GPS CAPABILITIES, MILESTONES AND EXPECTATIONS is the theme of RTCA's annual Spring Forum set for June 25 at the Washington Hilton and Towers Hotel. The program will include detailed information on major GPS components and discussion of GPS plans and programs and user expectations. For more information, contact RTCA at (202) 833-9339; fax, (202) 833-9434.
Hexcel Corp., the Stamford, Conn. firm that manufactures advanced structural materials including composites, named H.E. Tad Kinne president and chief operating officer and Stephen C. Forsyth, executive vice president and chief financial officer. Both appointments are effective July 15. Both men will report to John J. Lee, Hexcel's chairman and chief executive. Kinne, 58, spent 33 years with Ciba Specialty Chemicals in various management posts, while Forsyth, 43, joined Hexcel in 1980.
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION last week sent a survey to members seeking their feelings about fractional ownership. The association, which has received numerous calls from members wanting to know the association position on fractional ownership programs (BA, May 4/195), said the survey will help NATA determine "how best to respond to proposals" FAA is considering for future regulation. NATA noted FAA is evaluating whether fractional ownership programs should be governed under Part 91 or Part 135.
AL GRASER was named general manager of LaGuardia Airport by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. A 30-year veteran of the Port Authority, Graser most recently was assistant director of operations and security for all Port Authority airports.
AEROSPATIALE Model ATR42 and ATR72 series airplanes (Docket No. 98-NM- 149-AD) - proposes to require a one-time inspection of the electromagnetic interference filter capacitors and electronic cards of the cabin air recirculation fans to detect damage. The proposal would require replacement of damaged components with new or serviceable parts. The actions proposed are intended to prevent overheating and consequent failure of the EMI filter capacitors, which could result in the emission of toxic smoke or fumes throughout the airplane.
KAL-AERO received supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for a dual Universal Navigation Corp. UNS-1D flight management system (FMS) using software 603x in a BAe 125 Series 800A business jet. The Kalamazoo, Mich. modification center said the latest software package from Universal offers a number of enhancements, including increased safety messages/provisions for approaches, added provisions for interfacing with external systems and extended features that allow entries of target vertical speed and altitudes in the vertical navigation menu.
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION, which has been engaged in a months-long dialogue with FAA over modification of small turbine-powered aircraft used for Part 135 cargo operations, said last week that "the industry and the FAA are in direct disagreement over the FAA's stated view that these aircraft do not conform to the requirements of the regulations that relate to modifying aircraft from passenger to cargo operation. The industry believes that these aircraft are in an airworthy condition and are being operated properly."
An audit of FAA's contract tower program showed that the program provided Level I air traffic control services at a lower cost for 110 towers previously operated by FAA and provided ATC services at 50 towers FAA could not have afforded to staff, according to the DOT Office of Inspector General.
CHESTER M. LEWIS, an engine specialist with Boeing for more than 35 years, was named to FAA's National Resource Specialist team. Lewis will advise the agency on engine system dynamics and safety relating to certification requirements, policy and research into improving engine reliability and safety.
AIRBUS predicts a worldwide fleet demand of 16,700 airliners valued at $1.2 trillion, or $60 billion per year, during the 1998-2018 period, according to John Leahy, senior vice president for commercial affairs. The new estimate is 5.7 percent higher than the 15,800 aircraft in the Airbus 20- year forecast released a year ago. Leahy said he expects 26 percent of the total fleet demand to be for large-size aircraft with 400 or more seats.
HERB LANESE, the former president of McDonnell Aircraft Company and McDonnell Douglas Aerospace, was named to the Advisory Board of C-S Aviation Services, Inc. (CSAS), a lease management provider of used commercial aircraft. CSAS, based in New York, has a portfolio of more than 70 commercial aircraft, including 28 A300B4 airliners.
