AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES OF AUSTRALIA Models N22B, N22S and N24A airplanes (Docket No. 97-CE-34-AD; Amdt. 39-10212; AD 97-24-05) - requires repetitively inspecting the aft wing break connectors for arcing damage, deposits between contacts and looseness of contacts; and removing deposits between contacts, tightening any loose contacts and replacing any aft damage. This AD results from several reports of uncommanded flap extensions and displays of incorrect stall warning indications on the affected airplanes.
BARRY VALENTINE, who has served as acting administrator or deputy administrator at FAA for the past year, left the agency Friday (BA, Nov. 3/187). A replacement has not yet been selected, FAA said.
A NASA-sponsored contest to design and build a general aviation aircraft was won by a team of students from four Kansas universities. The team, representing the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas State University in Manhattan, and, Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, won the "Design It, Build It, Fly It" award in the National General Aviation Design Competition, sponsored by NASA, FAA, the U.S. Air Force and the Experimental Aircraft Association.
Four people, including the pilot and two nurses, were killed Dec. 14 when their medevac helicopter struck power lines and crashed while attempting to lift off with an injured patient at the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident in suburban Denver, Colo. Officials said the aircraft, a Bell 407 operated by AirLife, was being flown by Peter Abplanalp, 50, a veteran of Vietnam and the Persian Gulf War. The crew was transporting the driver of one of two vehicles involved in a head-on collision in Littleton, a Denver suburb. Witnesses to the 10 p.m.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION plans to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking in the spring that would require operators of turbine-powered, fixed-wing aircraft with six or more seats to install enhanced ground proximity warning systems by 2003. The major airlines, along with FAA and DOT officials, staged a press con-ference in Washington, D.C. last week to announce they are going ahead with the EGPWS installations on their own before the rule is adopted.
DASSAULT Model Mystere-Falcon 50 series airplanes (Docket No. 97-NM- 275-AD; Amdt. 39-10202; AD 97-21-16) - publishes an AD previously sent to all known U.S. owners and operators of the affected airplanes by individual notices. The AD requires a revision to the limitations section of the airplane flight manual to include procedures to use certain values to correctly gauge the minimum allowable N1 speed of the operative engines during operation in icing conditions.
AVIONS PIERRE Robin Model R3000 airplanes equipped with yaw damper Modification No. 013 (Docket No. 97-CE-89-AD; Amdt. 39-10196; AD 97-23-08) - requires inspecting the bridle cable ends for correct installation in the grooved screw, inspecting for correct cable winding on the capstan and proper cable tension and correcting any discrepancies found. This AD also requires installing lockwire to the tension adjustment screw. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information the French airworthiness authority issued.
HONEYWELL, INC., named Jim Porter vice president and chief administrative officer, effective Jan. 1. A 17-year veteran of the company, Porter began his career in the Defense Systems Division. He had been serving as corporate vice president-human resources since May 1993. In his new posts, Porter will be responsible for "providing strategic focus, integration and leadership for a range of corporate functions and key business processes," according to a Honeywell statement. He will report to Michael Bonsignore, chairman and chief executive.
CHC HELICOPTER CORP., St. John's, Newfoundland, said it received the proceeds of its previously announced sale of three million special warrants. Proceeds of the $37 million (Canadian) offering had been placed in escrow pending certain conditions including the clearance of a prospectus in the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba and Quebec. Each warrant is convertible into one Class A subordinate voting share of CHC.
BOEING CAPITAL CORPORATION, formerly known as McDonnell Douglas Finance Corporation, will provide the lease financing package for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's acquisition of Cessna 172 Skyhawks. The financing package covers 61 of the single-engine aircraft over three years. Embry-Riddle, which last summer ordered up to 300 Cessna single-engine aircraft over a 12-year period (BA, Aug. 11/59), took delivery of the first Skyhawk in September and expects to have taken delivery of a total of 15 by the end of the year.
FOKKER Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 series airplanes (Docket No. 97-NM-287-AD) - proposes to require repetitive inspections for any discrepancy in the sealwire of the fireguards of the engine fire shut- off system and repair, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
FAA issued an Advisory Circular, 25.335-1, Design Dive Speed, that provides an acceptable method, but not the only means, of complying with FAR Part 25 related to minimum speed margins between design cruise speed and design dive speed. Copies can be obtained by writing to the Department of Transportation, Subsequent Distribution Office, DOT Warehouse, SVC-121.23, 3341Q 75th Ave., Landover, Md. 20785; telephone: (301) 322-5377.
