AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION is warning pilots they may encounter more busy signals when calling an Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) on the nationwide number because "FAA has cut the number of toll-free 1- 800-WX-BRIEF lines by more than 50 percent at some AFSS locations," said Marty Shuey, vice president of air traffic control for FAA. "It's an added detriment to safety if a busy signal blocks a pilot from getting a weather briefing or filing a flight plan."
Calling the Federal Aviation Administration's proposal to allow the use of single-engine aircraft in Part 135 passenger-carrying operations under instrument flight rules "a step in the right direction," the National Business Aircraft Association last week urged the agency to adopt the proposal as soon as possible (BA, Dec. 9/261). NBAA said the proposal "demonstrates the improved responsiveness of the FAA to enhancements in technology.
The draft report on the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security, released for industry review late last month, apparently supports the switch to a completely user fee-funded Federal Aviation Administration and recommends that the National Civil Aviation Review Commission develop a schedule of user fees.
Fairchild Dornier, which aims to be first in the 30-seat regional airliner marketplace with a pure jet aircraft, selected the Pratt&Whitney Canada PW 306/9 to power the company's planned 32-seat 328JET, which officials said will be the first of a family of jet-powered transports.
General Aviation Manufacturers Association and the National Air Transportation Association hired new staff members to assist with the associations' government affairs and lobbying activities. GAMA named Darby Becker director of government and international affairs. Becker previously was legislative director for Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.), where she oversaw a variety of legislative issues, including aviation and transportation infrastructure.
American Eurocopter Corp. President David O. Smith and two other men were indicted by a federal grand jury on a series of charges relating to the sale of helicopters to Israel.
FOKKER Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes (Docket No. 95-NM-58-AD; Amdt. 39-9852; AD 96-25-09) - requires modification of the thrust reverser doors and replacement of the Collins multifunction display units with new units. This amendment also requires installation of a placard if the replacement of the multifunction display unit is accomplished before modification of the thrust reverser door.
DARRYL MAZOW has joined Pemco Precision Standard as vice president of its new subsidiary, Pemco Capital Corp. Mazow, who has nine years of experience in acquisitions and corporate finance, will be responsible for corporate development of the company, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic financing.
Diamond Aircraft, which in January 1995 began shipping its piston- powered DA20 Katana aircraft, last year delivered 142 of the two-seat trainers, bringing the worldwide fleet for the aircraft to 330. The success of the Katana program has come primarily from flight schools, which, until the past couple of years, had few trainers to select from.
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION joined the growing list of associations and government officials endorsing former National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Carl Vogt as FAA administrator. NATA issued an "Action Call" to its members Friday urging them to contact their senators in support of Vogt as administrator. See related article below.
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE, which had been reluctant to provide actual flight test maximum range numbers for its new Gulfstream V business jet, said one of the new aircraft made a nonstop flight of 6,951 nautical miles on Jan. 10. The aircraft was aloft for 14 hours, 48 minutes and carried a crew of four and three passengers on a circular route around the perimeter of the 48 contiguous states, departing from and returning to Gulfstream headquarters in Savannah, Ga. The company said the aircraft cruised at Mach .8 and at altitudes up to 51,000 feet.
KATHLEEN PAGE joined Precision Standard as corporate counsel. Page will serve as legal counsel to senior management and will have overall responsibility for corporate legal matters.
Rodney Slater, the Federal Highway Administrator and long-time political supporter of President Clinton, could win Senate confirmation as Transportation Secretary as early as this week following a cordial reception Wednesday by members of the Senate Commerce Committee during his confirmation hearing.
BOMBARDIER, a 51-percent stakeholder in de Havilland, last week purchased the remaining 49 percent owned by the Province of Ontario for $49 million (Canadian). Bombardier and the government of Ontario in January 1992 originally purchased the Downsview, Ontario regional manufacturer from Boeing, but Bombardier obtained the right to buy the Province of Ontario's interest between Feb. 1, 1996 and Jan. 31, 1997. Bombardier issued the Province of Ontario a 15-year promissory note bearing seven percent interest.
UNISON INDUSTRIES produced a video that provides information on installing its new LASAR ignition system in aircraft. The LASAR (Limited Authority Spark Advance Regulator) system combines traditional ignition technology with microprocessor based electronics to deliver optimum engine performance under a range of flying conditions (BA, Sept. 2/104). FAA certified the LASAR system last month for installation on Textron Lycoming O-320, O-360 and IO-360 engines.
RAYTHEON E33, F33, E33A, F33A, E33C, F33C, C35, D35, E35, F35, G35, H35, J35, K35, M35, N35, P35, S35, V35, V35A, V35B, V35TC, V35ATC, V35BTC, 36, A36, A36TC, B36TC, 50, B50, C50, 95-55, 95A55, 95B55, 95C55, D55, E55, 56TC, A56TC, 58, 58TC, 95, B95, B95A, D95A and E95 airplanes (Docket No. 96-CE-34-AD) - proposes to require checking the interior cabin door handle and the interior utility door handle for proper locking, and if the handles do not lock, re-installing the door handles correctly for the lock to engage.
Attorneys representing a group of 13 air tour operators who earlier asked the U.S. Court of Appeals to review new Federal Aviation Administration overflight restrictions at Grand Canyon National Park asked FAA Friday to delay the May 1 effective date of the new rules.
FRED COX was appointed inside sales support for Cooper Aviation Industries' Oklahoma City sales and service facility. Cox has 20 years of aviation industry experience and most recently was quality control manager for Tradewind Turbines before joining Cooper.
Donovan Hicks, former chief executive officer of Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. plans to return to the Boulder Technology Incubator (BTI) and serve as chairman of its board of directors, Ball said. Hicks helped found BTI in 1989 when Ball Aerospace provided space to technology start-ups in its Longmont, Colo., offices. BTI, of Boulder, specializes in development of technology-driven businesses.
DESPITE the competitive environment with the Saab 2000 turboprop and Embraer EMB-145 jet, Bombardier continued to rack up orders for its Canadair Regional Jet with a contract from Atlantic Coast Airlines for 12 CRJs and options for 36 more. Last week's ACA announcement comes on top of orders - also announced in January - for 37 aircraft with options for another 65 from Air Littoral and Atlantic Southeast Airlines. This doesn't include the five corporate versions Bombardier sold to the People's Republic of China. See article below.
National Air Transportation Association last week urged the Federal Aviation Administration to clarify impending requirements for airlines to obtain and share records of pilot applicants. Airlines are required to collect information on pilot applicants from FAA, other airlines and the National Driver Register beginning Feb. 7, but industry leaders contend that FAA has provided little guidance on compliance with the new requirements (BA, Jan. 27/40).
KELLSTROM INDUSTRIES named Ian R. McDonald vice president-sales, while John S. Gleason, chief financial officer, was promoted to the additional title of executive vice president. For 10 years prior to joining Kellstrom, McDonald was senior vice president of AGES Group, a subsidiary of Volvo Flygmotor and supplier of commercial aircraft engines. Before moving to AGES, McDonald was manager of powerplant maintenance at Canadian Airlines. Gleason, an accountant, joined Kellstrom as CFO and treasurer in August 1995.
ERIC GRIFFITHS was appointed vice president of sales and marketing for Air Medical Alliance. Griffiths previously was vice president of marketing and product development for an air ambulance company.
