PARTENAVIA Models AP68TP Spartacus and AP68TP 600 Viator airplanes (Docket No. 97-CE-24-AD; Amdt. 39-10182; AD 97-22-10) - requires amending the limitations section of the airplane flight manual to prohibit the positioning of the power levers below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight. This amendment also includes an airplane flight manual statement of consequences if the limitation is not followed.
National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Jim Hall named two relatively recent NTSB employees, including his personal assistant, to key positions with the agency. Peter Goelz was named managing director, the independent agency's top administrative post with responsibility for day- to-day operation of administrative functions. Goelz also will serve as the chairman's chief policy adviser. Goelz, 50, who had been heading NTSB's Office of Government, Public and Family Affairs, joined NTSB in 1995.
PRATT&WHITNEY CANADA PW100 series turboprop engines (Docket No. 97- ANE-33-AD) - proposes to require removal of the existing fuel manifold tubes, lock plates and preformed packing; installation of improved fuel manifold transfer tubes, lockplates and preformed packing; and, after installation, performance of a leak check. This proposal is prompted by reports of engine fuel leaks that resulted in either inflight engine shutdowns or fire warnings.
National Transportation Safety Board has issued several recommendations arising from a Feb. 5 incident in which an Air National Guard F-16, operating in a warning area over the Atlantic Ocean, intercepted a Nations Air 727 traversing the area. The proximity of the F- 16 activated the traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) on the 727. The board said its investigation "identified several areas of concern.
NEW PIPER PA-20, PA-22, PA-23, PA-24, PA-25, PA-30, PA-31P, PA-36, PA- 39 and PA-44 series airplanes (Docket NO. 84-CE-27-AD; Amdt. 39-10189; AD 85-02-05 R1) - clarifies information in AD 85-02-05, which requires installing on the pilot's instrument panel a Piper Part Number 81090-02 placard, which provides information for operation of the parking brake.
A 20-YEAR REPAYMENT program for buyers of general aviation aircraft is being offered to its members by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association in conjunction with MBNA America Bank, N.A. AOPA said the program will enable its members to buy a $40,000 used Cessna 172 with a 20 percent down payment and monthly payments of just over $300 a month. The association said the availability of significantly lower monthly payments with the 20- year loan term will make aircraft ownership an attractive alternative to renting.
SIAI MARCHETTI S.r.1. Models SF600 and SF600A airplanes (Docket No. 97-CE-26-AD; Amdt. 39-10184; AD 97-22-12) - requires amending the limitations section of the airplane flight manual to prohibit the positioning of the power levers below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight. This airplane flight manual amendment will include a statement of consequences if the limitation is not followed.
National Air Transportation Association last week joined others in the aviation community who have been urging continuation of Loran-C navigation aids beyond the Transportation Department's intended cutoff of the system in 2000. In comments to a congressionally mandated Booz, Allen&Hamilton review on extending Loran-C, NATA noted the association "is committed to the enhancement of our nation's navigation systems through integration of new technologies.
PILATUS BRITTEN-NORMAN Models BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2B and BN-2T series airplanes (Docket No. 96-CE-17-AD; Amdt. 39-10173; AD 97-22-02) - requires modifying the upper engine mounting brackets on the wing front spar as terminating action for the repetitive inspections required in AD 84-23-06.
Superior Air Parts, the Dallas, Texas-based replacement part manufacturer, expects to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this month under new ownership. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware late last month confirmed Superior's reorganization plan, which includes the sale of the company from investment firm Vista Corp. to an investor group known as RSTW. The sale is expected to close by Dec. 15, releasing Superior from bankruptcy protection, said Jim Wilson, a managing partner of RSTW.
AMERICAN AIRLINES broke ground Monday at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport for its $2 million, 10,000-square-foot shelter and exhibit hall for the Flagship Knoxville, a pre-World War II DC-3 originally owned by American. American employees raised $700,000 for the project and the company pledged the rest. The Flagship was used as an Army cargo plane in 1942-43, returned to American and sold to Colonial Airlines in 1948. At one time it was used as a crop duster in South Carolina.
