GENERAL AVIATION MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION promoted Bridgette Mikula to manager, aviation education/communications. Mikula, GAMA's communications assistant for the past three years, will coordinate the association's aviation education activities. Mikula is vice chairman of the National Coalition for Aviation Education and board member and past chairman of the National General Aviation Industry Awards Program that honors the Flight Instructor and Maintenance Technician of the Year.
DAVID NORGART was appointed sales manager for British Aerospace Asset Management-Turboprops. Norgart previously was with the San Antonio Jet Center, a turboprop remarketing company he established in 1993. He also spent 11 years with Fairchild Aircraft and held sales positions at Cessna, Mitsubishi and Beechcraft East.
National Business Aircraft Association appointed Robert Blouin, a Short Brothers (USA) executive with nearly 30 years of experience in aircraft operations and management, as vice president, operations.
PILATUS BRITTEN-NORMAN BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2B and BN-2T series airplanes (Docket No. 96-CE-17-AD) - proposes to require modification of the upper engine mounting brackets on the wing front spar as a terminating action for the repetitive inspections that were required in AD 84-23-06. The proposed action is prompted by several reports of cracks in the upper engine mounting brackets and a new terminating action to eliminate the repetitive inspections for the affected airplanes.
DORNIER Model 328-100 series airplanes (Docket No. 96-NM-116-AD; Amdt. 39-9949; AD 97-05-05) - requires a one-time check of the clearance between certain braces that connect the wings to the fuselage and the frame to which the top fairing is attached, and modification of the frame's Z- profile if the clearance is insufficient to prevent the braces from coming in contact with the frame. In addition, this amendment requires a one-time check of these braces to detect damage or wear, and repair, if necessary.
DASSAULT AVIATION'S Falcon 50 received approval from airport authorities to operate at London City Airport in London, England. The Falcon 50 is the second Falcon jet to receive such authorization. The Falcon 10/100 series has been approved for several years. Dassault noted that while the airport is attractive for business travelers because of its proximity to the downtown London area and the lack of slot restrictions, it is difficult for many business jets to use because of its short runway and noise restrictions.
A Gulfstream II business jet was heavily damaged early Tuesday morning when it collided with an airport maintenance truck while the crew of the G- II was attempting to land on Runway 31 at New York's La Guardia International Airport. National Transportation Safety Board investigator Randi-Jean Kukla told BA two maintenance workers in a truck had been cleared to drive onto the runway around 4:30 a.m. to make repairs to the runway lighting system.
FOKKER Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes (Docket No. 94-NM-117-AD) - revises an earlier proposal that would have required installation of additional EXIT signs at the overwing emergency exits. That proposal was prompted by a report indicating that the EXIT signs for the overwing emergency exits, as currently installed, would not be visible to passengers during an emergency evacuation when the emergency exit doors are open. This action revises the proposed rule by expanding the applicability of the proposed rule to include additional airplanes.
Wayne Turnquist, who was president of International Aviation Services when that small fixed-base chain was recently acquired by Signature Flight Support, was named a regional vice president of Signature. Richard Dodson, Signature's president and chief executive, said Turnquist will be responsible for Signature's Florida operations, including Palm Beach (PBI), Miami (MIA), St. Petersburg/Clearwater (PIE) and Orlando (MCO). Dodson credited Turnquist with being "a key part" of International Aviation's growth and reputation for first-class customer service.
LOCKHEED Model 382 series airplanes (Docket No. 96-NM-35-AD; Amdt.39- 9951; AD 97-05-07) - supersedes an existing AD that requires a revision to the airplane flight manual to require takeoff operation in accordance with revised performance data. That AD also requires installation of certain valve housings for the propeller governor on the outboard engines.
CASA Model C-212 series airplanes (Docket No. 96-NM-120-AD) - proposes to require an initial inspection of the restrictor pistons on the shock absorbers of the left and right main landing gear to determine the number and condition of threaded screw pins, replacement of any discrepant pin and repetitive inspections of certain pistons. Modification of certain pistons by the installation of two additional pins would terminate these inspections.
