BEECH 33, 35 and 36 series airplanes (Docket No. 94-CE-12-AD; Amdt. 39- 9155; AD 95-04-03) - supersedes AD 92-08-07, which requires a one-time inspection of the wing front spar carry-through frame structure for cracks, and repair or reinforcement of any cracked structure. This action would make the inspection repetitive. This action is prompted by 43 reports of cracks found on the wing front spar carry-through frame structures. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended prevent severe wing damage.
TED ELAND, a 35-year aviation industry veteran, has joined Sigma-Tek as sales manager. Eland most recently was involved in aviation research with Aviation Data Service in Wichita. Previously, he led sales and marketing activities for Piaggio Aviation. Eland also spent 22 years with the Gas Turbine Division of the former Avco Lycoming.
TWIN COMMANDER FLIGHT GROUP has planned its inaugural meeting and fly-in June 15-18 at the Downtown Airpark in Oklahoma City, Okla. Organizers expect more than 200 Commander aircraft to participate in the four-day event. Twin Commander Flight Group, based in Blue Springs, Mo., is a recently formed international association of Aero Commander aircraft owners, pilots, service centers and related industry officials. For more information, call (816) 224-0346.
THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD is investigating a Feb. 27 incident at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in which an American Airlines MD-11 and a Lone Star Metroliner narrowly avoided colliding. Preliminary indications are that the MD-11 had been cleared to land on Runway 35R, while the Metroliner crew had been cleared into position on the same runway.
The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed required installation of a modification to the plumbing of the instrument air systems on Beech 1900, 1900C and 1900D airplanes. The proposal would override an existing airworthiness directive requiring a different modification to the instrument air system on 1900 and 1900C airplanes. That AD (91-24-15) stemmed from several reports of moisture freezing in the plumbing on the instrument air system. FAA said such ice formation could cause aerodynamic problems and loss of airplane controllability.
THE ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS Thursday said FAA should get on with the job of setting air quality standards on airliners, following a report from the Centers for Disease Control that said four passengers on a Chicago-Honolulu flight last spring were infected with tuberculosis by a woman passenger sitting near them. The woman who spread the disease died several days after the flight. The infected passengers all tested positive for the disease, but not have yet become ill.
THE EIGHTH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON AVIATION PSYCHOLOGY will be held April 24-27 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Columbus, Ohio. The event is sponsored by the Ohio State University Aviation Psychology Laboratory, The International Journal of Aviation Psychology and the Association of Aviation Psychologists. The symposium will discuss ways to improve the role, responsibility and performance of aviation system operators. Capt. John Nance of Alaska Airlines will be the keynote speaker. For registration information, call (614) 292-2405.
AEROMEDICAL PRODUCTS CO., West Bend, Wis., has introduced a lease program for aeromedical stretchers. The new lease program pays interest on the deposited funds and lease terms range from 18 months to five years.
CECIL SLOAN, JR. was promoted to engine sales representative at Duncan Aviation, Lincoln, Neb. Sloan has more than 15 years' experience at Duncan, having started with the company as a mechanic in 1979. Most recently he had been service manager for the company.
ASTRA JET CORPORATION said Hewlett-Packard Co., Palo Alto, Calif., placed an order for two Astra SPX business jets. The SPX units, to be powered by AlliedSignal TFE731-40R-200G turbofans, are scheduled for delivery in early 1996. In the interim, Hewlett-Packard has taken delivery of two new Astra SP jets. Astra Jet said the new aircraft are replacing two Sabreliner 60 business jets and will be used for daily shuttle service between Hewlett- Packard's San Francisco Bay area facilities and manufacturing operations in Ft. Collins, Colo. and Corvallis, Ore.
JETSTREAM AIRCRAFT LTD. (formerly British Aerospace, Regional Aircraft Ltd.) Jetstream Model 3101 airplanes (Docket No. 92-CE-22-AD; Amdt 39-9124; AD 95-02-06) - supersedes AD 91-08-01, which currently requires the following: revising the maximum speed for flaps at 50 degrees from 153/149 KIAS to 130 KIAS; and limiting the maximum flap extension to 20 degrees any time ice is present on the airplane.
AVIATION MATERIAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT (AVMATS) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Aviation Turbines International, received Joint Aviation Authority approval as a source of maintenance of European aircraft and components in accordance with JAR 145.10. AVMATS provides spare parts and rotable items, avionics equipment and installation, APU reconditioning and airframe service and is an FAA approved Pratt&Whitney JT12 overhaul facility and General Electric engine service center.
AMR COMBS had moved most of its operations from Stapleton to the new Denver International Airport last week, as had Learjet, which already was performing maintenance on some aircraft at the new airport. AMR Combs plans to move its fleet of refuelers and ground support equipment to the new airport Feb. 27, in preparation for its official opening this Tuesday.
