BEECH Model 400A airplanes (Docket No. 95-NM-75-AD) - proposes to require an inspection to verify whether the securing rivet is installed on the rod end of the control push rods of the spoiler flight control system, an inspection to verify if the jam nut is secure on the opposite end of the rod end and repair of any discrepancy. This proposal is prompted by a report of loss of roll control on the co-pilot's control wheel shortly after takeoff due to a rivet missing from the control push rod.
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE last week delivered the first of two Gulfstream IV-SP aircraft to the Swedish Armed Forces. The aircraft is equipped with an electronic surveillance system that will provide multi-mission capability. TRW's Avionics and Surveillance Group jointly produced the reconnaissance equipment, which provides broad-area coverage and long-endurance signal intelligence capability.
The Orange County, Calif. Board of Supervisors selected a consultant to prepare a multimillion dollar plan for future development of the El Toro Marine Base. P&D Consultants, Inc., will receive $2.7 million for preparation of the "El Toro Community Reuse Plan and Environmental Impact Report." The two documents will be prepared simultaneously and are expected to be completed in the fall of 1996.
KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES will lease four Fokker 70 jets to replace its fleet of four Fokker F28s. KLM subsidiary KLM Cityhopper will operate the aircraft, which will be delivered in the first half of next year. KLM Cityhopper has operated F28s since 1978.
FlightSafety International, Inc., which announced a joint agreement with Chinese officials early this year to establish a simulator training facility in Kunming, China (BA, Jan. 30/50), last week detailed plans for a facility that can house and train as many as 200 pilots at one time. The training center will consist of two buildings: a three-story training center complex that can accommodate three simulators in each of two bays; and, a 12-story building that will include crew quarters, a swimming pool and gymnasium, 24-hour dining services and study rooms.
General aviation industry leaders last week expressed fear that a bill to reform the Federal Aviation Administration is taking the wrong direction and agreed the bill should focus on personnel and procurement reforms rather than new user fees for the industry. The Senate aviation subcommittee is drafting a bill that envisions a quasi-independent agency completely funded by user fees (BA, Aug. 14/67).
EMBRAER rolled out its 50-passenger EMB-145 regional jet this month and plans to take the first aircraft on a North American sales tour in February. The debut of the -145, priced at $14.5 million in 1995 dollars, had been delayed by Embraer's severe financial problems that eventually resulted in the restructuring of the company (BA, Dec. 12/255). Lingering concerns about the company's long-term financial viability probably explain the relatively slim rollout orderbook: 18 firm orders, 16 options and 127 letters of intent.
NORTECH SYSTEMS, INC. finalized acquisition of Aerospace Systems, a division of Communications Cable, Inc., of Sanford, N.C. Nortech plans to operate Aerospace as an independent division based in Fairmont, Minn. "We are extremely pleased to have completed this acquisition," said Quent Finkelson, chairman, president and chief executive of Nortech Systems, Inc.
Summary: Pursuant to FAA's rulemaking provisions governing the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for rulemaking (14 CFR part 11), this notice contains a summary of certain petitions requesting the initiation of rulemaking procedures for the amendment of specified provisions of the Federal Aviation Regulations and of denials or withdrawals of certain petitions previously received. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities.
BOB RUSSELL was named project manager-maintenance training plans for FlightSafety International. Russell previously was director of aircraft services for Duncan Aviation.
AlliedSignal Engines' TFE731-40, part of a new generation of engines in the TFE731 family, has received Federal Aviation Administration certification. The -40, which will power Israel Aircraft Industries' Astra SPX and Dassault's Falcon 50EX aircraft, is the second engine in the "new 731 series" to receive certification. The TFE731-60, which was selected for the Falcon 900EX, received certification earlier this year. A third TFE731 engine - the -20 - is slated for certification in December and will power the Learjet 45.
JETSTREAM Model 4101 airplanes (Docket No. 94-NM-189-AD; Amdt. 39- 9313; AD 95-15-10) - requires an inspection to determine if a travel stop (screw) is installed at the flight control assembly and various follow-on actions. This amendment is prompted by a report of failure of the travel stop, which allowed the elevator and aileron disconnect handles to rotate within the housing due to migration of the travel stop from its position.
FRANK DUNKER was appointed manager of aircraft technical support for Ronson Aviation. Dunker, previously with American Beechcraft Company, will provide maintenance and operational advice to owners and operators of Beech aircraft.
