FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION issued advisory circular AC 145-7, which streamlines the approval process for repair stations in European Joint Aviation Authorities states. The AC provides for the JAA to gather the appropriate documentation and conduct an oversight audit of the repair station and submit the paperwork to FAA for certification. The process applies only in JAA-member states that have a Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement with the U.S. and for stations that follow the Maintenance Implementation Procedures (MIP) of that agreement.
Model SD3-30, SD3-60, SD3-SHERPA and SD3-60 SHERPA series airplanes (Docket No. 97-NM-102-AD; Amdt. 39-10549; AD 98-11-24) - requires revising the airplane flight manual to modify the limitation that prohibits the positioning of the power levers below the flight idle stop during flight and to provide a statement of the consequences of such positioning. The amendment is prompted by several incidents and accidents involving turboprop airplanes in which the ground propeller beta range was used improperly during flight.
JULIUS MALDUTIS joined CIBC Oppenheimer's U.S. research group as managing director and transportation analyst. Maldutis previously spent 26 years covering the airline industry for Salomon Smith Barney.
Model EMB-145 series airplanes (Docket No. 97-NM-279-AD; Amdt. 39-10555; AD 98-11-30) - requires inspection of the main landing gear bushing seats for cracks and repair of the bushing hole or replacement of the strut bushings, if necessary. This amendment also requires replacement of the main landing gear shock absorber plain bearings. This amendment is prompted by the issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
RICH TEICHER was appointed director of design for Marketing Alternatives. Teicher, who previously was a partner and creative director for Lamb&Teicher Advertising, will oversee all creative design and graphics activity.
Model SD3-60 series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM-32-AD; Amdt. 39-10547; AD 98-11-22) - requires a one-time inspection for discrepancies of certain diode mounting assemblies on specified electrical panels, follow-on actions, and repair or replacement, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
PAIGE HALL was named director of account services for Marketing Alternatives. Hall, who will oversee all client account services and sales activities, has served with Marketing Alternatives for more than four years as an account executive.
In its largest acquisition deal to date, Heico Corp., will buy Teleflex-Lionel-Dupont (TLD), a Paris-based maker of niche aeronautical products and ground support equipment, Heico announced. The stock exchange agreement - reached with certain shareholders of TLD and certain shareholders of Compagnie de Gestion Industrielle et Financiere (GIFI), which owns about 42 percent of TLD's outstanding shares - is subject to U.S. and French regulatory approvals and other closing conditions that must be satisfied by July 31.
CIRRUS DESIGN CORP. increased the price of its four-place, single-engine SR20 aircraft. The standard price will increase from $159,600 to $168,800 for orders taken after July 17. The new price will include as standard equipment Trimble TrimLine avionics (IFR approach GPS), the ARNAV 10-inch moving map display, the PS Engineering stereo audio panel, the S-Tec System Twenty autopilot and a BRS parachute recovery system. Cirrus said it has 156 firm orders for the aircraft, each secured by a $15,000 deposit.
Top executives of Canadian manufacturer Bombardier expect to make a decision before the end of the year on whether to launch a new business jet development program in the upper end of the mid-size market.
The House aviation subcommittee last week agreed to prohibit the Federal Aviation Administration from assigning costs to users or considering user fees until another independent study is completed of the agency's cost allocation studies. The measure was included in a comprehensive bill to reauthorize Federal Aviation Administration programs for one year.
DANA ANDERSON was named graphic designer for Marketing Alternatives, a full service advertising agency based at Spirit of St. Louis Airport. Anderson will be responsible for production, pre-press work and design of creative concepts for a number of accounts.
A CITATIONJET simulator at FlightSafety International's San Antonio, Texas learning center was certified to Level C standards by FAA, the third Citation simulator at the San Antonio facility.
