. is at least 15 months away from commencing deliveries of its six-place Vantage single-engine business jet (BA, June 1/237), but the company already is hard at work on another airplane project. VisionAire displayed a mockup of a two-place, tandem-seat aircraft with forward swept wings at last week's Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture '98 in Oshkosh, Wis. The Spirit VA-12B would be powered by a 900-pound thrust FJX-2 engine being developed by Williams International in conjunction with NASA (BA, June 30, 1997/290).
Wyman-Gordon Co. and Titanium Metals Corp. completed an agreement announced in June to combine their titanium casting businesses into a jointly owned venture (BA, June 15/265). The joint venture is owned 80 percent by Wyman-Gordon and 20 percent by TIMET. It consists primarily of Wyman-Gordon's titanium casting business, in Franklin, N.H., and TIMET's titanium casting business in Albany, Ore.
SUZANNE EAMIGH was promoted to communications manager for Signature Flight Support. Eamigh will be responsible for coordinating public relations and media activities for the company and report to senior vice president of marketing, Gary Boekenkamp. She most recently was marketing and public relations specialist for Signature.
SABRELINER CORP. received FAA approval of an inspection and maintenance program, Sabre 2000, for Sabreliner aircraft. The program will reduce maintenance inspection intervals and aircraft downtime and provide a five-
BRITISH AEROSPACE Model BAC 1-11 20 and 400 series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-51-AD; Amdt. 39-10517; AD 8-13-26) - requires repetitive detailed visual inspections for cracking in the trunnion fittings located in the nose landing gear bay for the forward fuselage and repair, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
MIKE BRYANT was named director of technical services for American Jet International, a Houston-based provider of charter and fractional ownership services. Bryant will centralize the company's maintenance functions, creating systems for automated work orders, parts acquisition and maintenance support. He previously served with Raytheon Aircraft Services in Houston.
A hold placed on funding of the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) by the House and Senate Appropriations committees could kill the program, according to industry groups who have communicated their fears to key senators and representatives. Language in funding bills conditions support of the program on the resolution of several issues, including the question of WAAS's ability to provide sole-means navigation. The bills passed their respective chambers last month and now head to conference.
FLIGHTSAFETY BOEING TRAINING INTERNATIONAL will decide next month between London's Gatwick and Heathrow airports as the site for a new $85 million European training hub. The new center, scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2000, will be the first outside the U.S. for FSI/Boeing and part of a planned global network of large-scale training centers. Existing centers are in Seattle and Miami. Future hubs are planned for the Asia-
BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON will build a $40 million tiltrotor assembly plant at the Amarillo, Texas International Airport. The selection of Amarillo follows an eight-month nationwide search. Construction will begin in 90 days on a 179-acre site, and occupancy is scheduled next year with more than 200 employees.
NAVIA AVIATION, Oslo, Norway, won a contract from Nav Canada to deliver and install a Nova 9000 surface movement guidance and control system at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The contract is the company's first major deal in North America and one of its largest air traffic control contracts. The turnkey contract calls for 10 controller working positions and two X- band surface movement radars.