NASA'S Aeronautics Advisory Committee will meet Sept. 28 at the agency's Washington, D.C. headquarters to discuss a number of topics of interest to the general aviation community. In addition to an aeronautics over-view, the agenda includes a discussion of the renaissance in flight project, a report from the propulsion subcommittee and a wind tunnel update. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. in Room 7H46 at 300 E. St. S.W. For more information, call Mary Ellen McGrath at (202) 358-4729.
Frederick I. Kocher, a 25-year veteran of USAir, was named by Rolls- Royce North America, Inc. (RRNA), as senior vice president-customer support with responsibility for civil customer support and spares supply services for the engine manufacturer. John Sandford, president and chief executive of RRNA, said Kocher's appointment "is an important part of our plan to rationalize airline and corporate customer services activities across the civil aerospace product lines of Rolls-Royce and our affiliates.
Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a draft advisory circular that would define for the first time an owner-produced part. FAA said AC 20-62D is intended to provide "guidance for use in the determination of quality, eligibility and traceablitiy of aeronautical replacement parts intended for installation on type-certificated products." FAA is seeking comments on the draft through Oct. 3. Comments should be sent to FAA, General Aviation and Commercial Branch, AFS-340, 800 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20591.
BFGOODRICH AEROSPACE AVIONICS SYSTEMS received FAA TSO approval for its ADI-335 attitude indicator. The approval allows BFGoodrich to begin shipment of the units to customers, including S-76 helicopter operators. The three-inch, compact attitude and navigation display instrument uses dual ARINC 429 and dual CSDB digital inputs.
ROBERT HENDERSON has joined Ft. Lauderdale Jet Center as airline services manager. Henderson will manage day to day ground handling operations, skycap and passenger services, cabin service and GSE maintenance.
JETSTREAM Model 3201 airplanes (Docket No. 95-CE-26-AD) - proposes to require repetitive inspections of the main landing gear bay forward lower edge wing skin structure for cracks, replacement of any cracked doubler with a joggled doubler to reinforce the area and eventual incorporation of these doublers on all affected airplanes. This proposal is prompted by cracking found at the main landing gear bay forward lower edge wing skin structure during fatigue testing of a Model 3201 airplane.
AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION published a safety review of the Mooney M20 series of aircraft. The Mooney study examines 392 M20 accidents between 1982 and 1991, and for comparison, reviews 2,450 other single-engine, retractable-gear accidents. "Mooneys have a reputation as challenging aircraft, particularly to land," said ASF Executive Director Bruce Landsberg.
SimuFlite Training International and K-C Aviation have teamed up to offer dual scheduling of their maintenance and training services in Dallas. Sales representatives from each company will coordinate scheduling for their respective services. K-C Aviation President John Rahilly called the joint marketing effort "a natural integration of services" and Jeffrey Roberts, SimuFlite's managing director of sales and marketing, expects the service to maximize a flight department's labor and minimize downtime.
NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORP. signed a memorandum of agreement this month with EFW of Fort Worth, Tex., under which EFW will join the team headed by Northrop Grumman competing for a U.S. Air Force contract to perform avionics upgrades on the T-38 Talon II. EFW, a subsidiary of Elbit Ltd., will provide the core avionics package if the Northrop Grumman team wins the 425-aircraft contract.
JETSTREAM Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes (Docket No. 92-CE-23-AD; Amdt. 39- 9319; AD 95-15-13) - requires inspection of the main passenger/crew door locking mechanism to ensure that a taper pin is installed, installation of a taper if not already installed, and modification of the passenger door warning system. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the inability to open the passenger/crew door or failure of the passenger door warning system, which could result in passenger injury if emergency evacuation is needed.
SCHWEIZER AIRCRAFT introduced a new Ru-38A reconnaissance aircraft designed for the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard will take delivery of three Ru- 38As, two of which are modified versions of the RG-8A single-engine, low altitude multi-mission aircraft. The Ru-38A, a twin-engine, is designed to fly covert, day/night patrol missions. The aircraft will sport two Teledyne Continental GIO-550 air-cooled piston engines mounted in tandem.
PRIESTER AVIATION, based at Pal-Waukee Municipal Airport in Wheeling, Ill., added a Falcon 20 to its air charter fleet. The company is managing the aircraft for a Chicago-based health care provider. The Falcon 20 brings the Priester fleet to 16 aircraft.
