SOCATA Models TB9, TB10, TB20, TB21 and TB200 airplanes (Docket No. 97-CE-77-AD; Amdt. 39-10316; AD 98-04-03) - requires inspecting the bolts and space of the upper attachments of the front belts for cracks, dents, etc.; replacing any damaged bolts for spacers; incorporating a front belts upper attachment reinforcement kit; and, reconditioning the belts. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the airworthiness authority for France.
AEROSPATIALE Model ATR-42-200, -300 and -320 series airplanes (Docket No. 97-NM-303-AD) - proposes to require an inspection for fatigue cracking and modification of the windshield frame structure. This proposal is prompted by the issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent reduced structural integrity of the airplane resulting from fatigue cracking of the windshield frame structure.
PILATUS BRITTEN-NORMAN BN-2, BN-2A and BN-2B series airplanes (Docket No. 97-CE-12-AD; Amdt. 39-10329; AD 98-04-17) - supersedes AD 97-03-03, which applies BN-2, BN-2A and BN-2B series airplanes that do not have Modification NB/M/1571 generator terminal diodes installed. AD 97-03-03 currently requires the installation of higher capacity diodes on the generator switches regardless of whether the airplane is equipped with the original 50-amp DC generator system or Modification NB/M/1148, which is a 70-amp system.
SIKORSKY Model CH-54A helicopters (Docket No. 97-SW-60-AD) - proposes to require an initial and recurring inspections and rework or replacement, if necessary, of the second stage lower planetary plate. This proposal is prompted by cracked plates found during overhaul and inspections. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the plate due to fatigue cracking, which could result in failure of the main gearbox, failure of the drive system and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE is inaugurating around-the-clock weekend service to Learjet and Challenger business jet operators at its Indianapolis, Ind. International Airport facilities. The company's Indianapolis service center currently has 83 technical and support personnel, including 10 recent hires to help provide service during weekends. Bombardier said the new fourth and fifth shifts will operate from 0700 Friday through 0700 Monday.
ED LAAKSO was promoted to vice president-materials and operations for AAR Cooper Aviation. Laakso will be responsible for all purchasing functions. He has served with AAR for 17 years.
BRAD ROSE was named turboprop sales representative for J. Mesinger Corporate Jet Sales, Inc. Rose is an aviation and corporate attorney with Cooling&Herbers, P.C. and president of Rose Investments, which owns and manages general aviation aircraft. In addition, he has worked as an avionics marketing agent for Turbo West, as a test pilot and avionics technician at Great Divide Avionics and as a chief flight instructor, chief pilot and aircraft salesman for Sterling Air Service.
Canada's air traffic controllers reached a tentative agreement on a three-year contract with Nav Canada, the country's private-sector civil air traffic services provider. The agreement, reached after five months of negotiations, is the first proposed between the Canadian Air Traffic Control Association and Nav Canada. The company assumed responsibility for air traffic services in November 1996. Prior to that time, Canadian controllers were employees of the federal government.
FOKKER F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 700 series airplanes (Docket No. 96-NM-186-AD) - proposes to require a modification of the lapjoint below the chine line at certain fuselage stations. 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 fatigue cracking in the lapjoint below the chine line at certain fuselage stations, which could reduce structural integrity of the fuselage.
AAR CORP. is offering a new support program, Super Spares, which will deliver airframe parts in less than one hour at certain locations. Parts initially will be available in four distribution centers in the New York City area, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Miami. The Super Spares distribution centers are open 24 hours a day, year-round. SonicAir, a subsidiary of UPS, is supporting the venture.
PROFESSIONAL AVIATION MAINTENANCE ASSOCIATION received authority from the Federal Aviation Administration to approve its own Inspection Authorization renewal seminars. PAMA officials said the authorization follows a two-year FAA review of its national technical symposiums and regional and local seminars. The authorization allows PAMA to support training through its local chapters as well as at its annual technical symposium. An A&P certified technician with inspection authorization will evaluate the content of each course and qualifications of each instructor.
FIRST, HIRE A LAWYER. A General Accounting Office study of FAA's inspection and enforcement activities in some 121,000 cases found 46 percent of the cases were resolved using administrative action, 34 percent resulted in legal action and 19 percent involved no action.
