BELL Model 206A and 206B helicopters (Docket No. 94-SW-16-AD) - proposes to supersede an existing AD that requires an inspection of the main transmission input driveshaft assembly at intervals of 300 hours time in service (TIS); the application of zinc chromate primer inspection visual aid, and, daily visual checks of the driveshaft. This action would require inspections of the driveshaft at 300 hours TIS intervals; the application of a self-adhesive temperature indicator visual inspection aid, and, pre- flight visual owner/operator checks of the driveshaft.
SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION, Rockford, Ill., elected Robert H. Jenkins president and chief executive officer, effective Oct. 1. Jenkins, 52, who also was elected to the company's board of directors, had been executive vice president of Illinois Tool Works in Glenview, Ill., a diversified manufacturer of engineered components and systems. His election culminates a year-long search for a chief executive that began when Harry Stonecipher left to become president and CEO of McDonnell Douglas Corp. (BA, Oct. 3/144). Don R.
AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration to permit a test program of instrument training using personal computer- based ground training devices. FAA requires a minimum of 35 hours of actual or simulated instrument flight experience for an instrument rating.
BEECH Model 400 and 400A airplanes (Docket No. 95-NM-31-AD; Amdt. 39- 9352; AD 95-18-04) - requires modification of the autopilot and rudder boost interlock. This amendment is prompted by a report indicating that the rudder boost system installed on these airplanes does not operate correctly during deployment of a thrust reverser. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent incorrect operation of the rudder boost system during deployment of a thrust reverser and to prevent the autopilot from exceeding certain bank angle limits.
REGIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY of Louisville and Jefferson County, Ky. is soliciting bids until Nov. 8 for a full-service fixed-base operation at Louisville International Airport. A pre-bid conference will be held at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Authority Administration Office Building, Louisville International Airport-Standiford Field. For bid documents, contact Kempton Lindquist, Director of Properties, Regional Airport Authority of Louisville and Jefferson County, P.O. Box 9129, Louisville, Ky. 40209-0129; telephone (502) 368-6524; fax (502) 367-0199.
De HAVILLAND DHC-6 series airplanes (Docket No. 91-CE-21-AD; Amdt. 39- 9358; AD 95-18-11) - supersedes AD 73-05-03, which requires repetitive inspections of the rear spar cap for cracks and replacement of any cracked rear spar cap. FAA's policy on aging commuter-class aircraft is to eliminate, or in certain instances, reduce the number of repetitive short- interval inspections when improved parts or modifications are available. This action requires modification of the wing rear spar support (Modification No. 6/1301) as a terminating action for the repetitive inspections.
FLIGHTSTAR CORP., Rantoul, Ill., broke ground last month for a fixed-base operation at the airport that was formerly Chanute Air Force Base. Flightstar President Bill Giannetti said the new facility will include an 18,750-square-foot hangar large enough to accommodate Gulfstream IV-size aircraft, plus a 4,500-square-foot office building with crew lounge, conference room, flight planning room and passenger lounge. Mike Kochvar, Flightstar's manager of Rantoul operations, will continue in that capacity when the new FBO is completed.
Kaman Corp. named Admiral Huntington Hardisty (Ret.), a U.S. Navy veteran and a member of the company's board of directors, as president of Kaman Aerospace International Corp. Kaman, headquartered in Bloomfield, Conn., is a diversified company that provides products and services for a number of markets, including the SH-2G Super Seasprite Naval helicopter and the K-MAX "aerial truck" utility helicopter. Hardisty, a highly decorated Naval aviator who rose to vice chief of naval operations and commander-in- chief of the U.S.
JETSTREAM Model 4101 airplanes (Docket No. 95-NM-125-AD; Amdt. 39- 9316; AD 95-15-11) - requires a visual inspection of the passenger seat belt assemblies to determine if certain seat belt shackles are installed, and replacement of those shackles with improved ones. This amendment is prompted by reports indicating that certain passenger seat belt shackles have failed. The actions specified in this AD are intended to preserve the effectiveness of the passenger safety restraint system during takeoff and landing or in an emergency situation.
THE NEW LIGHT BUSINESS JET that Raytheon Aircraft Company plans to unveil at this week's NBAA convention is expected to be the first of several new models the company will introduce over the next several years as it attempts to become more aggressive in the commercial marketplace. The new business jet will incorporate a filament-wound composite fuselage to reduce aircraft weight and cut manufacturing costs and uprated Williams turbofans to boost performance.
NEW NTSB MEMBERS often take a few months to settle into their new jobs, but former USAir mechanic John Goglia is taking advantage of his new high-profile post to preach the virtues of maintenance resource management (MRM) training. Goglia, who joined the board last month (BA, Aug. 21/77), believes attention to human factors issues in maintenance will produce some of the same safety benefits that have accrued from similar programs for pilots. See article below.
