AT THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM was the Alaska Air Carriers Association, whose members would be among the most severely affected by the proposed Part 135/121 changes. AACA filed a comprehensive response, documenting its concerns and provided a first-hand glimpse of aviation in the 49th state with a pictorial addendum. Kim Daniels, AACA executive director, sent disposable cameras to 20 member airlines with instructions to have pilots take pictures showing the conditions under which aircraft are actually used in Alaska.
TERRY HOLBURN was appointed vice president of marketing for Keith Products, Inc. of Dallas, Texas. Holburn previously served as southwest regional director of marketing for Abex/NWL Aerospace.
CAMERON GOWANS was appointed regional sales manager for Execaire's Aircraft Sales Division. Gowans, who will be based in Toronto, will be responsible for the marketing and sales of Cessna Citation business aircraft in eastern Canada.
BOMBARDIER Business Aircraft Division, which in March lost President Bryan Moss to chief competitor Gulfstream Aerospace (BA, March 20/119), has hired a top sales executive away from Gulfstream. Peter Edwards, former vice president G-V sales and marketing for Gulfstream, joined Bombardier as vice president, international sales. Edwards will market the very-long- range Global Express - which is in head-to-head competition with the G-V - as well as the Canadair Challenger and corporate variants of the Canadair Regional Jet (see article below).
The House transportation appropriations subcommittee last week approved an $8.343 billion package for the Federal Aviation Administration in fiscal 1996 that includes increased funding for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and protects a five percent pay differential for air traffic controllers. The package was part of a $37.795 billion fiscal 1996 appropriations draft proposal for the Department of Transportation. The proposal represents an overall reduction of $461.8 million in DOT funding and cuts $49.2 million in FAA funding for fiscal 1996.
AEROSPATIALE Model ATR-72-101, -102 and -202 series airplanes (Docket No. 95-NM-60-AD; Amdt. 39-9258; AD 95-12-08) - requires repetitive inspections to detect displacement of the rear hinge bush and to detect cracking or rupture of the rear hinge pin on the main landing gear leg, and correction of any discrepancies. This amendment is prompted by a report of the failure of this hinge pin on an in-service airplane.
MOONEY Model M20R airplanes (Docket No. 95-CE-24-AD; Amdt. 39-9267; AD 95- 12-16) - supersedes priority letter AD 95-07-04, which requires repetitive inspection of the exhaust system for cracks, replacement of the system if cracks are found, and a report to FAA of any cracks found. This action retains the repetitive inspection requirements until the exhaust system is modified and requires eventual modification of the system. This action is prompted by several reports of exhaust system cracks on the affected airplanes.
TRIMBLE AND HONEYWELL signed an agreement to cooperate in the development of Global Positioning System products. Under the agreement, Honeywell's Air Transport Systems, Business and Commuter Aviation Systems, Space Systems and Military Avionics divisions will pursue joint opportunities with Trimble. The companies will collaborate on technology development, product development, marketing and supply.
CHARLES TRUJILLO was appointed to Garrett Aviation Services' office of the regional sales manager for Europe. Trujillo, who will be based in Paris, France, will be responsible for providing service and support information for Garrett overseas operators, including assistance with maintenance schedules, trouble-shooting and technical information.
The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded the contract for technical assistance in the development of the next generation of air traffic automation systems to TRW Government Services in a new streamlined contracting process. The seven-year contract, valued at $231 million, calls for TRW to provide up to 4.5 million hours of engineering and related services. George Donohue, FAA associate administrator for research and acquisitions, said the contract is important to FAA for two reasons.
SOCATA TBM 700 airplanes (Docket No. 94-CE-26-AD; Amdt. 39-9249; AD 95-11- 16) - requires installation of pneumatic deicers on the elevator horn leading edges. This action is prompted by ice accumulation on one of the affected airplanes during flight testing in icing conditions. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent ice accumulation on the elevator horn and subsequent loss of control of the airplane.
AMERICAN ELECTRONICS ASSOCIATION named Rep. Norman Mineta's (D-Calif.) former press secretary to the post of director of public affairs for the association. Beneva Schulte will be responsible for formulating media strategies and public relations policies and will be the primary spokesperson for AEA. Before working for Mineta, Schulte served on the staffs of two members of Congress from Minnesota, Reps. David Minge and Gerry Sikorski.
