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.
DON GALLISATH was named outside sales representive for the Central-Midwest region for Professional Aviation Associates. Gallisath has more than 23 years of experience working with corporate turbine operators. Previously, he was parts manager for Raytheon Aircraft.
LORD CORPORATION'S Mechanical Products Division won a contract to provide the engine mount systems for the LHTEC CTP800-4T engines that will power Ayres Corporation's new LM200 Loadmaster. The mounting system will help prevent structural resonance and protect against vibration-related fatigue, Lord said. Lord Corp., Cary, N.C., supplies noise and vibration control products for the aviation industry.
The Boeing Company, which is in the midst of absorbing assets obtained in the McDonnell Douglas acquisition and experiencing production problems with its own line of airliners, is abandoning the commercial helicopter market. Boeing said it has been negotiating the sale of its commercial helicopter business with several potential buyers and expects to announce an agreement "within the next few weeks."
Brazilian manufacturer Embraer received a letter of intent from Wexford Management LLC for 20 Embraer RJ-135 regional jets with options for up to 20 more. The agreement follows an earlier order from Wexford for 40 of the 50-seat RJ-145 aircraft. Embraer estimated the potential value of the agreements at more than $1.2 billion (U.S.). The latest deal "complements Wexford Management's strategic business plan while presenting airlines with many opportunities to expand and improve their regional jet service," said company President Joseph Jacobs.
NATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION named Ed Harvey manager, graphic design. Harvey has nearly 30 years of design and marketing experience, most recently as creative director for Horizons Unlimited.
American Eagle, consolidating its four wholly owned airlines into a single carrier structure, last week named the senior team to lead the new organization beginning in July. The senior team will report to American Eagle President Dan Garton. Under the new organization, Pete Pappas, currently senior vice president of planning, will become senior vice president of marketing and planning and Joel Chusid will continue as vice president of marketing in Pappas's department.
THE EUROPEAN JOINT AVIATION AUTHORITIES Friday left open the issue of a shortened extended-range, twin-engine operations (ETOPS) threshold for business jets flown commercially when it sent its revised aircraft operations regulations (JAR-Ops 1, Version 2) to the printer. Over the past couple of years, JAA has considered a number of options for business jet ETOPS and most recently considered a 120-minute threshold, which effectively would bar all nonstop, direct commercial business jet flights across the North Atlantic.
DORNIER Model 328-100 series airplanes (Docket No. 97-NM-113-AD; Amdt. 39-10274; AD 98-01-11) - requires replacement of certain electrical terminals with new electrical terminals. This amendment is prompted by the issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
BRITISH AEROSPACE Model 4101 airplanes (Docket No. 97-NM-127-AD; Amdt. 39-10276; AD 97-11-02 R1) - revises an existing AD that requires an inspection to determine the thickness of the intercostal that attaches the third crew member seat to the floor structure in the flight compartment and replacement, if necessary. That action was prompted by a report from the manufacturer indicating that intercostals have been installed that are not thick and strong enough to support the third crew member seat during emergency landing dynamic conditions.
