NEW PIPER PA24, PA28R, PA30, PA32R, PA34 and PA39 series airplanes (Docket No. 96-CE-09-AD) - proposes to supersede AD 95-20-07, which requires repetitive inspections of the main gear side brace and replacement of any cracked main gear side brace stud. The proposed action would retain the repetitive inspections, but remove airplanes with a certain main gear side brace assembly configuration from the applicability of the AD and would incorporate additional modification and replacement options.
AVIATION EQUIPMENT, INC., North Hollywood, Calif., acquired Pacifica Aerospace Corporation of Costa Mesa, Calif. Aviation Equipment manufactures, repairs and modifies nacelle components and exhaust systems for a variety of aircraft and manufactures brazable honeycomb core for many high temperature applications using alloys such as inconel and stainless steel. Pacifica fabricates composites, aluminum metal-to-metal and bonded honeycomb structures for control surfaces, cargo floor panels, fuel tanks and other low-temperature airframe parts.
MAULE Models M-4-210 and M-4-210C airplanes with dual exhaust system 5230F (Docket No. 95-CE-22-AD; Amdt. 39-9610; AD 96-10-05) - requires relocation of the gascolator and electric fuel pump away from the dual exhaust system. FAA recently became aware that the left-hand exhaust stack is routed almost directly below the fuel gascolator on aircraft with dual exhaust systems. FAA said the close proximity of the flammable fuel to the exhaust system presents an unsafe condition and violates regulations.
VISIONAIRE CORPORATION is planning a mid-year groundbreaking for its aircraft assembly facility in Ames, Iowa and hopes to have the 100,000- square-foot main building and two smaller structures completed by mid-1997. The company, currently headquartered in St. Louis, Mo., is developing an all-composite business jet powered by a single Pratt&Whitney JT15D-5 engine (BA, Aug. 14/69). First flight is expected this October.
ASTRA JET CORP. named Empresa De Aerotaxi E Manutencao Pampulha LTDA (ATP) the exclusive marketing representative and authorized service center in Brazil. ATP will be responsible for sales and support in Brazil of the full line of Astra aircraft, including the Astra SP, Astra SPX and the future Galaxy. ATP, a subsidiary of international construction firm Andrade Gutierrez S.A., has been involved in business aircraft maintenance, management, charter and sales for 20 years.
ROBINSON Model R22 helicopters (Docket No. 95-SW-23-AD; Amdt. 39-9605; AD 96-09-29) - requires replacement of the upper V-belt sheave. This amendment is prompted by three reports of cracks in the flange of the sheave. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent sheave failure, which could damage other drive system components and cause loss of helicopter control.
NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION is raising the red flag about part of FAA's "Challenge 2000" rulemaking initiative (BA, May 20/225). One of the objectives of the FAA program is finding a way to streamline the rulemaking process, but NATA President James Coyne noted that FAA officials used the "one level of safety Commuter Safety Rule as an example of what to expect from the agency in the future," adding that "this is disturbing. The Commuter Rule was a politically motivated public relations effort that ignored the concerns of the industry.
Fairchild Aircraft began testing market response to a proposed Metro with a new stand-up cabin, a design that the manufacturer abandoned several years ago. The aircraft would offer a 71-inch stand-up height and a 62- inch cross-section, which compares with a 54-inch cross-section for the competitive Beech 1900D. Fairchild Chairman Carl Albert said he feels that the typical airline passenger does not choose airline service on the basis of a stand-up cabin, but added that the U.S. regional industry "has voted very loudly" in favor of a stand-up cabin.
THE USER FEE/EXCISE TAX DEBATE is expected to intensify this week with scheduled votes in the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Senate Commerce Committees on FAA reauthorization legislation. The House FAA reauthorization bill contains a reinstatement of the aviation excise taxes and at least one version of Senate FAA reauthorization legislation would implement user fees (BA, May 27/237). In addition, the House transportation appropriations subcommittee is expected to take action on the fiscal 1997 transportation appropriations bill.
AlliedSignal will consolidate most of its Commercial Avionics Systems operations in new and existing facilities in the Kansas City area, the company said Thursday. The division has operated manufacturing plants in the following cities, with current employment levels shown in parentheses: Redmond, Calif. (530), Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (890), Prescott, Ariz., Singapore (200) and Olathe (1,300 and Lawrence (550), Kan. AlliedSignal had previously commenced moving Prescott operations to Olathe and Lawrence and that consolidation is nearly complete. Redmond and Ft.
RANDALL RAEDLEIN joined Western Aircraft as a sales representative for maintenance services. Raedlein, formerly director of maintenance for Boise Cascade Corp., will be responsible for marketing repair, inspection and modification services for turbine aircraft.
