PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLA. Department of Airports invites expressions of interest until 5 p.m. Feb. 27 for lease, on a net basis, of a parcel of about six acres at the Palm Beach County Glades Airport in Pahokee. Contact Robert Inman, Airport Properties Manager, Palm Beach County Department of Airports, Building 846, Palm Beach International Airport, West Palm Beach, Fla. 33406; telephone, (561) 471-7403.
EXTEX, LTD., Mesa, Ariz., this year has expanded the number of parts manufacturer approvals it has earned by 15 percent. The replacement parts manufacturer has received FAA PMA authorization on nearly 30 more parts for Allison 250-30/40 engines. Extex has more than 200 PMAs for the Allison 250 engine. Nearly a third of those apply to the Allison 250-30/40 and the remainder apply to -20 engine models.
ISRAEL AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES Model 1121, 1121A, 1121B, 1123, 1124, 1124A, 1125 Westwind Astra and Astra SPX series airplanes (Docket No. 97- NM-169) - proposes to require repetitive functional tests for proper operation of hydraulic fuses installed in the brake system and emergency hydraulic indicating system and replacement of any discrepant hydraulic fuse with an improved unit. This proposal is prompted by the issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
AN EXPERIMENTAL route structure based on signals from Global Positioning System satellites for aircraft flying between Florida and the Caribbean has been under way since October, and FAA officials say the system "promises to markedly improve air access to the Caribbean and South America, making way for the dramatic airline traffic increases predicted by aviation consultants." FAA said the airway structure in the area, which handles some 1,200 daily airline flights, had been dependent on five ground-based navigational aids.
FOKKER Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes (Docket No. 97-NM-247-AD; Amdt. 39-10278; AD 98-01-16) - requires replacement of the spring tab balance units in the ailerons and the inboard aileron hinge bolts and bearings with improved parts. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION asked RTCA to launch an in-depth study of certification issues that will be headed by the former head of FAA's certification and regulation office and the former president of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. See article below.
Cessna Aircraft, which has seen the certification schedule for its Citation Excel creep to the right, now hopes to win full FAA certification of its hot-selling business jet by this spring and begin customer deliveries this summer. Cessna said this month it completed "all requirements for basic FAA certification except for several flight director changes that were developed during the flight test program."
NEW HELICOPTER SALES are expected to be robust in the short term, spurred by the strong economy and introduction of a number of new models, according to projections by two engine manufacturers. The long-term outlook, however, is clouded by a number of factors, including low oil prices and a growing shortage of experienced commercial pilots.
BFGOODRICH AIRCRAFT SENSORS DIVISION developed and received certification for an advisory ice detection system for corporate turboprops. The system stemmed from surveys of Beech King Air operators, who expressed concern about identifying icing conditions. The system detects the presence of ice that may accrete on aircraft surfaces and notifies the flightcrew by an indicator light in the cockpit. Once an aircraft exits the icing condition, the indicator light turns off.
Fields Aircraft Spares, Inc. signed a letter of intent to acquire Skylock Industries, Inc., a Monrovia, Calif-based designer and manufacturer of hardware and retaining devices for aircraft cabin interiors. Fields did not disclose terms of the deal, which is subject to completion of a definitive agreement and due diligence analysis, but said the proposed acquisition will include a combination of cash and stock.
Triumph Group of Wayne, Pa., has agreed to buy Frisby Aerospace, a designer and manufacturer of precision aircraft components and subsystems. Terms of the cash transaction were not disclosed. Based in Freeport, N.Y. and Clemmons, N.C., Frisby provides precision- manufactured products, hydraulic products and aftermarket services and support "to virtually all military and commercial aircraft, and to the U.S. government, prime contractors and most major airlines," Triumph said.
FOKKER Model F27 Mark 050 series airplanes (Docket No. 97-NM-281-AD; Amdt. 39-10268; AD 98-01-04) - requires a one-time inspection of the main landing gear locklinks to determine if the lockwire that secures both platform bolts is in one piece and in position; and corrective action, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by the issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
SALVADOR ZURITA was appointed interior refurbishment manager for King Aerospace. Zurita previously served with International Aviation Services as an interior modification supervisor and also held positions with The Dee Howard Company and Swearingen Aircraft Company.