Nav Canada's proposed system of user charges for air navigation services would collect fees from operators of propeller aircraft and small jets for the first time and would increase most fees for commercial transports. The charges, subject to change this summer after the July 31 deadline for comments on the proposal, will take effect Nov. 1, when Canada's current airline ticket tax will expire and Nav Canada must begin self-sufficient operations.
JOSEPH C. SPRAGUE, director of marketing for Anchorage-based Era Aviation, will join Harbor Airlines June 29 as vice president-sales and market development. Sprague, who has served with Era since December 1995, formerly was manager of government and industry affairs for the National Air Transportation Association. An Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University graduate, Sprague also has served as a line pilot and flight dispatcher for a Part 135 operator in Juneau and as a first officer on a Learjet Model 35 operated by a corporate flight department.
As part of its effort to return the company to profitability, Mooney Aircraft Corp. plans to cease production of its M20J Allegro and M20K Encore models. Mooney will continue to produce the normally aspirated M20R Ovation and the turbo-intercooled M20M Bravo, both of which have a longer fuselage than the Allegro and Encore. Plans call for production of the Allegro to end in October and the Encore in August. Mooney, however, will retain the tooling and type certificates for both aircraft, a spokeswoman said.
THE AC comes as House aviation legislators decided to delay action until next year on a bill to further regulate foreign repair station use. The legislation, H.R.145, drew concern from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and the National Air Transportation Association, which feared it would draw retaliation from European nations (BA, March 30/144).
ROLLS-ROYCE appointed R. Frank Leftwich senior vice president, engine services for its North American operations. Leftwich has 30 years of experience in the engine maintenance and overhaul business, holding senior positions with Dallas Airmotive, Aviall and General Electric Engine Services (formerly Greenwich Air Services). Most recently, he was senior vice president and then president for Greenwich, Asia.
Jetstream Model 3101 airplanes (Docket No. 97-CE- 100-AD; Amdt. 39-10556; AD 98-11-31) - requires modifying the autopilot elevator electric system relays by installing two additional relays and associated wiring changes in the relay box located under the right-hand crew seat. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the United Kingdom airworthiness authority.
HANCOCK COUNTY, MISS., PORT AND HARBOR COMMISSION, owner and operator of Stennis International Airport, requests qualifications and proposals until June 30 from professional consulting firms to provide airport marketing services. Stennis International Airport, a general aviation facility, hopes to expand its air cargo activities and anticipates unscheduled air carrier/cargo operations to serve the business, tourism, casino and resort industry in the Mississippi Gulf region.
A provision allowing federal law enforcement officers to order aircraft to land died in the Senate last week after the National Tobacco Policy and Youth Smoking Reduction Act lost on a procedural vote and was withdrawn. The "order-to-land" provision was added to the tobacco bill earlier this month as an amendment offered by Sen. Paul Coverdell (R-Ga.) (BA, June 15/251). Before the bill died, however, Coverdell had agreed to make changes to his provision to address concerns raised by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
FAA-MANDATED INSPECTIONS of wiring in the wings of Boeing 737s could lead to similar inspections in other aircraft. FAA said that of 488 737s inspected for fuel system ignition sources, 243 showed "noticeable chafing through Teflon wrappings," 27 showed 50 percent insulation chafing and nine had exposed wires.
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION said it plans to restructure its NOAA Corps uniformed service that is responsible for operating NOAA's fleet of ships and aircraft. The restructuring will retain those aspects of the NOAA Corps "that meet mission needs while continuing to encourage partnerships with the academic and industry communities."
The House Tuesday approved by voice vote legislation that amends the Fastener Quality Act to recognize the Federal Aviation Administration as the sole authority on aviation fastener standards. The legislation, H.R.3824, also delays implementation of the Fastener Quality Act until June 1, 1999, or 120 days after the Commerce Secretary reports to Congress on changes that are needed in the law.
THE HOUSE passed legislation last week addressing concerns of aviation manufacturers about the applicability of the Fastener Quality Act. See article below.