REP. DUNCAN'S harshest remarks were reserved for environmental extremists, who, he said, "are becoming a real threat to the business community in this country." Duncan said the radical environmental interests are "slowly destroying free enterprise" and are seeking "an almost unprecedented expansion" of government policy. The policies espoused by such groups play into the hands of big business to the detriment of small business owners, he said.
FIXED-BASE OPERATORS are optimistic about the future of general aviation with more than 55 percent of operators surveyed planning to purchase new aircraft in the next five years, according to Avfuel Corporation. Avfuel, which surveyed its branded dealers throughout the U.S., said, "As we've gone out and talked to our customers, we've been encouraged by their outlook on the future of general aviation." In addition to plans to purchase new aircraft, 52 percent of FBOs surveyed expect to expand their facilities or acquire another FBO within the next five years.
A legislative committee in Texas, home of more airline headquarters and maintenance bases than any other state, is considering two tax proposals - one an excise tax on aviation fuel and the other lifting an exemption on sales taxes on aircraft parts and repair equipment - that could cost the airline industry more than $100 million a year. The cost estimate is the one used by Texas legislators, but American alone believes the fuel tax could cost it $60 million a year and the excise tax could add $10 million.
JOHN HARDY was named chief pilot for Flightcraft. Hardy will be responsible for the company's aircraft management and Part 135 charter operations. He formerly was a senior flight instructor and charter pilot for Flightcraft.
Federal Aviation Administration's interim rule to assess overflight fees on international operations - including general aviation - drew fire from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, which said last week that the plan makes "a compelling case against all" GA user fees. "While this specific rule affects only a small number of pilots, it is the leading edge of the user fees the administration wants to impose next year on every segment of U.S. aviation," said AOPA President Phil Boyer.
ORGANIZERS of the GA Team 2000 campaign, who mailed certified letters announcing the details of the program to some 5,000 flight schools and fixed-base operators in mid-March (BA, March 24/131), say response to the mailing has been good. But organizers also have heard from flight schools and FBOs who did not receive the mailing. Anyone interested in receiving a free marketing kit and listing their business on the "Be-A-Pilot" web site should call Jennifer Seaman at (202) 842-4099.
AlliedSignal reappointed Premier Turbines-San Diego as an authorized component repair center this month. Premier Turbines overhauls, repairs and restores engines and their components and accessories for most business jets, business helicopters, commuter aircraft and many military aircraft.
CAL CORPORATION, Ottawa, Canada, signed an agreement with AvReps International as its representative in North America. AvReps will supplement CAL's marketing of the CALQUEST satellite telephone and AMT-50 satellite antenna system. In addition, AvReps also will meet with regional FAA and Canadian Ministry of Transport personnel to keep current with aviation regulations.
SCHWEIZER and Hughes Helicopters Model 269A, 269A-1, 269B, and TH-55A helicopters (Docket No. 94-SW-17-AD; Amdt. 39-9950; AD 97-05-06) - supersedes an existing AD that requires initial and repetitive inspections of the main rotor thrust bearing for rotational roughness, corrosion, inadequate lubrication, physical damage or excessive zinc chromate paste or moisture.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION closed the flight service station in Marysville, Calif. Services formerly provided by the Marysville facility are now handled by the automated flight service station in Rancho Murieta, Calif.
Citing the cost of compliance and lack of supporting data, National Air Transportation Association this month asked the Federal Aviation Administration to withdraw a proposed airworthiness directive that would require replacement of the fan guard on more than 400 General Electric CF700 engines (BA, Feb. 24/84).
FOKKER Model F27 Mark 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 700 series airplanes (Docket No. 96-NM-142-AD; Amdt. 39-9943; AD 97-04-18) - requires repetitive X-ray inspections for cracks in Stringers 4 through 7 of the lower skin of the wings, and modification or repair, if necessary. This amendment also requires modification of the stringers as a terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This amendment is prompted by reports of fatigue cracking in Stringers 4 through 7 of the lower skin of the wings.
