Model 2000 series airplanes (Docket No. 97-NM-289-AD) - proposes to require application of sealant to the auxiliary power unit firezone bulkhead. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continued airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent hazardous amounts of flame, fuel, and vapor from entering the passenger compartments due to unsealed openings in the firezone bulkhead, which could result in a fire outside the APU firezone compartment.
FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are hosting a series of seminars this spring for MU-2 turboprop operators. The program will cover the new MU-2 support program, updates to the Federal Aviation Regulations, accident/incident recaps, avionics updates and common problems, and engine rigging. The seminars will be held: April 17-18 at the J.W.
UNISON INDUSTRIES received supplemental type certification from Luftfahrt- Bundesamt, the German civil aviation authority, for its SlickSTART magneto start booster. Unison said SlickSTART can deliver a minimum of 340 percent more spark energy during start than conventional impulse coupled or retard breaker systems and can reduce the expense of maintenance by extending the life of an aircraft's starter motor, battery, and alternator.
Models 402C and 414 airplanes (Docket No. 90-CE-28-AD; Amdt. 39-10259; AD 97-26-16) - supersedes AD 85-13-03 R2, which requires repetitive inspection of the engine mount beams for cracks and replacement of any cracked beams. This AD requires incorporating engine mount kits that will eliminate the need for the repetitive inspection requirement of AD 85-13-03 R2.
NATIONAL AIRCRAFT RESALE ASSOCIATION members sold $1.4 billion in used jets and turboprops during 1997. NARA said its members sold 266 jets, representing 17.4 percent of total worldwide sales of used jets, and 111 turboprops, or 8.5 percent of the total used turboprop market in 1997. The association noted that, according to AMSTAT Corp. research, 1,525 used jets and 1,312 used turboprops were sold worldwide last year.
Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes (Docket No. 97-CE-46-AD) - proposes to require installing aluminum bonding bushings over screws in certain fuel tank underwing access panels. This proposal is prompted by several reports from the field revealing fuel tank access panels were insufficiently electrically bonded to the airframe.
NATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION won kudos from FAA last week for passing a resolution calling for NBAA members to phase out aging Stage 1 aircraft by 2005 (BA, Jan. 26/38). "I salute this impressive environmental effort by the nation's corporate aircraft operators," said FAA Administrator Jane Garvey in a statement. "This resolution represents an environmentally responsible initiative by an important segment of our aviation community working with the FAA to address noise problems at our nation's airports."
In a letter designed to drum up financial support for its lobbying efforts, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Legislative Action last month told its members that the National Civil Aviation Review Commission has begun "an all-out offensive to erase the gains" general aviation has made in the past year with its "outlandish recommendations." The letter asks why GA wasn't invited to participate on the commission and charges. "Who dominates the NCARC?
FLIGHTCRAFT tapped Dennis Mantello as director of flight operations for its Portland, Ore. fixed-base operation. Before joining Flightcraft, Mantello served as chief pilot and director of flight operations for Premier Jets in Hillsboro, Ore. He has more than 14,500 hours of flight time with type ratings in Learjet, Citation, King Air, and Beech 1900 aircraft. He also served in the U.S. Air Force for 27 years. In addition, Flightcraft named Steve Callistini Cessna Citation service manager for the Portland FBO.
Model SA-360C helicopters (Docket No. 97-SW-50-AD; Amdt. 39-10261; AD 97-26-18) - requires replacement of the main landing gear box input bevel pinion. This amendment is prompted by service reports of bevel pinion fatigue cracking. This condition could result in failure of the main gear box and a subsequent forced landing.
Federal Aviation Administration last week issued an airworthiness directive calling for inspections for corrosion pits in crankshafts on nearly 10,000 Textron Lycoming 320 and 360 series reciprocating engines. The AD, published in the Jan. 28 Federal Register, requires visual inspections of the inside diameter of the crankshafts on Lycoming 320 and 360 engines within six months or sooner, depending on age of engine and time in service since remanufacture or overhaul.
PPG INDUSTRIES was selected to provide its Surface Seal coated glass as the primary windshield rain removal system on Gulfstream Vs. The Surface Seal glass provides distortion-free visibility by shedding rain without the need for windshield wipers. PPG provides the coated windshields as well as kits for aircraft operators to apply or reapply the coating as necessary.
THE JET CENTER, a Garrett Aviation facility in Van Nuys, Calif., received supplemental type certification to install Airshow TV, which provides live television by direct satellite broadcast, in business aircraft. The system is a joint effort between Airshow, Inc., Datron Systems and Racal Avionics (BA, Jan. 19/27).