FAIRCHILD SA226 and SA227 series airplanes equipped with a certain Simmonds-Precision pitch trim actuator (Docket No. 97-CE-90-AD; Amdt. 39- 10188; AD 97-23-01) - supersedes AD 93-15-02 R2, which requires repetitively measuring the freeplay of the pitch trim actuator and repetitively inspecting the actuator for rod slippage; immediately replacing any actuator if certain free-play limitations are exceeded or rod slippage is evident; and, eventually replacing the actuator regardless of the inspection results.
MERCURY AIR CARGOMERCURY AIR CARGO is the new import cargo ground handler for LanChile Cargo Group at Miami International Airport. Mercury Air Cargo expects to handle more than 11 pounds of cargo monthly for the Chilean carrier. Mercury said that "because of the competitive nature of air cargo handling," it would not reveal the anti-cipated dollar volume of the agreement with LanChile.
K-C AVIATION opened a new 35,000-square-foot multi-purpose hangar at its Appleton, Wis. facility. The $3.75 million hangar includes an 18,000- square-foot paint shop that can accommodate a Global Express or Gulfstream V aircraft. The facility also houses electrical wiring shops and an auxiliary power unit shop with a new test cell.
UNISYS CORPORATION will help update weather information for FAA flight service stations under an $8 million portion of the $110 million Operational and Supportability Implementation System (OASIS) program, Unisys said. Unisys Weather Information Services, Kennett Square, Pa., will provide FAA with up to 61 satellite weather data receiving stations and satellite-delivered weather data streams, including Doppler weather data.
VALLEY OIL signed agreements with Air BP to add 12 new aviation fuel supply terminals in the North Central and Midwest regions. The agreements cover St. Louis and Mt. Vernon, Mo.; Wichita and Kansas City, Kan.; Des Moines, Iowa City and Sioux City, Iowa; Indianapolis, Ind.; Lincoln and Omaha, Neb.; Louisville, Ky.; and Ponca City, Okla. Valley Oil will provide its complete line of aviation fuels, including 80/87, 100LL, Jet A and Jet A with additive.
FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL said FAA certified the company's new Boeing 737- 300 full flight simulator on the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University campus in Daytona Beach, Fla. The new simulator is housed in the school's new Advanced Flight Simulation Center along with a Beech 1900D simulator. The facility is part of the educational partnership between ERAU and FSI that is designed to expand the scope of the university's advanced flight training resources (BA, July 17, 1995/21).
GENERAL ELECTRIC said a growth version of its T700/CT7 engine, the T700/T6E that will power the NH Industries NH90 helicopter, completed more than 500 hours of testing at Alfa Romeo Avio in Italy during which it demonstrated more than 2,700 shaft horsepower.
PRESIDENT CLINTON was expected to sign legislation (H.R.2626) Friday amending the Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA) to permit operators to hire and begin training pilots before they receive those pilots' records from FAA and previous employers (BA, Nov. 17/209).
VENEZUELAN AIRLINE IAACA signed a contract for another ATR 72-210 that is scheduled for delivery in January. The contract is valued at $18 million. AI(R) said IAACA's fleet will be composed of two ATR 42s and three ATR 72s when the new aircraft enters service.
SAN JOSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT named David Maas deputy director of aviation-operations division. He had been senior civil engineer for the airport's development division where he supervised the capital improvement program. In his new post Maas will be responsible for day-to-day management of both airfield and landside operations. He is an engineering graduate of Santa Clara University and recently received a master of business administration degree from San Jose State University.
NATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION President Jack Olcott responded that Daley should encourage growth at Meigs "instead of spending the next five years rehashing the debate that was fought out last year." General Aviation Manufacturers Association President Ed Bolen added, "Deals are made in good faith and we expect that the participants live up to their end of the bargain." Steve Whitney, president of Friends of Meigs Advisory Council, agreed, asking, "Is Mayor Daley's word really not even worth the paper it's printed on? "
PILATUS BRITTEN-NORMAN Models BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2B, BN-2T and BN-2A Mk.111 series airplanes (Docket No. 84-CE-18-AD; Amdt. 39-10172; AD 84-23- 06 R1) - revises AD 84-23-06, which requires repetitive inspections of the upper mounting brackets, bolts and bushings on wing-mounted engines for cracks, wear and insufficient fit, and replacement of any cracked, worn or ill-fitting part. This action retains the same action required in AD 84- 23-06, but limits the applicability to the BN-2A Mk.111 series airplanes.