GENERAL ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT ENGINES CT7 series turboprop engines (Docket No. 97-ANE-41-AD; Amdt. 39-10231; AD 97-25-07) - supersedes an existing AD that requires eddy current inspection (ECI) of disk holes of Stage 1 and 2 gas generator turbine disks for cracks and, if necessary, replacement with serviceable parts. This amendment increases the initial cyclic compliance threshold while decreasing the calendar time for performing the ECI. This amendment is prompted by corrections to the applicable alert service bulletin serial number tables.
New Piper Aircraft received a contract from the University of Illinois for 16 PA-28-181 Archer IIIs, marking the largest single training aircraft order the manufacturer has received since it reorganized in 1995. The contract, valued at about $3 million, calls for deliveries to begin in June and be completed this fall.
NATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION is accepting nominations for the Balchen/Post Awards, which are presented annually to airports that demonstrated expertise or outstanding efforts in the removal of airport snow and ice. The awards will be presented during the International Aviation Snow Symposium Annual Meeting April 26-29 in Buffalo, N.Y.
SOCIETY OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS published Alternative Fuels Guidebook: Properties, Storage, Dispensing and Vehicle Facility Modifications. The book, by Richard Bechtold, provides a basic explanation of physical and chemical properties of alternative fuels, how they affect refueling system design and modifications for safety. Book topics include alternative fuels and their origins, properties and specifications, materials compatibility, storage and dispensing and refueling facility installation.
J.P. HOYER joined AAR Cooper Aviation as vice president-finance and administration. Hoyer, who previously was chief financial officer for Logix, Inc., will be responsible for all AAR Cooper financial planning and reporting.
EASTERN CINCINNATI AVIATION was named a Cessna Sales Team Authorized Representative. Eastern Cincinnati will represent Cessna with Select Aircraft, which also is located at Clermont County Airport. Eastern Cincinnati will be responsible for sales of Cessna's new single-engine line in Ohio, Northern Kentucky and West Virginia.
The Boeing Company and Hexcel Corp. have formed a joint venture with two aviation firms in Malaysia to manufacture commercial aircraft composite parts in that country. The firms said discussions continue on key contractual terms of the planned joint venture, and are expected to be completed over the next several months.
Canadian Marconi Company, the Montreal, Quebec-based manufacturer of airborne navigation, monitoring, control and display systems, said Carmen L. Lloyd, president and chief executive officer, will leave the company at the end of March.
CESSNA Model 182S airplanes (Docket No. 97-CE-151-AD; Amdt. 39-10292; AD 98-01-14) - requires replacing the left and right Aeroquip engine mufflers (P/N 71379-1254017-8) with an FAA-approved equivalent part. This action is prompted by reports of carbon monoxide gas entering the cabin heating system and the cabin. This condition could result in passenger and pilot injury with consequent loss of control of the airplane.
CHC Helicopter Corp., St. John's, Newfoundland, increased its stake in Norwegian helicopter operator Airlift, AS from 10 percent to 45 percent, making the Canadian firm the largest shareholder. Airlift, headquartered in Frde, Norway, operates in the air ambulance, search and rescue and utility helicopter markets. It operates a fleet of 20 helicopters and is the second largest operator in Norway.
Revenues at Offshore Logistics more than tripled in the nine months ended Dec. 31, jumping from $104.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal 1996 to $320.4 million in the most recent period. Net income also was up, but not as sharply as revenues. The company reported net income of $22.6 million in the most recent period, compared with $15.5 million a year earlier.
BRITISH AEROSPACE Model 4101 airplanes (Docket No. 97-NM-141-AD) - proposes to require repetitive detailed visual inspections for cracking or other damage of certain diaphragm support structures of the forward equipment compartment, and repair, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
