Models PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350 (Docket No. 97-CE-48-AD) - proposes to require replacement of the lower wing splice plate and reworking of the lower spar caps. The proposed AD stems from numerous reports of fretting and cracking of the lower wing splice plates on PA-31 series airplanes in Australia and a report of one incident in the U.S. The actions specified by the proposal are intended to prevent failure of the lower wing splice plate caused by fretting and cracking, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.
PW100 series turboprops (Docket No. 97-ANE-32- AD; Amdt. 39-10107; AD 97-17-05) - requires a visual inspection of the two gas generator case drain ports to ensure that they are connected to drain lines or capped in accordance with the applicable aircraft installation configuration. This amendment is prompted by a report of a nacelle fire. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent a nacelle fire caused by fluid leaking from the gas generator case drain ports.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION'S new security proposals have raised concerns about how new the Part 107 regulations would be interpreted if they are adopted. While generally supportive of the intent of the FAA rulemaking, the National Air Transportation Association said regarding individual accountability and weapons restrictions in the NPRM, "many of these concepts are simply impossible to apply to general aviation areas" of airports "because aircraft operators and owners must access their aircraft."
SPORTY'S PILOT SHOP is offering composite hub caps that are supplemental type certificated and fit Cleveland 6.00 series wheels. The hub caps, which measure seven and one-quarter inches in diameter, were designed by Roy LoPresti. Sporty's has priced the hub caps at $99.95. For more information, contact Sporty's at (800) LIFTOFF or (513) 735-9000.
THE AIRPORT CONSULTANTS COUNCIL listed 19 separate concerns with the proposal, including the fact that "we found at least seven places in the NPRM which promise future guidance or future explanatory details. We find it difficult to understand that in a rule which has been under development for six years, FAA now asks the industry to analyze and, in effect, approve of an approach which is still incomplete. We cannot comment on what is not there," ACC said.
SABRELINER CORP. plans to open a new 30,000-square-foot addition to its Perryville, Mo. facility next month. The addition, which will enlarge the Perryville site by nearly 25 percent, will provide hangar and maintenance space. Sabreliner-Perryville also plans to open a 5,225-square-foot sheet metal fabrication facility at St. Mary Industrial Park in St. Mary, Mo. That site will be used to manufacture parts the Perryville plant cannot accommodate because of space limitations.
An H2X production prototype gyroplane being tested by Groen Brothers Aviation, Inc., was damaged Oct. 15 when the aircraft rolled to the right just as the test pilot was attempting to lift off. The pilot was not injured, but the aircraft's rotor blades were damaged, as was the right side of the fuselage.
Models S-1S, S-1T, S-2S, S-2A, S-2S and S-2B airplanes (Docket No. 96-CE-23-AD; Amdt. 39-10109; AD 97-17-07) - revises AD 96-12-03, which applies to models equipped with aft lower fuselage wing attach fittings incorporating either Part Number 76090, 2-2107-1, or 1-210-102. That AD requires repetitive inspection of the aft lower fuselage wing attach fittings on both wings for cracks and modification of any cracked fitting. Modification of both aft lower fuselage wing attach fittings eliminates the repetitive inspections required by AD 96-12-03.
FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL said it made arrangements with a number of airlines for special airfare discounts for FSI customers traveling to or from one of the company's training centers. For more information, customers who have training dates reserved should contact FSI's Corporate Travel Office at (800) 205-6748 to get fare information and make reservations.
BOEING, General Electric and Executive Jet are holding a press conference in New York tomorrow at which they are expected to announce cooperation on a fractional aircraft ownership program for the Boeing Business Jet.BBJ President Borge Boeskov said a month ago that an announcement on Boeing's involvement in a fractional ownership effort was expected in the near future (BA, Sept. 22/119).
JEANNE MEADE joined the outside sales staff of DAC International, Inc. Meade, who has 10 years of avionics experience, will be responsible for DAC sales to avionics shops as well as to corporate and commuter aircraft customers. Before joining DAC, Meade served with Eventide Avionics and Technical Products Limited.
NATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION is hosting a Part 135 Listening Session between Federal Aviation Administration representatives and operators Oct. 29 near Westchester County, N.Y. Airport. The forum will discuss concerns over Part 135 issues such as reduced vertical separation minimums, pilot record-sharing and bogus parts. The association also is holding a 1997 User Meeting Nov. 3-4 at the Holiday Inn Select at Orlando International Airport. The meeting is co-hosted by SunCoast Traffic Management Network and FAA.
