FOKKER Model F27 series airplanes equipped with Walter Kidde nose wheel steering system (Docket No. 96-NM-38-AD; Amdt. 39-9941; AD 97-04-16) - requires increasing the torque value of the bolt that connects the gearbox housing assembly of the steering unit to the pivot bracket of the nose landing gear. This amendment also requires that periodic inspections of that torque value be incorporated into the FAA-approved maintenance program.
Noting that the student dropout rate continues to hamper the growth of general aviation, Cessna officials are hoping their plans for a new computer-based training program will slow that rate. Cessna Chairman Russ Meyer announced during this month's Women In Aviation conference that the company is selecting a partner to produce a computer-based training program that he said would "revolutionize flight training" (BA, March 24/129).
WHILE THE FAA and most industry groups have written comments opposing the ETOPS proposal, one group, Groupement des Industries Francaises Aeronautiques et Spatiales, representing French manufacturers, has sup- ported the intent and even asked for further limitations - a 60-minute ETOPS threshold. French manufacturer Dassault officially remains neutral, but its tri-jet Falcon aircraft products would be exempt from the ETOPS restrictions.
FAA is requesting comments on proposed technical standard orders for aircraft fluorescent lighting ballast/fixtures (TSO-C141), aircraft mechanical fasteners (TSO-C148a) and lithium batteries (TSO-C142). Comments are due by June 13 to Technical Programs and Continued Airworthiness Branch, AIR-120, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification Service, FAA, 800 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20591. Specify TSO number. For more information about the TSOs, contact Bobbie Smith at (202) 267-9546.
HOUSE AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE Chairman Rep. John Duncan (R-Tenn.) told NATA members that "you have every right to be upset...about the makeup" of the National Civil Aviation Review Commission (BA, March 24/129). "General aviation really got short-changed," he said, even though the legislation creating the commission lists general aviation first among the industry segments that should be represented.
Bombardier Business Aircraft, in conjunction with AR Group companies Air Routing International and Air Security International, will provide a four-day program in International Operations-Handling and Security to operators of Canadair Challenger and Global Express business jets.
SIMUFLITE TRAINING INTERNATIONAL installed a Gulfstream IV-SP integrated avionics systems trainer for pilot and maintenance technician training. The trainer will supplement SimuFlite's simulator and ground school instruction. Manufactured by Xionix Simulation in Irving, Texas, the trainer is configured with Honeywell's SPZ-8000 digital automatic flight control system. The Honeywell SPZ-8400 system is expected to be added in the near future, SimuFlite said.
BRITISH AEROSPACE Model BAe 146 series airplanes and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes (Docket No. 96-NM-48-AD; Amdt. 39-9942; AD 97-04-17) - requires inspections for hydraulic fluid leakage from the lock jack assemblies of the main landing gear and eventual replacement of those assemblies with new or serviceable assemblies. This amendment is prompted by reports of leakage of hydraulic fluid from lock jack assemblies due to a manufacturing forging defect that extends through the wall of the lock jack assembly.
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.