A federal court in Washington, D.C. invalidated FAA's final rule that sought to collect nearly $100 million from operators of flights that operate in U.S. airspace, but which neither take off nor land in this country. The decision could force FAA officials to seek a supplemental appropriation from Congress because the overflight fees were to be used to cover part of FAA's fiscal 1998 budget of approximately $9 billion.
Cirrus Design Corp. flew the first production prototype of its SR20 single-engine, all-composite aircraft Wednesday at company headquarters in Duluth, Minn., and officials said they hope to win FAA certification by June and begin deliveries before yearend. The four-place aircraft, which will carry a Ballistic Recovery Systems aircraft parachute as standard equipment, is priced at $159,000. The plane is powered by a 200- horsepower, fuel-injected Continental IO-360-ES engine that drives a Hartzell constant-speed, two-bladed propeller.
THE EUROPEAN BUSINESS AIR SHOW is scheduled April 23-25 at Le Bourget Airport, Paris. EBAS organizers said the list of aviation companies has grown to include Galaxy Aerospace, Sino-Swearingen and Rotterdam Jet Centre. The show also will include a corporate helicopter day. Organizers added that the registration response has been "extremely encouraging," with people attending from more than 15 countries.
Raytheon Aircraft reached an agreement to transfer all product support responsibilities for the MU-2 business turboprop fleet to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc. (MHIA) in the next few months. MHIA and Raytheon officials said the move is a mutual decision that will allow MHIA to "better apply its design experience to support of the MU-2 in the future" and allow Raytheon to concentrate support activities on its new and existing products.
AlliedSignal Aerospace recorded record profits and revenues during the fourth quarter, the company said. The division reported net income of $177 million, an increase of 40 percent over the $126 million reported in the fourth quarter of 1996. Revenues were up 15 percent to $1.84 billion, compared with $1.59 billion in sales during the comparable 1996 quarter.
EXECUTIVE JET, the fractional ownership pioneer that has boosted the business jet manufacturing segment with orders for 250 new aircraft worth $3.5 billion in the past three years (BA, Dec. 22/265), also has fostered the charter industry. The company's charter brokerage business, combined with backup for its NetJets program, purchased 17,000 hours of charter time valued at nearly $50 million last year, according to Scott Liston, Executive Jet vice president. Liston noted that Executive Jet anticipates the charter brokerage business will continue to grow.
Bombardier marketing officials, who hosted hundreds of corporate pilots during last month's Super Bowl in San Diego, say they are so pleased with the way the event was received they are planning a similar function at Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami next January.
The U.S. Air Force plans to buy a Gulfstream V for the U.S. Army's Priority Air Transport Detachment at Andrews AFB, Md., according to a Commerce Business Daily notice. The aircraft, designated C-37, is being bought under congressional direction, the Air Force said. Requirements include carrying 12 passengers and five crew up to 5,300 n.m.; cruise ceiling of 51,000 feet, and ability to operate from a 5,000-foot runway. The airplane will be fitted with a distinguished visitor compartment. Gulfstream will provide contractor logistics support.
EXTEX promoted Terry Capehart to vice chairman and Larry Shiembob to president and chief executive officer. Capehart, formerly president of the Mesa, Ariz. supplier of Allison replacement parts, will focus on the evaluation of potential acquisitions and the development of the military market for Extex products. Shiembob, most recently executive vice president and chief operating officer, assumes overall responsibility for the company's current business.
AVTECH EXECUTIVE FLIGHT CENTER, based at McCollum Airport in Kennesaw, Ga., broke ground late last month on an expansion project that will double its hangar and office space. The project includes an additional 40,000 square feet for aircraft storage and 6,600 square feet of office space. The project is expected to be completed by mid-1998.
Models 1900, 1900C and 1900D airplanes (Docket No. 97-CE-13- AD; Amdt. 39-10258; AD 97-26-15) - requires lubricating the main landing gear actuator rod ends and eventually replacing these rod ends with Teflon- lined rod ends. The AD results from reports of in-flight separation of the rod end that attaches the actuator to the arm assembly on two of the affected airplanes caused by excessive friction in the rod end bearing.
Federal Aviation Administration and general aviation officials believe Loran will provide the best back-up system for the GPS-dependent Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), but the nation's airlines already have VOR and ILS and have been far less enthusiastic about Loran. The airlines last week came out against using Loran as a backup to the Global Positioning System and endorsed a dedicated National Airspace System program office in which FAA and industry "could work together full-time" on a modernization plan.
