SCHWEIZER AIRCRAFT won FAA certification for its Model 330SP turbine helicopter that has improved speed, range and endurance over the Model 330. The 330SP has more main rotor blade area, a larger main rotor hub and high stance landing gear. The modification increases the helicopter's maximum cruise speed from 92 to 104 knots true airspeed along with a 17 percent increase in range, a seven percent increase in endurance, a 10 percent increase in controllability margins.
DOW-UNITED TECHNOLOGIES COMPOSITE PRODUCTS, the joint venture between Dow Chemical Company and United Technologies, joined the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Dow-UT, based in Wallingford, Conn., manufactures composite components for complex aircraft structures and engines. Bruce Alspach, president and chief executive officer for Dow-UT, will act as the GAMA board representative. The addition of Dow-UT brings the GAMA membership to 53 manufacturers of general aviation aircraft, engines, avionics and related equipment.
JETSTREAM Model ATP airplanes (Docket No. 96-NM-178-AD) proposes to require modification of the hydraulic system and a revision to the airplane flight manual to include revised procedures for lowering the landing gear. This proposal is prompted by a report of uncommanded application of the brakes when the direct current hydraulic pump was select ON with the main hydraulic system operative; this situation was caused by build-up of back pressure in the brake supply and hyraulic return systems.
Engine overhauler UNC, Inc., reported significant increases in first quarter sales and earnings. Sales nearly doubled, from $141.5 million in the first quarter of 1996 to $261.8 million in the period just ended. Net income jumped from $474,000 a year ago to $2.9 million.
General aviation groups joined the International Air Transport Association and the Air Transport Association of Canada last week in opposing to the Federal Aviation Administration's plans to impose fees beginning May 19 for flights that transit through U.S. airspace, but neither take off nor land in the U.S.
ERIC NORDLING was appointed vice president of market planning for Atlantic Coast Airlines. Nordling previously was manager of pricing and revenue management for Delta Air Lines.
RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT SERVICES facility at Mid-Continent Airport in Wichita, Kan., is now an authorized service center for Hawker Aircraft. The facility, which currently is modifying four Hawker 800XP aircraft for use in reconnaissance missions, is capable of providing complete service on the full series of Hawkers. The facility also supports Raytheon Aircraft demonstrator Hawkers.
National Air Transportation Association and Alaska Air Carriers Association last week called on the Federal Aviation Administration to immediately release a final rule that would allow single-engine aircraft to operate in Part 135 passenger-carrying operations under instrument flight rules. The single-engine IFR (SEIFR) rulemaking effort has been ongoing for a number of years, but the actual proposal was not issued until December (BA, Dec. 9/261). "The FAA has dragged its feet for long enough," said AACA Executive Director Kimberly Ross.
PROFESSIONAL AVIATION MAINTENANCE ASSOCIATION is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The association was founded in 1972 after the members of five regional associations combined efforts. PAMA has represented more than 200,000 aviation maintenance technicians and repairmen through regulatory and legislative activities. The current organization has more than 40 chapters worldwide and more than 4,000 members.
Summary: Pursuant to FAA's rulemaking provisions governing the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for exemption (14 CFR Part 11), this notice contains a summary of certain petitions seeking relief from specified requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Chapter I), dispositions of certain petitions previously received, and corrections. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities.
COLUMBUS, OH, MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY is requesting proposals for a fixed-base operation to serve general aviation at Port Columbus International Airport. Proposals are due by 3 p.m. June 12. Parties interested in developing an FBO at +the airport should submit a response form from the RFP package by May 15. For more information, contact Larry Hedrick, executive director, 4600 International Gateway, Columbus, Ohio 43219; telephone: (614) 239-4000.
THE EMERGENCY supplemental appropriations bill adopted in the Senate Appropriations Committee Wednesday contains language directing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to provide "increased consultative services" to ensure that companies having difficulties complying with the new stringent methylene chloride exposure standard "are either granted additional time...or receive some other form of cooperative abatement." The provision was offered by Sen.
FRED GARDNER joined Premier Turbines as manager of technical services. Gardner, who has more than 20 years of experience in the aircraft service and aerospace industry, will oversee production, engine testing, engineering, program management, facilities and daily operations of Premier Turbines' Neosho, Mo. engine overhaul center.