DOT Inspector General Kenneth Mead is launching an investigation into whether FAA managers are siphoning funds from one program to finance another in a practice known as "assessment." According to Rep.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES took delivery of the first Boeing 737-700 Wednesday, the newest member of the 737 family. Southwest was the launch customer for the new model when it placed an order for 63 737-700s in November 1993. The 737-700 won FAA certification in November. The 737-700 is powered by CFM56-7 engines built by CFMI International, a joint venture of General Electric of the U.S. and Snecma of France.
A SEVERE LANDING by an Air Canada Regional Jet last week in Fredericton, New Brunswick resulted in serious injuries to more than half the passengers. The aircraft, on a flight from Toronto on Dec. 16, was attempting to land in foggy conditions shortly before midnight. There were 37 passengers, two infants and three crew members on the 50-seat aircraft and 35 persons - many with broken bones - were hospitalized. The accident, under investigation by the Canadian Transportation Safety Board, is believed to be one of the first involving a Canadair Regional Jet.
DORNIER Model 328-100 series airplanes (Docket No. 97-NM-114-AD) - proposes to require removal and replacement of the center screw of the crew seat belt buckle. 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 failure of the center screw of the crew seat belt buckle, which could result in injury to the flight crew during an emergency landing. Comments on the proposal must be sent in triplicate before Dec.
RAYTHEON 90, 100, 200 and 300 series airplanes (Docket No. 97-CE-05- AD; Amdt. 39-10207; AD 97-23-17) - requires inspecting the gray, blue or clear Ethylene Vinyl Acetate tubing near the co-pilot's foot warmer for collapse or deformity. If the tubing is collapsed or deformed, this action requires replacing and re-routing the tubing. This EVA tubing is used on the pneumatic de-ice indicator lines and the pressurization control system pneumatic lines that provide vacuum to the outflow safety valves that depressurize the airplane.
FLIGHT SAFETY FOUNDATION will hold its 10th annual European Aviation Safety Seminar March 16-18 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The seminar, "Managing Aviation Safety - Back to Basics," will cover topics including management, infrastructure, operations, and approach and landing accident reduction. For more information, contact Flight Safety Foundation at (703) 739-6700.
AIRLINE AUTOMATION, INC., is marketing a new software application developed to assist airlines in complying with new U.S. Postal Service requirements that become effective in January. The new system, called Automated Postal Air-Res System (APARS), uses computer robotics to retrieve data from the multi-host reservation system. APARS provides USPS with the carrier's available capacity for mail on each of its scheduled flights and updates the USPS system with flight operations information. For more information, contact APARS in Tucson, Ariz. at (800) 369-5875.
A KUWAITI firm became the first announced customer for the corporate version of the Airbus A319 corporate aircraft last week. Airbus Industries said the Kuwaiti conglomerate Mohamed Abdulmohsin Al Kharafi signed a contract for an A319CJ that will be powered by International Aero Engines (IAE) V2527 engines. The aircraft will be configured to seat up to 30 passengers with a mixed layout for VIPs and guests.
JETSTREAM Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes with Kit JK 2496 and Modification JM 7537 installed (Docket No. 92-CE-46-AD; Amdt. 39-10214; AD 97-24-07) - requires installing magnetic latching relays on the ignition system because of the auto-ignition system becoming disabled when switching from ground power to the airplane's internal power. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information issued by the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom.
DE HAVILLAND DHC-6 series airplanes (Docket No. 91-CE-45-AD; Amdt. 39- 10197; AD 97-23-09) - supersedes AD 78-26-02, which requires repetitively inspecting the fuselage side frame flanges at Fuselage Station 218.125 and FS 219.525 for cracks on certain DHC-6 series airplanes and repairing or replacing any cracked part. FAA's policy on aging commuter-class aircraft is to eliminate or, in certain instances, reduce the number of certain repetitive short-interval inspections when improved parts or modifications are available.
MONTEREY JET CENTER recently opened at Monterey Peninsula Airport in California with 60,000 square feet of hangar space and six acres of ramp space. In addition, Monterey Jet Center includes a pilot's lounge and flight planning room, an observation deck overlooking Monterey Bay and about 10 offices that will be used by base tenants or associated businesses. The facility is a Phillips Aviation Performance Center.
Swiss regional Crossair ordered four Avro RJ100 aircraft, which will increase the carrier's fleet of Avro RJs to 20, Aero International (Regional), which markets the Avro series of aircraft, announced this month. The order calls for two RJs to be delivered in 1998 and the remaining two in 1999. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