A NEW EXHIBIT focusing on business aviation will open next week at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The "Business Wings" exhibit, made possible through support by the National Business Aviation Association, will feature a Beech King Air Model 90 and a Cessna Citation 500. The exhibit will trace the history of business aviation from its origins in the years following World War I to the present day.
Aero-Dienst of Nuremberg, Germany placed an order for a 609 civil tiltrotor, bringing to 67 the number of orders for the aircraft, according to manufacturer Bell Helicopter Textron. The German firm plans to use the tiltrotor for charter services and medical transport. The 67 tiltrotors sold to date are scheduled to go to 40 customers in 16 countries, including 15 ordered by European operators.
DASSAULT FALCON JET, which has been assessing the feasibility of a supersonic business jet, unveiled a scale model of a three-engine, Mach 1.8 airplane during a Falcon Maintenance and Operations seminar in Nice, France last month. The company is still seeking partners and customer input before deciding to launch the program. See article below.
SIGNATURE FLIGHT SUPPORT picked up another West Coast fixed-base operation last week, putting it into direct competition with an AMR-Combs facility on the same airport, and also added a new international base. See articles below.
Cessna Finance Corp. (CFC), Wichita, Kan., announced a number of promotions and assignment changes for its senior executives. Peter Redman was named chairman of CFC and Leon Metzinger is the new president.
AirNet Systems reported slightly lower net income on higher revenues for the quarter ended March 31, but officials anticipate improved operating margins for the remainder of the year. The Columbus, Ohio-based check and express document delivery company said revenues were up 19.5 percent to a record $26.5 million, but net income was off 7.7 percent - from $3.1 million a year ago to $2.85 million in the quarter just ended.
BILL FANNING, an 18-year veteran of the National Business Aircraft Association, is being honored by the association with a scholarship in his name. NBAA said it will annually award two $2,500 William M. Fanning Maintenance Scholarships to applicants who are pursuing careers as maintenance technicians. One award will go to a student currently enrolled in an accredited airframe and powerplant (A&P) program at an approved Part 147 school.
CONSTRUCCIONES AERONAUTICAS, S.A. Model C-212 series airplanes (Docket No. 97-NM-297-AD) - adopts a new AD to require a one-time inspection of the lower shaft and support structure of the rudder for corrosion, repair of any discrepancy found, and modification of the structure. These actions were prompted by reports that corrosion could develop in the lower shaft and the support structure of the rudder, a condition which could result in the failure of the rudder lower shaft and reduced controllability of the airplane.
PARKER AEROSPACE formed the Servo Controls Division in Dublin, Ga. The Servo unit will design and manufacture electrohydraulic servo valves, control actuation system and electronic components for the aerospace and power-generation markets. The 78,000-square-foot Dublin factory was formerly part of Parker's Abex NWL Division. Joel Benkie, former plant manager, was named the new division's general manager.
Signature Flight Support acquired the assets of the Million Air-Palm Springs, Calif. (PSP) fixed-base operation last week, the company's seventh new base since early 1997 and a move that puts Signature in direct competition with AMR-Combs at the desert resort airport.
MICHAEL SAVILO, 52, was named president of the Walbar Engine Components division of Coltec Industries. Savilo had been president of Walbar Canada since January 1995. Coltec recently combined its Walbar Arizona and Walbar Canada units in the new Walbar Engine Components division. Before joining Coltec, Savilo spent 11 years in a variety of engineering and management posts with Rockwell International.
BRITISH AEROSPACE won a contract to train all of Australia's military pilots for the next 10 years. Recruit pilots will undergo basic flight training at the BAe facility at Tamworth in northern New South Wales, which has 47 aircraft, plus accommodations and classrooms for more than 200 trainees. BAe said the contract is valued at approximately 40 million pounds over the next decade.
AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION anticipates more than 400 exhibitors at its annual convention this fall in Palm Springs, Calif. This year's AOPA Expo, set for Oct. 23-25, is expected to attract more than 10,000 registrants. The association said 65 percent of the available exhibit space was sold during the first six weeks it was offered, even though the show is months away.
