DUNCAN PORTER joined Western Aircraft as an inside sales representative for the corporate jet market. Porter, who has more than 14 years of experience in the aviation industry, previously served as a sales representative for KC Aviation, Dallas.
Model G-73 (Mallard) series airplanes modified in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate SA2323WE (Docket No. 96-NM- 282-AD; Amdt. 39-10049; AD 97-13-03) - requires revising the airplane flight manual to prohibit positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop and to provide a statement of consequences of positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop. This amendment is prompted by incidents and accidents involving airplanes equipped with turboprop engines in which the propeller beta was used improperly during flight.
AERO INTERNATIONAL (REGIONAL) signed a memorandum of understanding with Newcourt Credit Group to establish an aircraft leasing effort. Newcourt, which operates an international network of 34 offices, specializes in financing a range of equipment and capital assets through secured loans, conditional sales contracts and leases. The agreement with Newcourt will allow AI(R) to offer preferred lease financing for the ATR family of aircraft.
"DUE TO PERSISTENT BOMB THREATS" at its headquarters building in downtown Washington, D.C., the staff of the National Business Aircraft Association was forced to vacate the building for most of last week, particularly unfortunate timing since NBAA's board of directors was in town for a quarterly meeting. The board sessions were moved several blocks away to the University Club, and NBAA staffers not involved in those meetings were working from their homes.
Williams International, engaged in a $37 million turbine development program with NASA to build a small jet engine using low-cost manufacturing techniques, said last week it is "on schedule" to demonstrate its "all- composite, turbofan-powered V-Jet II light aircraft" at the annual Experimental Aircraft Association convention next month in Oshkosh, Wis.
KAMAN AEROSPACE INTERNATIONAL signed a $185 million contract with the New Zealand Ministry of Defense to supply four SH-2G Super Seasprite helicopters to the Royal New Zealand Navy. The Seasprites are scheduled to enter service in 2000, when they will replace Wasp helicopters aboard the navy's Anzac and Leander class frigates (BA, March 17/122). The contract includes training, spares and missiles.
El Salvador-based TACA Group, which took delivery of its first four Cessna Caravans earlier this year, ordered eight more Grand Caravans. The TACA Group, comprising five airlines operating throughout Central America, will take delivery of all eight this year. Cessna estimated that the worldwide Caravan fleet will grow to 923 aircraft by the end of the year and expects to deliver the 1,000th Caravan in 1998.
MELISSA MURPHY, the veteran aviation advertising representative and magazine publisher, has resigned from Specialized Publications Corp., Parkville, Mo. Murphy was an advertising representative for Business&Commercial Aviation magazine in the Southwest U.S. for the past 13 years and was publisher of Flight Training magazine since it was launched nearly nine years ago. After a short sabbatical for travel, Murphy plans to explore new opportunities in the publishing business.
BOB HANKS was promoted to group vice president for Sabreliner Corp. Hanks will manage aircraft maintenance and modification and engine services at Perryville, Mo., material and logistics at St. Louis and serve as president of Premier Turbines. He has nearly 35 years of aviation industry experience, beginning with Rockwell International's Aero Commander Division and later moving to the Sabreliner Division.
In preparation for last week's confirmation hearing on the nomination of acting Federal Highway Administrator Jane Garvey to be the next FAA Administrator, the Senate Commerce Committee submitted a list of more than 50 questions on FAA and aviation industry issues. A number of those questions dealt directly with issues of interest to general aviation. Following are some of those questions and Garvey's responses:
AIR METHODS CORP. signed a 10-year helicopter service agreement with Welborn Baptist Hospital in Evansville, Ind., for air medical transportation services. Under the agreement, Air Methods will provide a Bell 407 outfitted with a new medical interior along with pilots and mechanics. Air Methods, Denver, Colo., operates 20 air medical programs across the U.S.
Two Midwest public relations and advertising agencies with substantial backgrounds in the general aviation industry - Sullivan Higdon&Sink of Wichita and The Avion Group of Kansas City - are joining forces this week.
AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES OF AUSTRALIA Models N22B, N22S and N24A airplanes (Docket No. 95-CE-98-AD; Amdt. 39-10041; AD 97-11-12) - requires repetitive inspection of the stub wing upper front spar cap flanges for cracks and repair of any cracked part. This AD results from fatigue tests that show the stub wing upper front spar cap flanges could fail over time from fatigue.
BOMBARDIER Chairman Laurent Beaudoin outlined some ambitious "targets that we have set for ourselves" at last week's stockholders meeting: "double our sales in five years; achieve a pre-tax profit margin of nine percent; and thereby maintain earnings growth at a compounded annual rate of 19 percent for the next five years." During the past 10 years, Bombardier's annual revenues have soared from $1.1 billion to $8 billion (Canadian).
Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) questioned how FAA could improve its certification process to encourage new general aviation products. While responding that she has just briefly looked at the certification issue, she "absolutely understands" the concerns of general aviation and called GA critical to the nation. Garvey said she hopes to reach out and work with industry leaders and hopes to "strike a right balance" so safety is not compromised and the industry is not burdened. In addition to certification, Brownback encouraged Garvey to support the U.S.
NORTHROP GRUMMAN'S terminal airport system at China's Long Dong Bao Airport was declared fully operational. The company is the first U.S. supplier to complete system certification and acceptance by the Civil Aviation Agency of China.
SEN. TED STEVENS (R-Alaska) expressed concern last week to FAA Administrator-nominee Jane Garvey about recent attempts to restrict national park overflights. Stevens, noting that 66 percent of Alaska consists of federal lands, said any limitations on airspace use over national parks would "severely limit our transportation system." He urged Garvey to carefully consider the effects such restrictions would have on his state before taking any action to implement them.
MAYO AVIATION contracted with FlightSafety International for pilot training and maintenance technician training through 2000. Mayo Aviation, a Part 135 operator based at Centennial Airport in Denver, operates 17 aircraft ranging from King Airs to Learjet 35s and Hawkers that flew a cumulative total of more than 6,000 hours in 1996 on a variety of commercial missions including corporate charter and air ambulance flights.
JETSTREAM Model 4101 airplanes (Docket No. 96-NM-214-AD) - proposes to require repetitive inspections of the structure associated with the engine nacelle fairing that is attached to the left and right flaps of the wings for damage and repair of damage found. This proposed AD also would require drilling a new drain hole in each engine nacelle fairing and applying a sealant to the gap between the wing flap and engine nacelle fairing.
BOSNIA selected Northrop Grumman's Electronic Sensors and Systems Division to provide an advanced air traffic control system. The company will supply a stand-alone monopulse secondary surveillance radar, an ATC center for en route operations and associated VHF and microwave communications. The surveillance radar, which can be upgraded to full Mode S capability, will be operated from a remote site. The VHF systems will come from Park Air Electronics, Northrop Grumman's wholly owned British subsidiary.
BOMBARDIER'S Hartford, Conn. Service Centre at Bradley International Airport has expanded its capabilities to provide line support for engine nacelle components manufactured at Shorts in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The Hartford center will service inlet cowlings, thrust reversers and other nacelle components for the General Electric CF34 turbofan powering the Canadair Challenger, Regional Jet and Regional Jet Series 700.
REIMS AVIATION, the French aircraft manufacturer that had assembled thousands of Cessna single- and twin-engine models during a 29-year period that ended in 1989, was named an authorized distributor in France for Cessna's new single-engine line of aircraft. Reims will appoint Cessna Sales Team Authorized Representatives (CSTARS) and assist in marketing efforts and sales of the 172 Skyhawk, 182 Skylane and 206/206T Stationair. Cessna purchased 49 percent of Societe Nouvelle des Avions Max Holste in 1960 and the company's name was changed to Reims Aviation in 1962.
Launching a bid for participation in FAA's pilot program, the Empire State Development Corp. (ESD) and the New York State DOT issued a request for proposals for the privatization of Stewart International Airport. Proposals will be due to ESD by Sept. 12. New York is the first commercial airport sponsor to launch the privatization process through an RFP since Congress adopted the airport privatization pilot program last fall.