TELEDYNE CONTINENTAL MOTORS, formerly Bendix, S-20, S-200, S-600 and S-1200 series magnetos (Docket No. 93-ANE-44; Amdt. 39-9271; AD 94-01-03 R2) - revises an existing AD that requires replacement of Bendix ignition coils and rotating magnets, regardless of total time in service, with improved TCM ignition coils, rotating magnets and marking magnetos to indicate compliance. The AD only called for replacement of the ignition coils on S- 1200 series magnetos. This AD clarifies language in the AD to specify that the actions are mandatory.
AIR METHODS CORP., Denver, Colo., said North Carolina Baptist Hospital signed a five-year renewal of a contract under which Air Methods will continue to operate an emergency medical services helicopter for the hospital. In conjunction with the renewal, Air Methods is providing a new Bell Model 412 equipped with an intensive care interior. Under the AirCare EMS contract with the hospital, which is affiliated with Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University, Air Methods is providing an aircraft and pilot and maintenance services.
BARRY MASSEY was named manager of FlightSafety International's Greater Philadelphia/Wilmington Learning Center. Massey most recently served as manager of aviation management contracts for AMR Combs at Windsor Locks, Conn.
Japanese helicopter manufacturer Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Okura and Company, a trading house, have signed an agreement with EH Industries to jointly market and support the EH101 multi-role helicopter. Under the agreement, Kawasaki will assist in marketing, establish maintenance and support facilities, and, "when appropriate," manufacture the medium-lift helicopter in Japan, officials said.
Rockwell International's Collins Commercial Avionics signed a memorandum of agreement to jointly develop a product line of ground collision avoidance system (GCAS). The GCAS line will be based upon Collins traffic alert and collision avoidance system technology and a Dassault GCAS line replaceable unit, officials said. GCAS, an airborne system, alerts operators of controlled flight into terrain situations by identifying aircraft position through a worldwide terrain database integrated with onboard sensors.
HAMILTON STANDARD 14RF, 247F, 14SF and 6/5500/F series propellers (Docket No. 95-ANE-32) - proposes to supersede an existing AD that requires initial and repetitive inspections of the propeller control unit (PCU) servo ballscrew internal spline teeth for wear and replacement, if necessary. This proposed AD would increase the repetitive inspection interval from 1,500 to 2,500 hours time in service for propellers that have a ballscrew quill damper installed.
IF THE PART 121/135 PROPOSAL IS ADOPTED, it will "result in pricing the 10- to 19-passenger airplane out of scheduled airline business," Morgan said, observing that many operators will be forced to switch to smaller, piston-powered planes and travelers will have to fly on those smaller aircraft or drive instead of fly. "Either option will result in a substantial increase in accident exposure for travelers," Morgan said, adding that "if this proposal is adopted, as written, it will be the greatest degradation to public safety that this country has ever faced."
FOKKER Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes (Docket No. 94-NM-232-AD) - proposes to require modification of the rear spar-to-fuselage attachment. This proposal is prompted by a report indicating that, during full-scale fatigue tests, cracking was found in the coupling plate and web plate of the rear spar end fitting at the attachment of the main frame at fuselage station 17011 due to fatigue-related stress. The actions specified by this proposal are intended to prevent fatigue-related cracking, which could reduce the structural integrity of the wing.
AVIO-DIEPEN, a Fokker affiliate, signed a contract with Plastronic Hong Kong Limited to form a distribution center in Hong Kong. Avio-Diepen will own 60 percent of the new center, to be called Avio-Diepen Hong Kong, and Plastronic Hong Kong will own the remaining interest. The spare parts distribution facility is slated to be operational in August.
COLLINS COMMERCIAL AVIONICS was selected by Fokker Aircraft B.V. to provide satellite-based avionics systems for Fokker aircraft. Collins will supply its AVSAT flight management system with integrated GPS/FMS capability for the Fokker 70 and 100. The AVSAT system will include a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) navigation and landing unit (GNLU). Collins will perform the systems integration with the other major avionics systems. AVSAT, introduced in September, has been in a flight testing program since March. Collins expects certification in August 1996.
FAIRCHILD AIRCRAFT took aim last week at several elements of FAA's proposal to impose Part 121 standards on most operators of 10- to19-seat aircraft now operating under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, but some of the most compelling statements regarded the estimated costs of implementing the proposed changes.In a detailed presentation at last week's public meeting on the Part 121/135 proposal in Las Vegas, Nev., Jack Morgan, chief of aviation safety and airworthiness for Fairchild, said: "The FAA has estimated that the proposed rule would cost the industry ab
NASA and the National Transportation Safety Board are joining forces to sponsor a symposium late this year on the problem of operator fatigue in transportation. The symposium, "Managing Fatigue in Transportation: Promoting Safety and Productivity," will examine fatigue in a number of transportation modes, including aviation. NTSB describes the Nov.