Pratt&Whitney Canada is improving warranty coverage for new production units of seven jet and turboprop models. The warranty for new engines will now provide coverage for up to 2,500 hours from first operation, or up to five years after delivery to the first operator (whichever occurs first), for the following engines used in corporate/business applications only : JT15D-5, JT15D-5D, PT6A-21, PT6A-42, PT6A-60A, PT6A-64 and PT6A-67B. The warranty for basic unscheduled removals is available for engines damaged as a result of defects in manufacture or materials.
FLIGHTCRAFT, the West Coast chain of fixed-base operations, has implemented a program based on total quality management (TQM) techniques designed to provide enhanced workmanship and increased customer satisfaction. The program was launched after a year of integrating TQM approaches throughout Flightcraft's airframe and avionics departments. Key elements include a team leader assigned to each aircraft; 24-hour parts and service availability; reviews of estimates with customers before work begins and delivery of aircraft on time with "no surprises" on the final bill.
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE Friday rolled out the first Gulfstream V very long- range business jet during ceremonies at the factory in Savannah, Ga. The aircraft, powered by BMW Rolls-Royce BR710 turbofans, is scheduled to make its first flight in November.
National Air Transportation Association last week strongly supported a Federal Aviation Administration proposal to allow pilots in Part 135 operations to perform certain maintenance tasks including the removal and installation of aircraft seats (BA, July 31/48).
BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON opened an office in India to pursue new business opportunities. Michael Robbins, most recently director of marketing of Bell's Singapore office, was named managing director of the office in India and vice president, Textron India Inc. The office is located near Safdarjung Airport in the Golf Links area of southeast New Delhi.
DISRUPTIONS in operation of the air traffic control system due to breakdowns of aging computer equipment and power outages is drawing a lot of attention from senior DOT and FAA officials, but the problem could become a lot worse over the next several years as a large portion of the ATC maintenance work force becomes eligible for retirement. See article below.
United Air Lines called in hundreds of maintenance managers to its San Francisco maintenance base for human factors training in maintenance resource management (MRM) techniques this month, a program that included the active participation of John Goglia, a former mechanic for USAir who became a member of the National Transportation Safety Board in August. The maintenance managers who attended the training course in San Francisco now will train those mechanics and technicians who work for them.
Senior Transportation Department and FAA officials outlined steps last week to address continuing reliability problems with aging air traffic control equipment, but there was no immediate answer to growing concerns that nearly 40 percent of the technicians who maintain ATC equipment may retire during the next couple of years.
RAYTHEON CORPORATE JETS Model BAe 125-800A and -1000A and Model Hawker 800 and 1000 series airplanes (Docket No. 95-NM-43-AD) - proposes to require an inspection to determine if the diode soldered connections are clean and functionally sound. This proposal also would require remake of the soldered connection and replacement of the diode with a new diode, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by reports of imperfect soldered connections in the engine starting and battery emergency control circuit.
MOONEY Model M20K airplanes (Docket No. 95-CE-11-AD; Amdt. 39-9359; AD 95-18-12) - requires inspection to see if the airplane is equipped with a Gerdes fuel selector valve, part number A-2580 and replacement of any Gerdes fuel selector valve with an Airright fuel selector valve. This action is prompted by a malfunction of a Gerdes fuel selector valve, in which the valve did not allow the operator to select the appropriate fuel tank. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent such fuel selector valve malfunction.
GS Capital Partners, L.P., an investment fund managed by Goldman, Sachs&Co., has acquired a minority stake in Executive Jet Aviation, Inc. Kevin Russell, senior vice president of EJA, refused to disclose precisely how large a stake GS Capital acquired, describing it as "a significant, but still minority interest in EJA."
RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT is nearing completion of its $8.5 million, 230,000- square-foot Plant IV expansion to house the assembly lines for its turbine products. The expansion, scheduled for completion in October, was initiated to accommodate Hawker aircraft assembly, which is being moved from the United Kingdom to Wichita. The transfer of the assembly is expected to begin this fall and be completed in 1997. Once the expansion is completed, Plant IV will house Hawker, Beechjet and T-1A Jayhawk, Beech King Air and Beech 1900D aircraft assembly.
WAYNE TURNQUIST was appointed president of the International Aviation Group. Turnquist, previously executive vice president of International Aviation Palm Beach, will report directly to International Aviation CEO Harvey Bennett and oversee the operations of the company's four locations. Turnquist will remain based in Palm Beach. International Aviation also named Charles Brown vice president. Brown formerly served as executive vice president overseeing FBO operations in Westchester, N.Y. and Teterboro, N.J.
