The Internal Revenue Service last week issued temporary regulations that provide a reprieve for Jet A fuel from a 24.4-cent highway tax on kerosene (BA, June 29/283). The notice, published in the July 1 Federal Register, allows the sale of Jet A fuel free from the tax if the purchaser - including fixed-base operators, wholesalers and airlines - certifies that the fuel will be used for aviation purposes. The IRS last week also issued a proposal to make the temporary regulations permanent.
WAYFARER AVIATION is adding a Model 55 Learjet based at Farmingdale, N.Y. to its charter fleet. The aircraft is expected to be available for charter July 15.
RUNWAY 01L at Dulles International Airport was out of service for nearly five hours Tuesday after a Model 60 Learjet, N216FX, went off the right side of the runway after the aircraft was observed to have a "hot brake" while preparing for departure. Emergency crews extinguished a small fire in the landing gear and damage to the aircraft was described as minor. An FAA spokesman said the disruption of airport operations was minimal.
CESSNA AIRCRAFT received Transport Canada type certification for the Citation X and delivered the first of the high-speed business jets to a Canadian customer. Innotech-Execaire, the exclusive authorized sales and service representative for the Cessna Citation in Canada, is working with Cessna to provide approved service for the Citation X at its facilities in Toronto. The facility will supplement Innotech-Execaire's Citation Service Centers in Montreal and Vancouver.
FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) settled a long-standing dispute involving several labor-related issues and agreed on a new labor agreement. In announcing the pact, which still must be approved by NATCA members, DOT Secretary Rodney Slater said the new agreement is designed to make the ATC system more of a "performance- based organization," part of the mantra designed to buttress the Clinton Administration's proposals for new aviation user fees (BA, Feb. 9/57).
FLIGHTSAFETY BOEING TRAINING INTERNATIONAL named T. Wakelee (Wake) Smith president of the Seattle-based joint venture company. Smith, who had consulted with FlightSafety on the formation of FlightSafety Boeing while he was a vice president of the Simat, Helliesen&Eichner consulting firm, joined the new training enterprise in April. As president he succeeds David Smukowski, who is returning to Boeing.
SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT requests proposals until 2:30 p.m. July 17 for aircraft maintenance services and an office/hangar lease, for three years, at Palm Beach International Airport. The district may separate the services into various components and award more than one contract. To obtain a copy of RFP C-9363, call (561) 687-6391 or (800) 472-5290.
DAVID RAMSAY was named vice president of human resources for Rolls-Royce North America. Ramsay has 30 years of human resources experience, most recently serving as vice president, human resources for Rohr.
European Union competition authorities approved Snecma's takeover of Messier Dowty and its acquisition of the landing gear overhaul business of Messier Dowty's owner, Britain's IT Group. The EU said the French state- owned engine company's purchase of Messier, authorized June 19, poses no threat to competitive conditions in Europe's landing gear industry since airlines have significant buying power in the sector. Messier Dowty has a 35 percent share of the world market for landing gear.
FlightSafety International named new managers for four of its regional learning centers. Marlin Schaefer will manage FlightSafety's training facilities for Raytheon Aircraft in Wichita, Kan. Schaefer, previously assistant manager of the Wichita Raytheon Center, joined FlightSafety in 1991 as director of standards for the center. He succeeds long-time center manager Jim Boots, who will continue with the company in an advisory capacity.
The House Transportation Committee last week agreed to authorize the Federal Aviation Administration to release the addresses of people holding airmen certificates. The provision was part of an amendment to FAA reauthorization legislation that also would permit reliever airport authorities to bar Part 380 public charter operations.
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA at Omaha Aviation Institute developed an aviation distance learning program that uses the Internet to instruct students outside the Omaha and Lincoln areas. The program allows students to train long-distance and also provides a transfer program for students who have completed their associate degree. Scott Vlasek, manager of technology- based education systems, will oversee the Aviation Distance Learning program.
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.
DE HAVILLAND Model DHC-8-311 and -315 series airplanes (Docket No. 98- NM-60-AD; Amdt. 39-10550; AD 98-11-25) - requires replacement of the nitrogen cylinder assemblies that inflate the airplane's ditching dams with improved nitrogen cylinder assemblies. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
DICK CROFTON was named vice president of the Business Aircraft Division of The CIT Group/Equipment Financing. Crofton, who will be based in CIT/Equipment Financing's headquarters in Tempe, Ariz., has held a number of sales and management positions.
BRITISH AEROSPACE Model BAe 146 and 146-RJ series airplanes (Docket No. 97-NM-128-AD) - proposes to require a one-time inspection for "drill marks" and corrosion on the underside of the wing top skin and corrective actions, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent corrosion from developing on the underside of the top skin of the center wing, which could reduce structural integrity of the airplane.
MECHANICS at Atlantic Coast Airlines, the Washington-Dulles-based United Express carrier, approved a four-year contract by a 62-26 vote after four years of negotiations. The mechanics are represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA). In January an independent union, the Aviation Maintenance Technician's Association, tried unsuccessfully to replace AMFA as the mechanics' representative.
AVIDYNE CORPORATION signed a joint marketing and support agreement to provide general aviation situational awareness products. Trimble Avionics and Avidyne are developing a central flight information display product with certification expected later this summer. The display will integrate flight navigation, weather and traffic information. Trimble will market the new products as part of its TrimLine group. The venture expects to develop other products for certification over the next two years.
The Federal Aviation Administration ordered a series of inspections on nearly 500 newly built Cessna 172Rs because of "quality control problems in the aileron and elevator control systems."
AAR CORP. named Seamus (Shay) O'Donnell president of AAR Allen Aircraft, the airframe parts supply and inventory management business. O'Donnell has 19 years of aviation industry experience, including serving as general manager of Aer spares for TEAM Aer Lingus in London and managing director of the Guiness Peat Aviation Pacific Aero aircraft spares facility.
Air Wisconsin, which provides United Express service from Denver, Colo., placed an order for four Canadair Regional Jets Series 200LR aircraft from Bombardier Aerospace. Value of the order is $84 million (U.S.) Air Wisconsin expects to begin its CRJ service in the first quarter of 1999. Air Wisconsin currently operates 18 BAe 146 jets, and through its subsidiary Mountain Air Express, 10 Dornier 328 turboprops, but opted for the Canadair aircraft because of its performance under high temperatures at high altitudes.
BRITISH AEROSPACE Avro 146-RJ series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-43- AD; Amdt. 39-10553; AD 98-11-28) - requires a one-time inspection of certain electrical wires in the electrical equipment by to determine if ERMA terminal lugs are installed, and replacement with new parts, if necessary. This amendment is prompted bay issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent electrical circuit terminal lug failure and reduced airplane controllability.
THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE has drafted a notice reaffirming that Jet A aviation fuel is exempt from a 24.4-cent highway tax on kerosene that takes effect Wednesday. The tax, included in the Taxpayer Relief Act last year, treated undyed kerosene as a transportation fuel and made it subject to highway levies (BA, Dec.1/229). As originally written, the language covered Jet A fuel since it is a higher grade of kerosene, but Congress subsequently issued a non-binding clarification that the tax was not meant to include aviation fuels (BA, Dec. 22/263).
DORNIER Model 328-100 series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-46-AD; Amdt. 39-10552; AD 98-11-27) - requires replacement of the existing pressure dump and relief valves in the main and auxiliary hydraulic systems with new valves. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
TERRENCE MIDDAGH was appointed navigation data base manager for Universal Avionics. Middagh is responsible for administration of Universal's data base subscriptions and the 28-day cycle worldwide distribution of navigation data base diskettes/flash cards.