JOE ENDERLE was appointed service manager of Woodland Aviation's turbine maintenance facility at Yolo County Airport in Davis, Calif. Enderle, who has 18 years of aviation experience, joined Woodland in April 1997 after serving with Beech Aerospace Services.
NEW PIPER Models PA-23 (PA-23-150), PA-23-160, PA-23-235, and PA-23- 250 airplanes (Docket No. 95-CE-35-AD) - proposes to revise an earlier proposal that would have required external fuel ramp assemblies on Models PA-23, PA-23-160, PA-23-235 and PA-23-250 airplanes and incorporating Pilots Operating Handbook revisions for Models PA-23 and PA-23-160 airplanes. That proposal would have superseded AD 92-13-04, which requires draining procedures on Models PA-23 and PA-23-160 airplanes.
Federal Aviation Administrator Jane Garvey promised to urge Joint Aviation Authorities officials to ease restrictions that could sharply reduce the number of European students receiving flight training in the U.S.
EXTEX, LTD., Mesa, Ariz., introduced an exchange program for replacement turbine nozzles for Allison 250 helicopter engines. The program will permit the exchange of any used Extex nozzle or Allison MAR-M-247 nozzle for $500 credit toward the purchase of a new Extex nozzle. "The program offers A250 operators greatly reduced downtimes, better reliability, and will completely eliminate delays associated with traditional repair programs," said Scott Livingston, Extex vice president.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES passed H.R. 2843, requiring FAA to reevaluate the equipment carried in medical kits on commercial airlines, and to decide whether automatic external defribrillators should be carried as part of the kits.
AMERICAN EAGLE selected Pratt&Whitney Canada to maintain its PW100 fleet engines. The agreement includes overhaul, repair, hot section inspection, component repair, accessory repair, spare engines and Quick Engine Change support, the engine manufacturer said.
FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP, which has been under study for some time at the Federal Aviation Administration, is beginning to capture the attention of Congress.Rep. Edward Pease (R-Ind.) last week raised the issue during a House aviation subcommittee hearing, asking about the differences between fractional ownership and charter and the potential for rulemaking to require fractional ownership operators to meet commercial standards.
ASPEN/PITKIN COUNTY AIRPORT officials are seeking FAA authorization to collect a $3 passenger facility charge at Aspen/Pitkin County Airport April 1, 1998 through Jan. 31, 2000. The PFC is expected to generate $1.02 million to help fund the rehabilitation of the air carrier apron. The County of Pitkin requested that air taxi/commercial operators filing FAA Form 1800-31 be exempt from the PFC collection requirements. For more information, contact Christopher Schaffer at (303) 342-1258.
AVIATION CONSUMER ACTION PROJECT, an organization founded in 1971 by Ralph Nader that bills itself as "advocates for the interests of the flying public on issues of safety, security, costs and convenience," last week called for the end of "exemptions or waivers of FAA safety rules without strict congressional oversight and public disclosure." Paul Hudson, executive director of the organization, noted FAA grants airlines and manufacturers "several hundred regulation exemptions each year," and cited the agency's recent exemption from certain emergency evacuation test requ
WAYFARER AVIATION, White Plains, N.Y., added another Model 35 Learjet to its fleet of managed aircraft and anticipates having the aircraft available for charter flights April 15. The Learjet is the 24th aircraft in Wayfarer's fleet.
PATRICK NALL joined AAR Cooper Aviation as branch manager of the Kansas City facility. Nall previously spent 12 years as a parts manager at KC Aviation Center in Kansas City.
Bombardier Aerospace is shifting assignments of several of its senior marketing, sales and executive personnel. Robert Gillespie, president of Business JetSolutions in Dallas, Texas since 1995, was named to replace Pierre Lortie as president of the Regional Aircraft division in Toronto, Ontario. Gillespie joined Bombardier in 1992 as vice president-strategic planning and business development.
AEROSPATIALE Model ATR-42-200 and -300 series airplanes (Docket No. 97-NM-266-AD) - proposes to require repetitive inspections to detect cracking of the lower skin panels of the outer wings and repair, if necessary. This proposal also would require modification of the panels and a follow-on inspection for cracking of the modified areas, which would constitute terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This proposal is prompted by the issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