A veteran McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems test pilot escaped injury last week when the prototype 600N helicopter he was flying lost its tail boom following a rotor strike, made a hard landing after autorotation and then burned when hot exhaust components started a brush fire on the ground.
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD issued an urgent recommendation Friday for "immediate inspection" of all Sukhoi SU-29 and SU-31 aerobatic airplanes "to ensure that the flight control systems are properly assembled and that all control system cotter pins are properly installed." The board's action resulted from its continuing investigation of the fatal crash of an SU-29 March 21 near New Orleans, La. while the pilot was practicing to perform in an air show.
BOMBARDIER REGIONAL AIRCRAFT DIVISION is scheduled to deliver the second of three de Havilland Dash 8 Series 200 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) to National Jet Systems Group of Adelaide, Australia this month. The aircraft will be operated by Surveillance Australia, a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Jet Systems, for the Australian Customs Service's Coastwatch program. Equipped with optional long-range fuel tanks, the Dash 8 MPA can fly 300 nautical miles to a search area, conduct a low-level search of approximately 1,000 nm and return to base with reserve fuel.
ZOLTEK COMPANIES, INC. named Orel R. Kiphart, 58, president of Zoltek Corp., its carbon fiber manufacturing subsidiary. For the past four years, Kiphart was director of carbon products for BFGoodrich Aerospace where he was in charge of the high-temperature composite business that includes carbon/carbon aircraft brakes, industrial high-temperature composite and ceramic products. Prior to joining BFGoodrich, Kiphart was president of Barracuda Technologies, Inc. for five years and before that he spent 13 years with Heath Tecna Corp. in upper management.
COOPER AVIATION INDUSTRIES expanded its Cooper Express parts delivery service with the opening of a new office and warehouse in South Florida. The new Cooper Aviation Supply Co. facility allows Cooper to provide service on a next-day basis throughout Florida, the company said. The offices are located at 1389 S. Andrews Ave., Pompano Beach, Fla. 33069; telephone: (954) 782-1411; fax: (954) 782-1384.
EUROCOPTER Model SA-365N, N1 and N2 helicopters (Docket No. 95-SW-01- AD; Amdt. 39-9577; AD 96-09-03) - requires an inspection of the door jettison systems to determine if the handle shafts are locked to the jettison systems. If so, the AD requires installation of a snapwire on the jettison systems, a visual inspection of the door jettison handles to determine whether two spring pins are installed and installation of a second spring pin, if necessary.
HONEYWELL, INC. named Laurie Fenton director of federal government affairs. She will serve as the company's "principal representative" to Congress and manage Honeywell's relations with senior administration officials in Washington, D.C., the company said. Fenton, a veteran of 10 years on Capitol Hill who most recently served as chief of staff for Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.), will report to Glen Skovholt, corporate vice president of government and community affairs.
MAGNETEK, INC., the Nashville, Tenn., manufacturer of electrical equipment and components, named former AlliedSignal Aerospace executive Ronald Hoge president and chief executive. Hoge succeeds MagneTek founder Andrew Galef, who continues as chairman. Hoge served as president of AlliedSignal's Aerospace Equipment Systems Division since 1993. Before that, he was president and chief executive officer of Onan Corp., the generator subsidiary of Cummins Engine Company.
AVIAT Models S-2A, S-2B and S-2S airplanes (Docket No. 95-CE-101-AD; Amdt. 39-9584; AD 96-09-08) - requires inspection of the longerons aft of the rear cabane struts for cracks and repair of cracked longerons before further flight. This action is prompted by reports of longeron failure from fatigue. The actions specified by the AD are intended to prevent cracking, subsequent longeron failure, and loss of control of the airplane.
BRIAN OLDS was appointed senior vice president-aircraft sales and leasing for AAR Engine Group, Inc. Olds previously was vice president, operations for AAR Financial Services unit.
REGINA COOK joined Western Aircraft as a sales representative for fuel and aircraft services. Previously a customer service representative for Sun Valley Aviation, Cook will be responsible for line service sales for Western.
The movement to reinstate expired aviation excise taxes received a boost last week with a House panel's approval of a measure to renew the taxes and an appeal from Sen. Larry Pressler (R-S.D.) to the Department of Transportation to support tax reinstatement. The House aviation subcommittee Thursday approved by voice vote the aviation excise taxes provision contained in legislation to reauthorize Federal Aviation Administration programs and address a host of other aviation issues (See related article below).
DOUG PETERSON was named president and chief operating officer of Aon Aviation, the international aviation insurance company. Peterson, who will work at Aon Aviation's offices in Minneapolis, Minn. and Chicago, Ill., will be responsible for the administration and day-to-day management of the company.