Klaus Nittinger, a 23-year veteran of German carrier Lufthansa, was selected by the boards of Rolls-Royce plc and BMW AG Wednesday to be chairman of BMW Rolls-Royce GmbH. Nittinger, 53, will succeed Albert Schneider, who has chaired the Anglo-German engine manufacturer since the joint venture was established in 1990.
No. 3 Global Express aircraft was damaged April 25 when the flight test crew of the new business jet made an in-advertent gear-up landing at Downsview, Ontario. The mishap occurred just four days after the aircraft, S/N 9003, made its first flight (BA, April 28/195), and came at the end of a long duty day that included four separate flights.
GARY MAXWELL was appointed to the newly created position of division environmental coordinator for Atlantic Aviation's Aircraft Services Division. Maxwell will ensure compliance with state and federal regulatory policies and work with environmental and industry experts to meet more stringent paint/depaint regulations.
CASA Model CN-235 series airplanes (Docket No. 96-NM-127-AD; Amdt. 39- 9987; AD 97-07-13) - requires replacement of the center wing attachment rods with new rods. This amendment is prompted by a report from the manufacturer indicating that these rods failed during a full-scale fatigue test. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue failure of these rods, which consequently could reduce the structural integrity of the wing-to-fuselage attachment.
NORTHEAST AIRMOTIVE, based at Portland, Maine International Jetport, completed more than $1.5 million in capital improvements, including a new Executive Aviation Terminal designed to serve general aviation. The 3,000- square-foot terminal includes a reception area, flight planning room, pilot's lounge with kitchen and snooze room, and conference room. Northeast Airmotive also added a new 17,400-square-foot heated hangar and will complete a 70,000 gallon, above-ground fuel storage facility by mid- summer.
MCCAULEY PROPELLER 1A103/TCM series propellers (Docket No. 97-ANE-06; Amdt. 39-9973; AD 97-06-16) - supersedes priority letter AD 96-21-01 that requires visual inspections for cracks in the propeller hub of certain propellers using a 10X power magnifying glass. This action requires an initial inspection for cracks in the propeller hub using a dye penetrant procedure, replacement of propellers with cracks that do not meet accept- able limits, rework of propellers with cracks that meet acceptable limits and repetitive inspections of all affected propellers.
GALAXY AEROSPACE has trimmed the list of cities under consideration for its new headquarters from five to two:Dallas, Texas and Jacksonville, Fla. (BA, March 3/93). Company officials expect to begin face-to-face discussions with representatives of those two cities this month and hope to make a final selection within 30 to 45 days. In addition to Galaxy's headquarters, the city selected also will be the site of the company's aircraft completion and service facility.
Federal Aviation Administration, which noted it has maintained for years "by de facto" a 180-minute extended range twin-engine operations (ETOPS) threshold for Part 135 on-demand business jet operations, told the European Joint Aviation Authorities it would establish a formal 180-minute ETOPS policy for the purposes of harmonizing regulations. The JAA has proposed a 120-minute threshold that has drawn strong industry opposition (BA, April 7/153).
ALLIEDSIGNAL TF5311, T5313, T5317 and T53 series engines (Docket No. 96- ANE-25; Amdt. 39-9979; AD 97-07-05) - requires removal and replacement of the N2 spur gear nut retainer (lock cup). The amendment is prompted by reports of N2 spur gear nut retainer separation. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent N2 accessory drive assembly disengagement due to N2 spur gear nut retainer separation and subsequent uncommanded engine acceleration.
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION this month reiterated industry concerns about FAA's increasing practice of making policy changes through Handbook Bulletins and internal memorandums rather than the formal rulemaking process, which requires a notice and comment period and cost/benefit analysis (BA, Nov. 11/215).
MAY 8 will mark six months since David Hinson resigned as FAA Administrator and as of Friday there still was no official statement from the White House on a successor. Jane Garvey, the acting Federal Highway Administrator who has worked for DOT Secretary Rodney Slater for the past three years, is still expected to be nominated for the post, despite the fact she apparently has little aviation experience (BA, April 7/151).
AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION'S Forum on Air and Space Law's annual meeting will be held June 12-13 in Seattle, Wash. Roundtable discussions are scheduled on the following topics: aerospace restructuring and joint ventures; airline behavior and the antitrust laws; international aviation-the future of open skies and global alliances; and NTSB investigations and FAA enforcement. Boeing Chairman Philip Condit will deliver the keynote address June 13 and attendees will be able to tour Boeing's Everett facility, where the 777 is assembled, on June 14.