Mesa Air Group will purchase 25 Dash 8-200s and secure options for 25, making the multi-affiliated regional the North American launch customer for the 37-passenger aircraft, the carrier and manufacturer Bombardier announced last week. A definitive agreement confirming the purchase is expected to be reached within the next month, with deliveries to begin in February 1996 and continue at a rate of about two per month thereafter. No purchase price was disclosed, but the -200 sells for approximately $10 million per unit.
CENTURY FLIGHT SYSTEMS, INC., received another supplemental type certificate (STC) from FAA, the latest covering installation of the Century 2000 autopilot in Cessna Model U206F, U206G, TU206F and TU206G aircraft.
BOMBARDIER'S Business Aircraft Division sold a new Canadair Challenger 601- 3R to the Republic of Korea for use as a flight inspection aircraft. The aircraft is scheduled to leave Canadair facilities in Montreal in July and following completion, will enter service early next year with Korea's Ministry of Transport. The aircraft will be based at Kimpo International Airport near Seoul. The Korean MOT will become the second Challenger operator in Korea.
CHRISTOPHER MADDY was named director of communications for Cirrus Design Corp., Duluth, Minn. Maddy, who has 13 years' experience in broadcast journalism, was most recently public relations chairman of Aviation Expo 1994, an air show held in Duluth, Minn. Maddy will manage all marketing, public relations and advertising for the Cirrus ST50 turboprop and the Cirrus SR20 aircraft.
BEECH AIRCRAFT CORP. Model 1900, 1900C and 1900D airplanes (Docket No. 93- CE-41-AD; Amdt. 39-9136; AD 95-02-18) - supersedes AD 92-06-09, which currently requires repetitive inspections of the engine trusses for cracks, repair or replacement of any cracked truss and installation of reinforcement doublers. That AD also provides the option of installing an engine truss of improved design as a terminating action for the repetitive inspections. FAA said that since AD 92-06-09 was issued it has received several reports of the improved design trusses cracking.
JETSTREAM AIRCRAFT LTD. (formerly British Aerospace, Regional Airlines Ltd.) HP137 Mk 1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes (Docket No. 94-CE-16-AD; Amdt. 39-9123; AD 95-02-05) - adopts a new AD requiring repetitive inspections of the passenger/crew cabin door handle mounting platform structure for cracks, and if cracks are found, replacement with a structure of improved design as terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The actions required are intended to prevent the inability to open the passenger/crew door.
Winner Aviation Corp. purchased the assets of the fixed-base operation at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport in Youngstown, Ohio this month, a facility previously operated by Aero Services International, Inc. Charles Richard (Rick) Hale, who had been a technical services representative for ASI, will serve as vice president and manager of operations under the new ownership. The sale included all maintenance equipment, including tooling for Garrett TPE331 turboprop engines.
FAA Associate Administrator Anthony Broderick said Friday the agency has broadened a crackdown on unapproved aircraft parts. He warned manufacturers the agency will "aggressively enforce" regulations governing approval for aircraft replacement parts. The agency is publishing a notice in the Federal Register giving manufacturers 90 days to apply for approval to manufacture parts. Broderick said that persons can apply for a PMA (parts manufacturer approval) during this period without any of the information in the application being used to begin enforcement proceedings.
A CONFERENCE on Airport Surface Movement is scheduled for next week just outside Washington, D.C. FAA said it wants to "solicit the public for input on technologies and procedural changes needed to implement and improve the airport safety and surface movement effort." The conference will begin Wednesday, March 8, and continue through Friday at the Arlington Renaissance Hotel, 950 North Stafford St., Arlington, Va. For additional information, call (301) 949-7477 or fax inquiries to Deana Lou at (301) 949-5154.
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELICOPTER SYSTEMS and Hughes Helicopters Inc. Model 369, OH-6A and YOH-6A series helicopters (Docket No. 94-SW-21-AD; Amdt. 39-9147; AD 95-03-11) - adopts a new AD that requires initial and repetitive inspections of the tail rotor blade abrasion strip, installation of stainless steel abrasion tape over the inboard end of the abrasion strip, and as a terminating action, installation of a tail rotor blade with a new- design abrasion strip.
BRACKETT AIRCRAFT CO., INC. air filter assemblies installed on airplanes (Docket No. 94-CE-08-AD; Amdt 39-9139; AD 95-03-02) - adopts a new AD applicable to certain air filter assemblies that have a neoprene gasket design installed between the carburetor heat box and the air filter frame. The AD requires repetitive visual inspections of the air filter frame for a loose or deteriorating gasket, and replacement of any gasket found loose or deteriorated.
New training and experience requirements for pilots of Robinson Model R-22 and R-44 helicopters are being adopted by FAA in response to the number of accidents involving the two models. The new rules also will establish special training and experience requirements for flight instructors conducting student instruction or flight reviews.