HEATHER RASCH joined Sun Valley Aviation as aircraft sales associate. Rasch worked seasonally for Sun Valley for the past seven years as a customer service representative.
VISIONAIRE CORPORATION received its first contract from a customer in the United Kingdom for its Vantage, single-engine, all composite business jet. VisionAire said it has received orders for more than 100 aircraft from customers in 35 states and 10 foreign countries. The proof-of-concept prototype, which has been in test flight at Scaled Composites in Mojave, Calif., has made more than 70 flights and logged more than 135 hours. Vision-Aire also announced it intends to use SimCom Training Centers, Orlando, Fla., to provide training for the Vantage.
EUROPEAN CHARTER BUSINESS is booming, according to one charter broker who reported that September was the best month in the company's 30-year history. See article below.
Model MTV-3-B-C propellers (Docket No. 97-ANE-36-AD; Amdt. 39-10154; AD 97-21-01) - requires initial and repetitive dye penetrant or eddy current inspections for cracks in the propeller hub and rework of the propeller hub or replacement with a new model hub. This amendment is prompted by reports of cracks in the propeller flange area of the hub detected during overhaul. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent propeller hub cracks, which could result in propeller blade separation and possible loss of control of the aircraft.
Model TBM-700 airplanes (Docket No. 97-CE-15-AD; Amdt. 39- 10148; AD 97-20-11) - requires removing the main landing gear inboard doors and the door locking control mechanism (MOD 70-065-32). This AD is the result of an incident on one of the affected airplanes where the main landing gear inboard door locking hooks corroded, caused the doors to jam, and prevented the main landing gear from extending. FAA's analysis reveals that removing the main landing gear inboard doors will not cause any airplane safety or performance problems.
INVESTIGATION into the crash of a LongEZ homebuilt that killed veteran pilot and singer John Denver Oct. 12 continued last week near the site of the accident off the coast of Monterey, Calif. Denver had owned and flown a Model 35 Learjet (N31WS/S/N 35-027) for many years. He reportedly had purchased the experimental aircraft just days before the accident and was still getting familiar with the plane. FAA said Denver had been asked to surrender his medical certificate in March and was not considered to hold a valid medical at the time of the accident.
U.S. INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION is seeking input from industry and trade associations for its investigation of the global competitiveness of the U.S. large civil aircraft industry. The House Ways and Means Committee in August requested the investigation, The Changing Structure of the Global Large Civil Aircraft Industry and Market: Implications for Competitiveness of the U.S. Industry (Investigation No. 332-384). The report, due Nov. 18, 1998, will cover 1992 to the most recent data in 1997.
JAMES SIMISTER was promoted to vice president and general manager of McCauley Propeller Systems. Simister, who joined McCauley in September 1989 as plant superintendent, has served as manufacturing manager since February 1990. He replaced William Buckles, who retired.
JAMES ANDERSON joined Premier Turbine's sales and service staff for the Allison 250 line. Anderson, who most recently served with Agusta Aerospace Corp., will be based in Philadelphia and cover the Northeast region.
A new health and monitoring system (HUMS) installed on a Sikorsky S- 76C+ helicopter has won certification by British and Norwegian civil aviation authorities. Manufactured by GEC Marconi, the system was delivered to Norsk Helikopter AS of Sola, Norway, which operates an S-76C+ in offshore oil service. The system is an adaptation of a similar GEC HUMS previously installed on S-76A+ and S-76C aircraft. The latest version is designed for the S-76C+'s Turbomeca Arriel 2S1 engines, which have full authority digital engine controls.
HAMMONDS FUEL ADDITIVES, INC. is offering a free Fuel Facts laminated card that provides "at-a-glance" measurements, ratios and weights for various fuels, along with a guide to various types of fuel additives. To request a Fuel Facts card, call Hammonds at (800) 548-9166 or fax mailing information to (281) 847-5129.
Model ATR-42 series airplanes (Docket No. 97-NM-161-AD) - proposes to require removal of certain landing gear attachment pins, and replacement of the pins with serviceable pins. 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 wear of the attachment pins, which could result in collapse of the main landing gear.
THE SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE last week approved the recommendation to reconfirm three National Transportation Safety Board members - George Black, John Hammerschmidt and Chairman Jim Hall. Hammerschmidt told the panel that the board's recommendation asking FAA to examine the effectiveness of enhanced ground proximity warning systems was one of the two most important safety recommendations made during his tenure; the other was a call for sharper action against drunk driving.
